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.

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.