Jazz at Congo Square Festival
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Lighting The Road To The Future Data Zone Transformation! Page 4 “The People’s Paper” August 7 - August 13, 2021 56th Year Volume 15 www.ladatanews.com A Data News Weekly Exclusive Sunni Patterson The Stooges Brass Band Delfeayo Marsalis Presents: The First Annual Kyle Roussell Jazz at Vegas Cola Band Congo Downtown Leslie Brown Square Luther Gray Festival Tonya Boyd-Cannon Page 2 Mykia Jovan Newsmaker State & Local John Bel Edwards City to Host Community- Temporarily Reinstates Based Rental Indoor Mask Mandate Assistance Event Page 6 Page 7 Page 2 August 7 - August 13, 2021 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Delfeayo Marsalis Presents: The First Annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Photos by Zac Smith Edwin Buggage Editor-in-Chief Celebrating and Honoring A Rich Cultural Heritage New Orleans continues to be a City rich and amazing in its heri- tage; one where people from across the globe keep coming to ex- perience its awe. In its over three centuries, it has given the world many gifts in food, music, culture, and a way of life that merges Af- rica, Europe, the Caribbean and South America into a rich gumbo. It is the drumbeat of Bamboula, that began at Congo Square, and continues to be the heartbeat of the City. On August 8, 2021, from 1-7 p.m. at Congo Square, Delf- eayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra will host the Delfeayo Marsalis and his father, the late great educator, musician and bandleader Cover Story, Continued on page 3. Ellis Marsalis. DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 | Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 INSIDE DATA editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors Art Direction & Production CEO/Publisher Edwin Buggage Pubinator.com Cover Story . .2 Commentary. 6 Edwin Buggage Tracee Dundas Editorial and Editor Data News Weekly Advertising Inquiries Data Zone . .4 State & Local News. 7 Sharonda Green datanewsweeklyad Staff Writer Executive Assistant @gmail.com June Hazeur City of New Orleans Newsmaker . .6 Distribution Accounting Marc Morial by Terrence Lee Please call 504-309-9913 for subscription information or to obtain a back issue of the paper ONLY. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story August 7 - August 13, 2021 Page 3 Cover Story, Continued from page 2. Inaugural Jazz at Congo Square, people,” says Marsalis. “Being a a FREE celebration of New Or- resource and helping young peo- leans music, culture, and tradi- ple, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, is tions at Congo Square in Arm- more of youth playing music and strong Park. learning jazz.” “Congo Square is important not just for Black folks in the City, but Family, The “Rule” of it is important for the entire coun- a Life of Purpose try, and what it represents is not Marsalis’s greatness is rooted something we should only cher- in family. Frequently, he speaks ish, but we should also respect it of the influence of his parents and pay more homage to it,” says and brothers, and how it’s im- Delfeayo Marsalis, emphasizing pacted his life. “My father El- the global, cultural importance lis Marsalis and older brothers of the Square’s sacred grounds. Branford and Wynton influence “Less political, it is like you can what I do today, and it grew never honor your parents enough. into something that’s amazing.” This is a place we cannot honor Speaking of his father, the late too much. It is more about how Musician and Educator Ellis our ancestors were and honoring Marsalis, he says, “My father community,” he adds. was real. It was his greatest at- tribute. He had a great impact on Preserving Community us. He loved what he was doing and Building for The Stooges Brass Band and lived a life of purpose that’s Future Generations been a part of how I live my life The festival will feature a vari- to today.” ety of artists who have contribut- ed tremendously to the City’s lo- The Flavor of New cal scene and international music Orleans…. The community. Jazz at Congo Square Secret Ingredient was created to promote and main- While some leave the City to tain the significance of Congo pursue greatness, Marsalis con- Square, while highlighting why tinues to call New Orleans home. the space is and should remain a “There was no reason to leave a Historical Landmark in New Or- great City. There are great mu- leans. The festival will also feature sicians, great people, and a way local art and merchandise ven- of life like no other place in the dors, food from local restaurants, world. I am proud to call it home,” chefs and non-profit organizations says Marsalis. that are working to preserve the Perhaps it’s the mystique, the culture and heritage of New Or- enchantment or the uncertainty leans. that intrigue and continues to This year’s Jazz at Congo draw people across the globe to Square Festivities will kick off New Orleans. Because visitors with a VIP Patron Party at Gal- and locals often can’t quite ex- lier Hall on Friday, August 6th, plain the phenom, many ask, what with a private and exclusive per- is the special ingredient that gives formance by Delfeayo Marsalis it such a unique flavor. and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra The Vegas Cola Band “The secret ingredient? In New at the Ty Tracy Theater inside Orleans it is those African tradi- Gallier Hall. VIP guests can bid tions, the uniqueness, the idea of on the original artwork created community, people and celebra- for the official festival poster and tions, and the joy and optimism in other items. The Sunday festival the face of adversity, the flavoring lineup will begin at 1:00 PM with in the food, the dancing... these a Call to the Ancestors, led by the are things we trace that come out Congo Square Preservation Soci- of the African traditions and other ety Drum Circle and Master Per- cultures too, but what makes it cussionist Luther Gray, and will special,” says Marsalis of what feature poetry by acclaimed Ac- gives the City its Je nais se quoi. tivist Sunni Patterson, along with And even though traditions music by the Vegas Cola Band, evolve throughout generations, Kyle Roussel, Mykia Jovan, Tonya Marsalis maintains that “we have Boyd Cannon (from the hit TV an obligation to teach the tradition show “The Voice”), the Stooges that even if they decide to take it in Brass Band, and a performance another direction or build upon it, by Delfeayo Marsalis and the Up- at least they know where it came town Jazz Orchestra featuring mu- Vocalist Mykia Jovan Poet and activist Sunni Patterson Master percussionist Luther Gray from and its significance. Young sic from their “Best of the Beat” people need to develop a rela- award-winning CD, Jazz Party. Proceeds from Jazz at Congo through musical theatre train- “Uptown Music Theatre has tionship with Congo Square and The festival will open with a Call Square and the VIP Patron Party ing; and Keep NOLA Music Alive been running for 20 years and the our culture. It is spiritual and to the Ancestors led by the Congo will benefit two other communi- (KNOMA)—founded in the midst kids have been doing a phenom- to feel rooted and build bridges Square Society Drum Circle and ty-based organizations founded of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the enal job. And that is more like a to connect generations of the will culminate with a jam session by Marsalis: the Uptown Music purpose of providing emergency family. We’re hoping that it would people of New Orleans and our and a second-line parade led by Theatre—an award-winning or- relief to native New Orleans cul- inspire them to do community- importance to the world in what the Stooges Brass Band. ganization that empowers youth ture bearers. based organizations that will help we’ve created.” Page 4 August 7 - August 13, 2021 Data Zone www.ladatanews.com Transformation! Tracee Dundas Fashion Stylist Transformation! Who says you have to pack away your kids favorite summer frocks once the temperature starts to drop? With a little creativity and savvy styl- ing tricks, some of those favorite pieces can transform right into the fall season. Helpful Styling Tips: 1. Add Opaque Tights 2. Choose Deep Autumn Colors 3. Layer Up Thoughtfully with a Denim Jacket, Scarf, etc. 4. Be Mindful of Fabric Texture and Weight 5. Hats and Scarfs can Complete the Transition 6. Pair with Boots or Converse Sneakers 7. Remember to Balance. Never Overdo Flying High. Add a black moto jacket with tulle skirt Fashion Forward. Pop the collar 8. Be a Trendsetter up on a fashion forward jumpsuit (Mini Model: McKenna Casbon) Tracee Dundas Fashion Stylist Fashion Story Fashion Stylist: Tracee Dundas | @fashionablyyoursnola Stay True. Add a leopard New Orleans Fashion print bomber Week | @nolafashionweek jacket with Photos Courtesy of walking Facebook: Peyton Brown, shorts and McKenna Casbon, Avery booties for Walk This Way. Opaque tights and scarf take this look Gavins, Skarlett Roa a fall style into fall jumpsuit (Mini Model: McKenna Casbon) Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events www.ladatanews.com Data Zone August 7 - August 13, 2021 Page 5 Sitting Pretty. Add a mock turtleneck under a carpenter style dress Sista Sista. African print maxi dresses (Mini Models: Peyton Brown & McKenna Casbon) Far right: Keep It Real. Autumn color camouflage pants.