"Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou."

There is much to see, yet much that is easily missed in New Orleans. It's easy to spot the nice: the antique shops on Magazine Street; a beignet at Cafe Du Monde; the fortune tellers by Plaza D'Armas. But only with a deeper look can one really spot all that is New Orleans. It might take living here to really see it, and it's strange to say, but I am living in New Orleans.

I started work at Ashé Cultural Arts Center last Thursday and have already been introduced to some of the local artists in the area, including a pianist called Lloyd who works with me at Redd's House. Ashé is a Yoruban word that most closely translates to "Amen, so let it be done." The organization uses the community as it's main creative force in an effort to reclaim the true identity of New Orleans' citizens. More than anything else, Ashé serves as a hub for rising artists and musicians--a place where they can broadcast their work and get the resources and aid they need. It's easy to underestimate this small non-profit, but every staff member is deeply involved with one project involving the community. I am currently helping out with the Scarf project, a fundraising initiative to make the organization more sustainable. The scarf is designed by a local artist, Kharam Ngati, and the scarf carries the spirit of opportunity. It's two-fold purpose is to make Ashe sustainable, while broadcasting a new local artist each year to design the scarf. It was showcased at the annual VDay, worn by the actresses of the Vagina Monologues, and has already gotten much attention my locals and visitors. The next step is showcasing them at Essence Music Festival on the weekend of July 4th.

My favorite part about interning at Ashe is the normal day-to-day conversations with my co-workers. For lunch Christine (artist/Director's assistant) and I usually drive out to local restaurants for food. As we drove passed OC Haley, she pointed out to a plot of land covered by rubble. She said, "See that there? That used to be the projects. The rubble used to be 15 feet high. It wasn't much, but those people have no where to live now. They're reconstructing it to something it never was." I asked her where those people are living now, and she said they are scattered around, but probably won't return to their old homes. Every day I hear a new stories of injustice and how Katrina affected the lives of the people here, but from what I've observed, most hold a positive attitude about the city, it's people, and it's future. The city is alive as ever with weekly performances on Lafayette square, a vibrant Farmers Market on Saturdays, cajun cooking at every corner, and jazz music pouring out of local bars (check out Tab Benoit's "Jambalaya" at the end of this post). This city's got soul.

On my first full weekend in the Big Easy, a group of us Tarheels and Dukies (in true Robbie spirit) saw the minor league Zephyrs baseball game at the Zephyr Field. After the Zephyrs won the game, we watched some fireworks and called it a night. On Saturday Liz and I went on a mission to find a public library, stumbling upon Milton H. Latter Memorial Branch on St. Charles. On Sunday Leah, Liz, Nic, Tim and I explored the French Quarter. We started off the day by watching an IMAX movie: Sea Monsters (we were probably the only people older than 8 years old). We started walking towards Cafe Du Monde, but we were stopped by a break dance performance in front of Plaza D'Armas. Of course, I was chosen to volunteer in one of their tricks. One of the breakdancers jumped over 5 girls plus one TALL guy by doing a flip. Thankfully, I didn't actually witness it since my head was down (but it's all caught on video). After this detour we all got some frozen and iced coffee from Cafe Du Monde. We explored the Plaza, almost agreeing to get our fortune read, taking pictures by the fountain (some of us got in ("you won't do it!")), and having a little too much fun investigating Liz's mace. We walked back to Canal and took the Street Car back to St. Charles. We didn't get home until 7pm, spending the whole day walking around.

Tonight we hope to see Washboard Lisa playing at the Apple Barrel by Meryl and Natalie's apartment. We are trying to see a local band each day this week--so stay tuned for details. This week David and Marc get here along with a visit from Justin and Katie! So far, my summer has been off to a good start.

Tab Benoit- "Jambalaya"

Goodbye Joe, I got to go, me oh, my oh
I got to go, pull the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, she's the sweetest one, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Said, jambalaya, craw fish pie, fillet gumbo
'Coz tonight I'm gonna see my machez amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Well, Thibodaux and the Fountainbleaux, the place was buzzin'
Kin fold come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dressed in style, go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou.