RIP Coco Robicheaux 11/25/2011
New Orleans lost a great spirit tonight. We are all richer for having known him, and poorer for having lost him. I know you are walking in the Spiritland, Coco. Don't forget us down here. I know we won't forget you. May we all walk with the Spirit. Amen, brother. 1 Comment Extra-Special Thanks from the Band 11/22/2011
If you've been following Goodchildren for any length of time, you know that it has been our goal to build a good, solid, sustainable organization. We are happily and busily building the Band the same way. Over the past several years, Damon Rosenzweig of NO Fringe has assisted in that development by including the Goodchildren Band in their grant application to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and each year a percentage of the asked-for amount has been granted. Well -- this year, the entire amount was granted! So the Band actually received a lovely amount from that fund -- enough to aid us in developing our music, organize practices and show a little love to the musicians. It's wonderful for us, since the Band has essentially been all-volunteer since the first Easter Parade. They do it for love, they do it for the community, and they do it for fun. To have them recognized in this way is a sure sign that we are moving ahead with the plan! And their strongest supporter has been Damon -- or as you may know him, Swamp DeVille. He's also the one who came up with the idea of calling the Band the Marching 500 -- a sign of things to come! Damon has been many things for Goodchildren -- band member, rickshaw driver, banner-maker, doll-maker, mentor and guardian angel. We are grateful, and we adore him. xoxoxoxoxox, Kathy The Grand Thank-you! 11/22/2011
 Hey y'all! Beautiful weather, beautiful people, beautiful music, and a beautiful vibe! The 2011 Fringe Parade was a rousing success, set as it is among the gems of the Fringe Festival! Many, many people need some thanking, and as the day set aside for that approaches, let us now give thanks: The New Orleans Fringe Festival and all its fabulous organizers, volunteers and performers. It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with such a stellar organization! The NOPD, for their courteous and helpful escort of the parade. All respect! The Guardian Angels and their First Responder vehicle -- thank you so much every time! Our incredible sponsors, whose unfailing support keeps us going year after year. To wit: New Orleans Fringe Bywater Neighborhood Association Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association Mardi Gras Zone Meredith "the Muse" McLanahan Patrick "the Man" Corrigan Kamp Katrina/Busker's Bunkhouse The St. Roch Tavern, and John and his amazing staff, who gave us such a mellow, easy place to be after the parade -- we love the tavern and we love the neutral ground! We WILL be back -- and you have lots of new admirers! The CityCycle, undeniably a perfect way to transport our King & Queen, throws, water, masqueraders and much more. Check their FB for parade pix and to find out how to support their efforts to bring CityCycle to New Orleans: https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Cycle-Tours-New-Orleans/303116916369444 The matchless Goodchildren Marching 500 -- sounding great, looking even better -- there is no parade without the Band. Special recognition to Maestro Clifford McPeek, who made sheet music available, directed practices, and generally rocked. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!! King David & Queen Roselyn, who couldn't have been more gorgeous or gracious! Our Grand Marshalls the Silver People, led by Bo, Ms. Pearl, and Merlin -- too cool!!! The ever-popular and enchanting Roux La La, dancing girls extraordinaire (and the guys!) Queen of Security Kaitlin Greetham, who is on the way to revolutionizing our orderliness! Glitter Goddess Meredith McLanahan, who guided us gently onto the Glitter Path forever! Extra-special Security volunteers Melissa, Kim, Angela and Benjamin, who kept us moving and grooving. Special thanks to Patrick Corrigan for jumping in where needed! Our banner carriers Michael and Cat, who proved you CAN dance and carry banners! Kristen Evans, Rickshaw Driver without Peer -- woohoooooo! The Drumcart and the Bearded Oysters -- such a big show in such a small space! The mysterious troupe of skin-tight dancers, who surely invented some new moves! Noomoon Tribe, from our first steps to our last gasp, they are there. Thank you. The Krewe of Grotesque and Outlandish Habiliments and their fab float "Buttercup"! Sparkly and lovely Irina and Princess Camerian, face painters and paraders for life! Fringe Performers from various and divers shows (if I forgot some, TELL me!) Catching and Falling The Baroness Undressed Welcome to Desire Again!?! Cirque du Gay Exposed Improv Music & Butoh in the Garden Wake Up! Hip Hop is Alive! And last but not least, all the loving and lovely neighborhood folks who never fail to bring something special to the party! Thank you and please -- ALWAYS -- come again! Before the parade, we made dozens and dozens of incredible dolls for throws. Thanks to: Meredith, Judy, Aviva, Liz, Dora, Daniel, and Mikey for unbelievable help and creativity! Thank you to Ms. Pearl, NOLA Food Co-op and the Fringe Tent for providing venues. Thanks also to our promo volunteers Dana and Dawn, for spreading the word far and wide. Thanks to all the people who took photos and videos -- the ones I could find (and "steal") are on our site -- check 'em out! More will be added as they arrive. Send yours! (or a link) Thanks to all the spectators who happily received our dolls and throws -- you make it all worthwhile! If I left ANYONE out, please forgive me -- and let me know. Fringe/Parade RULES! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox, Kathy Parade Lineup & Marching Orders! 11/19/2011
Hey y'all! This is the plan for the lineup: Bo Banner Rickshaw/Captain Guardian Angels (walking) Roux LaLa Goodchildren Band CityCycle w/King & Queen Kids (probably from St. Margaret's to Tent) Marilyns/Brem/Zombies Thomas -- shopping cart NaNa Projects -- stilt walkers & ribbon hoops Button Wagon/Cirque du Gay Exposed (shopping cart) More Fringe performers Bearded Oysters Drumcart Walkers Parade bikes Ms. Pearl/Kamp Katrina/Bunker's Bunkhouse Duke(s) of Debris Whoever else shows up at the lineup to parade, we will fit them in! Marching Orders: Chain of command-- Captain (Kathy) -- to interface with NOPD & Guardian Angels Queen of Security (Kaitlin) -- to manage Security and other volunteers, interface w/Kathy Maestro (Clifford) -- to manage band and interface with musicians 1. Please show up on time for the lineup at 1:00. Wristbands will be handed out here. 2. As much as possible, try to maintain the lineup order -- we realize it isn't always possible, but we'll have TV coverage, so let's make it look GOOD! 3. At salute stops, interact with spectators as much as possible, or entertain them. But get back in the lineup when we're ready to go! Stops will be about 5 minutes each. 4. If you experience any problems, let Security or the Guardian Angels on bikes know -- they will get the word to the right person. 5. Insofar as possible, HAND throws to people -- or throw gently! 6. NO dogs or other pets in the parade, per NOPD and LSPCA. Not because we don't like them, but because we do -- we want everyone to be safe, including the animals. 7. Although we have our outstanding Duke of Debris, hold on to your trash as much as possible -- we'll get rid of it at the disband. 8. There is free beer and water, as well as food available at the after-party. Be really nice to the staff at the St. Roch Tavern -- they are working hard for us! We love them! 9. Last but far from least -- have fun!!!! That's what it's all about! Throw bags and extra beads will be available at the lineup -- a contribution of $5 or $10 would really help us out a lot! The Glitter Goddess (Meredith) will be in charge of throws. OK! I think that's it -- if you have any questions or concerns, I will try to answer them up till about 11:30 Saturday morning -- after that I will be at the lineup. It's gonna be the BEST Fringe Parade EVER!!!!!! Y'all rock our socks off! -- xoxoxoxoxoxox, Kathy Last doll party tonight! 11/17/2011
Pictures from Doll Party #2 at NOLA Food Co-op Harvest Grand Opening -- Photos by Dora!
Hey y'all! Thursday November 17: If you haven't had a chance to decorate a doll, come to the final doll party for the Fringe Parade tonight at the Fringe Tent (Press & Dauphine) from 5-8 pm. It's FUN!!! Listen for us this afternoon on WWOZ on the Sherwood Collins show around 1:15 -- we'll be promoting the parade with members of the Goodchildren Band! Saturday November 19: Lineup for the parade is 1:00 Saturday at the Poland Ave neutral ground -- wristbands for the after-party will be distributed at that time. After-party at the St. Roch Tavern and neutral ground will feature the Goodchildren Band, and possibly some of the Fringe performers romping around! We'll have a supply of red beans & rice for the paraders, along with free beer and water, and a lovely place to disband and unwind! Many thanks to John and his crew at the St. Roch Tavern for hosting us! I'll send out the lineup and the Marching Orders tomorrow, so stay tuned! xoxoxox, Kathy Fringe Parade update November 9 11/09/2011
Hey y'all! Getting close to the big day! Saturday, November 19, lineup for 1:00, roll 2:00 sharp! To date, we have had our first doll party, tabled at the Mirliton Festival (where nearly 400 postcards were handed out!), and had a band practice. We're READY! Coming up: Doll Party #2: Saturday, November 12, NOLA Food Co-op Grand Opening, Healing Center @ St. Roch & St. Claude, 12-6 pm. Glitter! Doll Party #3: Thursday, November 17, Fringe Tent @ Press & Dauphine, 5-8 pm. Free sneak peek Fringe performances, beer, and glitter! Listen for us on WWOZ: Thursday, November 10, 1:15-ish -- we'll be joined by two Fringe performers, Gregory Bright of "Never Fight a Shark in Water" and Bremner Duthie of "33" -- both exceptional shows with important messages. Check them out at the Fringe site: http://www.nofringe.org/index.php and see all the great Fringe events planned! Thursday, November 17, 1:15-ish -- Parade extavaganza -- we'll be featuring Fringe performers who are involved with the parade, as well as the fabulous Goodchildren Marching 500! We have added a new in-kind sponsor NOLA Techie, which has promised a spectacular surprise for the parade as it passes through the 3500 block of St. Claude. Come out and see! And check out NOLA Techie: http://nolatechie.com/about-us/ If you want to participate in the parade, volunteer, or donate money, supplies or materials, please contact us soon! Next press release goes out tomorrow! As always, check our website for news, glories past and lots of pictures! xoxoxox, Kathy Doll Party #1 -- a Glittering Success! 11/02/2011
Two fabulous ladies from Muses, Meredith and Judy, brought us (literally!) buckets of glitter -- and gave us great lessons on how to apply said glitter -- there are more techniques than I thought! And Matthias demonstrated his facility with a needle and ability to imagine hybrid beasts. Fun and more fun! We only have a few pix right now, more to follow: 
Fringe Parade updates November 2! 11/02/2011
Hey y'all! Mirliton Festival this Saturday, November 5 at Markey Park -- we'll have a table with info and sign-ups, and the amazing Princess Camerian painting faces!. Come by and see us! 12-6 pm NOTE: If you have yarn, craft stuff, broken jewelry etc you would like to donate, bring it to the Festival and leave it at our table! We will be eternally grateful! Food Co-op Grand Opening, November 12 at Healing Center Atrium -- Doll Party #2! With glitter galore, thanks to Meredith and Judy of Muses! Come and make a show-stopper of a doll for the parade! The theme is "Harvest", and we've got orange! Spain St. fire victims benefit, November 13 at HiHo Lounge, noon-midnight. Come out for a good cause, catch a few Fringe sneak previews. Bid on fabulous raffle prizes, hear some great music, help out your friends and neighbors. More info: http://www.indiegogo.com/Fire-on-Spain-Street-new-orleans-victims-fund Fringe Tent Free for All, Thursday November 17, 7-9 pm at Dauphine & Press -- Doll Party #3. Last chance to make fabulous creations for the parade! More Fringe sneak previews, refreshments and food available. A good time will be had by all! FRINGE PARADE! Saturday, November 19, lineup 1:00, roll 2:00 sharp. Route map is on the website, along with pertinent info about themes, who's rolling etc. Not too late to get your group in! We will send out another press release early next week, and would be pleased to add you! Dolls, After-Party & More! 10/28/2011
Hey y'all! Hope you've saved the date! 2011 Fringe Parade rolls on Saturday, November 19. Lineup 1:00 Poland Ave neutral ground, roll 2:00 sharp! Theme is "Higher Ground"; music for "Higher Ground", "Wade in the Water", and "Everyday People is on our website under the Band tab -- thanks to our magnificent maestro Clifford McPeek! Free to download and practice! Press release #1 went out today, still room for updates as they come in! So if you haven't signed up your group yet, do it today! The after-party will be at the St. Roch Tavern, from disband till 6:00. Free beer with wristbands! Wristbands will be handed out at the lineup -- so please be on time! We'll have three doll parties scheduled: #1 -- Saturday (tomorrow!) at Ms. Pearl's, 712 Alvar St. from 4-8ish. #2 -- Saturday, November 12 at the Food Co-op Grand Opening, Healing Center, 12-6 #3 -- Thursday, November 17 at the Fringe Tent, Press & Dauphine, 7-9 Fun, fun, fun! Bring any old dolls or craft stuff, fabric, glue guns etc you may have! We will have a table at the Mirliton Festival and would love for someone to help us get a kid-friendly parade-related activity going -- that is Saturday, November 5 from 12-6. General updates: Sponsors are set: NO Fringe, Bywater Neighborhood Association, Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, Mardi Gras Zone, and St. Roch Tavern. Tell them you love them! King & Queen will be David & Roselyn. Tell them you love them, too! Groups rolling so far: Goodchildren Band, Roux La La, NOLA Food Co-op, Bearded Oysters and Drumcart, Fringe performers, 504 Dancing Man, Silver People/Busker's Bunkhouse and more! Let us know if you want to be in that number! Check the website often for updates, and if you would like to volunteer, donate or contribute in any way, email or use the webform on the site. Big thanks to everyone who has helped and volunteered so far -- couldn't do ANY of this without the amazing volunteers. LOVE!!! --Kathy Fringe Parade Press Release 10/28/2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2011 Fringe Festival Parade Set to Roll The 2011 Fringe Festival Parade, produced by Goodchildren Social Aid & Pleasure Club, will hit the streets Saturday, November 19. Lineup time is 1:00, roll for 2:00. The theme is “Higher Ground”. This year's King and Queen will be David & Roselyn, that fabulous dynamic duo of song! The route will start from the lineup at the Poland Ave. neutral ground, proceed up St. Claude to Press (salute stop at St. Margaret's/Holy Angels), toward the river on Press (salute stop at the Fringe Tent), up Royal to Franklin, Franklin toward the lake to St. Claude, and disband at the St. Roch neutral ground. The after-party will be hosted by the St. Roch Tavern, from 4-6 pm. Leading the parade will be the Goodchildren Marching Band, joined by Roux La La dance team, Fringe Festival performers, the Bearded Oysters with the Drumcart, Kamp Katrina/Busker's Bunkhouse, New Orleans Food Co-op, 504 Dancing Man and a host of assorted artists, community leaders and residents. This year the Fringe Festival is honoring the life and times of John O'Neal, founder of the Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions, among many other accomplishments. The theme and music of the parade reflect that, and our King and Queen are being honored for their commitment to the same ideals. All three are pioneers and visionaries of a better, more equitable, more harmonious world. We wish to express our grateful appreciation to our sponsors: New Orleans Fringe Festival, Bywater Neighborhood Association, Fauborg Marigny Improvement Association, Mardi Gras Zone, and St. Roch Tavern. Goodchildren Social Aid & Pleasure Club's mission is to assist in the revitalization of St. Claude Avenue through celebration and cultural preservation. Toward that end, we sponsor two major parades each year, Easter and Fringe, and actively participate in other community events and organizations. Our Social Aid partners currently include St. Margaret's and Kamp Katrina/Busker's Bunkhouse. For more information, or to volunteer or participate, please contact us at www.goodchildrencarnivalclub.org or goodchildrencarnivalclub@yahoo.com |  Goodchildren SA&PC
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mission of the Goodchildren Social Aid & Pleasure Club is simple:
to help revitalize St. Claude Avenue and the surrounding
neighborhoods through celebration and cultural preservation. ArchivesNovember 2011 Categories |
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