In an effort to add some discipline to my easily distracted mind, I am creating this blog to practice writing and photography on a somewhat regular basis. The title comes from a story about my Irish Grandfather. When I was a baby anytime my mother would ask him if he wanted to hold me, he would say "Does he still shit in his pants?" It sounds like something I would say about a baby and it makes me laugh every time I think about it.
BTW, YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO SEE IT FULL SIZE.
We headed towards Canal Street to catch the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar.
We walked through the Garden District where we saw some amazing houses...
...and we ended up at the Lafayette Cemetery.
New Orleans cemeteries are amazing places.
You never know what you'll see but it is sure to be colorful, strange, interesting or different around every corner.
Then we walked to Freret Street in the Uptown neighborhood.
Then back to the St. Charles Streetcar and the French Quarter...
While Christy shopped, I watched a storm roll up on the city along the Mississippi River. We ran to the car just head of the rain.
This city elected a man named Moon as it's mayor. I am not surprised at all. Too bad forty years later, no one seems to care about these principals.
We picked up Jeff and headed back to the Uptown neighborhood to have crawfish at Superior Seafood. Then we ended the night on Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny...a little jazz at the Spotted Cat...some time with my friend Andy Levin at the Frenchmen Art Market...enjoying a beautiful night in a beautiful city.
Jeff, Chrissy & I ended our last night in NOLA strolling down a quiet side street with a table for three...how appropriate.
So we headed toward the Gospel tent for some cover...
...wait just a moment, what is this? A long line of food stands...Why not grab something on the way. I'm sure God wouldn't mind. Once again we grabbed a Cochon de Lait Po'boy because it really was so damn good that we had to have another.
We spent the morning in the Gospel tent eating our po'boys as a biblical rain fell and people danced to the Famous Rocks of Harmony who provided a very musical sermon.
We braved the rain to check out some music. Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band had people dancing in the mud...
...except for this stick in the mud.
We walked through the Louisiana Folklife Village and checked out handmade instruments, Mardi Gras Ball gowns and really enjoyed the Mardi Gras Indians costumes.
The incredible bead work to design these costumes is amazing to see up close.
I'm gonna have to rename my Social Club using the New Orleans style. How about the Old Timers Social Aid & Pleasure Club? We will never have costumes this elaborate.
I had to check out a band called Tuba Skinny...
...and they were very good.
Below is a video of them playing on the street in the French Quarter.
This is why I love New Orleans. Music is everywhere.
Back to Jazzfest...
Apparently I love zydeco music because every time I hear it, I have to dance. OK it's a stiff suburban white boy dance but I try. Here's C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band.
I have loved the idea of a Second Line Parade ever since I saw one on the HBO show Treme. We had our chance to join one today. It was a Jazz Funeral for Uncle Lionel Batiste with Treme Brass Band and Friends. Uncle Lionel was a New Orleans musical & cultural icon. The following pictures were taken before and during the parade for Uncle Lionel. All I can say is the people of New Orleans know how to pay their respects and party at the same time. I really enjoyed being part of this and everyone involved made you feel welcomed. Like most things in New Orleans, it was a bit disorganized at first. But that laid back just let it happen attitude is part of the charm of this city. The parade made it's way from the Economy Hall Tent, where a statue of Lionel is over the entrance, to the JazzFest Ancestors area at Congo Square. Everyone gathered around as the new marker was unveiled for Uncle Lionel. After the solemn songs were played and the proper respect shown, the party began with a rocking version of 'Treme' and the second line made it's way back to Economy Hall.
We checked out Calexico for awhile...
...then saw Kristin Diable & The City.
We tried to see Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers but it was impossible to get into the Blues Tent. BB King was playing after the very popular Mr. Ruffin and the rain was starting to fall again.
So we decided to eat.
After dinner, I went to watch Dave Matthews and Chrissy was off to Congo Square to see Earth, Wind & Fire. By that time it was getting darker by the minute and the storms ripped through the festival grounds. I was so far away from the Acura Stage where DMB was playing that it was hard to hear the band through the storm. I found Chrissy and watched EW&F with her until the storms caused everybody to end their sets early.
Chrissy enjoying EW&F just before the final downpour ended the shows early. We were soaked and almost didn't get our Dodge Charger out of the muddy field where we parked. We ended up grabbing Poor Boys at the Parkway Bakery & Tavern, where several locals told us these are the best poor boys in the city. They were very good but I'll need to eat a lot more around the city before I declare it the best one. Another fun day in NOLA.
