Formerly Known As

Cool:


We Could Be Famous enthusiastically endorses this name change idea.

Neighbors Rally for David's House

Link!

The Roots?

No way!

Philadelphia hometown heroes the Roots will be playing a free show at the main branch of the New Orleans library?!?

Bad ass. My worlds collide.

I think the Roots are amongst the nation's most undervalued contributors to hip hop. To crossover into mainstream circles while still maintaining urban credibility and an original sound is not easy or common.

Dumaine Street Gang Second Line

Catch up with Big Red Cotton for lots of badass video.

Borrring!

The streetcar sculpture things are lame.

Indie'd

Ray and the Suspect Device have posted this awesome video by our own Theresa Anderson.




I'm glad they did, I've been meaning to give props to her for her new album. I may have made the Times-Picayune the other day, but she's about to be performing on Conan O'Brian sometime next month.

She wins.

But really, I'd like to point out that the whole New Orleans indie scene is pretty on fire right now.

There's some good music happening. And, my friends, they're conspiring.

Laura Bush Visits the Ogden: Did She Appreciate the Art?

This morning Laura Bush gave a speech at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. She is in town to address a conference held by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. She will be advising "church-based non profits" in their efforts to "partner with the federal government."

I happened to go to the Ogden Museum yesterday. There were people in suits all over the place. There was a team of laborers sprucing up the landscaping outside under the supervision of some lady in a pants suit. The whole scene was uncomfortable - and that was before I learned of the First Lady's visit.

I understand wanting everything to look nice for a prestigious visitor but there's something disconcerting about it when you consider that public officials. especially the President and his family, always get this coddled arrangement. Think about all the money and thought and effort that goes into each and every visit to a school or a library or a museum - all to insulate and comfort and impress. I wonder how many thousands of dollars go into each photo opportunity.

Anyways, there is a painting currently on the wall of the Ogden, I believe on the 4th floor, by the artist David Bates. It is called the Storm. I would like to know what Laura Bush thought of it.

The painting at the Ogden is part of a larger storm series by Bates.

It was shown in Dallas recently. Maybe Mrs. Bush caught it there. What does she make of it?

Check it out.

In Broad Nightlife

Last night was an A+.

What a show!

I wonder if casual listeners really get the political statements hidden not-so-subtly in M.I.A's work. Like when someone hears this . . .




. . . and gets bent out of shape because it's "violent."


Anyways, I danced till dawn and a good time was had by all.

-

Some people were having a really really good time.

Frenchman Street last night was a sight to behold.

I know how it goes in this town but this looked more like Burning Man or Bonnaroo.

The police decided not to have any kind of presence and it was strikingly clear.

I won't get specific but you could have purchased any drug you could ever want - and consume it openly in the middle of the street.

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I don't bring this up to question why Frenchman Street was allowed to become a free zone. It doesn't outrage me. Again, a good time was had by all. (I do think whippets are stupid though)

It's just that...

I remember having read this in the paper the day before.

-

Outraged?

Yes, by the double standard.

Rep the Channel

A short film by my friend Al.

She lives in the Irish Channel just like me.






We're going to be famous. In our own way.