(Lips' Diary Part II--January 1, 2013 to Present)

I have boat-loads o'fun here in New Orleans and sometimes I have so much fun, I wonder if it's real.  So now being in print, it must be True-to-Life!!!

December 31, 2013 

Happy New Year, Y'all--hope you don't get a bad ice cube tonight, as my Dad used to joke (which I actually heard someone say in a 1941 movie I watched on TCM the other day, "Born to be Bad" with Joan Fontaine).

December 26, 2013 

Our spider orchid finished blooming yesterday, part of a Merry Christmas present! (see pix below and to the right):

December 25, 2013 

Spent a lovely Christmas with my Honey!!!  Stopped over at Dottie & Trent's then returned home where his Super-Gumbo revealed more Secrets of the Cosmos (and it's always better the next day!!!!!!!!  Ha-Cha!!!)

Hope y'all had a very Merry one as well and you didn't let anyone try & ruin it for you...xoxoxoxoxo

December 23, 2013 

Jim & Claudia's Christmas Eve Eve Cocktail Party was quite festive & wish I'd had my camera for their unique and fun ornaments on their three trees (not to mention the disco ball in the manger scene--nice touch!)  Thanks for having us, you two lovely folks!  (And please check out Claudia's website www.claudialynch.com)

December 15, 2013 

Got a great "Christmas Present" from my landlady's brother upon returning home from work on Friday:  instead of a "major cut-back" there was a "major de-installation" of all plant-life as we know it. 

Apparently, both he and my landlady hated the green liberties I was taking with their front yard, and he claimed that neighbors were complaining.

Thanks, Beau!  I guess we know who's boss of The (so-called) Garden District...

December 14, 2013 

Played the Preservation Resource Center's Garden District Holiday Home Tour again this year.  The lovely home of the Carpenters on Third Street was open to all voyeurs and we had a pleasant afternoon on the back deck. 

Received a free ticket so got to do some of my own peeking!  Ran into newlyweds returned from a World-Tour, Dottie & Trent Strasbourg (see all pix to the right and and below, my personal favorite place):

December 13, 2013 

Had Christmas Luncheon at Mr. B's Bistro again this year.  Glad I did not partake of the $1.50 martootis as I felt fine with a Pointsetta Royale.  (See pic to the right of yummy goodness):

Thanks, Rocky!

December 12, 2013  

Our spider orchid (bestowed upon us by our wonderful neighbors Vera & Margaret when they moved) bloomed on this day, the Virgin of Gaudulupe Day, where according to legend, out-of-season roses had bloomed, were picked, and then the Lady's face appeared, down in Mexico City.

From the Internet:

"Official Catholic accounts state that on the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego saw an apparition of a young girl at the Hill of Tepeyac, near Mex C.  Speaking to him in Nahuatl, the girl asked that a church be built at that site in her honor; from her words, Juan Diego recognized the girl as the Virgin Mary."

December 11, 2013 

Was excited to see John Waters Christmas Show last night at the Civic Theatre, but sadly he wasn't that funny!  Had seen and met him in the past at his art show and his presentation for the Tennessee Williams 100th Birthday party here, but his stand-up comedy routine fell flat.  Would have rather seen a couple of episodes of "Impractical Jokers" on Tru-TV. 

December 8, 2013 

Had to dig up my yard since my landlady is enforcing her "curb appeal" rule.  Diane got my orchid tree (I grew from seed!), Laurie came by, and my neighbor on Pleasant Street wheeled off the lime tree.  Thought I might be able to lean her over to my "Jungle Ways," but alas!  She's coming for a "major cut back" this week. 

If you know anyone who wants to give a good home to my babies, please stop by and do a rescue!  Meanwhile, I'm looking around for a big plot of land.  Didn't know I was such a horticulturist, huh?

December 7, 2013 

Had to get a hug from John Besh this a.m. at the Farmer's Market--he was there promoting his new book, Cooking from the Heart, & he certainly does.  Love, love, love all his restaurants, his food & HIM, HIM, HIM! 

Took in the Fete de Marche at the Pitot House put on by the Louisiana Landmarks Society (of which we are members!)  John Rankin plays, the living history folks dance, Mary & Tomio sell their deelipshus cello, (both limoncello & satsumacello), of which I purchased the satsuma variety after a sumptuous tasting!  They grow their own fruit out there in the Bywater & turns out these lovely folk are good friends of a fellow I made the acquaintance of on top of a pyramid in Guatemala back in '94:  Mr. Leigh McGowen, of Jenerette, Louisiana! 

Also found my clove soap connection, "Mermaids Purse" from Oceans Springs, Mississippi.  Saw my friends, Vendors Tracy of Kabuki and Linda Burns--quite chilly out there this year and the grapefruit harvest from the trees at the Pitot House was not as abundant, but it was great fun seeing everyone, especially the new vendor this year, Barry from the Louisiana Music Factory--what a great guy! Heard they were pulling up stakes from their 22-year Decatur Street gig to Frenchmen Street where the Junque Shop used to be.  Best of Everything, Barry!

December 1, 2013 

Saw John Goodman walking his dog yesterday on my way to the Farmer's Market--thought it was a good sign since the Treme's last season (#3.5 as it only has five shows) starts tonight!

Camellias are in bloom and our loquat tree busted out this weekend.  Niiiiice. 

Happy Holidays, Y'All!!!!!!!

November 28, 2013 

Hit the Race Track this chilly a.m. for some Thanksgiving Day fun!  Sat inside for the first time due to the temp not leaving the 40-degree range!  Woo!  Nice view:

Always a good time to run into New Orleans musicians:

Washboard Chaz, Tom McDermott & meself 

Before heading out to hearth & home:

M & I, dueling fedoras

November 27, 2013 

Every day is Thanksgiving here in the Town that loves to eat GOOD! 

I'm especially thankful all-year round to have a Certified Excecutive Chef as my Significant Other!!! And tomorrow I get treated to his world-reknown Roasted Butternut Squash Soup!!! 

See ya at the Race Track tomorrow!!  xoxoxox

November 23, 2013 

Paraded with Claudia Lynch and her St. Catherine's Hat Day crew this a.m.  We gathered at the little park on St Charles Avenue between Toledano and Pleasant (yes, it was), sipping bubbly and snapping photos.  Claudia was poised and articulate during her interview with the local ABC-TV affiliate, WGNO:

She explained that St. Catherine is the Patron Saint of milliners, dress & hatmakers, & in Paris there's a big she-bang...

This year's theme was "Been There, Done Hat" and the clever winner donned a hat box with travel decals of places she's visited.  She leads the parade as Grand Marshall next year: 

I made it to the beginning of the TV news clip, even though I was at the back of the parading gals.  I went by, saw the camera, and went by again!  No shame!

A chilly, but lovely day, M. biked along:

and as my own personal chevalier, made sure my glass was full for the parade route which went down the Avenue, turned right on Washington Ave., right on Prytania, right on Louisiana Ave. and right on St. Charles, Right On! (see pix to the right)

November 20, 2013 

Checked out Casey Groves' one-person play, "Seelos: Doctor of Souls" at the Notre Dame Seminary's Schulte Auditorium.  He wrote and stars in a story about the life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos--a Priest that ministered to the poor in the early 1800s (starting out in Bavaria and ending up in New Orleans) and is up for Sainthood due to the healings that took place following his prayers for people.  Apparently he needs only one more verified miracle to move him into Sainthood!

The Seelos Shrine is in my old neighborhood, Lower Garden District, at St. Mary's Church.  I am always interested in spiritual items and events, and this town seems to have more than most. 

The filmed version of the show will air on PBS next Spring.  Check it out!

November 17, 2013 

Thrilled Beyond that my Long-Time Idol-of-All-Time, Mr. Jimmy Thackery graced us with his presence last night at Chickie Wah Wah's!  Have been following him since Back in The Day and hadn't seen him in a coon's age and a half!  Loved, loved, loved all of it to bits and pieces.

Didn't mean your appearance when I said that you look like an accountant--I meant your demeanor & how cool, calm & collected you looked while all the while you were scorching the Earth and its inhabitants with your bare hands!  You looked like you were adding up a list of numbers!  Such ridiculous poise and confidence for such fury.  That's what I meant! 

Great, great show--unspeakable greatness from a really nice guy and his Cracker Jack band, The Drivers: George & Bumps, thank y'all for it all!!!

[see more in Special Events]

November 16, 2013 

Bo Dollis, Jr. & The Wild Magnolia Indians promoted their new CD at the Louisiana Music Factory this afternoon.  Barry, our proprietor, was his usual congenial, generous self:

Barry, Louisiana Music Factory

Was happy that Barry has kept my placard:

even though Sound of New Orleans records all went down in The Storm & no new ones have been produced.  He said I could bring in some bootlegs.  What a nice guy!

Buzzed off to the Central City Fest to catch Fredy Omar con Su Banda, to see our buddy Ralph Gipson.  They were mixing up some fine beverages at Casa Borrega and the owners were dancing in the street:

November 15, 2013 

The rain tonight had us running for cover, but we re-scheduled our usual 3rd Friday Fairgrinds to Friday, Nov. 22nd.  Hope y'all can clear your calendars and come and be with us!

November 10, 2013

Our semi-retired Minister, Rev. Ruth Ann Elmer spoke today at Church.  Really miss her every Sunday, but we have to go on quality, not quantity!  Just glad I spent the last 16 years in her tutelage! 

The spectacular weather had us biking to the Gumbo Fest at Armstrong Park to take in another "man of the cloth," singer John Boutte.  Love, love, love his stuff and the shout-out, too, wow, thank you! (see pix to the right). 

This year they had a special vegan gumbo contest and I tried the 2nd place winner; delicious!  And I didn't have to kill a kindly domesticated animal.

November 9, 2013

The Patio Planters' White Elephant Sale was a mecca, partly because it took place on the spot Carolyn Jones kissed Elvis in the movie, "King Creole" and their super-low prices!  Ran into Johnny Bee's since-childhood buddy (see pix to the right).

Had an adventure riding home on our bikes with all our goodies!

That afternoon, hiked around with the Preservation Resource Center's Mellioristica (making the world a better place!) "Bright Lights New Orleans" theatre tour: we got insiders' views of the Civic, the Orpheum and (the newly-reopened)Saenger Theatres.  

I was especially excited to see inside the Orpheum--it's been closed since the Storm.  I remember it as being so beautiful when I attended a symphony concert with my cousin, Vicki, back in 1999.  It has lost plenty of its lustre--but it's a gold mine waiting to be re-shined, as the Saenger has. 

Roger Wilson, who helped draft the Broadway South tax credits enabling these ventures to actually work out, was our tour guide.  We also got a speech from the architect who worked on the Civic--apparently a ton of work had to happen since  the roof had caved in causing more damage to the inside balconies and flooring.  The Civic hosts alt-rock shows and has been acoustically altered for same. 

There was quite a bit of water in all of these places following the 2005 debacle, but these tax credits have made it economically feasible to restore them.  Nice work!!!  Only $2,000,000.00 purchase price for the Orpheum and get those tax credits working!

THE CIVIC THEATRE:

1906 Beaux Arts style; originally part of the national Shubert chain, named "Civic" in 1951 because they had room for five letters on the sign.  The entrance, formerly on the next block, Baronne, is now part of the next-door Civic lofts. 

THE ORPHEUM THEATRE:

1921 Beaux Arts structure;1st show, a Vaudeville spectacle, "Singer's Midgets," featured "tiny folks" riding 20 prancing ponies. 

said balcony where Vicki & I sat

 front stage box

THE SAENGER THEATRE:

1927; opened as one of the largest movie places in the U.S. with seating capacity of 4,000; four stories high.  Closed since Hurricane Katrina, now reopened (in September) in opulent splendor as a performing arts venue (Jerry Seinfeld, Diana Ross, travelling B'Way shows). 

An antique shop in San Francisco contacted them & with proper documentation produced an original chandelier:

of which three more were recreated and hang in the Gallery Lobby.

balcony in the Lobby, just past that chandelier and underneath:

doors at end of Gallery Lobby leading into the theater

The theater manager had the the nightime sky of stars turned on for us, which I understand were all re-done with some new constellations added.  

November 3, 2013

Since we hadn't been across Lake Pontchartrain in a while, and after white-knuckling the 24 miles across the longest bridge over water in the world, we stayed at Annadale's Plantation in Covington.  The North Shore has blossomed into a could-be-anywhere-USA-suburban-metroplex-of-chain-stores-and-restaurants, but out "a ways" are beautiful pine trees and fresh, fresh air, of which we partook after getting lost in the wilds near Folsom. 

Annadale's was pleasant--four spacious upstairs bedrooms with a dining area on the first floor.  Owned by a New Orleans lawyer and run by his brother who lives there, they host weddings and events on their grounds, just blocks from the main highway (190) (see pix below & to the right). 

Looking up at pine trees, chimneys & blue-blue skies

Continued our North Shore cemetery tour at the Covington graveyard conveniently located across the street from the Farmer's Market in "old" Covington:

Mosied on down to Madisonville on the Tchefuncte River (a 48-mile official scenic river, flows directly into Lake Pontchartrain)-- seafood at Morton's and history at the Maritime Museum (more pix:)

in front of Morton's restaurant 

I had grilled oysters & M. had boiled shrimp--Abita Purple Haze in a bottle!

The Maritime Museum was quaint & old-timey--perfect!

replica of a steamboat

Made me want to go home and re-read Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. 

Instead, we stopped off at Esplanade Mall because I needed something from a department store... Yuk!

November 2, 2013

Spent last evening combing the graveyards of Lacombe, Louisiana, for the Lighting of the Graves (see pix to the right and below of our sojourn).

Lighting of the Graves

by Craig Guillot

"Just steps away from Highway 190 in Lacombe, La Fontaine Cemetery is an eerie place at dusk on the first of November.  Every year on that night, Lacombe’s graveyards come to life. The lights of hundreds of candles become one flaming mass, illuminating the cemeteries through the woods and shining on the branches of towering pines and moss-draped oak trees. Locals emerge from the darkness, and a reunion with the dead begins.

La Toussaint, or the Lighting of the Graves, is an All Saints’ Day tradition that has survived since the mid-1800s. In the 19th century and early parts of the 20th, Louisiana cemeteries were often packed with people on the day after Halloween.  In New Orleans, many would whitewash tombs and place yellow chrysanthemums at the graves; in Lafitte, a few families still hold nighttime vigils.  But only in Lacombe has the custom remained so widespread and ingrained in the community.

The Lighting of the Graves is a ritual practiced mainly by blacks and Creoles of color, a racial segment that makes up a large percentage of the population of Lacombe.  It’s a quiet community, with more than a half-dozen cemeteries.  Many of them belong to entire families, such as the Williams, LaFrere, Ducre and Larent family cemeteries.  A quick stroll through the La Fontaine Cemetery reveals almost a dozen headstones bearing the Cousin name.

Long before there were roads in the area, torches and pine knots were used to light the way to the graves for boats, as most of the cemeteries were located near bayous.  But even before white men set foot in the area, native Choctaws had their own traditions, all of which were closed to outsiders.  Adrien Rouquette, a New Orleans-born priest, poet and author, was one of the first white men to witness the native tradition of reuniting with the dead.  He came to Lacombe as a missionary and eventually earned the trust of the Choctaws—so much so that they named him “Chahta-Ima,” meaning “like a Choctaw.”  While he stayed with the Choctaw from 1859 until his death in 1887, many believe it was he who expanded these traditions into the local Catholic culture.

'I was brought up in it, my father was brought up in it, his father was brought up in it.  The next generation is always carrying on,' says Peter Cousin, Sr., a born-and-raised Lacombe resident who remembers the tradition from when he was a child.

Cousin, like many others in Lacombe, claims a mixed ancestry of Creole, Cajun and Choctaw.  He has seen life in the area like few others, having traveled on the lake by schooner “before the bridge” and lived the hard, rural existence where men eked out livings as farmers, boat builders and moonshiners.  Over the years, electricity, highways, convenience stores and ritzy waterfront neighborhoods have all taken residence in Lacombe, but La Toussaint carries on untouched.  'It’s a part of our religion.  We can’t get away from it.  As Christians, we believe that we are going to meet with these people again in the next life, so we have to keep in contact with them,' Cousin adds.

Up to a month before All Saints’ Day, locals begin to beautify the cemeteries by cutting the grass, weeding the gardens and washing and painting the graves.  Truckloads of sand are brought in, carefully carted into the cemetery and spread around the tombs with meticulous precision.  Flowers are placed on headstones, the underbrush is cleared from the walkway and any sign of neglect is quickly erased in anticipation of the reunion with the dead.

'We want our parents’ graves to be the prettiest,' says Donna Brookter, a Slidell resident who grew up in Lacombe.  'It’s the one day I feel obligated to them.  I take off work, go out there and make sure that the headstones are clean.'

Brookter, like many others who visit the cemeteries on All Saints’ Day, grew up with the tradition.  It is a day that she holds dearly, and she sees La Toussaint as an annual reunion with her deceased parents, who lie in La Fontaine Cemetery.  'After all the work is done and you walk in there on All Saints’ night, there is this warm feeling that comes over you,' says Brookter.

By the time the sky grows dark on La Toussaint, Lacombe’s cemeteries belong to the spirits.  Families perch by the graves of their loved ones just as if they were there with them.  The lights of candles shine upon the tombs and the faces of those who have come to reunite with the deceased.  Local priests make their way through the cemeteries, blessing each grave with holy water and saying sermons for both the living and departed souls. Nowhere else could one find such a perfect resting place.

'I always feel better when I leave there that night,' Brookter says.  'I’ve spent time with them.  It’s thanksgiving, grief and happiness all at one time.'"

I know what she means.  Sweet and peaceful, visiting with our loved ones that are no longer in our sight...The Gipsons introduced me to this custom & I am ever grateful!  Through the magic of texting, was able to meet him and his Mandeville work-colleague at Ossy-Ordoyne, our last cemetery on The Tour. 

November 1, 2013

Happy All Saints Day, Everyone!  Yes, it's a Holiday here--District Courts are closed.  We are headed across Lake Pontchatrain this evening for the Lighting of the Graves in Lacombe.  Haven't been in awhile.  Lovely, lovely.

Meanwhile, please see pix from last night to the right and below.  So many costumes, too little admiration.  Saw my friend Diane H., carriage driver, at the forming of the Annual Mollie's Halloween Parade.

Stopped off and caught some of Rebirth Brass Band's most excellent set at Armstrong Park:

Left early because it started to sprinkle; caught these folks at the gate:

By the time I reached Julia Street it was full on & I was freezing when I arrived at El Hacienda...got warmed up by M.'s gumbo and some delicious Mayo Famiy cab.  Sigh, the Good Life!

October 31, 2013

We love our costuming in this town--no doubt about it!  Here's my favorite costumed character! (see photo to the right).

Going to take in the Mollie's Parade this evening, and Kermit Ruffins is playing the last night of the Jazz in the Park Fall season at Armstrong Park.  Fun, fun and more fun!

Happy Halloween Everyone!  And welcome all Spirits!

October 30, 2013

FX TV's "American Horror Story Coven" has managed to gross me out with its despicable plot line: last week they added bestiality and mother & son incest to bloody murder.  Am I going to watch tonight?  You bet!  I can't keep my eyes off of Jessica Lange and Angela Bassett.

October 27, 2013

Ole Pal Zetti passed through here on the train on his way back home from his Texas Vacation --The Sunset Limited actually arrived one hour ahead of schedule from Houston!  We ate at Luke again--good stuff!  It's a John Besh! 

And for dessert (see pic to the right): gateau basque and coconut sorbet.

October 26, 2013

Splendiferous weather for our Voodoo on the Bayou show.  Ed, Dale & Steve did a bang-up job on the stage & sound.  Thanks, Fellas!  Dave from Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes was kind enough to loan me his high-class bass rig so my ease in setting up and leaving was exemplified!  Wow!  Free parking, free everything!  What a sweet gig. (see pix to the right, below & in Special Events). 

Our 6th year in a row performing for these good folks; this year we had Charlie Kohlmeyer who did a super job for us on drums.  Mark Fowler, stalwart Trips guitarist was visited by the ghost of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray & Earl King out there on the banks of Bayou St. John!!!  M. dressed as a pirate who escaped from the Depths of You-Know-Where:

Robert Guthrie included me in his live, on-the-air painting at the event.  Thanks to Pat McDonald Fowler (Mark's wife) for her beauty poster which became the logo and backdrop for the stage; Mona for her unrelenting tasks behind the scene; Kathy B. for making me laugh with her camera before the show; Meg & Rocky for including me in the group; Johnny Bee for attending; Conrad Abadie for best photos ever, and Ray & Lorenzo (from Southern Imaging), best bartenders ever!

October 25, 2013

Bill de Turke let me promote our Voodoo on the Bayou gig on his WWOZ "Louisiana Music Party" Show this a.m.  (I am a One-Woman-Media-Blitz!)  What a nice cat--all those folks up at OZ are!  Thanks very much! 

Got to get a hug from Ingrid Lucia promoting her new music--debuting at Snug Harbor Sunday night.  Was just thinking about her this a.m.--how she pinned a fiver on my collar on my birthday at Jeremy Davenport's show year before last.  She is a gem!!!!

October 24, 2013

Had the best time this a.m. promoting the Voodoo on the Bayou event on WWL-TV, Channel 4 with Eric & Sally!!  Michael Cohn, Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association Prez was on the air with me--we were LIVE and in person !!!  It was sooo much fun!!!  M. watches it every a.m. so I got a real charge out of seeing it from INSIDE THE CAMERA! 

John Besh was also on cooking and promoting his new book, "Cooking from the Heart"--he's my Idol so that was an added bonus!  He came out from his dais gave me a BIG HUG!  Wow!  Then graciously posed afterwards (see to the right!)

What a rascal that Eric Paulsen is!  The entire time Sally was interviewing John (just steps away!), E. kept asking me questions!  I had to shush a TV personality! 

Also featured was a surgeon carving pumpkins!  Cool!  She carved out the Children's Hospital logo--groovy!

Please view the actual segment on WWL-TV's website: call up Voodoo on the Bayou and then click on a pic of Lips & The Trips (the first year we played this blast of a fundraiser--yes that would be 2008!) 

October 23, 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween--one of our major Holidays as we loooove to costume/mask in this town... saw a skeleton donkey on a porch and a skeleton dog on a human skeleton's lap. 

Of course we had to visit the "Bone Yard" on St. Charles Avenue at State Street.  Turns out an attorney friend of mine knows them!  The family was all out front and we thanked them--they thanked us for coming!  Cool!  New additions and I snapped some shots (see to the right and below):

See also Halloween 2012 entries & Special Events Section.

Got "The Others" movie from Netflix to help get my Ghost on and we set up our "Day of the Dead Alter."  The Addams Family Values was on--I love it when guests are leaving the party and Gomez says, "You're ride's here," and they have the straight jacket ready for a departing party-goer...

This Saturday we are playing our 6th in a row Voodoo on the Bayou on the grounds of the Pitot House, and tomorrow at 8:45 a.m. I'll be on WWL-TV with Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association's President, Michael Cohn promoting Association's annual fundraiser!  My first screen appearance since Uncle Hiram's Fun Time in the 3rd grade (went with my Blue Bird Group--we all got to say our names in the microphone--I was hooked then!)

October 16, 2013

This lovely morning weather has me eating breakfast on the balcony.  Snapped a shot of these flowers (see pic to the right).  Don't know their name (I'll have to research).  They popped up out front & I sprinkled some seeds all over--glad these grew. 

The air so fresh and refreshing--like the Summer never happened...

October 15, 2013

So has the smoke cleared over the Columbus Day hoopla?  Turns out the Holiday was instituted because there was such an anti-Italian sentiment back in the olden days (a very ugly lynching right here in New Orleans). 

Looks like there's an anti-Columbus sentiment that's been brewing: turns out his legacy left a little to be desired: killing off indigenous peoples, et al.  In Berkley, California, they have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous People Day and South Dakota celebrates Native American Day. 

Fortunately for me my Credit Union didn't celebrate anything so I got to make my payment. 

October 14, 2013

My super-suspicion stuperstition was stuper-satisfied yesterday when during the last moments of the Saints game (which I did not watch-see previous entries--but was checking in on the score) and thought it was safe to don my Saints colors & garb when the opposing team scored!  Yikes!  I was wondering about that faction of fan-dom and was confirmed... SORRY, BELOVED BOYS AND SAINTS FANS EVERYWHERE!!!

October 13, 2013

Got a chance to catch up with Jim Edwards (a.k.a. "Zetti") who wrote the first glowing review of Lips & The Trips back in '87, this evening.  His overnight train trip from Trenton, N.J. ended here & he's boarding the Sunset Ltd. tomorrow for Houston (where we met). 

He wanted to get his gumbo on, so we snagged a bar stool at Luke for some bi-valves, a fantastic roasted beet salad, some Bombay Sapphire martooties, et al.  Hadn't seen him since an unfortunate jaunt through the French Quarter (back in 2001) left him sans some of his culinary cutlery, $$ & other accoutrements from his truck...

He'll be staying with Susan (who put us up at her grand place post-Katrina) and Sean Walters (the GodFather of my band), and tooling around Texas for two weeks.  Have a blast, My Friend!   

October 12, 2013

Some City-street foot race snarled traffic so that on my way to the Farmer's Market and return home this a.m.--a usual relaxing 30 minutes there, shopping & return, turned into a hose-popping, white-smoking, white-knuckling, bumper-to-bumper panic-stricken incident in which I prayed if I made it out alive I promised to clean up the last box of saved newspapers, letters & momentos from my storage space... it was all a happy ending wherein M. replaced the popped hose, filled the radiator with water and coolant, and I was on my way again... temperature gauge?  I really had to look for it when M. told me to keep an eye on it--since my gas gauge doesn't work, I barely look at my dashboard.  Thanks for helping me have a miracle, Honey, I really thought that me and The FurryMobile were going Up in Smoke!

October 11, 2013

Sufi-danced at the Wellness Center across from Canal Street Mandina's this evening.  Friend Rae invited me and as an added bonus, got to see all her ole pals: Ralph! Dan & Sandra & Sheryl (my sister's names-Sandra & Sheryl, not Dan), and Christina who brought along her son Zachary.  Mariam was the leader and I felt energized after.  Did some Americanized versions, "Dances of Peace" in which we are creating peace with these movements and songs.  Nice!

Ran into famous photog Carl Leboeuf & lovely wife Paulette going into dinner at Mandina's; reminded him that we are once again (our 6th year!) playing the "Voodoo on the Bayou" fundraiser on Saturday, October 26th, and now I have reminded you, Gentle Reader!

October 10, 2013

Watched the debut last night of FX TV-show American Horror Coven.  Filmed in New Orleans is about its only redeeming characteristic...

Second only to the CW's TV Show The Originals I watched last week as the worst show filmed here: vampires kicked the werewolves out of the French Quarter and a "hybrid," part vampire/part werewolf knocked up a woman whose baby is going to be aided by the French Quarter witches who have been forbidden to practise by the aforementioned vampires...get it?

This Coven series is a bit more sophisticated production-wise, but they go overboard with the kooky  creative lens views--ruining the otherwise good shots of our City--(which if you've seen Runaway Jury it can be a very nice travelogue...)

OKay, so the witches school is the building at Coliseum and Jackson Avenue (once was Soule College in real life), and the Supreme Witch is expertly played by Jessica Lange (one of the other redeeming factors).  Too bad she is up against some pretty bad scripting where she has to go nuts with some cocaine while "Inna Gadda da Vita" plays loudly--all she wants to do is recapture her youth!!!

The other redeeming part is having Angela Bassat play Marie Laveau--so beautiful.  Since history needed to be rewritten, they have Marie Laveau murdering Madame Delori (played by Kathy Bates) with a potion--not that she didn't deserve it--she's that horrid doctor's wife who tortured her slaves up in the attic during dinner parties...did I mention gratuitous violence?  Gore-city, folks --  A word to the wise:  put away your TV trays and snacks for this program...

OKay and then The Supreme Witch digs up Kathy Bates to get her secret to eternal youth: she didn't even lose any weight after all those years underground!

Meanwhile, the two young witches go to a frat party where the snooty one gets fed a roofie and then a gang-bang but she makes it all okay by flipping a Greyhound size party bus filled with the frat rats who did her wrong, right there on St. Charles Avenue.  (The Frat Party took place in the building where Dotty & Trent got married last August)  Enough with the hokie lens-view shots, please.

Gratitous violence?  Check.  Gratuitous sex?  Check.  Gratuitous writers & directors?  CHECK!

Speaking of gratuitous sex AND violence, did I mention how the girl who is the protaganist (I think) finds out she is a witch?  You're right, I have to leave you something to look forward to(???!!!!!)...

My hair-guy, WLH, who was Anne Rice's hair & make-up guy (so he knows his Goth) has just moved back to a Royal Street balcony in the French Quarter and they filmed a sequence that took place in the distance past a few houses from him.  They put dirt all over the streets (which he said was completely cleaned the next day), but the scene was a guy on fire running out in the street being chased by ghouls--

W. exclaimed excitedly:  "This is my kinda neighborhood!!!!!!!"

Every Wednesday night on FX, 9pm Central time.

October 7, 2013

We are all turning cartwheels over this Fall weather!  So nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors again.  sigh-not to mention our Saints win yesterday!  Five in a row!  And yes, I did not watch the game as I am sticking to my stuperstition--but you know what, grocery shopping is sure a breeze when the City is otherwise engaged...  

October 6, 2013

Decided to check out the new bike path on the Westbank and took the ferry from the Aquarium at the end of Canal Street over to Algiers Point.  Always feel like I am on vacation when I ride it!  The wind was at our back on the way to Gretna, but it was tough on the way back.  The Gretna Fest had the pathway blocked off, so we only got as far as some loud stages bleeding on to each other--they shanghaied the regular ferry to go directly into the Fest.  Kerry Brown (that's his baby) has got it going on!  ZZ Top played this year, but $15 was not our Woodstock dream. 

The ferry hours got cut back and had to catch it by 5:45 p.m. so didn't get to explore much.  Looks like they built an ugly condo building next to the courthouse buildings.  Can't remember exactly what was there--know there was some large patches of empty lots...

October 5, 2013

Hit the "Art for Art's Sake" art gallery walk this evening.  Since I am only a few blocks from the corner of Louisiana and Magazine, thought it would be a shame not to partake. 

Spied former Trips guitarist, Raphael Bas playing his usual Mahoney's porch gig and then right off the bat at the Sibley Gallery was a sign: "Jimmy Block Opening."  Had lost touch with this crazy guy--met him from Fred Robertson back in the late '90s--always enjoyed his antics.  Looks like he's had less antics and more artwork--my next door neighbor, Dr. Troy bought two (before the curve!). 

Stopped off at Martin's Wine Cellar before hoofing it to Pottsalot, pottery meca run by some other pals "from the late '90s" Cindy & Alex Williams.  Their younger son, Jordan was tending bar as Reed was home.  Alex regaled us with tales of making pots for the movie "Planet of the Apes."  Lots and lots of pots apparently, and at immediate turn-around deadlines. 

Found out he's a drummer and has played with Matt & Melissa's Sweet Jones and knows (took lessons from another former Trips-ite) James Clark!

October 3, 2013

Attended an event at Le Pavillion Hotel on Poydras Street.  Snapped some nice shots (see pix to the right and below):

 Lobby Ceiling

Couldn't help thinking this was the last place I saw my friend Celia when I dropped her and Sean off at the grand entrance when they stayed here...a sweet gal & a great photographer--besides the fact that I looked good through her eye (lens), she also worked her magic on other local Houston musicians that were starting out, often without pay. 

The "Crystal Room"  restaurant has a fire burning even in the Summer which the lady who runs things declared, "it's cozy"...  Hmmm...

October 2, 2013

Glad for the cooler temps & the color change in our habanero pepper growing on the balcony.

Also our neighbors in the Garden District have had these festive displays up for a week or two--Must Be The Season of the Witch!  (see pix below & to the right)

 Yikes!  Spider Food!

For a dose of good ol' American Horror it's the FX TV-Show, Season Three, American Horror-Coven filmed right here in New Orleans, featuring Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates! 

House on Coliseum Square where I tried to spy some celebrities but only got the Hollywood Trucks:

Debuts Wed., October 9 at 9 p.m.

 And Remember:

"Stay Scary"!

October 1, 2013

Saw my neighbor Jim going off to work in his snazzy sportscar & his wife Claudia yelled out, "It's his birthday!"  Sorry I man-handled your hubby, C., but I was just so excited!  Y'all had just had us over to your place & I realized I had been missing your delightful company way too long! 

Remembered the other Rocktober First Beedays: Sandra & Rae, and was looking forward to sending them some Love, Lovely Lovely Libras!  (see Sunrise pix to the right)

Last night adhered to my superstition and stayed away from viewing the two unbeaten teams, Our Beloved Boys, The New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins--The Saints tallied their fourth in a row win--whenever I walked in the room, we fumbled or they scored, so instead, I calmed my nerves with a nice book read.

September 29, 2013

Had way too much fun volunteering at the "Vive le Viex Carre" 75th Anniversary fundraiser and Gala sponsored by the Vieux Carre Property Owners and Residents Association ("VCPORA") at the Cabildo last night. 

Napoleon stood at the top of the stairs pouring champagne toasts and Will was dishing up some solid French 75s!  He's bartended all over, including a place once known as Flamingo's on St. Charles--now Lucky's.  He laughed when I told him that Lucky's (bar, grill, game room & laundramat--yes, also owned by Checkpoint's Igor) was the beginning and end of my bartending career as I was fired!  "Fired from Lucky's???!!!!"

Great music by Leah Chase and her band, and Bryan Batt said hello & smilled at me! 

Had a dream that my parents were alive, young and healthy.  M. brought them in to show me and we visited for a minute.  Felt good all day except for the fact that I let them down by being such a hedonist!  As my Dad used to say, "I got a bad ice cube last night."

September 27, 2013

Ran into an ole colleague last night  who used to book us regularly at Palmer Park Arts Market, Michelle Levine, at a N.O. Chamber of Commerce Happy Hour.  Held at Fidelity Homestead Bank lobby on St. Charles Avenue, featured free eats and vino!  The bar was the teller line which was amusing--one of the barkeeps said that one of the chandeliers was from the White House (see pix to the right and below).

Michelle has been doing quite well since she left the Council--making life more beautiful with her own company MondoMurals.com--20 years of scenic & decorative painting! 

Didn't find out much info about this building, but the internet had some things to say about the United Fruit Company and its "interesting" connection to the U.S. Gov't and the Banana Republics.....

Enjoyed snapping pix of the interior and am not sure which chandelier is from the White House, but love the gold columns & stuff!

One of my early temp job assignments was upstairs at Donnelly Publishing where as the Gal Friday, I greeted and first met Sidney Smith, Haunted History Tour company owner.  He delivered some tickets to my boss & was asked to stay for a coffee!

September 25, 2013

Robin treated me to my Birthday Beverage at The Roosevelt Hotel's bar, The Sazerac, last night.  Enjoyed a refreshing French 75 and a delightful visit with my pal in a posh setting!

Try to make a visit there this Friday for the "Stormin' of the Sazerac," commemorating women first being allowed in the Bar back on September 27, 1949 (other than on Mardi Gras).  Wear your period attire and win a night at The Hotel!

September 22, 2013

Happy Autumnal Equinox, Everyone!  May you be so equal and balanced as the Light and Dark are this Day!  Got some great cool weather due to the abundant rain and my white ginger lily in the front has been blooming for days (see pix to the right). 

When I lived "up North" I would dread Autumn, the bringer of Winter, but down South, it's the bringer of cooler temps and more outdoor fun!

Will miss the great watermelon eats however.  Check out this gargantuan sweetie:

Only cost me $1.00 at the Saturday Farmer's Market because he wasn't sure if it was any good.  It was!!!!

The New Orleans Saints won their third game of the Season:  I was offered free tix to the Game, but because of my superstitious leanings, turned them down!  Glad I did!

September 21, 2013

Attended "Sites & Sounds" panel at The Mint this afternoon.  Featuring former residents of the site formerly the Magnolia Housing Project (razed) and A. L. Davis Park, the panelists spoke about the former vibrant culture of this neighborhood that has vanished. 

Panelists Wild West Creole Mardi Gras Indian "Queen Bee" Litdell Bannister and her grandaughter described the activities the children of the area once enjoyed; Deacon John spoke at length about his sojourn with the Dew Drop Inn; Jamahl Washington's family owned Brown Sugar Records which went down in The Storm of '05; and the Paulin Brothers Brass Band performed several numbers interspersed with reminisces about growing up in the neighborhood. 

Moderator Prof. Amber Wiley of Tulane University was interested in igniting a conversation about what needs to be in place for re-creating those lost opportunities for job skills and life skills. 

These Music in the Mint programs are exceptional.  A Lips Recommendation!

On the way home, I spied Lisa H. & her little dog, too, riding on the back of her bike.  I asked her if she was the new Ruthie The Duck Lady and she lit up!  I asked her if she remembered bringing Ruthie to one of my shows at the Tricou House and her face lit up again: "When we took her to lunch that day!"  Immediately after parting ways, I spied a pair of hawks in the Coliseum Square Park.  Knew Lisa wouldn't let anything happen to her cute little munchkin.

September 20, 2013

Played a fun gig at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse this evening.  Fun because there were no buttons to push, fun because Lady Di was my dancing partner, fun because Sticky T sat in on drums and then Yvette from her band 30x90 sat in with us, fun because we had audience participation, fun because Mark played a body part off, fun because I did not fall down, fun because I have my own personal roadie and chauffeur and fun because you are going to come see us play there October 18th!

September 18, 2013

Attended a Happy Hour event at Casa Borrega in Central City sponsored by N.O. Chamber and LifeCity.  Met a nice couple of fellow organic gardeners out back in the Courtyard, Matty and Andy, while enjoying a $3 Tecate.

Recently opened in a cool old house, owners live upstairs, looks like great food -- saw the Iguanas play there at the "Latino Fest."  They have music there on the weekends -- when I left I stopped to say hello to Fredy Omar having dinner.  Nice spot, thank you, Co-Owner Linda!

September 15, 2013

Our "Beloved Boys," the Saints Football team won our 2nd game of the Season, and since I was hitched to Hitch all day again, call me superstitious, but that cinches it that I cannot watch them play until they lose!  Saw the highlights--quite the nailbiter (no, not a tire-biter!)--worthy of a Hitchcock climax!

September 14, 2013

Trucked on out to the Bywater to Oliver Manhattan's "The Gallery" 3913 St. Claude Avenue, for Gill Smitherman's 'tit art exhibit--new pieces, pretty psychedelic.  Hadn't seen Gill (T. Plaisir we used to call him) in a while, and had a free cocktail token from Oliver burning a hole in my pocket. 

Her spot is spot-on, a re-done shotgun set up for her clothes, costumes and Hats!  Cocktail of the evening: "The Sage of Aquarius" a concoction worthy of the apothecary alchemist, that she is (see pix to the right).

Before I moved to New Orleans I had heard about Oliver from Dan who owned coffeeshop Cafe Brazil in my neighborhood in HoustonTown.  He knew I was making trips to play music here and was exclaiming how I had to meet Oliver!!! 

I finally did, "happenstancely," shortly after I moved here. At a garage sale in the Marigny put on by a couple of women, one of whom called the other "Oliver!"   We had coffee and I discovered she had gone to do drapes for a guy's house and ended up having a child with him, but he wasn't ready to "settle down."  A few years later I ended up living next door to him so I got to see Oliver when she'd bring the boy over for visits.  Then of course, seeing her around town with all her lovely outfits and chapeaus at art markets and such. 

Almost bought that green Mad Hatter hat!!! 

September 12, 2013

Hit the first Harvest the Music Concert of the season last night featuring Collin Lake followed by The Honey Island Swamp Band.  Some ole pals from HoustonTown, Walker & The Twins (Joel & John) have been around working on The Stones' house in the Lower Garden and we hoisted a few Abitas while enjoying the mellow evening at Lafayette Square Park.  Thanks, Fellas!!!

September 8, 2013 

Don't want to confess, but just like in a murder mystery, I need to let someone know:  I watched Alfred Hitchcock movies all day today, "Sundays with Hitch" on Turner Classic Movies TV station.

Yes, I know, it was the Saints' first game of the Season, but still I was glued to The Hitch's view of the World.  Excellent viewing, too, but I did get a bit antsy round about the last part of North by Northwest ... Great stuff though. 

A Lips Recommendation!

September 7, 2013

Turns out I moved here 17 years ago today.  1996, my brother came over at the last minute and drove the rental truck--it was his son's third birthday, but he wasn't going to let me go alone & I am really glad because in tow, on a chain, was the illustrious LipsMobile.  Almost 5,000 pounds of good old American steel dangling on a chain barreling down the Interstate.  Robert kept saying, "Officer, the last thing I saw was a giant pair of Lips bearing down on me!!!" 

In case you don't know, The LipsMobile (see photo to the right and also in the "I Love My Cars" Section) was just that--decorated up by Mitch & Carolyn who came that day to help me load up all my junk in that big old rental truck.  When we got close to my new pad on Birch Street, Robert had me buy him a six-pack, to steady his nerves. 

That night, Robert & I went to see Coco Robichaux and his band perform at Margaritaville, when they had the big stage shows.  I remember how glad I was to get Coco's blessing when I informed him that night of my move: "Good addition," he'd said (to the town, he meant). 

The Gipsons had generously been putting me up at their pad(s) for the 13 years it took me to finally break away from HoustonTown: I had wanted to move here since my first visit, Mardi Gras '83 ... Glad I did!

September 6, 2013

Attended a lecture on the I Ching at Parker Methodist Church on Nashville, site of many Christmas Eve services with The Gipsons--was great being in there.  Wyming Sun shocked some of the Jungian Society audience by declaring that there are as many Spirits around as there are folks on this side and that the I Ching is a way to get help from the other side.  (Two nights in a row--do you think I'm s'posed to get hip to something here?)

Mr. Sun's mother is from the Irish Channel and his father is Chinese--taught him many useful & spiritual practises.  When Wyming (the State Wyoming without the "o") spoke at our Church a few weeks ago  I enjoyed his delivery as well as the fact that he speaks Aramaic--Jesus' native language.

He's speaking again at Unity on  September 29th. 

September 5, 2013

Was s'posed to meet up with Robin at the N.O. Chamber networking cocktail event at Galvez, but met a woman residing in Tennessee Williams former home on Dumaine-who communes with Spirits, instead. 

Told her about my ghost experiences, but she lives with lots of them and converses with them all the time so my puny one-time exorcism was no match for her lifestyle...

Galvez, formerly Bella Luna, above the French Market, with a lovely view of the River, especially on the balcony...site of first dates with my Honey--when they had those booths--ahh, the Full Moon, martinis...I've said too much.

September 2, 2013

Happy Labor Day!  Labored over a margarita at 'Rita's on Bourbon Street.  Surrounded by strip-tease clubs, this Tex-Mex joint has a wall of tequila, a courtyard & the only taco spot in the French Quarter (see pix to the right and below).

above the bar

Tequila Choices

Bourbon Street is world-famous for its looseness and fun-filled antics, some more obnoxious than others.  We played at 711 Bourbon Street for five years and we saw some antics--and in some cases, created them...I met a lot of people from around the world playing there at the Tricou House who would become friends & repeat visitors-- heart-warming.  We were paid well and on time, but the hours and the "adventures" were eventually easy to  give up.   

Speaking of Adventures, hadn't experienced any Decadence Festival in a while so took a spin down Bourbon Street on me bike, and then to the quiet of St. Anthony's Garden (where William Faulkner looked out his window and was inspired to write Soldier's Pay).

August 31, 2013

Played a family (Mark & Pat's family that is) Birthday Party in Old Metairie.  Was assisted by the new Lips & The Trips Birthday Tambourine Band (see pic to the right).  Thanks for having us, Gabby & Chris, and a Very Happy Birthday Pat, Chris & Bea!!!

August 30, 2013

The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce held a networking event aboard the Steamboat Natchez last evening.  Even though the boat did not take off, it was cool & relaxing sitting on the deck watching the water and the boats floating past!  The Dukes of Dixieland entertained with some great trad jazz, their new Chef whipped up some tasty offerings and the drinks were free!  Nice.   

August 28, 2013

Enjoyed a super-special trip to the Tampa Bay, Florida area with my Super-Honey. 

After grabbing our lugguage at Baggage Claim:

we drove to the Hotel and were greeted by a rainbow out the Bay-side:

A storm also greeted us

& we had a swim in the rain with little white fish jumping out and around us. 

Wildlife was abundant: a fish flopped on M.'s chest when he was floating on his back & woke him up; I spied a dolphin from our balcony; crows nabbed pineapple pieces out of abandoned beverage cups:

crow on top of chair nibbling

pelicans & many birds dove in the water repeatedly for snacks on visible fish; saw a dozen stingrays swimming together more than once.

M. found some great treasures:

And I found some at the bar at the Tampa airport from Cigar City Brewing:

They let me do a tasting and then buy a six-pack to carry it onboard!  I wasn't allowed to pop it, but enjoyed this lovely Belgian-style White Ale, "Florida Cracker" when I returned home.

Our return trip to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg:

and our first to the Plant Museum in Tampa was fantastic:

This spot is a Total Spot-On Lips Recommendation!

[Please see "Special Events" Section for more pix!]

August 23, 2013

Pretty cool!  Turner Classic Movies (TCM) showed the Montgomery Clift/Liz Taylor/Katharine Hepburn movie, Suddenly, Last Summer.  Classic!  It was Liz Taylor night & they threw in Cat on A Hot Tin Roof.  Splendid night of in-home viewing. 

August 19, 2013

Volunteered at the Musician's Clinic Office, headquartered in the Bultman Mansion in my neighborhood.  Tennessee Williams not only stayed there in 1958, but wrote Suddenly, Last Summer while ensconced in the third floor apartment. Katharine Hepburn's Garden Room closely resembles their Garden Room and if you ever attended a funeral at the Bultman Funeral Home next door, you would notice the resemblance of the giant plants growing up the side of the main room.

This particular area must be some sort of ancient sacred spot as across Louisiana Avenue once stood the Tastee Donuts where Earl King held forth (it was his "office" where he would receive phone calls & write songs)--purportedly writing C'mon Part I there. 

When I first moved to the area, I lived at the 1400 block of Louisiana Avenue, the former Louis McGehee School before they moved to the manse on Prytania, where I met my first ghosts.  Had to do my own exorcism which wasn't that bad once I got the hang of it.  My Minister and a fellow parishioner (a Voodoo Priestess) coached me along.  "Send them to the White Light," they said, "tell them they don't belong here--this is not their realm."  Did the accompanying details of prayer, candles, incense & the Bible--worked as I was able to sleep peacefully again.  I had always believed spirits existed, but that was my first experience.

Perhaps the ghosts of Tennessee and Earl can help me out!

August 18, 2013

A Big Happy Birthday Salutation to my friend from "The Book Sales Days" SallyAnn Rogers, enjoying life in the wilds of Maine!!!  When I moved from D.C. we used to phone each other on our birthdays to catch up--now I hope you got my text & e-mail notes!!!! (see pic to the right)

Hope you will whoop it up!

August 17, 2013

Purchased a purse made of real sail cloth at The Historic New Orleans Collection--durable, water-proof & I didn't have to kill a cow for it (also got my 10% THNOC Membership discount--HaCha!): www.sailorbags.com

Re-visited their excellent exhibition entitled "Pipe Dreams--Louisiana under the French Company of the Indies, 11717-1731," surveying the 14-year failed attempt to establish a successful commercial enterprise here in the New World. 

The picture for the exhibition is a reproduction of a 1697 print, "Nouvelle decoverte d'un tres grand pays situe dans l'Amerique" by Louis Hennepin -- basically a marketing ploy depicting a happy nude Indian offering a peace pipe in a tranquil setting. 

At the opening reception a few weeks ago, Erin Greenwald, curator of the exhibit and authoress of the companion book, A Company Man: The Remarkable French-Atlantic Voyage of a Clerk for the Company of the Indies, was on hand and I asked her how they knew the lovely white with blue decoration china (or porcelain?)  plate was from 1700-1750.  She replied that from the excavation you can tell the year... we briefly shared the thrill of discovery in the dirt...

On hand is a picture of a gentlemen rasping tobacco and an actual rasper which pointed out that the French way of ingesting tobacco was through snuff, not smoke.  The rasper is not unlike a little hand tool that grates the tobacco.  The tobacco also needed to be cured differently than the English way for smoking developed in Virginia, and it was more labor-intensive.  Maybe we wouldn't have to have smokers' designated areas now if things had turned out differently...

Interesting exhibit--it's a Lips Recommendation!  Super-nice weather--77 degrees!

August 11, 2013

Hit "Dirty Linen Night" last evening on Royal Street in the French Quarter.  OK, so the deal is you are supposed to wear the linen clothes you wore last Saturday to White Linen Night for your Central Business District Julia Street Arts District stroll...mine were still soggy from performing out in the heat so I opted for a change of clothes.

M. & I rode bikes down to the crowded scene with a first stop at Micholoupolas' Bienville gallery wherein we exclaimed over his new sculpturing endeavors (see pic through window to the right entitled "Pucker Up").  I hesitate to take pix inside a gallery because I do not like getting yelled at, so I took this outside.  You'll just have to come see it, and the Rocket Ship, the new Cocktails in space, et al.  Very nice, indeed!  He's in France for the Summer... getting inspired no doubt...

Enjoyed reminiscing about playing music in past years at both Sidney & Justin Smith's and Amzie Adams' galleries, and then shopped at California Drawstrings--nice cotton apparel, with free Corona beers to boot! 

Didn't see as many folks as in past years, and not near enough Red Dress Run folks, but managed to say hello to Comedian Chris Champagne and Warren from Bayou St. John N'Hood Assoc'n. (Lynn was busy visiting)(see pix to the right).

August 9, 2013

The Saints Are Comin'!  OK, so it's still Summer, but it's Pre-Season and our first game is tonight at the (O Lord, woncha buy me a Mercedes Benz) Superdome, versus the Kansas City Chiefs (my 1st team back in The Day, when I started watching football with my Dad and brother).  Saw a shirt that said: "Breesus, Bring Us to The Promised Land" and a pic of Drew Brees and The Super Bowl.  Pretty amusing, but I am hoping not to get sucked into it all so soon.  

Am going to go see Ingrid Lucia perform tonight!!! 

August 5, 2013

Last seminar of the Satchmo Summerfest yesterday was "Cinematic Satch with Ricky Riccardi--LOUIS ARMSTRON IN NEW ORLEANS" and to see Our Hometown Hero talking about his life to David Frost, performing in movies and T.V. shows, as relating to his life or songs about New Orleans was something else!  Watching him while hearing him sing "Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans," "Boy from New Orleans" and others, clarifies why he was such a beloved entertainer.  Supremely talented, sweet-natured, loving and generous to his audience, he was right to be called "Ambassador."  What a guy, what a program!

August 4, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SATCH!

Made it to The Mint yesterday afternoon for a Satcho Summerfest Seminar featuring an informative and entertaining interview by Fred Kasten of a gentlemen who grew up in Louis Armstrong's old neighborhood, Mr. Lawrence Batiste.  Funny and interesting, Mr. Batiste described the characters, the close-knit neighbors, the social fabric that made up "Backa'town," nearby where City Hall now stands.  South Rampart was the spine of a thriving  commerical and residential district, sadly now mostly all parking lots. 

He brought to life the folks and the social mores of the time with his  reminisces of the 1940s, when the neighborhood was much the same as when Louis was growing up.  He met Satch when he was 11 years old, when they both rode in the Zulu Parade (1949).  When Fred asked what he was like, Baptiste replied of the Late Great One, "He was alright." 

A great set of seminars all can be accessed online at musicatthemint website.

Later that night, played a fun gig in front of the new Aunt Sally's Pralines on St. Charles Avenue, two doors from Julia Street where it was all happening for White Linen Night.  Charlie Kohlmeyer joined us as a "he-fits-right-in" Trip on the drums.  Mark Fowler played a body part off (as usual) and we soaked up the August heat!  Thank you, Pat & Company!!  And a rousing note of gratitude to M., our stout-hearted Roadie.  Oh, yeah!  Also, got treated when Ernie Vincent's most-excellent trumpet player, known as "Trumpet Mike" sat in with us as their sound system had not yet arrived for their set!!

Got to see some folks I don't see often enough, including George Schmidt, artist extraordinaire (his shop's around the corner), Lydia and husband Charlie, Bayou Boogaloo's Bike Tour Guide, Peter, and was treated to a gulp of wine while playing (I'd say "like someone somewhere," but "I'M NOT HIM!") by a Poydras Center colleague (THANKS A WHOLE BUNCHES!!!!)

Sped off afterwards to catch some of the Love at the Dottie & Trent Wedding Festivities at the Round Table uptown on St. Charles Avenue.  Caught a few snapshots (see pix to the right--sorry for the grainy documentary look) and were able to participate in the Blowing of Bubbles (instead of the Throwing of Rice) to the Happy Couple as they drove off in their friend Dave's white Rolls Royce!!!  YAYYYY!!!

August 3, 2013

Satcho Summerfest kicked off yesterday & I had the good fortune to attend the hour-long Allen Toussaint performance!  Never failing to take us higher, in the sweaty & intimate surroundings of a big tent he romped through his hits, threw beads & masks to the audience (he aimed one at me in the third row, but it took a last-second spin), and pretty much tore down the house!  He even played "Hello Dolly" in honor of "Pops."

With help from star musicians Renard Poche, Roland Guerin, and Herman Lebouef, the packed-in crowd sang along, shouted along, hooted AND hollered.  We had a blast.

Briefly saw Bill deTurke and lovely wife Amie, Washboard Lisa, Kerry Brown, author Jay (he was front AND center), "The Gerb," and architect Rick Fiefeld.  We were all beaming after that show and Rick had parked his bike (unbeknownst) next to mine. 

As Rick & I were riding out together, Mr. Toussaint, piloting his Rolls GrooveMobile, pulled in front of us & we escorted him on Chariot Clouds away from the French Market.....sigh

August 2, 2013   

Attended the opening of the new Aunt Sally's Pralines at 750 St. Charles Avenue last night.  Music by Treme Brass Band, pralines by Aunt Sally's!  I tried the triple chocolate and the cafe au lait--whew!  Sweeeeet!

Trips' guitarist Mark Fowler's wife, Pat McDonald's grandparents started Aunt Sally's in the mid-1930s and they have been a New Orleans staple since.  A former car dealership, their new building did not have a roof on it last year and now they have corporate offices & are slated to make about 200 million confections on premise this next year.

Speeches were made and ribbons were cut!  I got my picture taken (thanks, Butch! see to the right) with reigning King of Food Critics Tom Fitzmorris and got to chat with him briefly.  Also in attendance, Pat herself, who designed the interior (nice job!), Jan Ramsey (Offbeat Music Magazine's editor), as well as Trips guitarist himself, Mark Fowler.

Looking forward to playing White Linen Night there on Saturday!

July 29, 2013   

Viewed the New Orleans Museum of Art's Decorative Arts Exhibit yesterday.  'S got the Wow Factor!A Lips Recommendation!

Objects  (or samples of) exhibited at The World's Fairs from 1851-1939: The best of Art meeting technology, "functional" beauty--if wearing a brooch made of precious stones and glass by Tiffany can actually be worn... Stunning, stellar stuff!!!  World's Fairs debuted technological and stylistic achievements and were international showplaces. 

"Progressive ideals" were expressed in these ceramic, metal, glass & wood objects.  

The Show is up through Sunday and Wednesdays are free.  Otherwise, the $10.00 admission is well worth it!

July 24, 2013   

Spent a splendid holilday at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida for M.'s birthday.  Even with a traffic jam the four-hour drive goes by quickly enough:

 Truck carrying some electrifications 

The Redneck Rivera's Emerald Coast never fails to satisfy with the crashing waves & the sugary sand:

The Gulf of Mexico

We even experienced an impressive thunder-lightning show with powerful cannon blasts right outside the balcony. 

Home Away from Home

Had some hazardous swimming conditions, note the red flag:

But the rain really cooled things off--(in the 70s!!!) so that was A-OK even if we were in the Sunshine State.  After the Sun resumed its duties, the grouper at the High Tide Restarurant wasn't the only thing char-grilled!  Surprise, surprise, I got sunburned!  Also got a bit crispy from the gin gimlet at the Swizzle Stick (now: Martini) Lounge (see wall decoration to the right as well as other pix).

Already planning our next trip next month!

July 21, 2013   

Participated in the annual Voodoo Hurricane Turning Ceremony last night at Sallie Ann Glassman's Rosalie Alley Temple.  Like the St. John's Eve Ceremony, drummers

accompanied the singers who did their call-and response in Cajun French, followed by dancing.  But unlike the Summer Ceremony, the lighting of sparklers (fireworks inside!!)

were part of the festivities.  I snapped a few shots, but cameras were discouraged.

The Spirit Erzulie Dantur's colors are red, blue & gold and she likes unfiltered cigarettes, rum and white creme de cocao so gifts were offered accordingly. 

I remember Tom Pastor talking about the folks who prayed to turn away hurricanes and I always wanted to help out any way I could...

July 15, 2013   

The Summer's heat hasn't been so devastating this year--discovering a swimming pool really helps!

The afternoon rains have our white ginger lily blooming over the weekend--smells exquisite--like a gardenia.  Originally from the Himalayan region of Nepal and India, in Brazil and Hawaii it is considered an invasive weed, but in Cuba it is the Mariposa Blanca, their National Flower. 

Also blooming profusely are the two plants that Lisa H. gave me a few years back that I planted in the front: a white hibiscus and a roses of sharon, both up to the 2nd floor now.  (See pix to the right)

There is something to be said for living in The Swamp.  And it is Good.

July 14, 2013   

Really loved Johnny Depp's new movie, The Lone Ranger--it's a Lips Recommendation!

That night, buzzed over to the Mid-City Bastille Day Celebration on Ponce de Leon--out on the street in front of the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse where we play once a month (except not in the Summer!)

Two ex-Trips guitarists were performing--Raphael Bas & Johnny J.  Caught a bit of The Hit Men but only saw Raphael's wife, Marie. 

Talked with Shelly & (ace guitarist) John Fohl.  He made me laugh when he said, "I'm still waiting for you to call me for a gig."  Way back when, before he was Dr. John's guitar player and he was just a New Orleans secret, I desperately needed a guitar player and asked him to do some gigs (c.2001 was it?)  Since I am no longer in need of guitarist I tried to recruit him to play drums for us for a future gig, but he is busy...

Anyhow, Vive Le Revolution!!!

July 13, 2013   

Visited the House of Blues' "Voodoo Garden" (outside in the back) to catch the band Ghostown's Christian Serpas and George Neyrey in some super-harmonizing, Country AND Western originals and classics.  Purple Haze on tap at the front bar!  Nice start to the weekend. 

Chatted for a bit beforehand with Barry Smith, owner & co-originator of the Louisiana Music Factory, across Decatur Street.  That spot should be on everyone's tourist itinerary--your one-stop shopping for regional music--all the hits! including Barry--he drives a 1975 Chevy Impala, not unlike my ole car The LipsMobile, but he didn't know me back then so I promised to send him a pic.  Oh, that reminds me!

July 12, 2013   

Attended a lecture last night with pal Robin, put on by the Friends of the Cabildo at the Cabildo on Jackson Square, showcasing the Louisiana State Museum's medical artifacts from their Science & Technology collection (of which there are 6,000 objects, including costumes, toys, weapons & tools).  An informative presentation by the Collection's Curator Polly Rolman-Smith, included New Orleans' contributions to medical advancements as well as the practises of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Charity Hospital, founded in 1736 is the 2nd oldest hospital in the U.S. by a few weeks (to Bellevue).  In 1816, Dufilho was the 1st licensed pharmacist in the U.S., and his shop on Chartres housed a Pharmacy until the 1930s when it became the Pharmacy Museum. 

One cannot talk about medicine and leave out the epidemics, especially Yellow Fever: from the first one in 1769 to 1796 (when 638 died out of a population of 8500) to 1811, 1817, and the worst in 1853 when 29,000 contracted it and 8,000 died from it.  At the time they did not know the mosquito infected the populace, and thinking Yellow Fever was contagious, quarantined people coming over on ships for anywhere from two weeks to three months.     

I would have liked more explanation of how the particular surgeon tools were used that she had brought for display, but it's always fun to hear about history in and among those old buildings!!!  I have attended lectures in the Cabildo before but did not realize that the hall we were in is actually part of the old Armory building where prisoners were housed back "in the day."

July 10, 2013   

"Our very own" Allen Toussaint received the Medal of Arts today by President Barack Obama, the United States government's highest award for artists and patrons of the arts.

In the President's rather moving speech:

"The work that we honor today, the lifetime achievement of these artists... reminds us that the human imagination is still the most powerful tool that we have as a people. That’s why we celebrate their creativity and the fundamental optimism... That’s why we have to remain committed to the dreamers and the creators and innovators who fuel that progress and help us light the way ahead, because our children, our grandchildren deserve to grow up in a country where their dreams know no bounds and their ambitions extend as far as their talents and hard work can take them."  

Toussaint was cited for "his contributions as a composer, producer and performer," said Obama. "Born and raised in New Orleans, Mr. Toussaint has built a legendary career alongside America’s finest musicians, sustaining his city’s rich tradition of rhythm and blues, and lifting it to the national stage."

Hooray for our Hometown Hero!!!

July 9, 2013   

Happy Birthday to my brother, Robert!  I believe that our orchid put out its 21st bloom in honor of the day (see pic to the right).

May all your blooms be prolific and beautiful!!!  Thank you for our memories together--past and present!!!!!

When I was in the 6th grade, our folks bestowed on us an above-ground pool for both of our birthdays--had a joint birthday party and were very popular in our carport there at the base housing in Kansas before we had to move shortly after that. 

When I wasn't being mean to you out of jealousy, you and I enjoyed some fun moments, making up shows & performing them for our folks, watching shows, listening to records, singing along, writing to each other, making each other laugh, being together against the World!  When I see pictures of you as an eight-year old I can only feel Love, love, love!!!!   

July 8, 2013   

Celebrated me beeday over the weekend with a staycation at a nice hotel, enjoyed a yummy dinner out and then a lovely lunch al fresco at the Palace Cafe in the pouring rain on Canal Street.  All with my guy (see pix to the right & below):

M.

The food can't be beat at the Palace (formerly Werlein's Music store) and though we did not partake of the "heat index special," got comped my birthday dessert--homemade gelatto:

  Our waitress was perfect--just the right amount of attention and the rain really cooled things off. 

As did my specialty cocktail concoction, fire & blood margaritas:

Directly across the street on the corner was Rapp's Lugguage where our Church's prayer group began back in the 1920s.  They used to put our present minister, Ruth Ann Elmer, then age 6, on the street car uptown, and someone would meet her on Canal Street.  The Rapp's logo has been recently replaced, but the building looks like it houses some friendly ghosts (see pic to the right). 

July 2, 2013   

My favorite month!  'Cause it's my Birthday Month, M's, my brother's & of course, our Nation's!  And we're all the way into Summer where you don't have to go to school and get to go to the swimming pool every day!

Maybe not that exactly, but it's time to explore and I am still a carefree Huck Finn even though Summertime temps here make outdoor anything unbearable to intolerable. 

The weather's quite pleasant today, however, and since The Palace Cafe runs a deal that their lunch special is 10% of the heat index of the previous day, tomorrow's $9.00 lunch will be special!

Our orchid put out its 20th bloom and the pink lilies blossomed (see pics to the right)

Crepe myrtles seem to handle the heat quite well, provide nice shade and manage to put off a nice scent to boot.  These three across the street seem happy:

Wishing you very Happy Summer Days of beauty, reverie, cold beverages, discovery, adventure and most of all FREEDOM!

June 26, 2013   

In hopes of getting a more interesting job, I got my New Orleans Tour Guide License renewed. 

What a relief--two years ago when I first got my License, I had to return to the airport for fingerprinting because the digital reading did not show up (the F.B.I. does a background check on an applicant!) and I had to do the drug test twice--they thought I was cheating because I drink so much water!! 

This renewal was a tad easier, with only one two-hour wait at the Taxicab Bureau (yes, cab drivers have to take a New Orleans history test) and only one trip to the airport (that $2.00 bus isn't bad!), so $94.00 later, I am once again a tour guide!! 

Hire me--I'll drive you around in the FurryMobile and drive you to enthusiastically loving this Town!

June 24, 2013   

HAPPY ST. JOHN'S DAY!!!  

Attended and participated in the St. John's Eve Ceremony last evening performed by Sallie Anne Glassman and her Devotees, at the Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John.

Lovely, lovely, peaceful, serene:  

Singing & chanting in "Cajun French;" ritual dance movement, corn drawing, devotees in white, bringing gifts to the Altar, headwashing, more dancing and under The SuperMoon to boot!  (please see more pix in "Special Events" Section)

I almost stopped off at Buffa's on my way home--they are showing the Treme TV show on the superbig screen on Sunday nights again, but my head was covered in the special headwash and I didn't want to have to explain to anyone...also, if I had stopped, I wouldn't have come up along side of Allen Toussaint in his GrooveMobile at the stop light on Baronne Street !!  Farrout !! 

When I called Deacon John to wish him a Happy Birthday! I found out I missed his party last night at Chickie Wah Wah...got on his mailing list though and found out he's playing at the Rock'n'Bowl on my birthday coming up! 

June 22, 2013   

HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE!!!  

Had a super-gig last night thanks to The Trips' surftasticness in the form of Mark Fowler (guitar & vocals) and The Creature (drums & vocals)!  (see pix to the right)

And thanks to our pals:

 Mark & Mark

Julie McTaggert & Catherine Lasperches

Whom-without which we would just be rehearsing...

June 19, 2013   

HAPPY JUNETEENTH, EVERYONE!!!  

Where in Houston, the big commemoration of the late declaration of emancipation is all about the music.  Where at Miller Outdoor Theatre's Annual Juneteenth Celebration from 1979 until I moved in 1996, I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan play when he was still "Triple Threat" with Lou Ann Barton as the lead singer; where his band Tommy "Slut" Shannon and Chris "Whipper" Layton came and sat with us in the audience; where I met Koko Taylor; and Johnny Lee Hooker invited me to a party after the show!  ("But I have a boyfriend," "Bring him along"); shook hands with "Big" Mama Thornton (who was at the time, thin); and saw Lightnin' Hopkins perform--from the front row!   

June 18, 2013  

Went on a "tagalong tour" with Music History Tours' Dave Thomas (a former Trips drummer) who now has his own tour guide company with partner Will.  (See what playing in my band will do for you!?)

He knows some stuff!  More than me!  Wow!  Met at Jackson Square and proceeded to visit some important spots in the French Quarter where:

1. Louis Prima played on Bourbon Street;
2. Harry Connick, Jr. got up and sang at Maison Bourbon at the age of six;
3. Pete Fountain had a club at 800 Bourbon with "Pete Fountain" still written on sidewalk;
4. Al Hirt had a club;
5. Lips & The Trips played from 1997-2002 (at 711 Bourbon Street--just kidding--that was on my own personal tour);
6. Preservation Hall sits;
7. the former Opera House sat, and explained how the first opera in America was performed in New Orleans, "Sylvain" in 1796;
8. Lenny Kravitz lived from 1996-2010 (he sat next to me at the House of Blues once);
9. Storyville once was: where the piano players at the brothels helped develop a unique form of music;
10. Basin Street is, home of "Basin Street Blues;"
11. Congo Square is, where the slaves were allowed to gather on Sundays, kept their music & dancing traditions alive;

and ended on Rampart Street & Dumaine where herein lies:

12.  Cosimo Matassa's recording studio, now a laundromat, where Fats Domino, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Lloyd Price, Professor Longhair, Roy Brown, Guitar Slim Jr., among others laid down classic r'n'b and r'n'r tracks.

I liked how he had a portable sound system and played selections from his explanation.   

June 16, 2013  

Attended historian, architect, professor, author and all-around busy guy, Robert J. Cangelosi, Jr.'s "Property Research" class sponsored by the Friends of the Cabildo in conjunction with the Preservation Resource Center held at the U.S. Mint yesterday morning.  Great stuff!  This man is the repository of a great deal of information and thankfully, is anxious to share it with others.  

Also thank goodness for the internet so we don't have to do as much traipsing around to different libraries to find out when a building was built; its floor plan; and what it originally looked like.

And speaking of historian, author, and all-around genius, went to see John Sinclair perform last night at Frency's art gallery on Oak Street in Carrollton (see pix to the right and below): 

Backed up by Tom Worrell on piano, bassist

Chuck Booksh,

Brad on guitar, his drummer was none other than Uncle Lionel's son:

Drummer Lionel Batiste, Jr. w/M.

Frenchy's artwork of Uncle Lionel on Batiste's bass drum

Turns out the 3-D effect of Frenchy's artwork is "lagniappe" as he put it--he did not intend it that way:

but it's pretty cool.  Stop by there some time--directly across from the Maple Leaf.

Great set!!!  Was supposed to be John's last appearance before his return to Amsterdam, but apparently a Wednesday night B.J.'s Lounge show is now in the works!!!  Beauty!

When we left there, Tom Worrell was headed to Frenchmen Street to play with the Wild Magnolias at the Blue Nile, so I followed suit.  

The Blue Nile was once The Dream Palace where one Sunday of Mardi Gras weekend c.'84 we saw Stevie Ray Vaughan perform.  My guy, his brother and I had ingested some interesting items that day then hitchhiked from the Carrollton area to see the show... afterwards, we weren't in great shape, and were slightly lost, so we asked him for a lift back to where we were staying at our friends' The Gipsons on Magazine Street near Napoleon Avenue!  And he accommodated!!!!  Very generous and gracious--very cool in The Inner Sanctum!!! 

The club had a brief tenure as a trad jazz club, The Tin Roof, c. 2000, and was pretty classed up then due to the jazz clarinetist's touch, Jack Mayhew, but now it was back to its former duty as a large, mostly standing/dancing room venue.

After the band did "Pocky Way," Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. arrived on stage with "Papa was a Rolling Stone/Smoke My Peace Pipe" medley and his own tune, "Coconut Milk." 

Was super-glad I came out because none other than Big Chief Monk Boudreaux performed several songs with them that first set before I went home. (see pix to the right and below):

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux collaborated with Bo Dollis, Jr.'s father, Big Chief Bo Dollis on several projects after he left the Golden Eagles.  He's a Classic!!!

June 15, 2013  

Disappointed over the final "Vino on the Bayou" at the Pitot House sponsored by the Louisiana Landmarks Society last night.  Past events had the grape flowing, but we were relegated a mere thimble-ful of white and red each...with glasses being sold at $4/apiece: bottles were a decent price at $10/each, but we were accustomed to the greater hilarity.  John Rankin sang and played; and I purchased the Streetcar Guidebook from the author after a nice conversation with him and his research assistant, Lillian.

June 14, 2013  

Kermit Ruffins, local hero, played at the final "Jazz in the Park & Marketplace at Armstrong Park" gathering last night.  Always an outstanding entertainer, he went beyond:  pulling up a cavalcade of singers/performers including his daughter and a fellow known as "The Sleeping Giant."  

NOLA Blonde on sale--thank you for getting the beverage-thing right, and thank you Kermit, for being all about The Love!!!!

June 11, 2013  

Hit the Matinee at The Theatres at Canal Place this past weekend.  Such a long way from the McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kansas movie theater where we used to go to Saturday matinees--a serial cliffhanger, newsreels???really???, cartoon, and a feature, all for a quarter???really???

Don't go to the movies much, but Summertime air-conditioned comfort flicks are a different story:  especially when pizza, popcorn (with truffle oil) & Italian sodas (I had the hibiscus) all delivered right to your seat like a car hop at the Drive-In, and oh, the movie was good, too!  Vince Vaughan's The Internship.  Funny, feel-good, especially for those of us "of a certain age."

On Sunday afternoon, biked out to the Bywater for an Ice Cream Social at work-colleague Caitlin's guy's home: delicioso icey confections--refreshing: spicey chocolato, tumeric vanilla bean!  Yum!  Thank you, Rahn, Nury, Kaya & Althea!

June 10, 2013  

Birthday greetings to my friend from the 7th grade, Lee Karen Kester!  It's funny how I still relate to you as if we were still in Jr. High School--yes, this is before Middle School encroached on all and Jr. High was 7th-9th grades. 

We were in French Class together, but our Mothers had met at my Mom's place of employment (the local laundramat) previously.  Naomi & Donna were pals first! 

It's funny how we are still digging up letters we have sent to each other through the years; re-corresponding???really??--still trying to find out!!!  Getting closer, methinks!really???? 

Anyway, love you & yours, your (still) guy we went to San Francisco with after High School graduation in his cool car that ate oil, camping out along the way, adventures galore--

Happiest of Birthdays, M'Dear!!!!!

More Adventures to Come!!!!

June 9, 2013  

Was thrilled to have been once again invited to the Gemini Party on the Batture via Lady Di. 

Greeting us as we arrived, a Rainbow:

and Dayna & Jimi Fagan:

The Visionary Society holds their annual Soiree at Tony's house, halfway in Orleans and halfway in Jefferson Parish, between the Levee and the River!  Very cool spot to visit, but would not have wanted to ride out the last Hurrican-as did Buddy Dan!!!! 

Red Martin's band backed up Charles Otis; Spencer Bohren played a couple of sets; Jimi Fagan and Dayna did their fire-eating act and I got to hang out with Al "Carnival Time" Johnson as well as to dance the cha-cha-cha with Lady Di herself!!!  What a blast!!!

Johnny B. joined us on our bike ride, but the Levee bike lane is under construction so it was not that type of a cruise--still nice weather, though, through Uptown to Carrollton. 

(see pix to the right and below:)

Tamara & Steve Armbruster with Dylan James

While we were snapping pix, we spotted a relative of Nessy-the Loch Ness monster below us in the River:

June 8, 2013  

Was excited pedalling over to Siberia on St. Claude Avenue last night to see John Sinclair!!!  Poet Extraordinaire!!  Great show as always! 

On the way I passed by The Arch in the 9th Ward and a mimosa tree in bloom (smells like peaches). 

Patti Smith cd was playing when I walked in (turns out the barkeepess loves her) and I ordered the grilled asparagus.  Drink prices are reasonable; co-owner is Luke from Happy Talk band who says that even though he gave up the coffin nails last year, they are staying smokey until "they make us stop."  And since they have food there, that may happen soon.  

Sat with famed horticulutrist Lisa Hix, and got to cop a telephone number from drummer Gary Rieger of my old pal Slim Nelson, now residing in Arkansas!  Beauty night all the way around. 

John is performing his superlative batch of ambience one more time before he goes back to Amsterdam--at Frenchy's on Oak Street, on Saturday, Dad's Day Eve--thanks Celia (his daughter) for the sweetness!  Love you and your Dad!

Accidentally went to Mr. Okra's Birthday Party at B.J's Lounge out on Burgunday and ran into Little Freddie King.  "Accidentally," as in I arrived 24 hours early... Doh!

June 5, 2013  

More blooms at The Hacienda!

Julie & Roman gave us this St. Joseph's Rose when PflashJett passed away.  Planted it in former spot of my landlady's Mom's rose bush that had passed away.  Beauty, eh? & fragrant, too!  

  See pix to the right and below:

 agapantha--bursting forth

Read in the newspaper that honeybees had made a hive in a street lamp by St. Louis Cathedral and had to be moved by a pro beekeeper.  Just finished reading Tom Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume...I guess you can make this stuff up!!!

June 3, 2013  

Hit the last day of The Historic New Orleans Collection's exhibit "Seeking the Unknown" regarding the area's natural history exploration back "in the day," when its exploration first began c.1718.  Manuscripts and drawings (including one of James Audubon's "big books"), maps and a taxidermied bobcat, lynx, spoonbill roseate and an alllgator gar fish were on display at their Royal Street gallery. 

ANGRY GARS NOT IN BALLS

Got regaled with M.'s fishing story re: the Sabine River wherein he kept catching larger and larger alligator gar, letting them go and in his flip-flops getting bitten by angry gar not at all grateful to be released.  When he returned to tell his stepsister (in Sulphur, LA) of his day's activities and the fact that he had let go gars, he was scolded because they liked to make gar balls...

June 2, 2013  

We've had a cool Spring for a change--Summer didn't hit in earnest in early April as in the past.  Maybe this global warming stuff is good for us...at the Farmers' Market, peaches, strawberries AND blueberries were available! 

Kind of like when basketball, hockey and baseball are all in confluence... the kasmir bouquet have begun to bloom as well as the agapantha,and the four o'clocks (see pix to the right). The night blooming jasmine has been intoxicating us for a while now, as have the gardenias & "regular" jasmine. 

The agapantha is a bulb that I originally planted a few years back and comes up every year, but the kasmir bouquet has a root that spreads and comes up every year.  The four o'clocks come up every year, too, but I don't think the same way...the yellow daisy Robin gave me is a "forever-bloomer."

When I cut back some Texas Tulips that had gotten thick by the fence, I discovered I had destroyed the habitat of this beautiful, sweet tree frog and moved him to the side of the house in his house:

Poor lil' fella--I spied another tree frog nearby to where I moved him a few weeks ago (unless it's the same one) so maybe they can be friends...

Our neighbor planted this weeping willow not too long ago and seems to be pretty happy:

We had a weeping willow in suburban Kansas City when I was a kid that never seemed to get very tall...

May 30, 2013  

Louisiana Landmarks Society (LLS) and The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) (of which I am a member of both!) sponsored the Martha G. Robinson (noted preservationist who was instrumental in the establishment of LLC in 1950) Lecture last night.  

Walter Gallas, the newly appointed Executive Director of LLS spoke about, what else? historic preservation!  Held in the Counting House of THNOC on Royal Street, he spoke at length about where we've been nationally (he worked with the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and locally, and strategies for the future.

Never dreamed they had to fight to preserve Gallier Hall!  He related that when the new City Hall was built in the 1950s, the Mayor at the time wanted to sell the building outright which would not ensure its future... instead a plan was devised whereby it was rechristened as one of the architect James Gallier's showpieces and leased to various organizations for special events and functions.  Mr. Gallas stressed the need for rethinking and altering the way we present preservation as in this example--not just a building, but part of our culture.  

I apologize if this seems like a no-brainer to me--we should all be historians in a sense; preservation connects us with what's happened to help us know ourselves, our secret selves that we are uncovering through delving into our past.  We have conquered Space, but Time is something with which we can become friendly--I am thrilled when I dig up a piece of pottery from my backyard gardening.  As individuals, as a society, we need this connection--what is the deal with this granite countertop fascination?!!!! 

How can we slow the mad dash of demolition to bring about a "bright Future" and relish in the deep richness of our Past?!  Every morning I shudder and spit at what is being done to the Garden District--the priceless lustrous sheen of the past for a suburban-type cleanliness with no soul...

Mr. Gallas stressed the importance of "dialoging," of changing the message from evangelical to "how can we manage this cultural richness"?  Apparently when the Crescent City Connection folks tore down the Delord Sarpy Plantation there was a dialogue in place and that did not work. 

At one time the demolition of the French Quarter was called for as it was deemed "a slum."  Arghhh!!! 

We must keep smart and keep our data before us so we can communicate bright facts for a bright future.  We must keep at it.

Speaking of keepiing at it, on my trek down Royal Street toward Canal, I spotted none-other-than Allen Toussaint in his garoove-mobile crossing in front of me.  I rang my bell & waved--he (gracious as always!), rolled down his window as I yelled, "We meet again," and he waved, "Yes!"  And there is my well-preserved connection to my past--the man who created much of the music I love(d as a kid).  

May 27, 2013 

Happy Memorial Day!  May we be remembering some good stuff today.

Like yesterday's first-ever Gospel Fest at the 2nd Baptist Church on Laurel Street just off of Napoleon Avenue where Deacon John Moore performed along with his piano player.  From "Ava Maria" (which he used to perform as a nine-year old choir boy) to "Many Rivers to Cross," The Deac never disappoints.  His long-time singer, Davonda, was in attendance, and she told us about her Friday night gig at the World Famous Creole Dining establishment on Magazine around the corner (used to be a comic book shop when The Gipsons lived nearby). 

Afterwards, we biked on over to Maria & Rob's to a crawfish boil in honor of (I thought it was their daughter's graduation from MBA program) her daughter Shelby's and her guy from D.C., Jeremy's b-days. Ate drank and were merry with her Gang in their Circus Tent of many lights in the house that once housed King Oliver!  (see pic to the right)

May 26, 2013 

OPA! Finally learned to line-dance a la Greek Festival last night after one-half bottle of Retsina.  My feet hopped by themselves to the strains of the baklava & pomegranite shlurpee in my stomach.  

As we were leaving the Festival (which is about 20x more crowded than when I first started going back in '97) ran into Michalopoulos himself, famous artist and the Festival Poster artist himself, resting his feet from dancing!  OPA!

May 25, 2013

Attended another open house for preservationists and peeping toms last night, this time sponsored by the VCPORA (Vieux Carre Property Owners' and Residents Association) at the edge of the French Quarter on Esplanade one block from the Mississippi River.  A 3-1/2 story Greek Revival Creole Townhouse built in the late 1830s with cast iron verandas added in the 1850s, the owners had gutted and renovated in about one year: my favorite part was the original beams kept in the second floor guestroom:

It was nice of Billy & Deneesa to open up their home to the public--I love getting the inside peep.  The interior designer is friends with Scott, my neighbor in the Garden District, and there were other assorted characters there as well.  I got dropped from the e-mail list so I did not know of the enlistment to wear 1930s garb (or as your favorite French Quarter character--Ruthie the Duck Lady), but many folks were dolled up, including Groucho & Harpo Marx (see pix to the right). 

Across the street from my old stomping grounds, Checkpoint Charlie's and next door to what was once the Matador, I lit out to make old connections.  As I was crossing the boulevard on the away from the Riverside of Esplanade, who would be stopped at the light, but Allen Toussaint in his GrooveMobile!  I'd heard tell of his Rolls and its odd color (which I couldn't really make out and who cares--what a grand sight!).  I waved and blew a kiss and bowed--he waved back & honked--sigh.  Great start to the Memorial Day Weekend!

May 24, 2013

Went to the Renovators' Happy Hour sponsored by the Preservation Resource Center last night at Keith & Nan's beautiful 1892 Victorian on Jackson Avenue.  Been eyeing it on my a.m. bikeride on the way to work as it was for sale for a long while.  Turns out there was some hidden disasters which if the Weirs had not bought & began repairing, would have meant its eminent downfall. 

But then we all tend to "let ourselves go" now & then.  Termites, moisture and Hurricane Isaac were the culprits in this case & the underside of the house had to be painstakingly jacked up little by little by hand.  But then we all tend to have to do that on occasion as well.

Hope to get some photos sent to me by Keith's daughter, Becca--all good folk not wanting to change the implicit beauty and old-timeyness of their new home...

A member of the Garden District Association introduced herself and when I complained about the "deforestation" of the so-called Garden District, she explained that they cannot govern what is on an owners' private property.  The Vieux Carre Commission protects buildings in the Quarter, what on Earth is the GDA's purpose if not to strong arm in assisting to keep the Garden District a GARDEN District??!!

For those of you planning to garden this weekend during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, remember there are no weeds in God's Good Garden!

May 22, 2013

Spied writer Chris Rose in line at the bank--had overheard he'd hit some hard times & since he wasn't looking very friendly, I merely said hello.  His writing always had a bit of a cynical edge but that was part of his popularity.  M. gave me his book Three Dead in the Attic for Christmas which quite captured the time of Hurricane Katrina.  Couldn't help but musing in a light-heared vein that if he'd had me for his Muse "things" might have turned out differently, but then there might be more magnolias in the world, too ...

Speaking of, meant to add these pix to the right and below from our weekend bike ride.  Stopped to smell the magnolias:

Big-as-Your-Face Magnolias on Jeff Davis Pkwy

& to check up on an historic landmark, The Dew-Drop Inn:

soon to be resurrected, (as we hope for all those presently & seemingly forever "stuck in a rut"...). 

Hang tight, Y'All, Your Time Will Come!

May 21, 2013

Received some sad news yesterday that a fellow parishioner, Tom D. took his own life last week.  A troubled fellow, but still full of good humor and life--loved animals, sticking up for those less-fortunate.  Guess he identified with them--your pain is through for now, Dear One.  Bless you and those you leave behind! 

In the afternoon met my friend Bobette's niece, Tricia C. & her pals who travelled from Orlando to hear the Dali Lama speak at UNO.  So young, so full of promise.

May 19, 2013

Participated again this year in the Bayou Boogaloo Bike Pub Crawl yesterday morning.  Under the auspices of the Mid-City Volleyball League, Peter Hickman led about 75 of us from the Morning Call in City Park (at 8am) to the Bayou Boogaloo festivity itself where the bicycle place nearby had bike valet parking (the latest rage). 

Peter shares his knowledge of history along the way.  He especially likes N. Dorgenois with its tree-lined street.  Apparently, that was the demarcation of a Monsieur Dorgenois' plantation... which brings us to what was the Dorgenois open-air market and site of Indian trading area, pre-European invasion:

The I Am That I Am Church, site of early commerce

He hooks us up with some interesting establishments like The Prime Example, 1909 N. Broad St. and the Ideal Meat Market on Ursulines (see pix to the right) of which My Guy is both.

We also enjoy the usual visit to the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club--entertainment provided by the Pinstripe Brass Band and guess whhhhat???  Purple Haze -- for $3.00!!!  To top it all off, free Zulu King Cake:

AND with, what else? coconut cream!

I-Yi-Yi-Yummm! 

May 18, 2013

Had a great gig at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse last night with the Trip-in-dickulipshusest Trips, Mark Fowler (guitar) and The Creature (drums)!!!  Last one for the season on June 21, 2013--too hot out there in the Summer months and it is getting to be Summer months...   

May 17, 2013

Finally got out to the "Jazz in the Park & Marketplace at Armstrong Park" series last night & caught Big Chief Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias.  The stage is not set up right on Congo Square like it was for the Rhythyms Festival, but around the side of the building overlooking the Square--the portico serves as the musicians' Green Room.  

Nice show with Bo Dollis Sr. getting up on stage more than once ("One Mo' Time!") and Bo Dollis Jr. reaching for his three-month old daughter to place in the waiting hands of the Big Chief Sr. as he sat on a chair mid-stage.  The photographers and drunken dancers abounded!  It was a great evening served up with NOLA Blonde on tap; and fellow-audience members, John Sinclair and lovely daughter Celia, Logan & Diane (see below) and Steve Armbruster.

Hope to see y'all out tonight at our show at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse.  We got Creature on the drums again!  And of course the Ever-Effervescent Mark Fowler on the guitar!!!  xoxo

May 12, 2013

Had a Happy Mother's Day attending the New Leviathan Foxtrot Orchestra's annual concert at Cabrini Park in the Quarter.  Saw Diane & Logan; Ann Stewart and newly-turned four year old, Wesley (flautist & historian Jack Stewart's clan); the Stewart's tenant sporting a campy outfit & bicycle set-up:

neighbor Claudia; kiddles lining up for face-painting; and the ever-so-talented George Schmidt leading the fox-trot troops: "This isn't Sesame Street, people, this is an adult dance; don't let your children get trampled by fox-trotters." I was surprised to see George himself take to the dance floor, and I caught it on film:

 George tripping the light fandango

May 11, 2013

Got my car last night from the car doctor, those nice folks on Hagan, Ray & Sam, and white-knuckled it home in a rainstorm...was trying to make Micholopoulos' Greek Festival Poster debut at his gallery on Bienville, but just wanted to curl up in a ball with a glass of Mayo wine...

This a.m. the Friends of the Lafitte Corridor (a new greenway from Congo Square to Lake Pontchartrain) hike was postponed due to rain!  It's happening next Saturday when the Bayou Boogaloo Bike Pub Crawl happens so we are going to miss the hike...

Participated in the Magazine Street Champagne Stroll from Martin's Wine Cellar (by my present pad) up to the new Silk Road gallery that took the place of Alain Bush's antique shop (by my old pad at Josephine Street).  Stopped off and chatted with Eve & Vince at Mystic Blue Signs at Jackson who are doing a lot of calligraphy classes besides their usual line of sign painting.  The new Silk Road gallery was still serving champagne post-the 9:00 p.m. quitting time and had an impressive $40,000 carved wooden bed space from China where the bed-ee would lay and receive guests in a compartment decorated with numerous carved animal heads & such. 

Stopped in at Vinh's Vietnamese restaurant that he opened after the BP spill when the antique business went farther south than after Katrina.

The weather's been unseasonably cool & pleasant: great for a walk back home with my Sweetie through the lovely Garden District.

May 10, 2013

Vicki Ellis from Houston invited me to her convention party at Mannings on Fulton last night where I got my crawfish on! Hadn't seen her since we left Houston in '05.  She looked great & has been with her company for over 20 years, servin' up rare coins & gold!! (pic to the right)

Talked about ole drinkin' times on Market Square in Houston, notably Warren's, La Carafe & the Market Square Brew Pub, site of one of Vicki's birthdays when we played there.

May 8, 2013

The icing on Jazz Fest's cake last night was the one, the only, Ms. Tricia Boutte, her last show before she flies back to the Land of Lefse & Lutefisk (Norway for the uninitiated) on Saturday.  She is out of this world fabuloso  !!!!   Got to give her a big Viking hug !!!!

Thank you to the Lees from San Francisco (who took my advice and showed up at her show) for snapping this pic of us (to the right).

'Til you return to the Land of Gumbo & French Bread, we will miss your Loveliness, your Joy, your great big talent, and we will be sure to enjoy eating fried foods in our underpants, per your admonitions!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!!

May 6, 2013

Hope y'all had a vunderbar Cinco de Mayo yesterday!  Mine involved, in case you have not kept up with the story thus far, THE JAZZ FEST'S LAST DAY!!!!

And superb it was beginning with the Creole String Beans on the Gentilly Stage.  Ran into Jim McCormick who was about to be interviewed by music writer Alex Rawls in the grandstand and told me Dottie would be in attendance! (see pix to the right and below)

Didn't know I would see Jim's former colleague-in-crime (& assorted felonies), Cleve, so was delighted that Peter Patout was sitting next to him (Leigh McGowen's cuz!) and snapped this pic:

Yours Truly & Cleve (Bingemen bassist) 

Visited the Kid's Tent to see Dave & Roselyn, and ran into Pat Jolly & Stage m.c. & actor divine, Donald Lewis (pix to the right).

Worked my La Divina shift as an "expeditor" delivering the yummy goodnesses to customers--whom included Laura & Ralph Gipson!  Very cool as I saw them First Day of the Fest as well!  Love you guys!

And all the while listening to the New Orleans Classic R&B Recording Revue with Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Frankie Ford & Robert "Barefootin" Parker! then Irma Thomas.  Nice spot for a job, eh?

Got to see a bit of the ever-so-lovely Kim Carson (at right) at the Lagniappe Stage in the paddock, & ran into videomaniac/ photog Dylan James:

Dylan James

who said that Patti Smith concert was the best show EVER--this guy should know! 

Made my way to the Cultural Traditions & Celebrations Tent to snap some pix of Big Chief Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors (see pix to the right), and while waiting for him and Jack, I heard nuptials were being served up in the Folk Village next-door.  Saw some folks I know, including Steve:

& Tamara Armbruster:

in the crowd, so I stuck around. 

Smack dab next to me was Dave Malone (looking smart!) of The Radiators:

(and now Raw Oyster Cult), then who should push in front of me to get in good camera-range, but the Queen of New Orleans herself, Ms. Irma Thomas (whom I'd heard earlier at the Gentilly Stage singing her hits, "It's Rainin'" and the song the Rolling Stones did, "Pain in My Heart.")  Far out! 

Sonny & Echo, who had introduced the lovely couple, imparted some heart-warming wisdoms; and the vows included "thank you for letting me buy a race horse" -- and post-ceremony, the officiating Reverand picked up his accordion (see pic to the right) & joined the band in a second line!  Henry from the Treme TV-show (plays D.J. Davis' friend, also in real-life) was the Grand Marshall decked out in his (not exactly pin-)striped suit.

We all second-lined to the paddock area where the band, who turned out to be the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, took to the Lagniappe Stage!

A Jewish wedding entails a chair ride so they accommodated!

Instead of ending the last day of Jazz Fest with the traditional Neville Brothers set (which is non-existent as Aaron Neville left the Neville Brothers who are now just ""The Nevilles," & I knew the crowd would be astronomical for Aaron Neville's show, I opted for a bit of Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolias, whose Big Big Chief, Bo Dolllis Sr., who has cut down his activities due to age, was not only in attendance, but participating:

Big Chief Bo Dollis Sr.

(check out all photos to the right and in Special Events)  

May 5, 2013

My volunteer shift yesterday with La Divina was the 10:30-1:30 & I worked as a scooper, placing the yumminess in a cone or a cup, some AFFAGATO ("drowned" in Italiano) signifying a shot of espresso drizzled lovingly a la mode style!  (see pix to the right)

They opened the gates early (I guess to make up for Friday when they opened late due to trying to fill back in the Swamp with sand! Ha!).

Got to hear my favorite from last year, "The Boutte Family Gospel" (Lillian, John, Tricia, Tanya, et al)--indescribable--come next year, just for them--you won't be sorry!

Got  a hug from TV-star John afterwards & Tricia thanked me for coming!  These are some mighty nice folks! 

Caught a bit of Dr. Michael White who is another God of Music & ran into him later, thanking him for his performance: he was happy to hear I had seen him & the Original Liberty Jazz Band.

Ended the day with Los Lobos in the Blues Tent!!!  Cameraless today and sorry for that, but my mind's eye took a bunch of great pix.

May 4, 2013

Volunteered with La Divina Gelateria again this weekend so worked my shift yesterday and then got to go Festing!  The rain was a steady downpour, but M. gave me a lift--the FurryMobile is "under the weather."

My "assignment" was selling gelato sandwiches via La D's trike first thing, outside the Blues Tent, so I got to hear Spencer Bohren, David Egan & 20 Years of Trouble, then the Coco Robicheaux Tribute with Irene Sage & Company!  It was a might chilly for May and overcast, but folks were still happy & loving the sweet cream gelato hugged by two dark Valhrona chocolate cookies!!!  Only $5.00!!!

Loved hearing Irene sing Coco's song, "Walk With the Spirit" and the song they wrote together, "We've Got a Secret" sung with none other than Walter "Wolfman" Washington.  Mike Hood did a great rendition of Coco's "Sittin' on a stump in the middle of the swamp at night..." then M. & I saw him later on eating frybread at the Native American area (see pic to the right) where we could hear BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet with special guest Jo-El Sonnier at the Fais Do Do Stage.  Wow!!!

Had to get a spot for the Jimmy Cliff close-out show at Congo Square stage.  Here was a shot of the audience's mudpit at about 11:00 a.m:

Papa Gros Funk played before so we heard some of that:

Jimmy Cliff was sparkling: with his Eye of Osiris headband and infectious energy, we sang and danced in the sludge with him on his first song, "You Can Get it if You Really Want" through his last song, "Bigger They Are..." 

May 3, 2013

Patti Smith show last night was pretty darn incredible and that included the steady downpour, the sideways rain and then the sun appearing midway!!!

A Festee was leaving the Fest as I was arriving around 4:20p.m.: "I feel like I've been in a war."  The ground was a muddy cesspool and stunk; it was drizzling AND slightly chilly--lucky for me old-time friend from Checkpoint's, Lucky, shared his umbrella with me as I had nothing but a flimsy gold & black fleur de lis poncho (travelling light on my bike out to the Fairgrounds), but when Patti & her long-time band took the Gentilly Stage at 5:40 p.m., none of we fans cared! 

Starting out with "Redondo Beach" from Horses, she played a few songs I did not recognize (I shamefully have not kept up with her).  Lenny Kaye sang his way and played his first guitar solo through a medley of interesting rock hits (which he dedicated to Dr. Ike & the Ponderosa Stomp gang): including "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet" by the Blues Magoos and The Seeds' "Too Hard."  She did her hits:  "Because the Night," "People Have the Power," but apparently "we zipped through our set and I didn't do enough babbling" and had to add some songs which was fine!

I loved "Pissin' in a River" the best, and appropriate, too.  She added a lovely Neil Young song, and ended up with the title cut of her first album (released in 1975!).  We all sang along, especially to G-L-O-R-I-A!  Great show--felt the Love!!!  I realized what a big influence she had on my early songwriting: GO RIMBAUD!!!!!!!!  GO PATTI!!!!!!

May 2, 2013

Attended the benefit for the Dew Drop Inn at Cafe Istanbul last night, located in the Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue.  Worthy cause, nice event.  My Fave-Rave Tricia Boutte may have shown up later, but I did catch Charmaine Neville, the Honeypots (with the lovely Margie Perez), Chuckie, Gina Brown, Vanessa Williams, Les Getrex, Dave & Roselyn and Leslie Smith.  Behind the stage were photographs taken of the Dew Drop "complex" and of shows I had seen on PBS' specials hosted by Peggy Scott Laborde, "New Orleans as it Was" (I think). 

Randy Jackson, the grandson of the original owner of the stellar nightclub, barber shop, hotel & all around social hub, introduced the Show and thanked everyone for their support.  2836 LaSalle Street will live again!  (see pix to the right and below:)

Dave & Roselyn

Patti Smith out at the Jazz Fest today!  Have a great Weekend #2!!

May 1, 2013

Happy May Day, All!  Consider the flower to the right being laid on your doorstep as in olden times.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox

Blessings to Miss Pat Jolly burying her Beloved Mom "Honey" today! 

Praise God for taking her Home!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox

Last night at Kermit Ruffins' Speakeasy Ms. Tricia Boutte held court with her magnificence.  She will be part of the Dew Drop benie tonight at Cafe Istanbul.  See you there! 

April 30, 2013

The rain brought the frogs back and they were in full chorus last night when I returned home from the office.  Very comforting!

Thought it was Saturday this morning when the alarm went off and was sure the alarm was broken!

April 29, 2013

Day #3 of Jazz Fest yesterday was mostly rainy which meant less trips to the misting tent!  Beer sales down, poncho sales up!

I worked the 1:00-4:00 p.m. shift in the La Divina Gelateria tent which was a blast due to my fellow volunteers, Jarrod & Mary, the mom-and-pop-owners of the fine establishment, Carmello & Katrina Truillo and of course the gelato itself (especially love that Chocolate Azteca!! with cinnamon & cayenne pepper in that dark Valhrona choco).

 View out the front of La Divina's tent:

I ended up attending a couple of shows I would not have, but due to the "musical chairs" aspect of staying dry, I watched Big Al Carson and Jo "Cool" Davis and enjoyed both. 

I used to see Big Al's guitarist George Scott play in the band that came after us at 711 Bourbon (see pic to the right).  And Big Al played at the Funky Pirate on the next block of Bourbon from the Tricou(coo) House so I would say hello occasionally. 

I liked his renditions of standards, including appropriately enough "Let's Stay Together" as it was torrentially downpouring and we were staying put.

I'm glad to have stumbled on Jo "Cool" Davis--Charles Moore was on bass, Joe Crown on the organ & several other notables there in the Gospel Tent--always good for a Sunday!

At the La Divina tent we could hear the Gentilly Stage so after my shift I headed for Calexico, a great Tex-Mex band (as we used to call them in Houston.)  Fellow Diviner Jarrod called it "spaghetti western music."  I called it good.  Glad to have run into Hodges & Mouton thereabouts as well.

The climax of the day and the weekend was Mr. B.B. King.  I arrived late as I was visiting with Sandra Noya & her clan, and Carolina & Trevor (pictured). 

Ended up on the side of the stage due to some visualization and confusion.  Was comfy, but could only snap the pic to the right of B.B. leaving the stage.  Allen Toussaint got up and sang him a little ditty which was as the lady next to me noted, "One of those New Orleans moments"--magical, pure, mystical & meaningful. 

Rode home in the rain & cold on my bike stopping off at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse to see if the rain would let up (it did not) and munched on a Caprese sandwich.  Warmed up in a hot bath and on the great memories of Woodstock XXXXIV!!!

April 28, 2013

Day #2 of Jazz Fest yesterday began with former Trips guitarist, Johnny J and his merry band The Hitmen at 11:05 a.m.  I biked from the Garden District, had a big night before so I arrived late and only heard a few songs, but it was good to see a Hometown Boy do good up there on the Acura Stage.

I hired J-Squared when I had a regular gig on Bourbon Street, after T-Bone Stone left the band.  We recorded a CD at Gary Edwards' shop, Dance Babys Dance (see CD Section) of some of the covers that we performed at the Tricou(coo) House. 

Heard a bit of Sally Young interviewing Wanda Rouzon in the Grandstand, but was on a mission to see Wendell Brunious who put on a good show.  Had a side-stepper (see pic to the right--he's on the left) and a whole slew of umbrella-wielders came out of the woodwork, circling the audience.  (Too bad we are all sooo white!)  I had seen Mr. Brunious blow his horn in Charmaine Neville's band, but he's a good frontman & singer as well.    

On the way to the Blues Tent, I stopped to hear the Stoney Creek Singers accompany the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers that I had joined in with the day before on their Love Circle.  Tony performed the hoop dance mimicing nature with the use of about eight hoops--beauty stuff!

Deacon John--what can I say?  I heard a lady sitting behind me, "he's apparently a New Orleans treasure."  Apparently!  Wow!  Love The Deac!  Has his brother, Charles Moore on the bass, his niece, Kathleen, singing, his sister Julia on congas, and a big band full of greats ("he used to blow sax with Allen Toussaint, now he's with me" ETC!).  Besides Kathleen, there is another fab female vocalist who's been with him forever.  Such a crowd-pleaser and did some new material since I last saw him.  Ended with "Many Rivers to Cross" and the slide-screaming "Dust My Broom."  Perfection!

Passed by the super-packed Allen Toussaint show briefly--liked his back-up singers a lot doing his hits (which are numerous!) 

Gerald French now fronts (on drums) the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, once fronted (on drums) by his brother, Bob.  They did a tribute to him as he passed away this past year.  "Detroit" Brooks on the banjo.

The Tribute to Sidney Bechet was star-studded, featuring Dr. Michael White, Roderick Paulin, Donald Harrison, Jr., and Breeze Cayolle.  Great stuff--that trad jazz is happy cartoon music.  I liked the tango beat in "Egyptian Fantasy."

Ben Harper had the famed harpist Charlie Musselwhite with him at the happy hippie Gentilly Stage. (please see all pix to the right)

April 27, 2013

Off to a tres fabuloso 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival yesterday!!!

I volunteered to work for La Divina Gelateria and met at 9:50 a.m. here:

at the Gentilly Entrance.  Across the street at the Seahorse Saloon, they were already at it:

A band had started up just before I arrived at 9:20 a.m!!!

The Trike stationed right outside the Blues Tent made it easy to hear Guitar Slim, Jr. play his Dad's song, "The Things that I Used to Do" (with Allen Toussaint sitting in on piano).  Niiiice! 

I sold "ice cream" sandwiches made with sweet cream gelato surrounded by two dark Valhrona chocolate cookies--yummmmm--got filmed by axs TV and was a hand model for the divine sandwiches (maybe I can start a new career like George Castanza) for Louisiana Cooking. 

Saw a bunch of folks I know, notably the good folks that turned me on to the Jazz Fest, none other than Ralph Gipson (who has played every Fest since I first attended in 1984 & before) and family, wife Laura, son Lucas & nephews Ed & Matt.

Stopped by Dr. John's on the way to my all-time favorite: Ms. Tricia Boutte.  Adorable, with unbelievable talent, she brought her band from Norway, "Norway's Gumbo" -- they were outstanding.  

From "Fool That I Am" to her own "I'm Comin' Home" through Bunny Wailer's "My Dreamland" she is riveting & magnificient.  (I'm going to Kermit's Speakeasy Tuesday night to catch her again!  Also, she will be performing next weekend with the Boutte family at the Gospel Tent--their show last year was remarkable and not to be missed this year.)

Somewhere in between all of this, while walking through the Native American area I got caught up in the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers Love Circle Dance.   

Afterwards, I caught Terrence Simien at the Fais Do-Do stage--we opened for him in 1986 at Fitzgerald's in Houston--HE IS THE IT GUY!!!  Got to witness the induction of Queen Ida into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and a bit of a song before high-tailing it to Rocky's for our gig at his Annual Crawfish Boil at the big house on Ursulines Avenue (as seen in that Kate Hudson movie).

Creature played with Mark & I and it was Big Fun!  Doing what we love best, getting paid for it, hanging out with friends, fans & fellow Jazz Festers, all lulled into the harmony of having renewed our Hippie Vows at the New Orleans Racetrack and Fairgrounds that day!! 

On top of it all, Mark invented a new drink, "The Titanic" (please see all pix to the right)

Again, Rocky & Meg: thanks for having us at your lovely home!!

Trips: thanks for playing so great!

HAPPY JAZZ FEST EVERYONE!!

April 19, 2013

Happy Anniversary, Lips & The Trips!  Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987--Sean Walters had me play at his Songwriters' Showcase at Chelsea 804 club at 804 Chelsea in Houston, Texas! 

Picture to the right taken when Celia (we miss you!) & I got to use the wardrobe/props at the Alley Theatre when Brian & Elliott worked security. 

Had to cancel our show for tonight--cold & rainy here in New Orleans--especially for April!

Happy Birthday, Wilma Weasel coming right up !!!  One of our first and stalwartest of fans (along with hubby Willie Weasel) !!!!!! 

Thanks to all who over the years have contributed to my endeavors!

April 17, 2013

Tricia Boutte played at Kermit Ruffins' Speakeasy last night and I heard the first set.  Such a great vocalist--mighty, yet mignon & adorable! Superb!! Backed up by long-time collaborator Paul Longsreth on keys. 

Paul & Tricia "Sista Teedy" Boutte

April 16, 2013

Saw my first magnolia blooms this a.m. at the edge of Lafayette Square Park biking in to the office:

And then inside the office, my boss' cornstalk plant! Very fragrant!!

April 14, 2013

HAPPY FRENCH QUARTER FEST, Part 3!  Lightning & storms in the night & this a.m. but all cleared up so we got to see one of my faves, Jeremy Davenport & his band: Arnett Hayes on the piano, Aaron Fletcher, saxophone, Jesse Boyd, bass, Troy Davis on the drums, and of course, JD, trumpet & vocals.  Was right up front for these photos:

Caught the end of "Jumpin'" Johnny Sansone's show by the River where The Norwegian Star Cruise ship passing made a lovely backdrop:

April 13, 2013

HAPPY FRENCH QUARTER FEST, Part 2!  Thought we would beat the crowds and bike--fat chance!  People everywhere but we made it just in time to the 12:30 p.m. show by Charmaine Neville & her terrific band (all "future ex-husbands") at the Jackson Square Stage: I have never seen Wendell Brunious play with her, but the usual Jesse Boyd was on the upright bass, Gerald French on the drums, Detroit Brooks on guitar, and Amasa Miller, not only on keys, but also accordion!  Such a great show--she was handing out percussion to kids in the audience.  Real crowd-pleaser!!!  Including me--bought her CD, "Before the Storm."  Thanks, Charmaine!

Of course we all remember when Jackson Square was the only place the Festival staged music.  Now!  Wow!  Definitely cloning is in order.  Caught a bit of Nita & Eric in their fab band, Some Like it Hot, but when we started to go see Ralph in Fredy Omar's band, realized I had lost my debit card--hooray for a Good Samaritan who called the bank and cancelled it and hooray for M. buying me some beerses. 

Ran into Glenn, now a proud Papa, one month ago!  Had a dream last night about Coco, who had been their Nuptial Preacher at Tipitina's a few years back...ran into Warren Woods, taking a phone call on busy Bourbon Street:

Warren Woods on the line w/Bubbles

[also please see pix to the right]

M. bought me dinner at Casamento's as I hadn't had enough fun:

oyster stew, oyster loaf & a Restoration Ale for what ails ya!

April 12, 2013

HAPPY FRENCH QUARTER FEST! And a Shout-Out to Ex-Trips guitarist Raphael Bas on T.V. this a.m. with his band Harmonouche, performing out at the FQF! Would have been nice to get a Shout-Out from him when they asked how he came to New Orleans! [see "The Trips" Section for pix of Raphael playing with Lips & The Trips].  Sounded great and glad he's doing so well here--looks well-fed and happy!  Crackerjack band with Tim Paco on upright bass!  Nice!

Biked out to City Park last night after it cleared up from torrential rains and potential tornado to hear Tricia Boutte at the Twilight series at City Park's Botanical Gardens.  Lovely, lovely, lovely!  She'll be here from her now-home in Norway for a while--saw she's playing Kermit's Speakeasy for a few Tuesday nights in a row!  Beautiful!

She & Irene Sage are playing out there this afternoon--have to figure out a way to pretend I've been in the bathroom for a few hours to my bosses...

LATER THAT SAME DAY:

Got to take lunch at Irene's show, but did not make it out to see Tricia Boutte due to my dutifulness at the office.  Did get to partake of the fun of the Wild Magnolias that evening:

Wild Magnolias @ Abita Beer Stage

(also see pix to the right).  Heard some folks hootin' and hollerin' and was standing right next to Terri & Eddie:

 cute couple!

April 10, 2013

Enjoyed "Bike-To-Work Day" yesterday. BikeEasy sponsored an a.m. City Hall free coffee, donuts, Jamba Juice & juice-juice from The Green Fork (on Prytania). 

I was told my pink bike was "gangsta" from a fellow rider which intrigued me--I thought of it as more of a "love bike." 

The after-work party at the American Sector featured bike valet parking!  Nice!!!

April 9, 2013

Don't get to Algiers Point that much but always a pleasant ride across the Canal Ferry.  We bought a nice floor rug and a print at the annual "Treasures from the Point" neighborhood garage sale this weekend. 

Took advantage of having to go back over yesterday by stopping off at the Old Point bar for a Tin Roof on tap.  Still "neighborhood" after all these years!  The Dry Dock hasn't changed much either where we shared an oyster po'boy and I partook of their NOLA Blonde on tap. 

Lovely neighborhood where Jazz musicians lived "back in the day."  Before The Storm, an informative museum behind the old Courthouse gave out maps of who lived where/when.

April 7, 2013

M & I celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Our First Date last night at Mila restaurant in the CBD.   Hadn't been there since before The Storm when it was Renee Bistrot.  Dee-lip-shus melt-in-your-mouth pepper-seared tuna with chocolate sorbet for dessert.  The food, drink, the company and the ambience all scored high and we got a great parking spot to boot!  Thanks, Honey! [see pix to the right] 

Also see picture of the orchid to the right in our bathroom which bloomed in honor thereof! 

April 5, 2013

Last night's Chamber offering had me and Robin at Sainte Marie restaurant on Poydras for their $5/wine glass Happy Hour which also featured their super mac'n'cheese with crawfish, fontina, & gruyere.  Yum.  Great company, great stuff.  Happy Week-End, Everyone!

April 1, 2013

This was no April Fool last night just after midnight awakening to five fire trucks and a third-floor dormer window blaze across the street and two houses over (see pic to the right).  No-one was hurt and it went out quickly, but fire anywhere is scary, but particularly where many wooden historic homes such as the Garden District !  Heard they were slated to be turned into luxury condos, so maybe this will scotch the deal so M. & I can buy it and plant citrus & pomegranite trees in the front yard.

March 31, 2013

Happy Easter Sunday!

Church today was extra-inspiring with Rev. Elmer's "Truth Lesson" re: the Resurrecting Power. Charmaine Neville was in attendance, visiting there with friend Rosalee, who had been married at the Church by Rev. Elmer's mother back in '79.  Love seeing Charmaine whose birthday it was.  She looks like a teenager!  Bless her heart! 

C.N. informed me that at  her gig at a retirement center yesterday someone asked her if she knew me!  The person said they attended my shows at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse!  C.N. thought it was particularly interesting since here I was the very next day.  Me, too!  For someone to talk to Charmaine Neville about me??!!  An excellent singer, performer & band leader, I have looked up to her since I first saw her play, and catch her every chance I get.  She's great!  And here I am talking to her like she's a normal person.  What an Easter Miracle, huh?

Also the one day a year I get to wear my bunny shoes: 

"May they remind you of your inner beauty"

M. got these for me from ex-Le Bon Temps Rouler-barkeep Copan, now moved to NYC.  (That's her on the box cover.)  Get yourselves a pair @:  streetsieshighheelbunnyshoes.com

After our Easter Egg Hunt in which we almost did not find this one:

we hit the straight (Chris Owens) and Gay Easter Parades down in the Quarter.  Caught something from Al "Carnival Time" Johnson who had his own float.  The Gay Parade has really flourished since my last attendance (see pix to the right). 

March 30, 2013

Rae Horton's Goodbye Short Street pad, Bye-Bye to her daughter moving to NYC and her son moving to AZ Party.  Wow!  Great party by a Great Gal (see pix to the right).

I met Rae from the Gipsons before I moved here (1983).  Her & her hub at the time, Michael, had bought this house to fix up and sell, but that never transpired--'til now.  Her gorgeous kids are all growed up and leaving the roost so this is the next step!  The place, a grand-sion in the Riverbend, is worth wishing to buy.  Great memories there although in retrospect I wish more that I had hung out with them more often than I did...

Rae was nursery school pals with Sidney Smith so I was able to see her when we'd play at Sidney's parties & get caught up on the news of the "kiddles" or dance with her "waheenie" style like she did to me when I would come out in the audience while playing at Margaritaville or Checkpoint's (after I moved here.)

Best of Everything, Ms. Rae--so glad to know you and your friends and your family!!!  Thank you!!!

March 29, 2013

Good Friday.  The good part is that this was the fulfillment of Jesus' ministry and he knew he was headed for the ultimate Overcoming.  Also, since this is a Catholic town, we get a day off! 

Turns out it is NOLA Brewing's tasting afternoon--yes, every Friday is good Friday for beer afficionados in that they can drink heavily for free at the lovely NOLA Brewing Co.'s grounds on Tchoupitoulas Street at the edge of the Irish Channel.  It was good for everyone on Spring Break, too, and even though a second set of free taps have been added since I was there last Summer, the lines were half a block long.  I met a nice couple in line, though, Kate & David, true beer afficionados (see pic to the right) visiting from Knoxville, Tennessee.

I like the NOLA Blonde, but I was at a "tasting" so I tried the 8.8 hoppy taste of MeccaHopzilla.  After three of those, and after talking to Logan, Diane, Elle, Chris, Michael & Frankie, the dog:

I realized I was in no shape to take in St. Patrick's Relic of the True Cross Good Friday Service:

Enjoyed a nice afternoon in the sun and realized Logan's lady, Diane could be my long-lost relative as her last name is the same as my mother Naomi's maiden name, "Dahl." (see pix to the right)

March 28, 2013

The Chamber sponsored a Hornets night last night and since I'd already bought seats in the "press box" I had to forego the Marcia Ball free concert at Lafayette Square.  

They held a pre-game "networking event" down across from the locker rooms, and I fantasized about jumping in front of the Fox network interview cameras proclaiming, "Turn off Fox News--bad news for America!" like my bumper sticker states, but I was curious where the press box seats were.  They were up in the crow's nest where the lights & camera & Command Center are located.  Fantasized about taking over the TV-cameras calling for Bush to be held accountable (just watched the PBS-documentary "Hubris"), but I had paid $8.75 for a Purple Haze on tap so I was spared ejection from the N.O. Arena. 

We lost to the Los Angeles Clippers and did not hit 100 points so we weren't able to take advantage of either the free McDonald's french fries or the free appetizer offer at Acme's Oyster House...Scoreda free cap and diary howsomever, with the Hornets' insignia which, since they are turning into the Pelicans, thanks to new owner Tom Benson (who went through our networking event meeting everyone along with his wife Rita) these are soon-to-bee collectors' items.  Guess the Arena's nickname of The Hive will now be known as The Nest?

March 24, 2013

The only thing that popped out at me in the Tennessee Williams Festival this year was the staging of his one-act play, Auto-da-Fe, in the courtyard of the historic Hermann-Grima House.  A rousing interpretation put on by the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival (as in Massachusetts), caught some bits on camera (see below, to the right & in Special Events Section). 

Then, travelled to Corpus Christi-Epiphany Catholic Church to witness the debut of Wardell Querzugue's "The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ" sponsored mainly by The Jazz Foundation of America.  Lovely, lovely.  The speakers beforehand included his son, Brian, who stated, "prepare to be moved" and I was.  Ralph Gipson was in the Chorus, too! 

March 23, 2013

Perfect day for an artichoke/ roasted garlic tamale at the Food Fest at the French Market.  Happily spied quite a bit of Louisiana craft beers for sale, too. 

Made our way to The Rhythms Festival at Congo Square where we spied John Sinclair locking his bike to a building with "Art" and "Drama" etched to its exterior. 

Witnessed a Mardi Gras Indian "mock battle" featuring the Hard Head Hunters, Red Hawk Hunters and the Geronimo Hunters.  Got some great shots (see below and to the right & in the Special Events Section):

Saw Lady "Di" and Michael Skinkus (who played earlier with his band and then with Sam Prices' band OTRA.) 

March 22, 2013

Hit the Chamber's Happy Hour held at Little Gem Saloon on Poydras Street last night.  I satisified my curiosity about what they did on the inside of this building--an LSU doctor & his family re-did the place to keep alive the jazz music that was heard in that area in the early 1900s. 

I'd read about the 'backatown" in Louis Armstrong's first autobiography and sadly, most of the structures are gone from that era.  I found out the chef's grandson from Maylie's two doors down, Robert Bruce (my brother's name) has re-conjured up specialty cocktails & menu items from there.   Kermit Ruffins' keyboard player was at the piano re-conjuring some great selections like my parents' song, "As Time Goes By."

Said hello to very cool Luther Grey having a spot of tea...

March 21, 2013

Happy Spring, Y'All!!!  The Vernal Equinox where it's All Equal. 

Except maybe certain largesses (see flower pix to the right from Camy Sue).  Even the name is electrifying.

M. & I witnessed the sun first hitting the Easternmost point in the U.S. in St. Croix at dawn, 2004!

March 20, 2013

Pilgrimmaged to St. Joseph altars in gratitude for M.'s good health yesterday.  Another grand tradition here, this one brought by Sicilian immigrants, and nurtured by Catholic Churches and individuals giving thanks for blessings received (see pix to right, below and in Special Events Section). 

Lamb cake at St. Jude

Mass was held at St. Jude with a simple meal and altar viewing afterwards.  Saw my friend from Unity Temple, Voodoo Priestess Ava Kay Jones:

Beautiful day to give thanks.

March 18, 2013

Took about 200 pictures yesterday for the Super Sunday, Mardi Gras Indians gathering and Parade, A.L. Davis Park.  Gorgeous cultural tradition with tons of feathers, drums & chanting. 

Queen parading on Simon Bolivar:

After gathering at the Park, all Uptown tribes parade with their band, and then meet back at the Park for chanting, dancing and some good-natured meeting as in this Queen:

who met with this Big Chief (below & to the right):

Saw John Sinclair & J. Monque d' parading with their tribes; got to shake hands with The Big Chief of all Bo Dollis, and got a huge hug from Big Guy The Real D.J. Davis.   

Thank you to all the tribes for carrying on this grand tradition--so much work & beauty!!!  Bless you!!! [see more pix in Special Events Section].

March 17, 2013

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Had a rousing Irish Channel Parade time yesterday with Johnny Bee & Co., and SallyAnn (my friend from D.C.)'s son, Ian & Co. at our pad one house from the Parade Route.

Plenty of food, fun & frolic, including drinks poured from floats, squirt guns with Guiness (see pix to the right) and the Guiness float ridden by Dottie's Betrothed, Trent:

Trent on the Guiness Float

Happens to also know NOLA Brewery Brewmeister Peter & gal Kay! Happened to have a NOLA Blonde in a can just for Peter!  He turned me onto the fact that they put a new message on the bottom of each can each week--this one was "Blonde Women." 

Evening's entertainment provided by the one, the only Mr. John Sinclair, visiting from Amsterdam, at d.b.a. backed up by Carlo Ditta's band.   Julian Bond in the audience--sitting right next to me!  Farout!  It just keeps getting better and better! (see pix to the right).

Out on Frenchmen St., the Mayor of The French Quarter, Amzie Adams:

They've turned an empty lot into an artist vendor area directly across from d.b.a.:

Beauty day and night! Amen! [more pix in Special Events Section]

March 16, 2013

Played last night at The Fairgrinds Coffeehouse side courtyard to a lovely assemblage including Robin & Max, The Burnses, Carla (a Campbell Brothers pal from Montana) with her co-conferencer, Greg from Australia, & a cute doggie who gave me orange roses. 

Thank you, Mark Fowler and all you Trip Fans for a lovely evening!  So much Love, so little time!  [more pix in Special Events Section]

March 14, 2013

Started yesterday with Mr. Goodman and ended up in Heaven: 

Look with Whom I am hanging by the keg at St. Alphonsus Church!!  My Super-Idol of all time, Allen Toussaint.  Big day with a new Pope, and the last guy on my Bucket List for a photo with!  Do I look flipped out or what?

Thank you, Amie, for inviting me to volunteer at the "Fun Under the Frescoes" event at St. Alphonsus Church last evening. 

Since there were enough bartenders I became the "official photographer."  Fortunately for me, M. attended so I was able to get in front of the lens for the pic for the ever-so-gracious, always-polite AND regal, Mr. Toussaint. 
- sigh  -

Oh, yeah, the McTeggert Irish dancers performed (see pix to the right), as well as the Crescent City Celtic Band (according to Bill de Turke, A.T. "likes Irish music."  He should know, he's the super-WWOZ-dj).  [See Special Events Section for more pix]

The beautiful St. Alphonsus Church is one of the three Catholic Churches assembled by the craftsmen-bricklayers in 1858 near the corner of Jackson & Magazine Street in the Irish Channel: St. A.'s was for the Irish; across the street, St. Mary's for the Germans; and the third one for the French. 

March 13, 2013

Launching out for work this a.m. on my bike from my driveway, I was almost runned down by screen-star John Goodman!  The T.V. and film-crazed critter that I am, playing chicken with that scowling jowl was like getting side-swiped by the PopeMobile (Catholics, don't be offended, please). 

The new Pope is a Jesuit!!  Ah, what a beautiful day--you should see all the azaleas!

March 11, 2013

Must have felt guilty about that beautiful 70s weather (as in degrees) this weekend because we woke up to cold & rainy this a.m.  That's OK, it's two of my favorite peoples' birthdays, Pisces that they are, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Suzy & Ralph!!!!  So happy to know you both, helping make life a Joy. 

March 9, 2013

Took in the "Oyster Jubilee," 300 block of Bourbon Street today.  They constructed the longest oyster po-boy (see photo to the right) from various eating establishments, judged 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, then it was gone in a flash:

Decided to treat ourselves to some sit-down oysters & wanted to turn M. on to the ones I had Thursday night (see pic to the right).  Beautiful weather for biking & we ran into the WeedMobile selling pot-flavored lollipops! The latest craze!

March 8, 2013

Attended a networking event last evening with Friend Robin at the Redfish Grill, 100-block of Bourbon Street.  Never been in this establishment, although I intended to as WWOZ dj Bill de Turke had been working there since he quit teaching at the bartending school.  Turns out he quit to go full-time at OZ!  Congrats, Bill!!!

Enjoyed the complementary appetizers (yum--flash-fried oysters with blue cheese dressing, shrimp, & grilled crayfish on toast points.  Nice!  Tried a new (to me) Abita product, SOS, as in Save Our Shores, $.75 of which goes to doing just that.  Sold!  Pretty tasty, too. 

March 3, 2013

Participated in the VIP Ladies and Kids Social Aid & Pleasure Club's 10th Annual Second-Line Parade today, "Call of the Wild; Cougars and Cubs."  The brass bands included The Hot 8 Brass Band with stops at the bar that doubles as Ladonna's bar in the Treme, Bean Bros., and the spot on Louisiana Avenue, Sandpiper Lounge (see pix below and to the right). 

 VIP Ladies:

  VIP kiddles: 

 brass band tools at rest

March 2, 2013

Hit the Parks Department's plant sale behind Dillard University this a.m.:

M. worked at Dillard until it filled with eight feet of mud thanks to Katrina's devastation.  The Parks Department buildings behind the school's campus are still not reopened, but thanks to the goodwill of folks like Bill Cosby, Dillard looks better, but just a drive through this HBCU (Historic Black College & University)'s campus didn't show any economic numbers. 

Since we hadn't been out to Lake Pontchartrain since aforementioned Storm, motored lakeward on Paris Avenue and thought, erroneously, we would then drive to the Lighthouse.  Turns out that lane is closed and one can only enjoy the lake view driving west to east.  We found out the hard way, so take note.  Great for future biking--when it warms up!

Finally got to the Lighthouse (see pic to the right) and saw that Joe's Crab Shack got replaced by a Landry's.  All the other restaurants there are similarly gone--little family-run, real-live shacks where we sat on the wooden porches and ate trays of crawfish ETC. (sigh, the good old days)--destroyed by The Storm and the subsequent levees going down...

Had a pleasant lunch at Landry's watching the sailboats, even though as M. put it, the restaurant (pic above) could have been in Wichita, KS.  Only I don't think they would have the "Butts Club" sign pictured to the right.  (Our hostess said alot of the decorations were from Joe's Crab Shack.)  Generous portions as shown in pic to the right:  Here is is our fried zucchini AFTER we finished!

Drove the scenic route home & stopped at the Milk Bar near the Riverbend on Carrollton Ave. for  chocolate & banana milkshakes, also buying Girl Scout cookies from three entrepeneurs in front of the Walgreen's (see pic to the right).

Felt like it was my birthday, had such a super day, Thanks, M!!!

March 1, 2013

Spent last evening at a function at the New Orleans Museum of Art: free food, booze & art to boot.  Plus very nice checking out Degas & Renoir without the crowds. 

February 27, 2013

Snapped this photo on the back balcony--lovely!  (see pic to the right).  End-Times? Well, what a way to go. 

Boned up on some theories of that Time & alot involved a struggle & then Good Times...one even involved a Hero on a White Stallion!!! Nice...

I think we've hit the Good Times.  Oops, wait a minute--my friends sent me these pix of their "Blizzard of Oz" Times (see pix below and to the right). 

George & Mary's back door:

Mo' Snow in MO.!!!

Hang in there, My Friends, we have forsythia blooming & the azaleas are coming out so Spring is on the way! 

February 25, 2013

Had breakfast on the balcony with some fine feathered friends yesterday (see pix to the right). Used to think my Mom was a bit batty for her bit of bird-watching out the backyard when we first moved to the D.C. area & we had a  bordering wooded area...

Speaking of, neighbor Kendall's dad was out on the front porch with his cockatoo, Tiki (see pix).

Don & Tiki

Birds make great pets so eat more vegetables!

Tuned into the Oscars last night (loved Seth McFarlane) and a huge lightning/thunder/hail storm brewed up--End-Times for sure to punish our pagan Western ways...enjoyed it howsomever & my neighbor Sandra Bullock was a presenter!  We were all so proud!!!

February 24, 2013

James Michalopoulos' 2013 Jazz Fest Poster of Aaron Neville debuted last night at his Bienville gallery in the French Quarter.  I'd been seeing pix on line, but the painting and the poster are pretty smashing (see pix to the right) up close & personal.  Speaking of up close, "Mich" was kind enough to pose for pix with M. & I. (see pic below).

 Me, "Mich" & MAC

Ran into folks we knew, including Pat Jolly and Bill & Amie de Turke (more pix).  Was regaled with tales from Kathy S. about her date with Allen Toussaint (among many) to the Pegasus ball & got to admire Mich's wife Reese's groovy outfit.

The rumor swishing around was that Mr. Neville was slated to appear due to the fact that the Jazz Fest Poster Reception was held earlier than at Jazz Fest time.  We could not stay as we were on a mission:

I wanted to check out the (new) Old Gem Saloon on Poydras & S. Rampart--the newly renovated building in Louis Armstrong's "BackaTown" n'hood.  Kermit Ruffins was playing, but the entrance fee was $15.00, so we opted out.  I was in a live music mood & was surprised to see that the Rusty Nail did not have anyone playing there on the weekend...had to go home without my live music fix. 

Discussed opening a clubhouse for Lips & The Trips to play in what used to be the old Rocky's pizza place on Magazine with fish & chips served up hot & fresh wrapped in newspaper... 

February 22, 2013

Celebrated my friend Robin's birthday last evening starting out at Domenica's where we partook of their newest creation: Roasted Carrot Pizza--it was the scrumpdiliumpshusest--they pureed the roasted carrot, and topped it with beets & red onions.  As Eddie Kurtz' bro' used to say (we have the same birthday): "It's good AND GOOD FOR YOU."

Her son, Josh, was playing with Mikhala Iversen at Kermit Ruffins' (new--to me anyway) club, "Kermit's Treme Speakeasy" at the corner of Basin Street & Orleans Avenue and we caught them beginning their first set at 6:00 p.m.  His Dad, Max, joined us and we also second-line danced with Spy Boy & two Baby Dolls in between sets. 

Kermit was there presiding over the festivities until he had to go play his regular Thursday set at Vaughn's.  Great place, great band, great company, great night.  Thank you, Robinouin!!!!

February 21, 2013

Happy Birthday, Alan Rickman!  The Perfect Pairing of Intellect & Emotion, all under One Roof (see pic to the right).  Size 11 shoe.

Bought 3 of his movies online as they were missing from Netflix: stolen no doubt by some other RickMan-loving maniac such as myself...

February 18, 2013

Had a restful weekend especially compared to last weekend--was that Mardi Gras Climactico??? 

The Fairgrinds Coffeehouse gig was pretty cool with Creature playing drums--I forgot how much I liked his playing.

Got to visit with Tracy (from Kabuki Hats) and her guy Andrew, new to the neighborhood.  Been knowing her since the old Checkpoint Days when she had a shop nearby.  A talented artist with a brilliant personality--sweet gal.

The Uptown Second Line on Saturday passed by the bar they use in HBO's Treme TV show as the one Ladonna owns (played by the lovely Khandi Alexander).  See pic to the right.

February 15, 2013

Hope y'all had a perfectly wonderful Love-Filled Day yesterday--with a poem, a customized omelet for breakfast, a phone call from your Sweetie, a super-big bear hug, a candlelight meal, flowers, chocolate, some laughs and a restful sleep, or some facsimile thereof!!!

Playing tonight at the Fairgrinds Coffeehouse, 7:30-9:00p.m. with Creature playing drums. Already feelin' The Love!!!! 

February 13, 2013

HAPPY LENT!  Emerged this a.m. to cold & rain.  Thank Goodness we did not have this weather yesterday. 

St. Anne banners on Clouet St.

Super Mardi Gras with the usual mega-costumes in the Societe de St. Anne gathering down in the Bywater.  We did not parade with them again this year, as they went down Royal St. through the Quarter, turning left at the Rex Parade to scatter ashes in the River, but hung out with them gathering at Bud Rip's on Piety Street, on Clouet and all in-between.  So much nicer now that everyone serves Purple Haze...

Met up with Johnny Bee & friends in front of Cutter's on Franklin Avenue after getting some refreshment at Mimi's in the Marigny. (see pix above, to the right, & below). 

 Johnny Bee 

Scored a shrimp po'boy at the Verti Mart and sat & watched the Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors Mardi Gras Indian tribe and the Northside Skull & Bones Gang perform outside the Backstreet Cultural Museum:  

SunPie

Spied actress (plays Ladonna in HBO's Treme) Khandi Alexander in the crowd & she disappeared shyly into the crowd... she looked beautiful!  Wow.  Ran into Dr. John's (now-fired) bass player, David & gal--they said because he was always on the road, hadn't seen Zulu in a long while, so blessings can be disguised!

Came home and watched a bit of Carnival programming on T.V.: some musical history, the morning Zulu Parade, the Rex Ball/ Meeting with Comus.  Called Al "Carnival Time" Johnson--he'd just gotten home from Bourbon Street Balcony.  Said he tried to call to let us know he was Grand Marshall in the Red Beans & Rice Parade on Lundi Gras.  Have to put it on our schedule for next year!  

Really had a great Carnival--y'all have to come next year--it's March 4th, appropriately enough.  xox

My Favorite Pirate

February 12, 2013

HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYBODY!!!  Got to make this quick.  It's 7:00 a.m. and we are about to go out for Carnival Day!! 

Last night one of my bosses rode in the lovely Proteus Parade, saluting the krewes that no longer street parade or are no more.  Got tossed a cool giant plush trident (Proteus rules the Waves, doncha know?)

The Leviathan's head

After that, Harry Connick Jr.'s Orpheus Parade turned 20 years old & featured him on a float, bunches of Flambeaux carriers, the signature Leviathan Smoky Mary floats (Connick's album's named after this float!).  I was looking for a plush Leviathan doll but I was told by a float rider they did not make them this year! 

Ran into old compatriots from 711 Bourbon Street, Seth & wife Pam (still together!) and their gal-pal, Shannon (see pix above, to the right and below). 

 Shannon, Pam & Seth

Parading is more fun with friends!  When a float stopped, I told them it was Seth's first Mardi Gras and he's visiting from Minnesota (see the braids). 

February 11, 2013

Wow!  Jam-packed super Mardi Gras weekend, even by my standards!  Partied out?  Maybe.  But not done partying!!!!

Yesterday, Maria & Rob Siegel hosted a super Thoth party at their lovely home on Nashville Avenue of which Lips & The Trips were hired as entertainment!  After the jitters of "will we get through the crowds without mishap?" and we did, I realized I had forgotten an integral component to stereo listening pleasure and we had to go back home for it!!! Ouch.  Had to run two blocks from the van since we could not cross back over the Line of Demarcation of St. Charles Avenue in our vehicle.  Had some fun getting home through the crowds afterwards as well, but had a spectacular time at the Siegels with family & friends!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!   Maria & I:

Melissa sat in with us as well as the Gloria Cheerleaders, Maria & her daughter, Shelby!  Somebody send me some photos please!

GroovYouLipShus!

That night, went to Bacchus Party hosted by Paul St. Raymond & Kim Meng at their groovy urban pad on Tchoupitoulas.  I had not seen their daughter, Caitlin, now 22!! in a long time--she's all growed up!!! Kim and friends were dressed as flappers & Kim had her two adorable scotty dogs with her (see pix to the right). 

Arrived just in time to see Bacchus, G. W. Bailey, an actor, the first Bacchus I had never even heard of before.  They usually get someone very famous (e.g. Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Charlton Heston), but maybe times are tough...he fit the bill though, he looked pretty toasted.

Ran into Matt & Melissa!!! (see pic to the right) who were meeting family on that block to watch the Parade. 

Enjoyed the night with these folks--THANKS A BUNCH!!!

Tonight, Proteus & Orpheus and tomorrow the Big Day---HAPPY MARDI GRAS, EVERYONE!!!!

February 10, 2013

Had to catch the new NINE-unit float of Endymion last night and had the good fortune of viewing it from the balcony of the Circle Bar.  Bassist Dave Clements is owner and he & his gal Kathleen (see pix to the right) have an apartment upstairs which they shared with me!  Artist Will Smith was serving up drinks and my friend, Dave's bro' was doing the door. 

The float entitled "Pontchartrain Beach--Now & Then"  featured 250 riders & was beyond impressive!!!  Mardi Gras History!

On the way home, I ran into the Stone family & Naylor laid this super trinket on me--I was honored! (see pix below & to the right):

The Happy Stones

February 9, 2013

Fine night of parades with Hermes, Krewe d'Etat & Morpheus last night. 

(See pix to the right and below) of Hermes.  Hermes was the Greek version of Mercury, Messenger of the Gods.  And remember do not kill the messenger!  I am only bringing you Tidings.  I love the floats in this parade--very beautiful.

Pan full-floatal

An ex-boss rides in d'Etat and he usually is generous with me (when he is sober).  Besides that this is a good parade to chuckle at--instead of a King, they have a Dictator that toasts the Mayor in front of Gallier Hall (as does Rex, King of Carnival). 

Iris parade started early this morning at 11 a.m. followed by Tucks at 1 p.m.  Tucks is irreverent with their King sitting on a giant toilet for a throne.  Toilet paper, squirting toilet gizmos and now, decorated toilet brushes are coveted throws. 

They had several new walking/ dancing clubs I got a kick out of, and one riding club [not on horses], "Laissez Boys" (see pix below).

"Organ Grinders--Sexah Monkeys"--dance group:

Spied Bicycle Louie in brass band:

Enjoyed the "Dames de Perlage":

Had never seen the Samurai band Kami Kaze before: 

February 8, 2013

Went out parading last night with Babylon, Knights of Chaos, and the famed all-female Muses.  Conked out early, but got these shots (see pix to the right and below).

Babylon Parade

Float No. 10

The beautiful Hermes parade rolls tonight, one of my favorites.  Also, d'Etat & Morpheus.  Tomorrow: Tucks, Endymion with their new nine-unit float! Thoth on Sunday and Bacchus Sunday night.  Going to be a busy weekend--see y'all out there!!! 

February 7, 2013

Last night's Ancient Druids parade floats were hysterical--they lambasted the other parades.  Going too fast to snap any good shots, but got these (see to the right).  With their black robes & sorcerer hats with a moon & stars on it, this secret society's theme of "Druid Phobia" was kept a secret 'til the parade ran. 

It began to rain just as the (second year of the) all-female Nyx Parade passed by and we skipped it.  We know when to come in out of the rain...beautiful, fresh morning out there--ready for Babylon, Muses & Chaos this evening! 

February 6, 2013

Back to Parading.  Yay!  Yeah, sure it's in the Ancient Greek Processional tradition, but I am checking out the parade food truck set up in front of our building that looks good to me right now:

Texas-sized bloomin' onions, shrimp on a stick, ribbon fries and CHEESE CURDS!!!  When was the last time you had good cheese curds?  Mine was back in Summer of 2006 at the Clearwater County Fair in Minnesota, U.S.A.  Driving back to the Menomenh Indian Reservation, listening to Garrison Keiller singing "like ketchup flowing on cheese curds..."  

Across St. Charles Ave.: chicken on a stick, and across Poydras: sausage AND COUNTRY lemonade, fresh, hot funnel cakes!  Just love the carnival atmosphere of the bare bulb blinking lights and may buy something just to be near them.  Hope the parades live up to the parade chow.  Seriously (or not), passing by neighbor Kendall's this evening (or early afternoon if I get a Hall Pass) to parade-party:  Nyxx and Druids at 6:30 and 7:00 p.m!!  Woo-hoo!

Meanwhile, be illumined re: a more romantic form of illumination--on Mardi Gras parade flambeaux carriers--from the Times-Picayune (see article to the right).

February 4, 2013

Not much interested in the roar at the Coliseum yesterday: NFL screwed us by taking Payton off the case--me, bitter?  No, but I'm glad the jox are leaving so we can have our town back for Carnival.  Heard the lights went out for 34 minutes--told ya it was haunted!

Jeez, after seeing Beyonce's electrifying performance on youtube, it's no wonder the power went out!  It was jealous!

But, say, Congrats, Ravens--glad you weren't the Dirty Boids (Atlanta Falcoons).  Any football team name derived from a Dead Goth Poet can't be all bad!  You can quoth me on that.

February 2, 2013

Caught a bit of The Iguanas on my way back from Wesley's last evening getting off the Algiers Ferry. 

Then this afternoon, took a gander at the Roman Numerals down at Woldenberg Park on the Mississippi R. and snapped some shots.  Bands galore played and one of my all-time faves, Sunpie & The Louisiana Sunspots were playing.  (see pix to the right).

Ran into Lady Di line-dancing who hipped me to the fact that M. & I's photo booth shot we did at the Offbeat Awards made it to Offbeat Mag!  Funny and appropriate: finally made it to the premier local music mag in a gag shot. 

February 1, 2013

The Algiers Ferry was not running last evening, so I am heading over there tonight.  Super Bowl excitement down at Woldenberg Park: The Roman Numerals!  Bands!  Food!  Sounds like Mardi Gras to me.

January 31, 2013

Turned cold, but super sun-shiney this a.m.  Payday to boot!  And yes, it can get much better--Wesley's back!  The man who's been cutting my hair since we discovered each other at One Shell Square's Royal Clip: he'd had a "Lake Charles Adventure" but is back living on Algiers Point.  I'll take the Algiers Ferry to his pad for some grooming and tales.  And since he was Anne Rice's stylist prior to her move to California, tales will be told!

January 30, 2013

My neighbor is in the Krewe of Muses & she bestowed upon me a pre-Parade throw last evening--she had put it in a paper bag and placed it on her porch swing for me to retrieve on my way home (see pic to the right).

The bottom is covered with purple glitter and inside the sandal is another baby.  The baby on top has gold glitter affixed to its bald head.  Pretty radiant & I felt so honored, like I'd inherited a land grant or something equally as uplifting!!!  Thank you, Doll!  WOWZA!

Finally dried out & warmed up from my morning streetcar commute.  Not sure why it decides to torrential downpour the minute I open the door to leave!  Maybe I'm supposed to stay home.  Snapped these pix on the balcony before I left (see below and to the right):

Kalanchoe on balcony--and speaking of shoes, dig my fuzzy slipper/sandals M. gave me for Christmas!

January 29, 2013

Not only are the Super Bowl teams and fans arriving, but check out all the flowers busting out for this, our "Seventh Spring:"

 My across the street neighbor's saucer magnolia--I call them "tulip trees" 

Angel trumpet vines--next door to them   on the corner

 January 28, 2013

Skipped the "regular" parades of Carrollton and King Arthur/Merlin for the Lyons Carnival Club (an uptown walking club) and what I thought was going to be the "dress" rehearsal of the Jefferson City Buzzards yesterday.  Turns out their practise walk for Mardi Gras in which they all dress in drag and go around to the neighborhood bars, stopping at the Phunny Phorty Phellas crawfish boil party at Frankie and Johnny's where the PPPs "feed the buzzards" happened LAST Sunday.  I said we had to pay attention, but apparently I didn't pay attention to paying attention!!!  The Jefferson City Buzzards' den was open only for the Lyons Club beer stop:

Disappointed, but what a beautiful day for being outside (see pix of the Lyons to the right).  Their route takes in Henry's bar on Magazine and we ventured into another longtime 'hood bar (incidentally now smoke-free!)  It's a classic (with Mardi Gras favorites on the juke) and they serve all the Abitas so I treated myself to a pH (Purple Haze), awaiting the arrival of the Club. 

January 27, 2013

Day and night parades yesterday--Pontchartrain, Choctaw (pix to right), Sparta & Pygmalion.  Hung out with neighbor Kendall (see pic to the right), her niece Maggie and Aunt Linda (visiting from St. Louis), and her nephew Nate who moved here last Mardi Gras from St. Louis.

Had a coupon from Fresh Bar on Magazine and figured I needed something healthy after the night's debauchery.  Good stuff with their homemade salad dressings--I had the stock Caesar salad and the dressing was quite tasty with a nice fresh lemony tang--$6.50 plus tax--homemade croutons, too.  M. had a custom wrap with avocado, shrimp and tomato.  All fresh and al fresco dining--couldn't be beat.  Stopped at La Boulangerie bakery for a "gallet de roi"--traditional French king cake--oh so delicioso! (see pic below under January 4, 2013 entry)

January 26, 2013

My nice bosses (I hope they're reading this) let me cut out of work early yesterday so I could catch the Krewe of Cork (see pix to the right and below).  If you cannot figure out what cork they are popping, check out the gizmo hooked up to the ambulatorying individual accompanied by her nurse. 

J.C. was on hand with his transforming powers and performed a miracle for a tourist-lady at her first Mardi Gras. 

I watched it across from the Supreme Court Building 400 block of Royal.  They emerge from luncheon at The Court of Three Sisters.

Saw my friend Donna:

These walking parades are more fun--cozy and intimate compared to the big floats with masked riders.

Such nice weather, took a ride by the River and checked out the Spanish Plaza Fountain (pic to the right).  Then ran into the Cleopatra floats lining up for their ride (pix to the right and below).  Now permanently moved to the Eastbank on this, their 40th anniversary. 

Love inspecting the floats pre-parade. 

Drank too much wine taking in the first "official" night parades (not counting Krewe du Vieux & delusion last weekend) of Oshun and (aforepictured) Cleopatra, but got to visit with my ex-next door neighbor Patrick for a bit. 

January 25, 2013

Parades start rolling tonight--Oshun & Cleopatra (moved to Eastbank this year); tomorrow Pontchartrain (with the big fish lips!) & Choctaw in the afternoon then Sparta & Pygmalion at night. 

Crazy Krewe of Cork this afternoon with 'Tite Rex, Barkus & Chewabacchy this weekend.

See ya on the streets!!!!

January 23, 2013

Been using public transport since it was too cold to ride my bike and was pleasantly surprised to find the streetcar back in action Monday morning from Louisiana Avenue (where I catch it) to Canal Street.  They'd been working on that part of the line for at least since November.  Something comforting about the rolling roar down the tracks... The Saints got Sean Payton back and I'm hoping (among the minority) that our former mayor, C. Ray Nagin, is cleared of all charges (see pic to the right). 

After he spoke up following Hurricane Katrina, I was sure he was going to get punished by the "powers that be," & I was really sorry to see it happen.  He was a kind and generous man.  Whenever I met him he exhibited a fatherly demeanor--asking us (as musicians) if we had what we needed, and following the Storm, how we were doing, etc.   

I never got on the scapegoat-wagon which many people did.  I would see the Mayor out eating dinner with his wife & daughter, and then when I told people, they insisted he was out of town "because he just did not care about New Orleans." 

I briefly assisted in his campaign for mayor; was present when he was blessed by several preachers the night before election and got to attend his inaugural shindig at Gallier Hall.  I contend he did nothing wrong except speak up.

Oh! Also took note that Johnny J. (former Trips guitarist & collaborator on Lips & The Trips CD Dance Babys Dance--see CD section) finally got a spot back with his own band for the 2013 Jazz Fest--with a 26-year break!  I know he's glad about that.

January 22, 2013

My sister had a big birthday yesterday and I got to talk to her in her new digs in Berkeley, California!  She just made the big move from Boston to be near her son & his wife, and to start a new chapter.  I think the move happened because I have had this photo of her standing in front of the San Francisco cable car right here by my computer this past year!

She's happy to be back in some good Winter weather again and I am happy to have someone to sleep on their floor when I go West next.

January 21, 2013

Last night went to Buffa's for a screening of Harry Shearer's "The Big Uneasy" and an appearance by writer/director (see pic to the right).  The film's been out since 2010, but I avoided seeing it because I was burying my head in the sand.  We'd heard about the Army Corps of Engineers and their errors in construction, but this film explained more about the Corps' ties to Congress & its entrenchment in America's infrastructure.  Also, apparently we're not the only ones with poorly-constructed levees, failed projects (like "Mr. GO"--which in and of itself caused the deaths of hundreds in the Lower Ninth Ward), nor were their mistakes rectified or were they held accountable.  A lawsuit was filed and the Good Guys won, but it was appealed.  The engineers that researched the Corps' work and spoke up were persecuted for their actions and the Corps remains evil to the core.

The Option 1 that they have decided to implement to fix the Levee System entails four manned pumps/gates along the Orleans and London Canals--talking to each other to coordinate the water flow.  I guess they weren't around when Aaron Broussard frantically apologized repeatedly over our AM radio after Katrina, that the pumps were manual and they had to evacuate which is why we had so much flooding! 

Harry Shearer fielded questions and we were all grateful to him for the work he did here in his adopted-home.  I had met him one Mardi Gras day from Tom McDermott & he was very personable & posed for a photo with us.  When I get a copy from Pat Jolly (who curated the NOLASynchronicity series which this film is part of) I will show y'all.  Shearer is a wonderboy-- google him--it's impressive!

The option that the Dutch suggested has to do with what they have done over there--making friends with water instead of constantly building walls (that aren't sound).  Hopefully, we will get the 100th monkey phenomenon going here.  Before another so-called "natural disaster."

January 20, 2013

Hit the Krewe du Vieux Parade last night for "The Electric Parade at Disneyland on Acid" as M. called it; followed by the Krewe Delusion.  Night of fun featured brass bands and satirical themes.  Check out their websites for details on all the sub-krewes and their desire to keep the tradition of Mardi Gras street parades alive with mule-drawn carts and zany costumes--on foot-parading!

I know alot of folks in this parade & I wouldn't have it any other way.  Most of the time I don't know who they are, but Diane let me know she was behind this mask (see pic to the right).  And Caitlin wasn't wearing one (ditto).

Trips Guitarist Mark Fowler forgot to hip me to the fact that he was escorting his wife, Pat McDonald, in a Krewe de Mama Roux pedicab (see pic you know where).

Saw Diane Edwards again, dancin' away, former Trips drummer Gary (forgot his last name!), Phil Rupp, Sax-ist Taz (see pix).

Taz on the Sax

January 19, 2013

Attended the "Best of the Beat" Offbeat Magazine Awards at Generations Hall last night with Escort M.C.  Remembered going to my first one back when I moved here in 1996 with my boss at the time, Jim Taylor.  Saw his widow Dottie there last night with new love Trent.  I'm so glad for you!!!

Restaurants serving up local fare included Mona's (with a big plate of pita bread, hummus, boblaganoush & tabouli), Three Muses (Miss Sophie Lee herself serving) up yummy couscous, and our personal favorite, Southern Candymakers.  Stella Artois was a sponsor beer which I happen to like, and am not sorry they ran out as I would be feeling much worse this a.m.

Jan Ramsey and Offbeat Magazine have been promoting the music and culture of New Orleans for 25 years(she was on December's cover in a bubble bath).  Met her and the m.c., T.V. newsperson, Liz Reyes, in the bathroom before the show (see pic to the right).  The picture of her & I is very fetching so I am just putting her lovely mug in here.  Thanks, Liz!

I have always enjoyed myself at these once-a-year affairs, catching up with fellow musicians, listening to good music, rubbing elbows with My Idols, and last night was no exception: 

Ingrid Lucia played first and with John Folse on guitar (see pic to the right), they scored big!  Spied drummer from Some Like It Hot! Nita Hemeter sitting with pal Mary (see pic to the right), Sam Price from Honey Island Swamp Band & OTRA, (pictured to the right with) Dancer & music-lover Diane Edwards, Gary Edwards & wife Jennifer, Shaggy from Mr. Mudbug, Dave & Roselynn, photog & woman about town Pat Jolly, met Jimmy Anselmo (who started Jimmy's back in the day & received an award), and in the My Idols Dept.: Bruce Sunpie Barnes, Johnny Sansone (see pic to the right)., and of course receipient of Lifetime Achievement Award and My Super-Idol, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (see pic to the right).  "Thanks for making me look so pretty," he said when he saw the photo. 

Al and the other lifetime achievement award-winners, The Dixie Cups ("Chapel of Love" & "Iko, Iko"), Robert Parker Jr. ("Barefootin'"), Clarence "Frogman" Henry ("Ain't Got No Home"), and Jean Knight ("Mr. Big Stuff") performed their hits as the crowning of our night.

The one bright spot in the Awards Show (since Kermit wasn't there to add his spark) was the band Hurrah for the Riffraff who kookily dressed in drag (see pic to the right).

Bill de Turke (accompanied by his lovely wife-amour, Amie--yes, see pic to the right) complimented me that the night without Lips & The Trips' music was rather bleak.  Felt hugged as I dropped off to sleep.

January 18, 2013

Big weekend with the Offbeat Awards tonight--they are going to honor Al "Carnival Time" Johnson; Krewe de Vieux parade tomorrow & Harry Shearer at Buffa's for his piece, "The Big Uneasy."  See you out in it!!! xox 

January 16, 2013

Dreamed that Eric Clapton was playing inside a sliding glass door and a bunch of us were in the backyard hanging out, listening for free (reminds me of our house in O.P., KS when I was in the 7th-12th grades).  He saw us out there & joined us.  Suddenly, it was just me, Eric and a young girl who had found a white bee buzzing among a vine on a fence.  Its large size made it fly slowly so she was able to pet it.  Eric & I got to pet it, too, in-flight. 

It was fuzzy and buzzed on down a dirt path bordering a green field--slowly. 

January 12, 2013

Took a trip to the Audubon Zoo today.  The weather was superb for any outdoor outing, upper 70s--beauty day!  Hadn't been in a long while.  From the pink flamingos to the white tigers, snapped some nice shots (see pix to the right and below).

On the grounds of the former Jean Etienne Bore plantation, a few old oak trees remain and apparently  were around back in 1776. 

Shayne Morrow & family!

Ran into an old Checkpoint Charlie's bud, Shayne Morrow, there with her two youngsters & hub, Quinn, now living back in Louisiana.  Hadn't seen them since they'd moved to Florida when the older girl was still in swaddling clothes--never met their son.  I was so glad she spotted me asking a goat "why would anyone want to eat you?" in the petting zoo area.  Great seeing you and catching up!

I liked the aviary where I spotted a scarlet ibis:

Sacred ibises (ibisi?) in aviary

Red foxes (foxi? What we used to call L.R. Fox, The Foxi--see below)

January 10, 2013

My former boss, L.R. Fox' birthday today (also my former college roommate, Joanne Fox, no relation).  Realized I have many Capricornus influences in my life--Jesus, my Mom, Elvis... former & present bosses, former roommates, you get the idea.  What I believe they were all trying to teach me was Discipline:

 From wikipedia (where else??)

"The constellation is usually depicted as a goat with a fish’s tail.  One myth says that when the goat-god Pan was attacked by the monster Typhon, he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat, but those under the water transformed into a fish.

Capricorn is sometimes depicted as a sea-goat, and sometimes as a terrestrial goat.  The reasons for this are unknown, but the image of a sea-goat goes back at least to Babylonian times. Furthermore, the Sumerian god Enki’s symbols included a goat and a fish, which later combined into a single beast, the goat Capricorn, recognized as the Zodiacal constellation Capricornus.

The symbol of the goat rising from the body of a fish represents with greatest propriety the mountainous buildings of Babylon rising out of its low and damp situation; the two horns of the goat being emblematic of the two towns, Nineveh and Babylon, the former built on the Tigris, the latter on the Euphrates; but both subjected to one sovereignty.

The goat's broken horn in Greek mythology was transformed into the cornucopia or horn of plenty.  Some ancient sources claim that this derives from the sun "taking nourishment" while in the constellation, in preparation for its climb back northward.  As such, it is a symbol of discipline."

And can prosperity or anything be accomplished without accomplishing--without actually doing?  By just being? 

Jesus said, "...take no thought..." but what he meant was to not worry about the outcome...not to be slovenly.

I have my Mother to thank for instilling the idea of practising the clarinet in the third grade so that I could play a book of John Philip Sousa marches eventually.  And eventually moving to other instruments--and by her nature of "stick-to-itiveness" helped me to know that an application of an idea can lead to a better life.  (My father had a love for music which was cultivated in his family & it came naturally to him), but my mother showed me that actual work has to be done first to make anything happen.  

I have Elvis to thank for all of those movies & peanut butter/banana sandwiches; I have L.R. to thank for giving me a name/i.d., "D.LipShus," and for teaching me that running a book store isn't always just about going to the Rendezvous for $1.00 pitchers... Thank you, All of You!!!

January 7, 2013

After watching the ribbon-cutting at the Barn last evening, and catching another set of beads from Constance while driving past the streetcar en route down St. Charles Avenue, met up with Maria & Her Entourage at Buffa's (see pic to the right) for some righteous music, merriment & dancing.

Davis Rogan (see pic below) warmed up the crowd for the one, the only Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (see info to the right).   

Davis "The Real D.J. Davis" Rogan at the piano at Buffa's

Tom McDermott was on hand to say hello, as was Joe Cabral from the Iguanas (see pic below), and ("Everybody Loves") Margie Perez.

Joe Cabral--I love this guy--talented AND nice!

Found out Jarrod, who used to be the bouncer at Checkpoint's, has been cooking up those fried green beans I order there for about a year since he's been back to the States!  Barkeep David was dolled up from the Jean d'Arc parade with his bird-beaked costume and cape.  Nice! 

A rousing night of fun & frolic--perfect to kick-start Carnival.  We don't have as much time to celebrate this year since The Day is February 12th so have to pack it in! 

Judge Diane Lundeen & Yours Truly post- Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar rolled

January 6, 2013

Intrigued by the King Cake display at the Wal-Mart this afternoon, I asked "Susie" if I could take a picture of it (see pix below and to the right). A small tape player blasted out the song "Mardi Gras Mambo" over and over again.  Seems that King Cakes go great with Crown Royal.  The bottom of the display: 

Celebrated Mardi Gras' kick-off with the Phunny Phorty Phellas this evening at the Willow Street Barn. 

Saw lots of folks we know (and don't know), and folks we love, especially my Idol, Arthur Hardy (see pic to the right).  When I first moved to town, Arthur gave me a job selling ads for his magazine.  Not much of a salesperson, me, but I enjoyed seeing AH himself on a regular basis!

Constance (see pic to the right) threw us the 2013 medallion--depicting a crazy hoot owl wearing a crown on the streetcar.  Check out their website for more details--these guys are a hoot.

Got to video the toast and countdown with my new phone, niiice.  Meanwhile, see stills to the right and below.

The Magi toasting Peggy Scott Laborde (incognito)

The Storyville Stompers once again  livened up the crowd until they took to the streetcar for the PPP Party Ride.

HAPPY CARNIVAL, EVERYBODY!!!

January 5, 2013

Saw the movie "Django Unchained" at the Canal Place movie theater, The Theatres.  Basically, the place is Chef Adolfo Gusto's (originally from Rio Mar--where M. took me on our first date--and that's why the Tres Leche dessert hasn't turned up as good there) restaurant with eight movie theaters which is great if you want to throw up a delicious margarheta pizza and an Italian soda at a Quentin Tarrentino movie.  

If "Django" wasn't filmed here in New Orleans, and M. wasn't a dead-ringer for Leonardo DiCaprio's dad, I wouldn't have gone to see it, but then who can resist an ode to Spaghetti Westerns?  Jamie Foxx and Christopher Waltz are outstanding as the lead protagonists and I was glad for justice.  Fortunately, the camp surpassed the gore, so maybe QT has found his balance. 

January 4, 2013

Got a cool grow-your-own-'shrooms Christmas present this year (no, not those kind)(see pic to the right)--oyster mushrooms. 

These folks from "Back to the Roots" have got it goin' on.  When this side is finished, flip it over for more fun!

Righteous and Happy Eating!!!

See you out for Twelfth Night on Sunday.  Festivities abound and get your King Cake on.  

This is probably the kind referred to in the The Times-Picayune, September 05, 2011 article below:

"1871-The king cake tradition begins in New Orleans"

The king cake tradition began in 1871 with the Twelfth Night Revelers, who mark the start of the Carnival season on the day the three kings arrived at the Christ child,12 days after his birth. At their ball the Revelers placed a golden bean inside their king’s cake. Whichever lady found the bean was named the queen.

A Daily Picayune article from 1871 describes the Twelfth Night Revelers ball and the selection of their queen. The Revelers attempted to place the golden bean in the cake; however, the court fools were so disorderly and drunk that they threw pieces of the cake at the ladies, who were so appalled that they never divulged who had the bean. The court went without a queen that year.

Since then, New Orleanians have been having their cake and eating it too, by searching for the baby in the king cake."

Although now, due to insurance restrictions, they have to have the baby on the side, then consumer takes responsibility for any choking involved.

January 3, 2013

Noticed they are setting up the bleachers for the parades on St. Charles Avenue when I left work last evening. 

Sugar Bowl Mania was sweeping the streets as the Louisville Cardinals and the Florida Gators were making their way to the ("Oh, Lord, woncha buy me a*") Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  Fight song chants and "I am a Gator Hater" were in the air. 

The Cardinals (11-2) defeated the  Gators (11-2), 33-23, in the 79^th Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic.

The Sugar Bowl Trophy, solid silver, originally cast ca. 1825 (during the reign of King George IV) by Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard, silversmiths in London (with later additions). 

This ca. 1825 sterling silver wine cooler was gifted to the New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association to serve as the trophy for the winning team in 1935 by local antique dealer Waldhorn Company, Inc. (an antique shop which was and is still located at 343 Royal Street) in 1935), and is currently on display courtesy of the Sugar Bowl at the The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street.  

See to the right for more super Sugar Bowl info.

*Janis Joplin

January 2, 2013

Got a contact Happy New Year hangover from my work colleague --filled the coffeepot with cold water this a.m., but did not pour it into the coffeemaker.  Instead, just set the pot on the burner!  Oops!

Glad the Holidays are over so you can get some rest?  Ha!  Pat Jolly's Silly Hat Birthday Party is tomorrow night and Sunday kicks off Carnival with either the Phunny Phorty Phellas taking to the streetcar, or the Jean D'Arc Parade and/or Buffa's Night of Merriment with Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.

Super Bowl (1st Sunday in Feb.) Festivities are Carnival-Interruptus this year as the first weekend of parades is coming early (pun intended).  Which pushes back Krewe de Vieux Parade to the 19th.  Mark your calendars.  We have to pay attention this year!

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year One & All!

Got a Happy New Year call from the one, the only, the legendary, my Hero, why isn't he yours? Al "Carnival Time" Johnson last night.  Made my millineum! 

"What are you doing tonight, Al?" 

"Oh, I guess I'll turn in."

"We've had our share of fun in the past."

"I think that's true."

Hope y'all had as much fun as Al & I, and you'll stay tuned for more Adventures this year. 

And remember, if you hurt yourself, it's not really that much fun!



SPIDER ORCHID:

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SUPER-HONEY & I:

Trent & Dottie, Christmas Day

"YOU'RE A MEAN ONE, MR. GRINCH:"

My Post-Apocalypic Front Yard

PRC GARDEN DISTRICT HOLIDAY HOME TOUR:

Yours Truly, Poe & Guy & Jay (Mark out of the frame)

Trent & Dottie, Merry Christmas!!!

MR. B.'S BISTRO:

We got our Just Desserts (a law joke--hahaha)

 SPIDER ORCHID:

My Yard Flowers:  (R.I.P.)

St. Joseph's rose (Julie & Roman's gift when PflashJett passed)

pink lilies--(great smell)

Fairgrounds Race Track:

Got a tip from Louisiana Music Factory's Michael, that Trainer Ron Faucheaux was tearin' it up

 Photo from TG 2011

ST. CATHERINE'S DAY HAT PARADE:

Diane Lundeen's decorated parasol became M.'s bike bling 

Catherine, M. & Claudia

Some Gals

Chevalier Jim Lynch

JIMMY THACKERY:

The One, The Only, Mr. BeesKnees Himself

LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY In-Store Performance:

Bo Dolllis, Jr. & The Wild Magnolia Indians 

Chief Monk Boudreaux sang Li'l Liza Jane

Bo Dollis, Jr.'s Mom, Queen Rita was there--his fiancee (she's my bank teller!) and daughter, too

CENTRAL CITY FEST:

Long-time Con Su Banda members Michael Skinkus & Ralph Gipson 

Fredy & his lovely gal, Claudia

John Boutte, Gumbo Fest, 11/17/13:

Patio Planters' White Elephant Sale:

at the little red schoolhouse @ St. Philip & Royal Street

Sister & M.

The Civic Theatre:

The re-done faces

Chandelier, a gift from the Roosevelt Hotel

  The Orpheum Theatre:

 nice bas-relief on the exterior

still some nice color inside

 The Saenger Theatre:

Bottom of the column bordering the stage

Carpet was recreated from a swatch found by the Saenger family

 Tons of over-the-top details!

ceiling

 chair in the VIP Lounge

Covington, Louisiana

ANNADALE'S BED & BREAKFAST:

chamomile flowers, bees & fountain

& water the old-fashioned way:

Covington Cemetery:

Madisonville at the Tchefuncte River:

Morton's patio looking at the Tchefuncte River 

At the Maritime Museum, they showed Robert Flaherty's 1948 film "Louisiana Story"-- documented a pirogue made entirely by hand:

A once-dying art (being revived)

Lacombe, Louisiana Cemeteries:

La Fontaine Cemetery

"Good husband, good father, friend to all who knew him"

planted pansies

"Amazing Grace"

Spirited Guys 

  Mollie's Annual Halloween Parade:

Diane & Dixie,The Mule (I got to feed Dixie some treats--Wow, I thought I had big lips!)

Raised a toast with Jackie & Jaguar George at Turtle Bay (only place around  there that sells Purple Haze) 

Caped masker by statue in Armstrong Park 

Halloween 2013: 

M. off to work!

Our Office Building had a costume contest:

Desserts at Luke w/Zetti:

Voodoo on the Bayou October 26, 2013:

Back a'stage backdrop with Pitot House in background

Lips & The Trips, pre-show!

Pam (the Absinthe Fairy) & Michael Cohn with Pat McDonald Fowler--Pat's logo on stage backdrop in background 

Robert Guthrie & his live painting (I am in there playing guitar!  Cool!)

Sandra, Mark, Meg & Gypsy Lady!

WWL-TV:

John Besh's Cooking Set

John Besh, Yours T. & Eric Paulsen

I had to apologize to John for talking during his interview--he said, "I'm used to it from him." (!!!)

Surgeon demo-ing carving!

The "Bone Yard" on St. Charles Ave:

Femme Fatale & Lady Killer

Pink salvia on the balcony:

Lovely in the morning sun

All this talk about where to get good Seafood Gumbo on a Sunday night (for visiting Zetti) had M. stirrin' up a roux that unlocked the Secrets of the Cosmos for me:

(Couldn't get to my camera before I devoured a large bite) 

At (John Besh's) Luke:

The Largest Oyster Ever (tried to place some other objects nearby to show the size--it was easily six inches long)

And a Special Happy Birthday Message to Ms. Carolyn Coates, October 13:

Four O'clocks blooming all over the yard--super perfumey! 

Le Pavillion Hotel, 10/3/13:

Lobby

Balcony Habanero, 10/2/13: 

Habanero pepper from our balcony's plant--I made a big pot of beans--yumm!  My Dad used to make tacos so hot we couldn't even walk in the kitchen!! Yowza! 

Garden District Fun: 

 Oops!

"Grrrrrrrrrrowl!" 

 Ghoulish Goulash

Happy Birthday Sunrise 10 1 13:

 Out back door

View from Balcony  

Happy Hour at Fidelity Bank on St. Charles Avenue:

 The Portico

The Lobby:

Fidelity, next door to the former Masonic Temple

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX BEAUTY:

white ginger lily up close

and with kasmir bouquet 

Gill T.'s Art at The Gallery:

 Gill T.

 Oliver

Mitch & Carolyn -- the only Art Car pic that made it to the Houston Chronicle newspaper! Niiice!  

Note how the Snake's tongue (which is the "S" of Lips) spells out the Title of that Mean Machine, formerly "The Impaler"

 P.S. Happy Birthday Mitch on the 25th!

'Rita's on Bourbon Street:

Yours Truly Hoisting One ("R2D2 in the background?" queries Steve Brudniak)

wall painting 

Decadence on Bourbon Street

St. Anthony's Garden 

Lips & The Trips' New Birthday Tambourine Band

NO. REDDINGTON BEACH, FLORIDA:



View of our Hilton hotel from the beach chairs and a view to the beach chairs:

View out our balcony to the Gulf: 

View from balcony to the Reddington Pier:

and a storm brewing at:

The Beach

On our first out-of-town trip together 10 years ago we stayed at what is now The Grand Plaza, St. Pete Beach:

 The Grand Plaza Hotel--subbing as the Leaning Tower of St. P.

Took a Memory Lane trip up the outside glass elevator (has been updated as it is not as rickety), to the revolving-top restaurant & "Spinners Lounge:" 

Barkeep kindly took our photo

The former diner next door has been turned into an ultra-trendy restaurant "The Mad Fish," (where we ate breakfast--sigh)  

Wanted a view of the sunset on the Gulf of Mexico so we ate next door at Crabby Bill's ("Don't Worry, Be Crabby").

Views from Crabby Bills

Barkeep Kyle was attentive even though the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game was on T.V.  

Had a blast & hope it isn't another 10 years 'til we return!

The Bultman Family Home (pictured here, March 2013)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SALLYANN!!! 

SAR, SuperCute SuperCowgirl

Royal Street's Dirty Linen Night, 8 / 10 / 13

 Micholoupolas' "Pucker Up"

Micholoupolos' beauty

 Arena with Chris Champagne

Warren & that California-Surfer-Hippie Dude I know

xoxo Dottie & Trent's Nuptials xoxo, 8 / 3 / 2013:

Dottie!!!

"I Love You Truly"

Trent!!! 

Dave & his "Poverty Sucks" Rolls 

       Aunt Sally's on St. Charles             Grand Opening

 Tom Fitzmorris & Yours Truly

From NOMA Press Release:

From furniture and metalwork to jewelry and glass, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939, highlights the extraordinary artistic and industrial ingenuity of works presented at World’s Fairs from 1851 to 1939.  The concept of innovation is highlighted and through an astonishing selection of decorative and design objects, Inventing the Modern World, showcases the technological and scientific invention, cross-cultural influence, national pride, modernism and historicism that defined the World’s Fairs.

The exhibition includes approximately 200 objects shown at major and minor World’s Fairs from the London exhibition in 1851 to the 1939 New York Fair, many of which will be seen in the United States for the first time.  Curators looked at thousands of works from around the globe to find the objects that most compellingly represented innovation...providing visitors with an opportunity to relive the sense of discovery and energy of the World’s Fairs.

The exhibition includes works made by noted international artists and manufacturers, ranging from a monumental 1850s Gothic Revival cabinet (a Herter piece) to a 1930s streamlined Art Deco glass chair, as well as masterworks of jewelry and objects in glass, silver, and porcelain by such world-renowned artisans and designers as Baccarat, Tiffany, Cartier and Sèvres.

Trip to Ft. Walton Beach, FLA

View from balcony at Sunset

Beach Stroller

Friendly Beach Beast

The Swizzle Stick Lounge

Hurricane Turning Ceremony:

Rosalie Alley paintings:

FRONTYARD GLORY:

Mariposa Blanca 

roses of sharon

Not only did Mr. Toussaint write songs, a sample as follows: 

"Mother-In-Law"

"Workin' in a Coal Mine"

"Fortune Teller"

The Dating Game Theme Song aka "Whip Cream"

"Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"

"Southern Nights"

"Ruler of My Heart"

"A Certain Girl"

"Ride Your Pony"

"Java"

"Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley"

 but he also arranged, produced & played on many other artists' recordings!!! 

Our Orchid's 21st Bloom for Robert's BeeDay:

MY BEEDAY FUN

Swimming Pools, Movie Stars:

View of Factor's Row's courtyard

There's something great about waking up to Room Service & these guys on the T.V.:

 Performing dental work!!

Birthday Luncheon View of former Rapp's Lugguage building (on corner)from Palace Cafe: 

Our Orchid's 20th bloom:

 pink lily in front yard:

ST. JOHN'S EVE CEREMONY,       Bayou St. John, 6/23/13:

 The Altar

Sallie Ann Glassman, Voodou Priestess

LIPS & THE TRIPS, Fairgrinds Coffeehouse, 6/21/13:

Mark Fowler, The Creature & Lips

The Madras Shorts Band

And those 2 LoveBirds:

Dotty & Trent--soon to be man & wife!

New Bloom on Orchid:

must be in honor of Juneteenth!

16 flowers with more to come!

starboard

port

John Sinclair at Frenchy's on Oak:

The Tres Fabuloso John Sinclair 

Happy Father's Day--daughter Celia

Me & The Man

 The Wild Magnolias at the Blue Nile:

 Bo Dollis, Jr. 

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux/Bo Dollis Jr

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux

The Kasmir Bouquet are popping up all over in honor of Lee's BeeDay!! 

A Wild Hydrangea by any other name would smell as sweet, Wheeler!!

GEMINI PARTY, the Batture, 6/8/13:

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Lady Di & Johnny Bee

"Mad" Dan--the Hurricane-Rider

The Incomparable Red Martin   

Charles Otis

Jimi Fagan & Dayna eating fuego

Love this Guy!!!!!

JOHN SINCLAIR, 6/7/13:

On the Way to John Sinclair:

erected 1919

mimosa tree--don't see these so much--did they go out of fashion?

FRONT YARD: 

St. Joseph's Rose

      white hibiscus--from Horticulturist Ms. Lisa Hix 

BACK YARD:

Roses of Sharon--also a gift from Ms. Hix

YARD FLOWERS:

 kasmir bouquet

 agapantha 

four o'clocks 

My landlady had the backyard ginger removed as she thought it was "taking over."  Hopefully, she'll be OK with this in its place:

bouganvillea

Our ginger was blooming like this, just not quite as tall as our neighbors':

Neighbors' backyard ginger

Happy Memoral Day Tree:

Dr. J's flowering beauty on Coliseum-Jacaranda 

2nd Baptist Church's 1st Gospel Fest

Deacon John Moore 

Kim & Maria--friends since Kindergarten! 

 VCPORA's Open House on Esplanade:

Woman dresssed as Ruthie The Duck Lady, a French Quarter Character

Nancy's dress matched the couch cover!   

Dew-Drop Inn:

Not just a hotel, lounge, restaurant and barbershop:

BUT A NEW WAY OF LIFE!!!

An Orchid all-13 blooms for Tom:

Tricia Connelly & Co.

Bayou Boogaloo Bike Pub Crawl:

M. at The Prime Example & the

Ideal Meat Market:

Most Excellent Pinstripe Brass Band

 We must pay our respects to:

King Zulu 1949--Louis Armstrong

The Wild Magnolias Spy Boy: 

& Wild Man

 Note: pix taken at Jazz Fest 

Mother's Day 5/12/13:

The New Leviathan Foxtrot Orchestra

Logan & Diane

ever-so-popular theramin(sp?)

Bouquet for Naomi, My Mom

So much jasmine, too little time:

a corner on Camp Street

the fence continued... 

Vicki & I -- 5/9/13:

Tricia Boutte and Yours Truly: 

She is truly Bout-ay-lip-shus! 

JAZZ FEST 2013

SUNDAY, MAY 5, DAY #7

Rick Olivier & Rob Savoy, Creole String Beans "Shrimp Boots & Crazy Suits"

Dottie & her Betrothed, Trent

Pat Jolly

Dave & Roselyn

Donald Lewis

Kim Carson & band

Big Chief Fi Yi Yi

 Jack

ELISE & MATT'S WEDDING:

The Beautiful Bride w/Echo & Sonny

Irma Thomas as photog

Wild Magnolias:

Jazz Fest G-Bye Sunset

JAZZ FEST 2013

SATURDAY, MAY 4, DAY #6

 LA DIVINA GELATERIA SATELLITE OFFICE:

Katrina & Jeff

IT'S WHAT'S FOR LUNCH:

La Divina's Divine Offerings

 JAZZ FEST 2013

Friday, May 3, Day#5

Mardi Gras Indian-View from my trike "post"  

Native American Cooking

Mike Hood & M. 

Jimmy Cliff & Band onscreen

 the incomparable Jimmy Cliff

Congo Square dancefloor 

Dew Drop Inn Benefit:

Charmaine Neville

Dew Drop Inn photos

Mel, Randy Jackson & Vanessa Williams [of purple dog productions]

Balcony Fleur with different stripe 

  JAZZ FEST 2013  

Day #3 Sunday, April 28

The divine delipshusness of La Divina's creamy goodness

View out the back of La Divina's tent

 George Scott

In the Paddock area where they sold the good beer, Pilsner Urquel:

Sandra, Sharon, me & Cindy

Carolina & Trevor

Bye-Bye B.B. (his back in the mack)  

 Sweet entertainer--did "The Thrill is Gone" & ended with "When the Saints Go Marchin' In."  Stevie Ray said that B.B. only had to play one note and tht would scare him!

JAZZ FEST 2013  

Day #2 Saturday, April 27

Mike Sipost, drums; Johnny J, guitar & vocals, (?) bassist, Derek Houston, sax

Wendell Brunious (far left)

Tony of Yellow Bird Indian Dancers

Deacon John on guitar!

The Deac with singers

Ben Harper on the Big Screen

and Charlie Musselwhite:

JAZZ FEST 2013  

Day #1 Friday, April 26

Dr. John, The Nite Tripper (Quint Davis' introduction dubbed him our "cultural receptacle"):

My Absolute Favorite: 

Ms. Tricia Boutte

Saxist and bandleader Taz as the "Nigerian Cowboy"

Warren Woods:

He put on his magic glasses & I appeared

Terrence Simien

Queen Ida's inductation (word?):

Queen Ida & Terrence Simien

Creature & Mark with "The Titanic"

Happy Lips & The Trips post-Rocky's party

Photo by Celia Hutchison: 

1st publicity photo of me, 1987

Celia was married to Sean at the time & took pix of all the bands--mostly for free!

"Sista Teedy"

Cornstalk plant:

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL 2013:

Jeremy Davenport Band:

Jesse Boyd & Aaron Fletcher

Arnett Hayes & JD--said his "stylist made me match the piano"

"Jumpin'" Johnny Sansone:

John Fols on guitar 

 Charmaine Neville Band:

with Wendell Brunious

Mardi Gras Indian got on stage w/her:

ON BOURBON STREET STAGE:

Some Like it Hot drummer Nita Hemeter b/t sets--& meself

CASAMENTO'S ON MAGAZINE:

Fading?

Wait! there's beer involved?

Awakened by a Prince 

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL 2013:

THE WILD MAGNOLIAS:

That's Big Chief Bo Dollis' son, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. fronting the band, and coming out in the crowd:

Bo Dollis Jr. standing on a chair in the crowd

Wild Magnolias' Wild Man

  SPRINGTIME:

Cheery Cherry Blossoms from SallyAnn in D.C. 

Blooming on the balcony this a.m., New Orleans, April 10, 2013

10th Annie 1st Date:  

cute couple

cute tuna at MILA

 10th Anniversary Orchid:

In the a.m.; and then later that night:

EASTER NITE FIRE:

EASTER:

Chris Owens 

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson 

Gathering on N. Rampart St.

In Their Easter Bonnets 

 RAE HORTON'S PARTY:

Sweet Rae with Queen Constance

 NOLA BREWING CO.:

Katie & David

Elle & Logan 

Chris & Diane Dahl 

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL:

 The stage. 

The play: Auto-da-Fe:

Purification 

RHYTHMS FESTIVAL:

Mardi Gras Indian Mock Battle

Hard Head Hunters and their band:

 [See more pix in Special Events Section]

 pschotria elata or "Hooker's Lips": 

Lips Flower from Camy Sue's Facebook to my LipsBook

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY

St. Louis Cathedral's altar at St. Mary's

 @ St. Augustine Church:

David (from Buffa's) w/bread in shape of cross w/fleur de lis

Large fig cookies in shape of heart & chalice cup  

SUPER SUNDAY 2013

9th Ward Navajo

Queen at the Park 

Spy Boy parading

Red Hawk Flag Boy

ST. PATRICK'S DAY IRISH CHANNEL PARADE, March 16, 2013:

 Marsha got a kiss & a garter 

Getting more than cabbages 

Ian, Corey & Donnie

at d.b.a.:

John Sinclair

 Julian Bond sitting next to me!

FAIRGRINDS COFFEEHOUSE: 

 Linda & Malcolm Burns

Mark playing slide 

St. Alphonsus Church: 

"St. Allen" @ St. Alphonsus

McTeggert Irish Dancers 

Crescent C. Celtic Band

St. Mary's seen from St. A's alleyway

OYSTER JUBILEE:

 Redfish Grill oysters:

The Queen on the royalty float: 

Ran into Mike--snapped him in "Ladonna's bar"-- 

I have a framed photo of this very cool neon sign--was in the movie "Ray" 

 THE LAKEFRONT:

The Lighthouse completely rebuilt

Sailboats on Lake Pontchartrain 

Wall paraphenalia decorating Landry's

 fried zuc topped w/lemon-pepper parmesan: 

Near The Riverbend: 

Brownies selling Girl Scout cookies

Lookin' out My BackDoor:

Lookin' Out Lee's BackDoor:

KCJoe's front door:

I'm a Bird Watcher

Before WWII in San Francisco, my Dad played drums in his own band called "B.J. & The Blue Jays"

Tiki Truckin'

Michalopoulos' 2013 Jazz Fest Poster Aaron Neville 

Amie, MAC, Me & Bill de Turke 

the painting (partial)

ALAN RICKMAN:

- sigh -

Ladonna's bar from the Treme show:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S FLOWERS:

Flowering tree on Nashville Ave. 

St. Louis Cathedral from Pirate's Alley 

One pirate & one privateer:

 I love my cape!

SOCIETE de ST. ANNE:

Rae!!!

Recognized Sally, Linda & Malcom Burns!

This hearse had about 2 dozen zombies with--had gone for a pee break when I caught this shot

Hubig's on Fire 

ORPHEUS PARADE:

Harry Connick, Jr. & Jill [sorry this is so blurry, but I was shaking]

The Leviathan's tail & Baby [there are 2 units in between, but I could not get a good shot of them]

Flambeaux Carriers

THOTH PARADE:

Matt & Mark (THE TRIPS!) relaxing b/t sets:

BACCHUS PARADE:

Caitlin & Kim

Jonesin' for some Sweet Jones:

 Kim's scotties out parading

ENDYMION PARADE:

one of the nine-units of "Pontchartrain Beach" --scary laugh

Dave & Kathleen

Groovy Endymion Dude

HERMES PARADE: 

Hermes Himself

Pan--headshot

Pan--full frontal

TUCKS PARADE: 

Dragons always lead the Parade

Followed by the "Ducks of Dixieland":

from Dames de Perlage:

BABYLON PARADE:

Float was called "Midsummer Night's Dream"

DRUIDS PARADE:

Flambeaux

By Sheila Stroup, Times-Picayune February 1, 2012

"When the Mistick Krewe of Comus first took to the streets on Fat Tuesday in 1857, members appeared in the glow of flambeaux, hand-held torches that lit up the New Orleans night. Flambeaux, from flambeau, which means flame in old French, were a necessity at any of the nighttime Carnival parades in the days before electricity.  In the beginning, they were carried by slaves or free men of color.

The flambeaux evolved from pine-tar rags attached to wooden staves to oil-burning lanterns mounted on metal trays and attached to tall poles. The flambeaux carriers would make their way down the streets beside the floats, their fiery lights reflected in the branches of the live oaks overhead.

Today, with neon lights, fiber optics, flashing beads, blinky bracelets and mammoth floats covered with various sources of illumination, the smoky torches might seem an anachronism. But many krewes still keep the old-time tradition alive, including Proteus, the only krewe that has paraded in three different centuries. Sparta, Hermes, Babylon and Orpheus, all Uptown parades, still use flambeaux...

Modern-day flambeaux added a back-splash to the tray and used gravity flow from a reservoir to keep four burners flickering throughout the long parades. Now, natural gas is sometimes used rather than kerosene or other liquid fuel, which is apt to drip down and burn the flambeaux carriers.

The tradition of throwing tips to the torch carriers as they spin their flambeaux around and dance down St. Charles Avenue has also survived through the years...

Flambeaux add excitement to any nighttime parade.  There is something magical about seeing them bob and sway through the shadows, the way they did all those years ago."

SUPER BOWL STUFF:

M. at the Roman Numerals

 Sunpie!

coveted Muses Shoe 

Alligator plant, a/k/a Mother of Thousands, a/k/a Mexican Hat Plant; native to Madagascar

 Bird of Paradise--uptown

 LYONS CARNIVAL CLUB: 

Gathering at Grit's Bar on Annunciation 

One of the Lyons crazy floats--really runs! 

Lyons in front of Henry's Bar

 PARADES:

Kendall snagged this mask when a rider dropped it:

Choctaw on horseback 

Close-up of Choctaw float

 KREWE OF CORK:

Don't leave home without it:

From Transfusion to Transmutation:

Saw Johnny Angel: 

BIKE-RIDING:

Once known as Eads Plaza: 

 CLEOPATRA FLOATS:

Always nice to see a Lips float:

 NAGIN at GALLIER HALL:

Portrait of C. Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, hanging at Gallier Hall

 HARRY SHEARER at BUFFA'S:   

  KREWE DE VIEUX PARADE:

Alien Diane 

Bridesmaid Caitlin

Trips Guitarist Mark Fowler!!!

Phil Rupp

 OFFBEAT AWARDS SHOW:

Liz Reyes, T.V. Celeb

 Ingrid Lucia: with John Folse on guitar 

Mary & Nita

Diane Edwards & Sam "Who is that Behind those Foster Grants?" Price  

Stock photo: me, Johnny Sansone (sitting) and Trips drummer (at the time), Creature back in '06 at the Parkway Bakery

Me & Al "Carnival Time" Johnson

Me posing with Hurrah for the Riffraff

Amie & OZ d.j. and Man-About-Town Bill de Turke

A catchy tune by the Meters:

"Went on down to the Audubon Zoo and they all axed for you..."

The pink flamingos

The White Tiger 

 We also have two White Alligators:

 Regular Gators

White ibis native to Louisiana (pelicans sitting in background)

Peacock roaming around

& a crazy yet creative creature with home-on-back:

The Maryland Terrapin

KING'S DAY at BUFFA'S & BEYOND: 

   Maria & Rob's daughter, Shelby & college chums 

From Al's website:

"With his good spirits and humble attitude, Al Johnson is eager to write and produce new songs...

[re: "Carnival Time"]: Al wanted a song the locals of New Orleans could relate to on Mardi Gras Day.  With lyrics "the Green Room is smoking" and "the Plaza's burning down," were real places the locals knew about...with its intoxicating rhythm and its fun to sing lyrics has always been a big musical hit in New Orleans since its release in 1960."

And from the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame website:

"It was in December 1959 that Alvin Lee Johnson (born June 20, 1939) entered Cosimo Matassa’s recording studio.  He emerged from the studio on Governor Nicholls Street with what would be a belated hit song and a new name, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson. Joe Ruffino produced the recording session for his Ric label and Carnival Time eventually joined Professor Longhair’s Go to the Mardi Gras and Big Chief, and the Hawkettes’ Mardi Gras Mambo as classics of the New Orleans Mardi Gras.  

Born in 1940, Al grew up in the City’s Ninth Ward where he played trumpet and piano.  Influenced early on by Sugar Boy Crawford, Fats Domino, and Smiley Lewis, he won several talent shows with his version of Crawford’s I Cried.   He cut his first record, Ole Time Talkin’, b/w If I’ve Done Wrong, for Aladdin Records in 1956 at the age of sixteen.

Carnival Time didn’t take off, obliterated instead in 1960 by Jessie Hill’s Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo. It wasn’t until Johnson was drafted and subsequently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, that he began to hear stories from family and friends that Carnival Time was hot back home.

He returned to New Orleans at the end of 1964 to find the local music scene decimated by the advent of Beatlemania and the accompanying British Invasion. Ruffino had died while Johnson was in the Army and a protracted legal fight ensued over royalties and rights to the song that left him jaded at the music business. He eventually returned to performing, however, after finally being awarded full rights to his hit in 1999 and in 2005, he reigned as King of the Krewe Du Vieux. On April 14, 2007 at the LMHOF "Legends Of Louisiana Celebration & Inductions" concert in Mandeville, Louisiana, Al Johnson was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.

Bio courtesy of Tom Aswell - Author of "Louisiana Rocks - The True Genesis Of Rock And Roll"

The Wal-Mart display continued from left:

me & Mr. Carnival himself, Arthur Hardy !!!

Constance getting ready for her ride

Turns out Fred Kasten, WWNO-dj is one of the Magi!

 MICHAEL'S CELEB LOOK-ALIKE:

George Dicaprio (an underground comic artist) & M.--separated at birth 

M. at SneauxBall inspecting the yard decor

 EAT HAPPY:

 Back to the Roots Oyster Mushrooms

And modern-day king cake:

Keith Marszalek, Times-Picayune, 2011

Speaking of sugar:

“The mission of the Allstate Sugar Bowl is to sponsor and promote amateur sporting events which will foster revenue and spark economic growth in the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana--generated over $2 billion for the city and the state in the last decade alone.”

--Courtesy of Allstate Sugar Bowl website

HISTORY  

The Mid-Winter Sports Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of a sporting carnival, was formed in 1934 with the goal of creating a bowl game in New Orleans similar to California's Rose Bowl.  On January 1, 1935, 22,026 fans attended the inaugural Sugar Bowl at Tulane Stadium.  The historic game pitted the pride of the North—an undefeated Temple University—against the pride of the South, Tulane University, which had a 9-1 record.  Despite a 14-point deficit early in the game, the Tulane Green Wave rallied to defeat the Owls 20–14.

Where Audubon Park now is, including the site of the original Sugar Bowl Stadium, once was the plantation of Étienne de Boré, a colonial planter, who turned from the cultivation of chicory and indigo, the then-current crops, to the raising of sugar cane, despite warning of others that cane juice would not crystallize.  However, de Boré's successful crystallization came in 1795 and he would go on to become the first Mayor of New Orleans in 1803.  He is buried in Saint Louis Cemetary #1.  The founder of a national industry that has flourished to this day, he is the patron saint of all dentists and diabetes-drug manufacturers.  

“Louisiana is the Nation's Sugar-Bowl, and it is fitting that this game, played upon ground where the sugar industry was born, should pay tribute, in its small way, by adopting such a symbolic name.  Through vicissitudes of tariff tinkering, crop-pests, wars and depressions, this industry, so vital to the well being of a multitude of Louisianians and so necessary to our nation, has survived, and again flourishes so that waving fields of the green cane, just before harvest time, stretch unbroken for miles and miles.  At the finish of 'grinding' which is just about this season, it was the custom upon the old plantations to hold their greatest merriment of the year.  So it is further fitting that a game played at this time of year should in memory of these great festivities couple its name with that of the sugar industry.”

--Courtesy of Allstate Sugar Bowl website

I may need to take a trip to my dentist after that rousing remark!

Sugar Bowl

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson will be performing for the Inauguration of Carnival Season this Sunday, Twelfth Night, January 6, 2013 at Buffa's at 8:00 p.m.  Also in appearance: The Real D. J. Davis.