Friday, April 20, 2007

Make Music Not War


Is anyone surprised that Keith found the perfect t-shirt? Even though we get up at 6:30 to build houses, we rarely miss an opportunity to listen to music, and of course there are venues everywhere in New Orleans! Our favorite hang-out has been The Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street where we fell in love with the gypsy jazz of VaVaVoom and last night we were thrilled by The Panorama Jazz Band playing there. These and many of our favorite bands also played at the French Quarter Festival last weekend and we went to the Quarter all three days--rain or shine. The music was varied (although all with New Orleans connections), lively, and even though we came home exhausted each night, we didn't scratch the surface of what was available. So here's a pot pourri of music in the Big Easy. Warning--expect another blog about music since we'll still be here next weekend for the first half of Jazz Fest which is just three blocks away.


Panorama Jazz Band playing at the Spotted Cat. Some of you may also recognize the sax player who sometimes sits in with VaVaVoom.




The New Orleans Helsinki Connection (and several other bands with European connections) play the jazz that old-timers remember from their youth.

Even during French Quarter Festival the street musicians find a spot.


Dancing in the streets to New Orleans Po Boys



Sun shining on the John "Kid" Simmons New Orleans Jazz Band


The Pfister Sisters at the Jackson Square stage during French Quarter Festival

The woman in the middle has 6 kids, has been living in a FEMA trailer, finally moved back into her home but her husband (an electrician) hasn't hooked up the kitchen yet, their three-year-old had brain surgery recently, and she's still singing and smiling! Only in New Orleans.




1 comment:

Unknown said...

I have a red one, still wear it and need a new one. Trying to find them. :(