Raisin’ the Roof
April 29, 2009
For the Bayou teamed up for a day with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Habitat for Humanity to assist in building houses in the new Musicians’ Village in the New Orleans’ lower 9th Ward neighborhood.
Conceived by New Orleans natives, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis, the Musicians’ Village is helping to provide affordable homes for local artists. Since Hurricane Katrina, the cost of renting in the Crescent City has risen by over 30%. Various local and national organizations, such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, have teamed together to fulfill the housing needs of these musicians to allow them to continue to call New Orleans home.
When Jazz Fest wraps up in the springtime, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, established in 1970, continues to fulfill its mission “to promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, education, civic and economic activities”. The foundation has a dedicated, full-time staff that manages a diverse portfolio of important programs in each of these areas.
“These projects supported by the Jazz & Heritage Foundation are not generally seen by tourists attending Jazz Fest. It was great to see more progress finally being made, especially in one of New Orleans’ most vulnerable and economically challenged communities”, said Suzanne Holzman of For the Bayou.
For the Bayou, VOW & Music For Relief Partner for Wetlands
April 27, 2009
Also in attendance were representatives from Brad Pitt’s Make it Right Foundation, a generous and successful charity Pitt personally started to aid in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
Tab Benoit and fellow musician and friends, Chubby Carrier, Roy Rogers, and son, Sam Rogers, reminded the audience of what else will be lost if the local wetlands and area are not restored and preserved- some heartfelt south Louisiana music. With Benoit on acoustic, Roy on slide guitar, “OneMouthBand” Sam, and Chubby on accordian, the rich sounds echoed through the hanger and soared out into the thick, south Louisiana air over the dying swamps.
“It is quite disturbing that the Louisiana wetlands have been losing ground for some time, and even with the focus on the Katrina damage, the government and local authorities seem sluggish to find solutions. Why can a place like Venice , Italy create solutions to save their shores, and we can put a man on the moon - but not save our own vital and essential Louisiana wetlands? People need to wake up and smell the salt in the wound; get involved in this very worthy effort to save the wetlands, it’s unique wildlife and understand it’s critical role in the whole eco system of our entire Gulf Coast.” ~ Roy and Gaynell Rogers
www.roy-rogers.com
Big Crawfish, Big Fun, Big Thanks
April 17, 2009
What a fun night! For the Bayou would like to thank everyone who came to the crawfish boil and gumbo feed. We would also like to thank the amazing staff of Mojito and Fishbowl who worked feverishly to keep up with the crawfish, gumbo and beer demands of the crowd. A round of applause to Buxter Hootin’ & Friends for rockin’ the house. Man- that was fun. Helping to restore and protect Louisiana’s wetlands and coast will allow us to continue to enjoy such amazing seafood.
Also a big thank you to LACrawfish from Natchitoches, LA who delivered the best crawfish the Bay Area has ever seen… wherever you are in the world they can ship the best Louisiana bugs your way… www.lacrawfish.com
Boil Pics
Darlene Eschete “Bayou Belle Photography”
April 13, 2009
A short bio from Darlene:
“Photographing wildlife and scenics here in southeast Louisiana is my passion. I’ve had a camera in my hand at a very early age (8), but not until a few years ago did I decide to put together a compilation of my photographs. After recovering from a long battle with a chronic illness, the creation of Bayou Belle Photography was born. I felt a strong need to share our abundant wildlife and scenics along with our beautiful coast and its plight with the world. I now exhibit my work through craft shows and art galleries in Louisiana, along with showcasing most of my photographs through my web site; bayoubellephotography.com.
Future plans include documenting the state of the brown pelican, Louisiana’s state bird. These birds nest on our barrier islands, which we are loosing more of with each passing year and hurricane. These birds are now being seen much further inland than ever before. I pray that somehow, someway, we as a group or as individuals can make a difference, no matter how small.”
~Darlene M. Eschete~
To view Darlene’s beautiful Louisiana wildlife photography, please visit her website: www.bayoubellephotography.com
