Having been back from New Orleans for a while now, I have had plenty of time for that experience to sink in. As always, the amazing city of colorful people did not disappoint. First, the music was life-changing. Music often is, but for some reason, this weekend particularly moved me, musically and otherwise.
Living in a mainstream mecca may be part of it, but I declare that most of the energy I picked up on was true, raw, inspirational grit coming from the likes of local musicians and people that have been both directly and indirectly affected by Katrina. Add to it the political backdrop created by Katrina coupled with the war we fight overseas, and you have the awake and conscious contingent of this country taking notice. But mostly, there is the music.
The highlights, for me, were the Old Point Bar in Algiers (where parts of the movie Ray were filmed) on Friday night and Anders Osborne on Saturday night. Old Point Bar featured many local musicians, including Anders, as well as some good eats, provided by the Zu Zoo man. Anders played at this classic N’awlins bar called d.b.a., full of old, dark, mahogany wood and 1940’s era handblown wall sconces. Dark, but inviting. The lighting, however, didn’t matter much, as the hard rains shut the power down several times throughout the evening. A heavy situation, considering this was the first weekend of the first Jazz Fest since Katrina. The crowd banned together in silence, and the musicians kept playing, unplugged. This was a high time, for sure, and was especially symbolic of many things all at once; the power of music and people coming together in the face of darkness. And it, simply, rocked.
It would be irresponsible of me if I failed to mention Bruce Springsteen’s live debut of his new and completely impressive album, “We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions”. Sunday afternoon at the fairgrounds, Bruce and band played songs from this album as planes flew overhead with anti-Bush messages. I would have liked to get closer, but the packed crowd and festivities of Friday and Saturday night combined with the N’awlin’s heat wouldn’t allow such a thing. It was, however, an amazing show. Long live The Boss.
In the midst of all of the music were the people of New Orleans, still learning to absorb the wrath of Katrina, and open and eager to tell their stories. It seems everyone wonders, still, what will be rebuilt, and when. And to see the ruins of an already depressed area is an intense sight. Still, the spirit of New Orleans is intact, and I believe it always will be. To heed the message of Mother Nature and the changing of our beloved planet would be the best first step in moving forward, but it seems that conversation is a ways off. Rebuild, I say, but consider the place and sustainibility, and pave the way for us all.
Click for a little fest flavor.
Erin says
YES! I have been dying to read your commentary! Nice report! The AIA has been (relatively) involved in the planning of the resurrection, but one must consider the political potency of such an understated (and sometimes snobbish) organization. The recent AIA mag, Architectural Record, just published the results of a student contest for the ideal city plan. My copy is resting peacefully on my desk at work on this Sunday evening, so I can’t quote verbatim, however I do recall some designs as particularly thought-provoking and sustainably progressive. I will reference tomorrow and a more educated response shall follow! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Mag says
Seems to me that people don’t have enough money there to have sustainability as one of their priorities for rebuilding their houses. Is it something that is a priviledge of the more financially comfortable?
MsDarby says
In fact, Mag, NOLA has become the very template and example for the rest of us to learn from. Some of the most affordable AND sustainable blueprints are being created there as we speak.
It is a common misconception that green costs more. In some ways, that is correct, but truly, it is about building things like we USED to, prior to HVAC and modern comforts because we were forced to work with the natural elements of our surroundings. I could write about this all day long, but if you’re interested, see more at Global Green, a huge player in the sustainability/built environment and leader in NOLA for this exact work.