KATRINA
The follow letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s Blog post “Hurricane Katrina is Coming… Back” (August 6, 2015) wherein she indicates that “it’s like reliving the horror, the anxiety, the hurt and loss, all over again.” —Ed
New Orleans, as any living city, is a city in flux. The city changed when the immigration from Haiti came in the early 1800’s, it changed again when the population swelled with immigrants from the South and the North following the end of the Civil War. It changed with the immigration of Irish and Sicilians in the late 1800’s. Don’t forget the Vietnamese in the 1970’s. We are a port city, our population is ever shifting— nothing written in the shifting sands of the river lasts for long. But New Orleans remains and she will remain until we are washed out to sea.
—John-Christopher Ward, New Orleans, LA
I love the way you covered Katrina in the August issue [The New Reconstruction by John Swenson]— short and sweet with diamond-like clarity.
—Ken McCarthy, Tivoli, New York
Whether it’s Katrina or any other past big event, and even many more minor anniversaries, our culture has a fetish about round numbers, especially if they involve death. It’s led by a media that has nothing better to talk about, mainly avoiding any substantial discussion of current problems and their actual roots, focusing rather on sensational fluff. Of course there’s a reason why the corporations and the rich, who own virtually all major media, want to distract us from the theft and murder they’re committing every day.
—Steve Rauworth, Durango, Colorado
SATCHMO SUMMERFEST FEE
The following comment is in response to our online news post “Satchmo SummerFest 2015 Another Success” wherein we discussed the new $5 admission fee. —Ed.
The fee changed my attendance and eating habits. I went Friday and the music was amazing. I had a melted cheese crepe that was also amazing. On Sunday I was enjoying sitting on my balcony close to the venue and wanted to pop in to get another crepe, but to drop $5 just to get a $7 dollar crepe seemed a waste so I passed. That vendor lost revenue due to the fee charged to get in. A flat first day fee ($12.) option that is transferable may address this problem creatively. The FQFI gets deserved revenue and those that attend two of the three days can share the other day with a friend. Win-win, what a wonderful world.
—Bob Minnery, Brantford, Ontario
TRUE BLUES EXPERIENCE
My wife and I recently returned from one of our many great trips to New Orleans. We stayed in the lovely Bywater neighborhood. On the Saturday night of our stay, we decided to venture across the Industrial Canal to the Old Arabi Bar and hear Little Freddie King. The atmosphere was perfect. The bar was slightly smoky, the beer was ice cold and Mr. King, backed by his talented band, played a great set of authentic songs like only he can do. The bar is adjacent to the levy and you can hear the mighty Mississippi as it rolls on by. It was a true blues experience and a night like no other.
—Pete Cohen, St. Louis, Missouri
TOO LOUD
I second the comments of Alden Drew [Letters, August 2015]. Jazz Fest sound quality has been deteriorating steadily over the years. The volume of the bass and kick drum at most stages has gone beyond ridiculous. This trend with rock and R&B groups has now infiltrated jazz, gospel and even folk groups. Brass-A-Holics sound at Congo was godawful. Many of the groups in the Gospel Tent were too loud and bass/kick heavy. I took ear plugs for the first time in 14 years and I am glad I did. I am not the first to complain about this trend in live music. When will Quint and Company take notice and take action? I thought the best sound at the Fest was at the Lagniappe Stage. Admittedly it is a smaller venue and easier to mix, but the sound man there did a fine job with all kinds of music.
—Joe Peterson, Iowa City, Iowa
