More from Zydeco Cajun Fest...

Live updates...a couple more pics.thanks Sis!

Sunpie w a young fan and pic of crowd outside Old US Mint currently featuring great exhibit of PHJB history..saw last time I was down there..also saw - in separate exhibit- Louis Armstrong's cornet..including that pic also as lagniappe ..

Creole Tomatoes

You say tomato I say Creole tomato ..NO's answer to the East Coast (ie Jersey) tomato...from WWOZ website re this weekends festival:
The French Market Creole Tomato Festival is a celebration of Louisiana's produce, farmer's and the Pelican State's unique cultural and cuisine offerings, of which the Creole Tomato is emblematic. Originally imported fromt he West Indies, the Creole Tomato thrives in the rich alluvial soil and sub-tropical climate of South Louisiana, especially in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.

June in New Orleans means the arrival of Creole Tomato dishes on local restaurant menus, in farmers markets, and at roadside stands. Typically the crop arrives in early June, which is why the French Market’s Creole Tomato Festival is always held the second weekend of that month.

The Creole Tomato Festival is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its quaint and quirky traditions, such as life size tomatoes strolling the grounds handing out tomato shaped fans, and the auctioning off of the first tomatoes of the season to local chefs.

NO Zydeco Cajun Fest Live!

On 'Oz right now ...sis at the Fest..couple pix..Roddy Romero (one of her new favorites) and Rosie Ledet w Dwayne Doopsies's rub board player...

NO Cajun Zydeco Fest Online

This weeknd there is a nice little festival in New Orleans and you can listen to some of it live online via WWOZ. It's actually 3 festivals in one- the Cajun Zydeco Festival, the Creole Tomato Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival- that co-occur in and around the Old US Mint at the Esplanade Ave end of the French Quarter. I went to this festival- also known as Vieux To Do- in 2010 and you can check out some pix in a slideshow below. There was a large stage set up on the grass next to the Mint and then another stage set up at the foot of Esplanade Ave. (which actually was in the shade later in the afternoon. We were able to check out Sunpie Barnes, Goldman Thibodeaux, the Lost Bayou Ramblers and Cedric Watson who featured a Senagalese kora player which was one of the highlights (for me anyway) of the music portion of the festival. There was also a small performance space near the French Market where we caught a dance and Mardi Gras Indian performance. We had the pleasure of seeing Big Chief Bo Dollis along with his son and a couple members of his Wild Magnolia Tribe. My wife and I had a great time but it was EXTREMELY hot and humid- probably the hottest weather I've ever experienced in all my trips to New Orleans- which required frequent breaks and lots of hydration.

Go HERE to check out WWOZ broadcast schedule- for my money would catch the Bayou Ramblers on Saturday and DL Menard on Sunday. Etois!

New Orleans in Philly

Saw Stooges Brass Band at the Blockley in Philly last nite. Kind of a late nite for a Tuesday- band took the stage at 11:15- but it was worth it as they put on their usual energetic show. They had the mostly college age crowd dancing throughout with non- NO classics ( Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, oldies covers ) getting best response . Show was part of a "New Orleans in Philly" series that has in past week featured several NO artists- Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville, Stooges - and will also have on Saturday nite the Dirty Dozen BB along w The Revivalists. Planning on making that Saturday show as well .

NJ Crawfish Fest

That's me at 2009 Fest

This weekend there is a BIG New Orleans Louisiana event here on East Coast. Its the 23rd Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest in Augusta, NJ. I've been twice before and had a good ol time- not Jazzfest but pretty close if you can't get to the real thing. There is a Main outdoor stage, a smaller Pavillion stage and then an indoor stage that features a hardwood dance floor and features Cajun and Zydeco bands and dancers. Food is just OK; boiled crawfish are real good but everything else I've had there is pretty mediocre in my opinion and cannot hold a candle to food at Fest. BUT, the music lineup is looking really good- especially on Saturday, June 2nd. Performers include Curley Taylor, Terrance Simien, Johnny Sketch, Bonerama and 2 of my NO favorites Glen David Andrews and Dr. John...Not too bad for New Jersey. Go HERE for the deets.

NOJHF 2012 Geronimo Hunters and Creole Osceolas Mardi Gras Indians

More Mardi Gras Indian photos from first Friday at this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. These pics are of a parade featuring the Geronimo Hunters and Creole Osceolas Mardi Gras Indians.