Music Music Everywhere

Last night we went to our fortnightly happy hour/music camp at the Big Top Gallery. Marc Stone was the musical act, and it was one of the best we've seen there. Marc Stone plays guitar and steel guitar. He had a stand-up bass player who was dynamite and a harmonica player who was even better than that. We wish we knew either of the other guys' names, but we don't. But the harmonica player is playing the music of Little Walter in the movie Chess that's being filmed in town right now. We aren't sure if he's playing the acting part too or just the music of Little Walter for the soundtrack, but either way, he was good.

Here's a picture of Vivienne yesterday at our house, another one of her at music camp, and a video of her watching the band.





Today was a big music day indeed. The Louisiana Children's Museum had its first annual Jump & Jive on Julia St. The museum was open, and there was face painting, and all sorts of extra activities. But, we primarily parked ourselves near the stage and enjoyed the music. The first act was Amanda Shaw, who is really amazing. I am not sure how old she is now, 17 or 18, but she is cute as can be, has a cool voice, and plays a killer cajun fiddle. Next was Johnette Downing, a local children's musician who really gets the kids involved in her performances. Unfortunately, Viv slept all through her set. Next was Dr. Michael White, a New Orleans jazz clarinetist, and while he was very good, his music was too subdued to get the kids all riled up. After that was a Mardi Gras Indian group who paraded through the crowd. But the big show-stopper, the band I thought could never be as good as the hype about them, was saved for last. The Imagination Movers. Let me tell you, those guys are seriously good and great fun. Curt called them the Red Hot Chili Peppers of kids' music, and he's totally right. They were funky and had everyone very involved in their performance. And they are local guys who've made the big time - they have a show starting this fall on the Disney channel. One of them, who I happened to be acquainted with in high school, came through the crowd near us and gave Vivi a high five. The whole thing was great. The first two pictures are taken with Tim Duckworth # 75, a guard for the Saints who introduced one of the acts. The inside one of Viv is in the toddler area in the museum in the play kitchen. The other inside one is of the toddler area's Goodnight Moon room.