Sean and Jacqui: 2006

12.31.2006

Oh! By the way, this happened. (YIPPPEEE!!!)

oops! There was a story about this in the Piccaune in the metro section christmas day.
I hope they don't try that bs again.

Christmastime on Clio Street

This year Sean and I decided to lie back and float in the proverbial current of events that flow around the holiday season. For us this came to mean, don’t freak out, over-spend, over-drink or over-plan. It sounds easy right? For those who have never tried this, I highly recommend it. It is way more fun than I can explain.

This year, Christmas was better than I could have hoped for. Mom came to visit and we had a great meal and visit with the Hiltons. Everything seemed especially calm and sweet: the cooking, the shopping, and of-course the excessive movie watching and cookie eating.

The holiday season always brings people that have escaped the paths of our normal life for one reason or another. Because of this, it seems, Mom was treated to the genuine Clio Street experience complete with warm neighbor reunions, homeless men looking for food, impromptu house parties, sudden brawls, and spontaneous drumming lessons and cookie baking with the kids next door. She really took all of this on very calmly. Even though Sean and I (usually) love the roller coaster of events that is endless on our block, we know it is not always amusing to everyone. Here’s to you mom…what a sport!

It was a huge treat to share the Hilton family Christmas with her! It is the opposite of our family’s typical holiday gathering in so many ways, but I never feel out of place or homesick when I am there. This Christmas I was reminded of how lucky I am both to come from such a loving family, and to become a part of Sean’s family. My blessings are abundant.

7.28.2006

6.06.2006

Algiers River Fest

Farewell to Patrick

Alas, the wind has changed directions and now the time has come for Patrick "Cutie Pants" Harrison, New Orleans accordionist (by way of Minneapolis) to return to the well mannered, safe, hurricane free, ice cube of a town that he came from.

As a Panorama groupie, I can say it has been a joy to have him in the band and in my town. I know the band will miss him terribly. He brought dignity, grace, charm and great hair to gypsy jazz accordion.

I think that he and New Orleans were fond of each other, so I am sure he will return. I hope we see him soon!

....and now, the leader of....

The Panorama Jazz Band!

Art

...That is all I can tell you. Oh, from Vera Cruz

Jaja and the mariachi

Vera Cruz Mexico 2006

Clockwise from top left: Mark Rubin and the Child of one of the Mahogany Brass Band fellas, JaJa and Ben, Hotel View, and ummm a cool shot of a drum and some sneaks.

New Orleans Jazz Festival 2006

Ohmigod! It was totally Rogan Schenk's first Jazz Fest ever. I think he had a really supergood time. I know we did. Panorama played the first set on the first day of Jazz Fest this year. The food was perfect, the music was amazing, and during every set, there was a tearjerking moment when we all were able to feel how good it is to be home. Fantastico.

Algiers River Fest

!Hace Color en el sol!

John Gross experiences another unforgettable moment with the "Sol" Models

6.05.2006

"I am very famous in my barrio" ~ Sean L. Clark - Vera Cruz Jazz Festival 2006

Yep. He said it. He wasn't kidding either. The Panorama Jazz band just returned home from a very exciting trip to Vera Cruz Mexico, where they played at the Segundo Annual Vera Cruz Festival de jazz (which I assume is pronounced "yazz"... like "yackie")

I did not attend the Vera Cruz gig but everyone agrees that it was super awesome. The guys were asked for autographs, taught a clinic, hung out with the Mahogany Brass Band, bought guyaveras, ate well, slept little, and totally rocked the casa. Sean had a million cool stories from hanging with the mahogany guys.

My better half even scoped out the potential of building a life as American X-pats in Mexico. It is always good to have a back up plan. We’ve got some numbers now and feel ready for the next revolution or hurricane (which ever comes first). Can we bring our dogs to Mexico?

I hope that Ama, Rogan, and I are able to attend the next Vera Cruz festival with the band. Even better, maybe we can sneak into Cuba afterwards.

It has been a little while since I have posted anything so, I will continue to add a slew of pictures that include events like both N.O. and V.C. jazz fests and the Algiers River Fest. Enjoy.

4.24.2006

Springtime in New Orleans

Sid and Kaysey

Chris at the Wynton Marsalis second line

More second line

JASMINE!!!!!!

The excitement of the Mardi Gras season has been absent since Ash Wednesday. The weeks that produce French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest produce a far less dramatic and probably healthier brand of happiness.

Sean and I went to FQ Fest this weekend. We ran into friendly faces everywhere we went. Our mellow climax of the festival occurred on Sunday where we collided with a very hung over Chris and Rose at the Wynton Marsallis second line to Congo Square. Needless to say, it was fabulous. Even better, after the second line, we sat in Jackson Square with some crawfish sausage po-boys and mango freezes. Even better than that? We went home with some new CDs: The Hot 8 Brass Band, Jelly Roll Morton, George Ben, and Trombone Shorty.

Awesome.

Indeed, spring has arrived in New Orleans, and I could not be happier. For every discouraging humid thought I have in the summer that questions my devotion to this city, my heart quickly produces memories of New Orleans springtime.

During this time of year an army of sweet smells attacks our olfactory systems: confederate jasmine, sweet olive, night blooming jasmine and roses. Crepe Myrtle trees become heavy and droop after a rain and the café’s fill up with neighborhood regulars chatting with hopeful smiles.

100 + degrees and 100% humidity will come soon and everyone will be crabby as usual, but for now we are all rolling around in our short and beautiful spring season like little piglets in a cool mud puddle.

4.04.2006

Stuff is happening yall!

Sean has been a weatherboard replacing fool. He's been on the roof for about a week replacing the front of the camelback.

The door

I am not kidding, If I see Sean standing in the shop staring at this door one more time, I will scream! He is very proud, and he should be, it is gorgeous.

This door had about 120 years of paint on it. Since it was broken during the storm, i thought it would be a good time to strip it. Unfortuantely, I learned that it was not the best time to strip the door, after I began the process.

Since we October, we have had a half stripped door with a piece of plywood where the glass pannel should go.

My boss came over and told me her boyfriend had a dip tank, so we were finally able to finish the door. Since Sean began

Also in the works

The Carver Theater of the historic Storyville district is owned by my new friend Dr. Eugene Oppman. He has dedided to restore this building and return it to its intended use. I have decided to help him with this project.

This project has become one of my favorite projects. At it's best it will be tremendously helpful in stimulating economic development in the Fauborg Treme, provide a much needed venue for the performing arts community, and house a non-profit arts organization.

Somebody send me the money!

Today I met with a bunch of people from the N.O. cultural network. I was delighted to run into some friendly faces. People seem genuinely excited about the re-opening of this theater, so wish us luck.

More office

would ya check out that yellow couch? iloveit iloveit iloveit!

It truly does take a village...

Well, the Idea Village has given our magazine a quaint style-less glorified cubical for an office, so now, I only work from home when it makes sense. Actually, this is really fantastic. I can now meet clients in on office without dogs, dog hair, or dogs jumping and barking. Fantastic! It is also located in the CBD, which is about a 10 minute walk or 3 minute bike ride from home, depending on if I am wearing a skirt or pants...(that is, until I get a real girl's bike).

Idea Village is a group that helps creative and (ah-hem) talented entrepreneurs establish themselves in the crumbling city of New Orleans and beyond. They have put these "idea catchers" everywhere to remind us all to capture "the big idea". I have been enjoying the chance to work around some really smart people and their projects. It is good.

Plus, it makes me feel like a grown up.