Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Death of Marie Laveau, New Orleans celebrated Voodoo Queen

JUNE 15th
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lunch provided

Marie Laveau (also spelled Laveaux), the famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, has always been popular among locals and tourists alike. Today a Google search on her name yields easily 400 000 or more hits. Her tomb in St Louis Cemetery No. 1 attracted in Pre-Katrina days between 500 and 3000 visitors on a daily basis. Laveau was devout Catholic, a beautician, a skilled herbal healer and nurse, a well-known spiritual counselor, a fabulous dancer, and a world renowned conjurer. She was also known to be one of the most beautiful women ever living. Hence, she is generally regarded as the central figure or patron saint of Louisiana's Voodoo tradition. Her active involvement in preserving the African cultural heritage in the city contributed to the birth Jazz in New Orleans. During her lifetime she helped countless people in crisis of any sort (health problems, financial problems, love problems, problems with the legal system etc.). "Mam'zelle Marie"--as New Orleanians called her lovingly--could "fix" it and turn any fate around. After her she only gained in popularity and her famous tomb turned soon into nationally known shrine of healing. To this day, people arrive there from near and far to pray and ask the spirit of the great Voodoo Queen for assistance. Many of the pilgrims credit Marie Laveaux for winning in the lottery, healing from terminal illnesses, finding their soul mate in a happy marriage, or getting acquitted in a court of law.

Laveau was born free on September 10, 1801 in New Orleans as the daughter of the free mulattos Charles Laveaux and Margarite Darcantel and lived most of her life in her famous cottage on St. Ann Street between Rampart and Burgundy Streets. She married twice. Her first husband, Jacques Paris, was a carpenter from St. Domingue (Haiti). Her second "common-law husband" was Christophe Duminy de Glapion, a New Orleanian of French descent, with whom she had two daughters who followed their mother's foot steps on the spiritual path. In her long illustrious life encompassed the end of the Spanish Colonial period, the entire antebellum years, Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow era. She died on June 15, 1881, just shy of 80 years old. The celebrated Voodoo Queen was well respected, and both loved and feared not only in her hometown but throughout the country. Her death was not only noted in all of the local papers, the lengthiest obituary remembering her life achievements appeared in the well-respected New York Times.

In this Post-Katrina time, many unfortunate New Orleanians have found comfort in praying to Marie Laveau for help with restoring and healing their lives. This public event serves to commemorate the life and legacy of the great Marie Laveau.

Program:

11 am Commemorative Service at the tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 on Basin Street
Laying down of a wreath – Dr. Ina Fandrich, Marie Laveau scholar.

Prayers and blessing: Rev. Elmer T. Glover Jr., senior Voodoo priest

Words on the preservation of the tomb: Barbara Trevigne, Marie Laveau researcher and actor

Words by a representative of the office of Mayor Ray Nagin

Words by a representative of the office of Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu

Song: Brandi Kelly

12 noon Lunch Lecture and Slide Presentation at Ashe Cultural Center on Aretha Castle Haley Blvd.

Drum music: Luther Gray

Introduction: Brenda Square, Amistad Research Center

Lecture and slide presentation on the "The Power of Marie Laveaux" by Dr. Ina J. Fandrich

The event is co-sponsored by the Marie Laveaux Center for Religion, Art, and Healing, the Ashe Cultural Center, and the Amistad Research Center, and the Voodoo Authentica Collection and Culture Center and is free and open to the public. For more info call (504) 669-6040

ARTS COUNCIL GRANT WORKSHOPS
SIGN UP NOW FOR JUNE 22nd WORKSHOP!


PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Joycelyn L. Reynolds, Director of Grants Services or Karen Kern, Grants Associate,(504) 523-1465.

Arts Council of New Orleans Announces August 2, 2006 Deadline for Regional Arts Grants

Arts grants are available for arts activities to take place in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes. Applications are now being accepted for grants through the Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding Program made possible with state funds through the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Applications must be received in the Arts Council's office by August, 2, 2006.

Guidelines and application forms are available for download at artscouncilofneworleans.org. Printed copies of guidelines and application forms are also available at the technical assistance workshops, at the Arts Council of New Orleans' office at 818 Howard Avenue, Suite 300, between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by request at 523-1465.

WORKSHOPS: Arts Council staff will conduct technical assistance workshops outlining grant guidelines and providing information on how to submit a competitive application. Workshop attendance is strongly recommended for prospective applicants. Workshops are free and open to the public. Interested parties may attend any workshop. The same material will be covered at each.

ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS: Arts Council staff is available to help in the development of proposals and to review drafts of proposals. Staff is available to provide technical assistance to prospective applicants through one-on-one consultations by appointment on dates included herein and on other dates as needed. To maximize this opportunity, a prospective applicant should attend a grants workshop and become familiar with the guidelines prior to scheduling an appointment. If a draft of a proposal is to be discussed at the consultation, it should be sent to a member of the grants staff by emailjreynolds@artscouncilofneworleans.org, kkern@artscouncilofneworleans.org or fax (504) 529-2430 a few days prior to the consultation.

2006 Grants Workshops (Free and Open to the Public)

THURSDAY, June 22
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ashé Cultural Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 569-9070

Tuesday, June 27
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Old Metairie Library
2350 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 838-4353

Friday, July 7
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ashé Cultural Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 569-9070

One-On-One Consultations (By Appointment Only)

Thursday, July 13 & Thursday, July 20
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Ashé Cultural Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 569-9070

TO RSVP for workshop attendance or to set up an appointment, phone call (504) 523-1465.

For more information contact:
Karen Kern, Grants Associate
Arts Council of New Orleans
818 Howard Avenue, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-523-1465 / Fax: 504-529-2430
kkern@artscouncilofneworleans.org
artscouncilofneworleans.org



SATRUDAY, JUNE 17th, 2006
BENEFIT for Jo “Cool” Davis
From 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

PLEASE JOIN US in our support for New Orleans' gospel great, Jo "Cool" Davis. Jo’s left leg was amputated below the knee on March 12, 2006 at Touro Hospital due to a gangrene infection caused by diabetes. As a result of the operation he now has some major medical bills and personal expenses. In spite of all this, he is in great spirits and is determined to continue praising God through gospel music. He performed
at this years’ Jazz Fest and has performed at the House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch.

The benefit concert will feature New Orleans gospel legends Sherman Washington and the Zion Harmonizers, the Reverend Lois Dejean and Jo “Cool Davis. In addition, food will be served. Admission is free. Monetary donations are requested for Jo “Cool” Davis, ”the Pride of Central City.”

For more information call Jo Cool Davis at (504) 523-1448 or Ashe at(504) 569-9070.

The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic Summer Solace Gig Fund and the Ashe Cultural Arts Center “Side by Side” Program are sponsors of the event.

# posted by Ashe Messenger @ 2:19 AM