Revolution & Change
Post Katrina New Orleans
Show Reel
Main Event
Friday 17 July at Rough Trade
6.30 - 11pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/392665044266094/
On August 29th 2005, New Orleans was hit by one of the worst hurricanes in American history. 80% of New Orleans was flooded with some areas up to 4.8 metres underwater. Over half a million people were evacuated. One of the first truly multicultural cities in the USA and the birthplace of Jazz was devastated. Revolution and Change presents a snapshot of the music and art before and after this event and provides inspiration for change on a local and national level.
Revolution & Change is a programme of events based around a focus on a specific place in time that went through a period of substantial change, socially, politically and culturally that also corresponded with a rich vein of artistic endeavour, especially in the fields of music and art. Not every period of ‘revolution’ enables the arts to flourish (China’s Maoist period is a good example) so we have chosen moments and places in modern history where the repercussions of these changes/upheavals (not necessarily ‘revolutions’ per se) can be felt now in their places of origin but also in a wider global context, especially within the artistic and cultural fields.
Post Katrina New Orleans
This showreel presents a selection of arts and cultural projects that give a snapshot of New Orleans culture. The videos highlight various aspects of the quintessential art forms from New Orleans, music, street art, and Rap/spoken word. All the videos shown here are in some way a direct or indirect response to the massive effects and socio-political changes that occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Video 1 - Chuck Perkins - We Don’t Fear the Water
This incredible spoken word artist performs with an all star jazz line up alongside Mardi Gras Indians. This is an example of reworking New Orleans traditions to create a modern commentary on New Orleans. Chuck Perkins’ powerful flow is worth paying attention to due to his powerful lyrics and stunning turn of phrase.
From the album Love Song for Nola
Video 2 - Dr Bob
A short documentary about the history of Dr.Bob, a New Orleans folk artist. He is most famous for his "Be Nice or Leave" paintings which gave many New Orleanians a sense of hope after Hurricane Katrina.
Video 3. Grow Dat - Youth Farm
In an environment where too many young people are more familiar with a chicken shop than a vegetable, Grow Dat is an urban farming project that seeks to change peoples relationship with food. Grow Dat’s mission is to develop youth and adult leaders to transform their communities, their environment, and themselves by engaging in the meaningful work of growing healthy food.
http://growdatyouthfarm.org/
Video 4 - K.Gates "Welcome To My Hood" New Orleans Raw Edition {Documentary Musical)
The Goonz, Bloods, Project & Treacherous Ghettos Of New Orleans - Raw & Uncensored
Directed by artist B-Mike AKA (Brandan Odums) this hip hop video is shot in the suburbs of New Orleans. Compared to the somewhat gentrified tourist districts such as the French Quarter, this video clearly shows the reality of a post Katrina New Orleans suburb.
Video 5 - A Second Line Parade 2014
A video shot by Truth and Lies DJ Joff Casciani that follows the unique experience of a Second Line march, which happens most Sundays in New Orleans. Insurance companies often refused to cover the recently freed and formerly enslaved so African Americans formed into Benevolent Societies and "Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs". Membership benefits usually included a brass band for funerals and at least one public parade with music a year, so such societies became important in establishing the second line traditions.
Music by Rebirth Brass Band - Rebirth Groove
Video 6 - New Orleans Brass Band Street Performance
The To Be Continued Brass Band performing on the Street in the centre of New Orleans.
Video 7 - Project B Mike
Artist B-Mike AKA (Brandan Odums) talks about reclaiming post Katrina property which led to the large scale installation project Exhibit-B. One the largest street art installations in the world.