Under The Bridge on Claiborne on Mardi Gras Afternoon
It took me nearly an hour to get from Metairie to the North Claiborne Avenue area where TBC Brass Band was supposed to be playing, …
Drums
Krewe of Orpheus: The Rains Came
Because rain was predicted, the city of New Orleans had moved up the starting times of both Lundi Gras parades by an hour. That had …
Uptown At The Krewe of Proteus Parade
Proteus is one of the old-line Mardi Gras krewes, and the only one of the old original ones to stage a parade on the streets …
Majorettes and Drummers at Manassas High School
I knew there was to be a massive majorette jamboree at the Manassas High School gym on Saturday afternoon (February 7), so I rode over …
Memphis’ Longest Running Spoken Word and Open Mic Event: The Word at the Rumba Room
Every Monday night, musicians, singers and poets head down to a Latin club and restaurant in Memphis’ South Main Arts District for a weekly open …
Memphis Majorettes and Drummers at the Sophisticated Divas Jamboree
Although there are fall jamborees, the cold winter months are the high point of majorette jamboree season in Memphis. Majorette jamborees exist in other cities, …
“The Whole Wild Creation”: Mardi Gras Indian Practice at Handa Wanda
The Black Indians of New Orleans have always fascinated me. I read about them long before I had ever seen one. Their culture is ancient …
Otis Logan and the 4 Soul Band at the Kickback at @HiToneMemphis
My homeboy Otis Logan had told me about an event that Devin Steel of K-97 was sponsoring at the Hi-Tone called the Kickback. The party …
More Band Battles at Fairley High School
The day after the big band battle took place at Oakhaven, there was another band battle between Melrose High School, Oakhaven High School and Fairley …
Oakhaven High School Hosts a Band Showdown
Like everything else associated with Memphis’ traditional inner-city neighborhoods, the city’s marching band culture has been adversely affected by the depopulation of these areas and …