Windows of New Orleans

I like to take pictures of things that are in New Orleans windows. This is on my desktop. I don't know who Joel is, but good job, buddy. This picture cheers me up.

Second Line Pictures on Flickr

I finally got the rest of the post-Katrina New Orleans Black Men of Labor second line pictures up on flickr, but you have to go here to see them in the correct order. I still haven't figured out a few things, obviously. Big thank you to David, AGAIN.

The Mardi Gras!

In New Orleans, after the carnival revelers have been ashed, the scene keeps on, but under wraps. I was once offered a top-secret position painting Mardi Gras floats for the next season. The warehouse workshops for these floats are all over the place in NOLA, hidden from view. Everyone knows this, but forgets, really as the year floats by. Well I found one, thanks to the winds of Katrina, and you'll have to figure out where it is yourself, though there are many visual clues.


The Mardi Gras will go on, and I cannot wait for my favorites: Muses (an all women's parade -on THURSDAY this year, not Wednesday), Endymion and St. Ann' s rag tag parade made up of revelers that is timed to clash with Rex (if you are costumed, you're in). I live one block from St. Charles, the main parade route and when I hear the marching bands a-blarin' I dash out the door just for them, because more than anything, I love the bands with the dancing girls with shiny, glittery, clickity-clackity boots.

Mr. Hardy has put out his Mardi Gras book, a great sign of post-Katrina normalcy, and this is the 150th anniversary carnival so it will be a good time to pick it up. This is not a promotion on purpose, I just want to get it in my hands to feel proof of it all, that it's really going to happen, that I can thumb through the schedule....

and then, of course, the Mardi Gras Indians!

Addition

In response to Ms. NOLA, who pointed out that I left out Cubans,

You betcha! And to throw in some support for a local Cuban business owner (Bridge Lounge): she wants to start up a program where spanish speakers volunteer as advocates for Mexican workers who are getting beat up and robbed after work. When the ambulance comes, they cannot communicate. If you know any spanish speakers willing to advocate, send 'em to Jane and tell them Nikki (the art teacher) sent them.

Nagin's Fears

Interesting that I posted about how many churches are in the down and out neighborhoods of New Orleans, and Nagin spoke of the wrath of God raining down upon us... What to say about him and that statement? A little bit of the Bush possesed him, I think we need an excorcism.

As for the fear that he has of the black culture being lost to NOLA, this is a fear that gripped me in the panic of all that occured in the days after the storm. However, when I returned to New Orleans a few days before Halloween, I noticed a nice mix of cultures here in the city -with a little extra flavor to boot as we had attracted a hefty Mexican population looking for work. I hope they stay for good, adding to the mix of Vietnamese, Hondurans, Salvadorians, African Americans, African-Native Americans, Native Americans, Cajuns, French, Greeks, Irish, Italian*...all of whom contibute to the festive atmosphere of our poor little city with celebrations and rituals specific to their culture. And of course all us other caucasians/ caucasian-mixes who, according to Nagin, don't want this city to runneth over with chocolate.

The very next day after I came back, I saw a family of African Americans going into the Sav-a-Center and I knew they were New Orleanians because of the footwear: the biggest, fuzziest slippers that could be found here on earth. This is something that I have only seen here in NOLA and it gave me great comfort. Not that everyone walks around in fuzzy slippers. Just a good bunch.

I mean, check out that man's shoes in the picture above. Absolutely stunning!

Which brings me to another description of a comforting event. The Men of Labor always put on a second line on Labor day. Due to the storm, it was postponed and I was lucky enough, along with many others, to witness the re-opening of Sweet Loraine's and the emergence of the wonderfully decked out dancers of the second line, gettin' down to the brass band music of two bands. For those of you unfamiliar with the second line, go to the link provided below for more info. It's a wonderful tradition and it's back and it is not going anywhere, Mr. Nagin. There will be more! And tomorrow I will address Mardi Gras worries, you can bet your fanny that the Mardi Gras Indians will be back...

I will be posting more pictures of events set against the scene of our roughed up city on flicker as soon as I can. When you see the link on the side bar, check it out.



*If I left anybody out, tell me. I will make additions!
**in case I cannot figure out how to add the link at the bottom of the post:
http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_2ndline/2ndline_history.htm

To kick off the blog, A little Central City, New Orleans for you. This is my neighborhood, where the Holy Spirit is the tormentor of drugs and guns. One can always find the most little churches in the "worst" neighborhoods. Almost one for every block in these parts.

Look for the first postings next Monday or Tuesday, January 11 & 12