Clifton Chenier

This is Clifton, 25/VI/1925 – 12/XII/1987. Here is another great video with short explanations of the music, partly by Clifton himself: “I’m from New Orleans, I’m a Frenchman….” Finally, for people interested in the dance, here is a good clip from one of the festivals I have never been to, but promise to attend next … More Clifton Chenier

San Juan

This is St. John’s Day and I’d like to have been in Recife seeing the quadrilles and dancing forró, or at a bonfire far enough north to see the northern lights. Next year I should actually go to a beach on St. John’s Eve and have the Danish celebration. I am glad Clarissa reminded me … More San Juan

Tu Le Ton Son Ton

Tout le temps en temps it is time to listen to Tu le ton son ton. Here it is as played in 2010 by Leon Sam. This weekend it would be possible to see André Thierry and Corey Ledet in Loreauville. Allons danser. The radio says there will be a special Creole music event in … More Tu Le Ton Son Ton

Summer Solstice

Summer solstice in New Orleans is today at 12:16 PM, so this post should come up at that exact moment. Now summer begins in earnest, and it begins yet more earnestly on July 4th. Sleeping the other night next to a canoe I dreamed, quite improbably, that I had ascended a large mountain and my … More Summer Solstice

Exotic

My main accomplishment this weekend was driving a Ford F-150. They threw the keys to me and said, “Take the truck!” My honor did not permit me to say I was terrified to drive this enormous, automatic transmission vehicle, the location of whose hand brake and gear shift were not immediately evident. I succeeded at … More Exotic

Jess

This exhibit took place in New York in 2008. It was a rare event and I would have liked to go. Axé.