Perhaps people in New Orleans can inform me of this but I have never been aware of having a Jazz Funeral for the outgoing President- (PIC at the article)
Algiers residents lay Bush presidency to rest
by Allen Powell, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday January 20, 2009, 1:41 PM
Rusty Costanza / The Times-PicayuneAnita Powell, Lanette Williams and Joyce Brown pretend to mourn at the mock coffin of president George W. Bush at "The Village on the Riverfront" in Algiers on Tuesday.
The inauguration of President Barack Obama presented some Algiers residents with the perfect opportunity to properly lay to rest the troubled presidency of George W. Bush.
At The Village on the Riverfront, an African history park along the Mississippi River, several dozen people turned out for a traditional New Orleans funeral for Bush, and to celebrate Obama's ascension. The event featured performances from the O. Perry Walker choir and a passionate "eulogy" of Bush.
Several "pallbearers" marched around the small park carrying a coffin meant to symbolize Bush's tenure, and attendees gathered behind to mourn the president. Near the mock cemetery where Bush was finally laid to rest, a mural depicting a jazz funeral showed Bush's coffin being marched past boarded up New Orleans buildings bearing the names "9/11" and the "Iraq War."
Cathy Smith, one of the event's organizers, said that she and several other Algiers residents and business owners thought that given the impact Bush's presidency had on New Orleans, it was only fitting to bid him farewell in traditional New Orleans fashion.
"It's just a New Orleans tradition," Smith said. "The way you put out the past and celebrate the new."
After the short service, the choir performed several familiar songs, like "When the Saints Go Marching In," but changed key lyrics to honor Obama. But, while the crowd was overjoyed at Obama's accomplishment, several attendees noted that real change in New Orleans was only going to come if local residents banded together to seek it. Asia Rainey, who composed Bush's eulogy, said Obama's election should be the push the gets everyone to seek change in their lives.
"We can take accountability to make change on our own," said Rainey, who is a member of the group Artists in Action. "It's not just one man, it's all of us."
As noted many New Orleans residents not pleased in the comments.
I fully understand having local celebrations but perhaps do adult teachers realize this was sort of tasteless
http://www.steubenvilleonthebayou.com/
ReplyDeleteAre you attending the above event?
How is the economy doing in LA? New Orleans???
I have never been to that event but I know many that have. We have two Steuben ville Conference in Louisiaia. One Steuebnville SOuth and that one. BOth are pretty great
ReplyDeleteTHe economy is a tad better than the rest of the nation but it is getting more with National tends