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Jeanne's Take | December 10, 2021 | |
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Dear Crosstowners,
Our Solstice is still swirling, especially with more unique dance events, including one at the Contemporary Arts Center that invites the audience to participate in a deeper dive into the expression of creativity through dance next weekend, December 16-18, called re:FRAME: Every Body Dance Now. Led by Meryl Murman and a team of creative multi-disciplinary artists, it is described as a dance festival over 3 days with workshops, conversations and presentation of multidisciplinary work. Ms. Murman zoomed with me from her assignment in Greece, and provides some very cogent and enlightening insights into the relationship between our bodies, movement, and the social issues we are facing in so many ways. Hear her on our show Friday at noon on WBOK 1230AM and next weekend at the CAC.
Dance is definitely having a moment. Jon Batiste’s video “Freedom” shot on New Orleans streets, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film “In The Heights” that brings dancers into New York City streets have brought dance forth as the focus of creative works online and in theaters. But live events are happening in cities everywhere, including New Orleans.
The Creative Alliance of New Orleans is working on a series of dance events in neighborhoods throughout the city that will present dance forms from our roots-based dance to the most current pop, modern, and Caribbean, Cajun and Zydeco inspired. Those will come in 2022 forward.
Dance is just one cultural form that has taken on a new life during the challenging years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most cultural presenters have had to “pivot” one way or the other to survive the punishing lockdown of people in varying degrees of quarantine. For some it was just a great big pause. For some a time for deeper experiences with family at home. For some it was a time to reprogram their creative expression. That reprogramming may have started with simply creating more online production. But now we are seeing the fruits of pivots live in our theaters, art sites and on front porches everywhere. I can’t wait to see what our holiday house floats are going to look like in year two.
The pandemic gave visual artist and Dillard Arts Department head John Barnes an expanded time frame to dig even deeper into the business of his art, learning and developing new ways to market his creative work. He is a lesson to all artists, and he generously provides guidance in his conversation that runs this Friday too.
I know so many of you who read this newsletter and listen to our radio show are creatives. I am deeply curious to know how your creative practice has evolved over what are soon to be two years of pandemic. Please consider writing short descriptions of your “pivots” and submitting them to info@crosstownconvos.com.
We have included the New York Times list of the best of the year in many categories. (They go on forever, so keep on scrolling.) Please also share your top favorites in New Orleans with us. We’ll publish them between now and January 6th, the first day of Carnival. Just email your favorites or even your worst experiences to info@crosstownconvo.com.
By the way. I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that we aggregate a lot of news. We’re very selective, not carrying the news of the day that you are likely already informed on. We look for deeper stories about culture, the past, and future of life on our changing earth, and helpful information. I wish we had funding for more original content, especially since we have so many interesting, insightful and creative writers in our city. Literature and journalism are also neglected art forms here. Hopefully we will land some sponsorships and grant opportunities that will allow us to source more original work as we go forward. It’s hard to believe we have been doing this program for seven years. Maybe seven will be our lucky number.
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Jeanne Nathan
Host and Executive Producer
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Friday's Guests - Best of 2021
In Other News - It's Your Body - Coming Attractions
Classifieds - Crosstown Scenes
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New Orleans' 2021 Eater Award Winners
Celebrating restaurant of the year, chef of the year,
pop-up of the year, and more
While pandemic-related challenges continue to plague the industry, with staffing shortages and supply chain issues exacerbated locally by Hurricane Ida, the area’s restaurants, chefs, and industry workers have shown incredible courage and creativity over the last two years. New restaurants have continued to open, establishing a new normal and helping to shape the future of the New Orleans dining scene. READ MORE
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Credit: Clair Lorell, NOLA.Eater.com | |
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New York Times Best of 2021
NYT critics and writers weigh in on the best of 2021, including lists for books, music, art, television, movies, theater and more
READ MORE
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Photo Credit: Ruvan Afanador for the New York Times | |
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Shot for $100 vaccine incentive extended through December 31
"With the holiday season upon us and the emergence of the new Omicron variant, there is a new sense of urgency around getting your vaccine," said State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. "We want to do everything we can to prevent another surge in infections, so I'm encouraging everyone to get themselves, their children and their loved ones protected as soon as possible." READ MORE
| Credit: Louisiana Department of Health | |
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What is Transformative Economic Development? Part 2
A new monthly post about economic development from Greater New Orleans, Inc. President & CEO Michael Hecht. Inspired by questions about what economic development is, why it matters, and how it can have systemic positive impact, “Transformative Economic Development” is a handbook of best practices that can be used by anyone that wants to help create a thriving economy, and an excellent quality of life, for everyone in their community. READ MORE
| Credit: Michael Hecht, Greater New Orleans, Inc. | |
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Biden Orders Federal Vehicles and Buildings to Use Renewable Energy by 2050
President Biden on Wednesday set in motion a plan to make the federal government carbon neutral, ordering federal agencies to buy electric vehicles, to power facilities with wind, solar and nuclear energy, and to use sustainable building materials. In a series of executive orders, Mr. Biden directed the government to transform its 300,000 buildings, 600,000 cars and trucks, and use its annual purchases of $650 billion in goods and services to meet his goal of a federal government that stops adding carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by 2050. READ MORE
| Credit: Lisa Friedman, New York Times - Climate | |
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The Coronavirus Attacks Fat Tissue, Scientists Find
From the start of the pandemic, the coronavirus seemed to target people carrying extra pounds. Patients who were overweight or obese were more likely to develop severe Covid-19 and more likely to die. Though these patients often have health conditions like diabetes that compound their risk, scientists have become increasingly convinced that their vulnerability has something to do with obesity itself. Now researchers have found that the coronavirus infects both fat cells and certain immune cells within body fat, prompting a damaging defensive response in the body. READ MORE
| Credit: Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times - Health | |
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How to Age Well and Stay in Your Home
Barbara Ehrenreich, popular author and self-described mythbuster, has written about how, having reached her mid-70s, she has lived long enough and now forgoes regular medical exams. And Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a 60-year-old oncologist and bioethicist, argues that we might all be better off, himself included, if he dies at 75. But many who have reached that age may prefer to think our lives are but three-quarters over. READ MORE
| Credit: Jane E. Brody, New York Times - Health | |
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re:FRAME: Every Body Dance Now
December 16-18: New Orleans' re:FRAME dance collective invites dance-lovers and newcomers alike to Every Body Dance Now, a three day community dance festival at the CAC and Beaubourg Theatre featuring free dance classes, workshops, and conversations that explore the expression of our bodies and their creative potential to examine the society we live in.
Admission is free and open to the public, with RSVP recommended. Explore each day of the festival and register HERE
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Staple Goods Presents: Shallows
Recent Works by Staple Goods Collective Members, Pt. 2
Featuring: Thomasine Bartlett, Abe Geasland, J Knoblach,
Norah Lovell, Virginia Walcott
In conjunction with PhotoNOLA Festival and Prospect.5, Staple Goods presents a group exhibition, Shallows, that showcases lens-based and lens-inspired works by five of its collective members. Like shallow waters, the mind’s eyes take in and reflect on collected materials from immediate surroundings in search of transparency. Shallows explores sensory perception as a recording mechanism for dreamscapes, tactile memories, and visions for the future.
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 11, 6-9 pm
Exhibition Dates: December 11, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 12-5 pm, and by appointment
(Closed on December 25 & 26, and January 1)
Staple Goods, 1340 St Roch Ave
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Second Story Gallery Presents: As We Heal
Curated by Leona Strassberg Steiner
Here in New Orleans creativity is our solace. Making art — visual, musical, individual and collective — attunes us, helps us come together in every sense. Our work cures what is broken within, and braids together the many strands that are so badly frayed around us. Beauty outlasts sorrow, creation prevails over chaos.
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 11th, 6-10 pm
Open daily 9am-6pm, running through January 29th
Second Story Gallery, New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave
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Personal Assistant Opportunity: Two very creative, busy, and somewhat handicapped people are looking for an assistant with a wide range of skills from general site help, office work , archival assistance, art making, social media, food preparation, errands etc. In other words, the gamut. An elegant, small suite with a balcony over Esplanade, garden and pool are available in partial trade if that is preferred, or straight compensation. Must be well organized, creatively inclined, and friendly. A sense of humor would be welcome but not required. Please send a resume to info@esplanadecreates.com | |
Bradley Sumrall, Jeanne Nathan & Dee Dee Bridgewater visiting at the RED ART opening on Esplanade | |
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Larkin Grimm, an artist, songstress and more sang a Thanksgiving Day eulogy for Beaux, our Australian shepherd who passed the day before. Dante Downer on guitar. | |
Great Music at the Royal Frenchmen Hotel recently with Mahmoud Chouki, on guitar, Martin Masakowski on bass and Oscar Rossignoli on keyboard | |
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crosstownconvo@gmail.com
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