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.
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Valerie James Abbott on the shocking realization that her two-year-old had hearing loss
Confetti Park
In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Valerie James Abbott, a mother whose journey with her own daughter's hearing loss inspired a children's book called Padapillo.
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Storytime – Padapillo by Valerie James Abbott
Confetti Park
In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear the children’s book Padapillo narrated by the author, Valerie James Abbott. Based on the true life events of the author and her family, Padapillo is the story of a family discovering the hearing loss of a child.
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Why He Carried the Turkey by James Baldwin
Confetti Park
A story of kindness and civility and humility for Thanksgiving Day
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Storytime: The Loup Garoup
Confetti Park
In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, Kathleen Welch shares with us the legend of the Loup Garoup as found in Acadiana French-Canadian, Acadian, and Franco-American folklore.
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Confetti Park Storytime: Le Lutin
Confetti Park
In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear about Le Lutin, a fairytale figure and a trickster spirit! Contributor Kathleen Welch shares some of the legends about this hobgoblin who has a knack for pranking.
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Rosemary The Garden Fairy: The Early Bird
Confetti Park
For people who like watch birds, the early birder catches the bird!
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Confetti Park Storytime: Lucky Enough by Dr. Chris Yandle
Confetti Park
Narration by the author of a dad's daily notes of encouragement and life lessons to his daughter
info_outlineLet the holiday music commence!
It’s the most magical time of the year…and we are feeling the holiday magic in Confetti Park! I hope you enjoy the culture I’m sharing from Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta, and beyond.
The Confetti Park radio show is a weekly 30-minute program that streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available for free to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. We’re going to enjoy the music of the season all this month on every episode. There will be Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs of light, and children’s favorites all month long here in Confetti Park, as well as sweet stories to make you smile. Thanks for joining me, your host, Katy Hobgood Ray!
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Fats Domino
Joke of the Day – Snow Bank
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Elvis Presley
Christmas in Tennessee – Amy Grant and Kid Pan Alley
Christmas in New Orleans – Louis Armstrong
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Michael Doucet
Blue Christmas – Linnzi Zaorkski
Mele Kalikimaka – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine
All about the music
On this episode, Snow Bank, we start off with the delightful Fats Domino, singing about everyone’s favorite reindeer.
The we hear from the one and only Elvis Presley, singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” I bet kids of all ages, even young ones today know that voice… Now, while I still call New Orleans home, I recently took a wonderful job at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. That’s where Elvis lived and first recorded!
So let’s hear another song from the Volunteer State… enjoy Amy Grant and Kid Pan Alley with “Christmas in Tennessee,” followed by the great jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong with “Christmas in New Orleans.” How fun to compare the lyrics! They both begin with verses about the distinctive trees of the regions.
Christmas in Tennessee
The leaves are changing colors, they’re falling off the trees
I know it won’t be long now till it’s Christmas in Tennessee.
I hope somewhere that Santa Claus is thinking about you and me.
He’s gonna bring us lots of toys when it’s Christmas in Tennessee.
Christmas in New Orleans
Magnolia trees at night, Sparkling bright,
Fields of cotton look wintery white
When it’s Christmas time in New Orleans
A barefoot choir in prayer fills the air,
Mississippi folks are gathering there,
‘Cuz it’s Christmas time in New Orleans.
Next we hear from the marvelous Cajun musician Michael Doucet with “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, followed by a jazzy version of “Blue Christmas” by Louisiana chanteuse Linnzi Zaorkski (who was raised in Alexandria and Shreveport and now calls Bush, Louisiana home). Last we hear a Hawaiian Christmas song, “Mele Kalikimaka,” performed by singer Debbie Davis & sousaphonist Matt Perrine, a married couple who are busy musicians in New Orleans (as are their musical kids).
Also featured in this episode are two delighted holiday stories. One is a fun little tale from Justin Wilson, an old Cajun cook from Roseland, with “Santa Claus and the Mouse.” And we hear “The Kitty at the Manger” told by Mary Jean Chester of Des Allemands, Louisiana.
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!