Due to circumstances completely outwith my control, the trip will not now be happening. Thank you everyone for following the story this far and, you never know, the opportunity may present itself again one day – I hope so.
Sep27
Sep18
The Butterfly has landed
The Popinjay butterfly has already made its way across the Atlantic and landed in New Orleans ahead of us as a proud sponsor of the EPIC Arts Festival.
Please take a look at: http://bit.ly/nA0pwY
Sep17
Time and date change
Please keep checking the EPIC website for changes to the running order for the festival. Making Ugly is now being screened at 2pm on Saturday 22nd October, still at the Howlin’ Wolf. Here’s the link to keep up to date as the event lineup can change without any notice:
Sep14
Don’t be scared
Love & Passion Voodoo Doll
Health & Wealth Voodoo Doll
If one looks at the dictionary, Voodoo is likely to be defined as an ancient religion from Africa that involves the cult of Ancestors, of various animistic spirits, and the use of trances to communicate with such spirits. It is true that Voodoo did originate in Africa. Today it is practiced by millions throughout the world, in Africa, the Caribbean, Central, North and South America, in various forms, often with elements of catholicism mixed in. However, its main purpose remains as always to heal: to heal the individual in relationships within himself or herself, with others and ultimately with God.
Peace & Protection Voodoo Doll
Because of its unique blend of French, Spanish and Indian cultures, New Orleans offered a perfect setting for the practice and growth of Voodoo. In 1809 many Haitians who had migrated to Cuba during the Haitian revolution found themselves cast out and came to New Orleans. They brought with them their slaves who incorporated their rites and beliefs to those of the existent slave population – Africans from Senegal, Gambia and Nigeria previously brought to Louisiana by the Companie des Indes. Voodoo in Louisiana was enriched and revitalized. It also incorporated the worship of the Snake Spirit (Damballah Wedo / Aida Wedo). To the Africans Voodoo was not only their religion, it was also their natural medicine, their protection and certainly a way of asserting and safeguarding a sense of personal freedom and identity.
Today about 15% of the population of New Orleans practices Voodoo. Modern Voodoo has taken several directions: Spiritualist Reverends and Mothers who have their own churches, Hoodoos who integrate and work spells and superstitions, elements of European witchcraft and the occult, and traditionalists for whom the practice of Voodoo is a most natural and important part of their daily lives, a positive search for ancient roots and wisdom. The practice of Voodoo involves the search for higher levels of consciousness in the belief that -as indeed all of the ancient scriptures teach – it is we who must open the way towards the Gods. for when we call out from our hearts, the Gods hear and indeed are compelled to respond. Voodoo is a powerful mystical practice between (Wo)Man and God thus saving him/her from further estrangement from the very universe that (s)he is born into.
Sep11
Never Forget
Much has been written today and for the past 10 years about the dreadful events of 11 September 2001. I don’t feel that there is much more that I can add but didn’t want to let the day go past without paying my own small tribute to those who lost their lives 10 years ago today. God Bless, Sleep Tight.
Sep10
Howlin’ Wolf
On 21st October 2011, Making Ugly will be making its festival debut at a venue called “Howlin’ Wolf” in New Orleans for the EPIC Arts Festival. Fascinated by the name, I decided to research who exactly was Howlin’ Wolf and here’s what I found out about the great man himself!
Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976), better known as Howlin’ Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player.
With a booming voice and looming physical presence, Burnett is commonly ranked among the leading performers in electric blues and one music critic, Cub Koda, declared, “no one could match Howlin’ Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down to the foundation while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its wits.” A number of songs written or popularised by Burnett—such as “Smokestack Lightnin’”, “Back Door Man”, “Killing Floor” and “Spoonful” have become blues and blues rock standards.
At 6 feet, 6 inches (198 cm), close to 300 pounds (136 kg) and wearing size 17 shoes, he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the “classic” 1950s Chicago blues singers. This rough-edged, slightly fearsome musical style is often contrasted with the less crude but still powerful presentation of his contemporary and professional rival, Muddy Waters. Sam Phillips once remarked, “When I heard Howlin’ Wolf, I said, ‘This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.’” In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #51 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time
More than 35 years ago, he is credited with predicting the first black President:
“You know, they called us ‘coons’ – said we didn’t have no sense. You gonna wake up one morning, and a coons gonna be the President.” – “Coon on the Moon” from the Back Door Wolf, recorded in 1973.
Sep9
Advance Thanks
I would like to say a big thank you to Laurene Miller and Briann Shear who have sent me some great ideas of places to visit in New Orleans and to Jennifer Brown who has posted me information regarding places to see in Charleston on our route down through the deep south. All these lovely ladies have contacted me through LinkedIn and I will definitely let them know how the trip goes!
Sep3
Note to self…
Next time I plan on a big adventure, maybe I should check out the weather forecasts beforehand. Last week it was Irene crashing into New York and this week we have Tropical Storm Lee threatening to batter New Orleans.
The tropical storm formed around midday on Friday south of the central Louisiana coast and forecasters predict it should move ashore over the weekend and could generate rainfall of up to 20in.
Now, living in Glasgow as I do, I am rather used to wet weather. When I go away, however, I do like to think that I’m going to get better weather than at home and this is generally the case. America, you have precisely 6 weeks to get these hurricanes and tropical storms out of your system before I arrive – pretty please!
Aug30
Jambalaya, crawfish pie, file’ gumbo
I don’t know about you, but every time I think about New Orleans I am reminded of the song Jambalaya by, I think, Hank Williams (but I am sure it’s been covered by a million other artists over the years.
“Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and file’ gumbo
’cause tonight, I’m gonna meet, ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar, and be gay-o
Sun of a gun, we’ll have big fun, on the bayou.”
I’ve always known this was “soul food” but what exactly are the ingredients and what do they taste like? – well it looks like I’m going to find out first hand and I can’t wait! For those of you who don’t get the opportunity to visit the Deep South yourselves, this is what you’re missing:
Creole jambalaya originates from the French Quarter of New Orleans, in the original European sector. It was an attempt by the Spanish to make paella in the New World, where saffron was not readily available due to import costs. Tomatoes became the substitute for saffron. As time went on, French influence became strong in New Orleans, and spices from the Caribbean changed this New World paella into a unique dish. In modern Louisiana, the dish has evolved along a variety of different lines. Creole jambalaya, or red jambalaya as it is called by Cajuns, is found primarily in and around New Orleans, where it is simply known as ‘jambalaya’. Creole jambalaya includes tomatoes, whereas Cajun jambalaya does not.
Since we all love pies and Cajuns love crawfish ( as well as anyone else that decides to finally try them), crawfish pie combines the best of both worlds in a hearty meal that can fill anyone up pretty quickly. Of all the Cajun recipes, crawfish pie recipes are not exact and you have to change a little here and there to make it come out just right.
File’ powder, also called gumbo file’ is a spicy herb made from the dried and ground leaves of the sassafras tree, native to eastern North America. It is used in the making of some types of gumbo, a Creole and Cajun soup/stew often served over rice. Other versions of gumbo use okra or roux as a thickener instead. Sprinkled sparingly over gumbo as a seasoning and a thickening agent, it adds a distinctive, earthy flavour and texture.
Well that’s certainly got my taste buds tingling – might have to try out a few recipes before we go to get me in the mood – do we think all the ingredients will be available in Asda???
Aug29
So why are we going?
During the weekend of October 21st through the 23rd the global epicenter for emerging talent will be the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
What has been dubbed EPIC, seeks to be an annual event to bring together new, emerging and untapped talent from around the world. Talented visionaries in music, fashion, film, beauty and the performing and creative arts will gather in the Big Easy for three days of showcase, networking and informational events.
The current EPIC lineup consists of a little more than twenty individual events taking place in multiple venues located in the Downtown area and Warehouse District of New Orleans. Events include discussion panels that tackle some of the latest issues affecting the entertainment industry, showcase events featuring a wide variety of talent, and networking parties and mixers that will serve as a catalyst for creating a sustainable business network. Unlike most conferences, EPIC’s showcase events are open to the public while panels and networking events are strictly reserved for registered attendees. This format provides balance for gaining new fans and supporters and establishes a proper business atmosphere.
Russell and I are extremely excited that the film we are involved with, Making Ugly, is opening the festival on the 21st October and we need to be there for this prestigious event.
For registration, information on attending public showcase events and daily updates see the event’s website located at www.doepic.net or call 310.845.6696.
To view the trailer, please go to www.makingugly.com.
