Donald Lewis, Jr. - A Childhood Music Memory
Confetti Park
A professional performer and New Orleans teacher, Donald Lewis, Jr. has shared his stories with scores of Louisiana children over the decades atschools and libraries around the state. He's delighted New Orleans audiences in dozens of theatrical performances over the years. And many have heard his sonorous deep voice over the airwaves on WWOZ and WRBH 88.3 FM, Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped. In this childhood music memory, Donald shares how his love of the stage first began. Donald was living in Texas when he was five or six years old, and he had the lead role in a performance...
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Chris Sheard – A Childhood Music Memory
Confetti Park
In this childhood music memory, New Orleans musician Chris Sheard recalls going on car rides with the family and only having one cassette tape to listen to, over and over again. One side featured Marvin Gaye, and the other featured Sam Cooke. The family would flip the tape over and over, and Chris learned every single word to every song by heart. Chris ponders how children today have infinite options of music to listen to on demand, via Spotify and other internet apps. While there is amazing access to music for today, has something been lost in the overwhelming options? Chris doesn’t...
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Interview with The Chickadees, young songbirds from Shreveport
Confetti Park
Meet the Chickadees, a trio of young musicians from Shreveport, Louisiana! These sensational ten-year-olds – Posy Harper, Evie Desobry and Ellie Spero – are a breath of fresh air to the local music scene with their infectious energy and impressive talent. Guided by their dedicated teacher, Miss Sandra Odom, the Chickadees are singing and strumming their way into the hearts of audiences. [Katy: I first met the Chickadees at the gravesite of Huddie Ledbetter at our annual Lead Belly Graveside Jam in October 2024, and I’ve been following their band since then. !)] The kids met at...
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Louis Michot - A Childhood Music Memory
Confetti Park
The Cajun fiddler and singer for Lost Bayou Ramblers recalls learning to dance with his cousins while the family band played Louis Michot, a talented fiddler and singer with the Grammy award-winning Cajun band , shared a sweet childhood music memory with Confetti Park. Growing up, Louis would often join his father and uncles' band, Les Frères Michot, in the vibrant dance halls and restaurants of Lafayette. (Randalls, Mulates, Prejeans, etc.) It was there, amidst joyous community gatherings, that Louis learned to dance. He was only six or seven! "I remember taking my cousins' arms,...
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Interview with hrilina ♡ : Water Wonderful World
Confetti Park
A new reading and coloring book about New Orleans’ relationship with water will entertain and educate! Katy recently interviewed hrilina ♡, a rising leader among young New Orleanians, who is proud to announce the release of a unique educational coloring book titled “Water Wonderful World.” Published by , the book explores the relationship we in South Louisiana have with water, particularly in and around New Orleans. hrilina ♡’s vision for this book was to create an engaging and fun experience for kids (and grownups) that teaches about the role of water in New...
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Interview with Arlo McCracken Allen
Confetti Park
At 12 years old, this musician and composer is already active on the local music scene in New Orleans. Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Arlo for Confetti Park. In a recent interview, New Orleans based music prodigy Arlo McCracken Allen shared insights into his musical journey that began at the young age of four when he first sat at a piano. Arlo quickly progressed from playing at home to performing with his dad’s band () and other notable musicians. Arlo plays piano and cello, but he loves electronic music. Influenced by video game music creator Toby Fox, Arlo aspires to compose soundtracks...
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Childhood Music Memory with Scott Durbin
Confetti Park
Music can carry powerful memories and emotions through generations, as Scott Durbin of the Imagination Movers shares with us. Scott, whose grandmother was Native American, recalls participating in powwows at a very young age. His family's tribe would come together to honor their cultural traditions, and music with drumming and dancing was a central component. "I remember being very young, dressed in garb and doing a powwow, and as much as a six year old can intuit a spiritual elevation because of the music and the beat, I knew this was amazing." Through experiencing the resonating drum...
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Storytime: The Mardi Gras Tree by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust
Confetti Park
Happy Mardi Gras, everybody! Wherever you’re watching the parades– whether it’s out in the parishes, Slidell, Metairie or along beautiful St. Charles Avenue–chances are you will need some shade and respite after a long day of truck floats. Find a tree, have a rest, look around, and enjoy the show. And keep your eyes peeled for the Mardi Gras trees! You know the ones… they glitter like rainbows, dedicated as bead catchers by the people passing by. In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear the whimsical tale of by . “Laissez bon temps rouler! – let the good times roll!...
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Steve Scaffidi on why authors should self-publish their books—and advice on how to do it!
Confetti Park
In this episode of Confetti Park, we connect with the creative mind of Steven Scaffidi, a veteran of the entertainment industry.
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Storytime: Can We Take A Road Trip? By Papa Dude
Confetti Park
Summertime means road trips! In this episode of Confetti Park, we take a road trip with Papa Dude and his best friend Charlie Crab. They take us on a trip across America, and we get visit some of the most interesting and fun places the continental United States has to offer.
info_outlineWelcome to Confetti Park, a magical show featuring stories and music for children of all ages. I’ve been gathering songs from across my home state of Louisiana and from places around the Mississippi Delta. I just love the variety or music—blues, jazz, country, rock n roll, rap and church music and Cajun, and brass band… there’s a lot to learn and I am still listening and learning every day. I hope you like what I share with you.
This is a music medley of songs featured on the show this week.
- Arkansas Tongue Twister - Sunpie Barnes
- Joke of the Day: Grizzly Bear & Harp
- Salmon Song - Jazzy Ash
- Avocado Woo Woo - Tin Men
- Daycare - Ph Fred
- Days of the Week - Jason & Layla
- Louis Ray - ABCs
- Five Little Butterflies - Johnette Downing
- Curious George Main Theme Song - Dr. John
- We’ve Got Each Other - Imagination Movers
We begin with a game song from Arkansas, by Arkansas born New Orleans resident Bruce Sunpie Barnes. He is a real forest ranger, and a great musician. You will also hear the wonderful Tin Men of New Orleans, L.A. based Jazzy Ash (who has deep Louisiana roots), and Louisiana pied piper Johnette Downing. There is also a famous song by the famous Dr. John, all about the most famous monkey in the world. And I know you will enjoy brother and sister duo Jason & Layla, who are wonderful artists on their own, and together. (Jason Rhein plays music in Rotary Downs and is one of the owners of Marigny Recording Studio. Layla is a professional belly dancer in NYC. They are originally from Baton Rouge.) And we have a terrific parody song by Ph Fred... "They tried to make me go to daycare, I said 'No, No, No!'"
We end with a song by the Imagination Movers all about a hurricane evacuation. These are the times when you realize what are truly the most important things in life... HINT: it's not houses nor possessions. The guys know what's up in "We've Got Each Other." This song leads us into our storytime feature, Fairweather Friend, by New Orleans poet and storyteller Marcus Page. It is the story of young friends separated because of a hurricane evacuation.
You can listen to all the stories you hear on this radio show on our free Confetti Park podcast.The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.
Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!