Whaaaat. Right. The Saints.
Last night I drove home dodging effervescent Drew Brees clad New Orleanians dancing in the streets as passerbyers slowed to honk in celebration. Apparently, no car roofs were off limits.
Fireworks began echoing about 3 minutes before the Saints won and continued on well into the night, long after I had fallen asleep.
Earlier that day, Katie and I agreed it was necessary to document the celebrations going on in the French Quarter, which happend to include a few parades, as well. At this point, the Saints hadn't won yet, but I don't think there was much doubt in anyone's mind that they would. After all, with that much alcohol who had room left for doubt?
Good times:
And my favorite:
Regular Life
The other day I was wondering through the French Quarter taking pictures of "regular life."
Or, as regular as it can be.
P.S. The church was just outside the French Quarter.
Desire Street Ministries, pt 2
Here are some of the latest images in my ongoing project of documenting the Desire Street Ministry.
The Music of Michael Millet
For several years now, my Dad and I have bumped into Michael on a monthly basis--as we're shuffling off stage, he's tuning-up and mic-checking for his set following. But only recently have we had the chance to sit down, talk, and get to know him a better, and what a cool guy he is. You can find him regularly haunting the eclectic Hi Ho Lounge on Mondays and Neutral Ground Coffee House the first Friday of every Month. For more info on when, as well as the many other venues where he may be found, check out his site. Plus, you can listen to some of his music!
Born in Houma, LA, he did a stint in California in the nineties, but he's back in New Orleans--the city he calls home--making a life with music.
Michael's been playing some form of music for the last two decades, so it's no surprise that he counts the completion of his second album, Hard Times on the Bayou, as one of his greatest achievements to date. It's a solid work of storytelling laid to a sweet bluegrass/folk soundtrack that many natives of this area, no doubt, can relate to as simply, a way of life.
This past year Michael has been busy rubbing shoulders with many of the local greats including Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, the Hone¥ Island Swamp Band, Pat Flory, and Gina Forsyth (whom he recorded with this past November). Last fall, he was invited to sing at the Abita Springs Opry and on the WWOZ pledge drive.
When the day's all done, you can find Michael either relaxing on his front porch, or searching the lands for live music. Michael and I find common ground in our deep-rooted desire for live music. There's not much else like it.
Check him out!
We tried Rock Climbing in Lafayette
Lafayette was rumored to have a great rock climbing facility, so this past Saturday Sam, Keith and I drove out that way to check it out. It's definitely bigger than our familiar Slidell Rocks, but it's a little lacking in the variety. Nevertheless, we still had a lot of fun. And Sam drove so I didn't have to pay for gas. [Smiles]
This kid was in beast-mode. Actually, I had a little while to take this picture, because from the time I saw him until the time I walk away he didn't move. I think he was stuck.
I don't make it into too many pictures because that's not the way cameras work. Normally, I leave my camera on the ground with Sam while he belays for me. But in this one, there were no ropes, so he took my picture.
Paparazzi.
FBCNO: Care Effect
This is the first in a series of pictures documenting the Care Effect, First Baptist New Orleans' movement to reach the inner city of New Orleans. This past Wednesday, I visited the Central City location. I hope to post more Care Effect pictures on a weekly basis, so keep checking back!
The Desire Street Ministry
Michelle, a good friend of mine, works at the Desire Street Ministry. In the evenings after school, the neighborhood kids come by for an organized program filled with positive reinforcement and love, all framed to show them God's love.
This past Monday I began a project of documenting the ins and outs of the DSM. One of the things that stands out most to me is the way the kids instantly flock to me, pose, and run up to see their picture on the LCD on my camera. It causes quite an effervescent feeling to be a part of something so important.
Here are some pictures from Monday!
The Balsa Wood Flyers’ last stand
For the last ten years, the Balsa Wood Flyers have been a signature sound in the landscape of the New Orleans music scene. Saturday night at the Kerry Irish Pub on Decatur, they played their last show, encore and all. It was an emotional night for a lot of people--those who had been there in the beginning, as well as those who've just come along in recent years.
Founding members include Paul Tobin and Lee and Heidi Campbell, who were all present. My cousin, Holli, shed more than a few tears as she recounted memories of being five-years-old and sitting with her Dad, Lee, in their living room writing songs. More than a band, the BWF have become a long thread in the sound of New Orleans' Americana music.
Also playing last night was BWF-regular Tom Campbell on drums and Kevin Specht, an amazing guitarist in anyone's right, hashing out lead guitar.
The first time I saw Tom in action was before the Storm at a Christmas Eve party. In New Orleans it's a musical tradition to get together in somebodies living room, drink lots of wine, and play until the morning. By the time I had arrived, Tom had already put back a few glasses of some very fine boxed wine, but that was far from the end of it. In the next few hours, I don't know where he put it all, but with every song came a fresh glass, and with every glass a new, louder and wilder Tom emerged. I started feeling sorry for the drums he was pounding, but as I write this, I think back knowing I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
Pulling myself out of this revelry, I remind myself, it's not all over. The music is still alive and evolving, if no longer under the BWF label, it exists in the different members pressing on in their own ways. But until it surfaces again, here are some pictures of their last show I'm proud to have been able to capture.
The Lobbyist
I talked about the Lobbyist last Tuesday. I've since had the great fun of hanging out with them and taking a bunch of pictures. Like, 900, if we're counting.
Formed a few years ago, the Lobbyist has been almost completely re-manned and is now ready to go places. Well, starting in February. They'll be at Cafe Prytania on the 27th, and in Austin the following month they're playing the South by Southwest festival. They've already cut a demo, are lining up shows, and in talks about making a video. Why so ambitious? Cause they're really good. Really. Good.
Click on their link above and give their song a listen. You'll love it! Trust me.
Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:
