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.
Comments
Got something to say?
