Author: Confetti Park

  • Music Medley: Honey Comb

    Music Medley: Honey Comb

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s songs from Louisiana

    Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created in Louisiana. This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs that kids and the grownups will love, that reflect the unique culture of Louisiana and the American South. We’ve got songs about possums, bees, foxes, bubbles, and Cajun prairie trail rides. Listen up!

    honeycombSongs featured in this episode, in order:

    Pretty Purple Possums – Angela Mannino
    Joke of the Day: Honey Comb
    Bumblebee – Ginger & the Bee featuring the Confetti Park Players
    Here Comes Summer – Imagination Movers
    Vinegar – narrated by Louis Ray
    Bubbles – Jazzy Ash
    Take Me to the Trail Ride – Terrance Simien
    FoxHunt – Bruce Sunpie Barnes

    Also featured in this episode, the Storytime feature Foolish John, narrated by Ted Lindsay, and a music memory from Bruce Sunpie Barnes.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Candles Out

    Music Medley: Candles Out

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s songs from Louisiana

    Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created by Louisianans (or transplants who will always call Louisiana home). This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs in the vein of Cajun, rock, blues, folk, jazz, and FUN! Listen up!

    cartoon candleSongs featured in this episode, in order:

    Jambalaya (On The Bayou) – Papillon
    Joke of the Day – Candle Out
    Chicken Strut – The Meters
    Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing
    Sunny & Norah Sing
    Toulouse the Crawfish Hunter – Ron “Black” Guidry
    I Want My Mommy – Imagination Movers
    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Lead Belly
    Backyard Camping- Jazzy Ash

    Also featured in this episode, a Music Memory from Ms. Chocolate and for Confetti Park Storytime, a reflective essay—”Coyotes at Night” by Katy Hobgood Ray.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Smelly Pup

    Music Medley: Smelly Pup

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… dogs!

    Smelly pup in a bath from Cartoon Animals Homepage.
    Smelly pup in a bath from Cartoon Animals Homepage.

    We love dogs! This medley of children’s songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features all songs about dogs! You know what that means…. These are also songs about faithful friends.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Three Legged Dog – Imagination Movers
    Joke of the Day – Something Smells
    My Dog – Johnette Downing
    Best Friends – Zachary Richard
    BULLFROG – narrated by Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players
    Ol Blue – Jimmy Cousins

     

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Storytime: Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne de Las Casas

    Storytime: Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne de Las Casas

    Dianne de Las Casas
    Dianne de Las Casas

    Listen to the magical storytelling of Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas. Here is Dianne reading “Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch,” from her collection Jambalaya – Stories With Louisiana Flavor.

    Brer Rabbit is a favorite recurring character in Louisiana folklore—as in all regions with strong African-American and Native American cultural influences. Brer Rabbit is a “trickster” figure, who can get out of tough situations and win the day though cunning and quick thinking.

    Though Brer Rabbit is smaller and less physically capable than other animals (and really, just exactly what damage can a bunny rabbit do anything besides a vegetable garden?), he uses clever tricks and fast talking to outsmart his rivals.

    We celebrate the life of Dianne de Las Casas—masterful storyteller, prolific children’s author, champion of Louisiana children and Louisiana folklore, incredible mother, educator, entrepreneur, and creative soul.

    Read “Remembering Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas”

     

  • Remembering Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas

    Remembering Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas

    Sparkling DianneThe world lost a bright light this week with the passing of Louisiana children’s author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas.

    I first met Dianne at the studios of WHIV-FM in New Orleans, at a meet and greet of all the deejays. She, her daughter Eliana, and her boyfriend John Couret were all deejays with three back-to-back slots on Friday nights. It was great to finally meet this wonder team I’d heard of for so long. All of them were accomplished published authors, Dianne with over 20 credits to her name. She was the most prominent champion, along with her longtime friend Johnnette Downing, of Louisiana culture and folklore for children. And her daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, was already making a name for herself among culinary circles.

    My first takeaway about Dianne was of her generous support and obvious love and affection for Eliana and John Couret, whom she always called “my sweetie,” and for her daughter Soleil Casas, who was a talented artist. She wanted to talk about their accomplishments more than her own. Their lifelong artistic collaborations and entrepreneurial endeavors speak volumes about the deep affection, trust, and loyalty of the family members.

    Dianne’s generous spirit translated to Confetti Park. Though I wanted to interview her and Kid Chef Eliana, she wanted to interview me. She invited me to be on their Friday radio shows, and it was a pleasure participating in a very special three-hour episode celebrating Kid Chef Eliana’s recent glorious win on Chopped teen tournament. I was witness to their incredible enthusiasm, joy, and unbridled optimism about the future.

    Dianne at the radio station
    Dianne at the radio station

    Dianne believed in her loved ones’ capacities for greatness, and she gifted them with that view of themselves, too. The sky is the limit for a child whose parent believes in them, and nurtures their interests and talents. Dianne proved that. (Eliana and Soleil, we all believe in you, too.)

    Dianne was a friend to Confetti Park, always giving of her talent, time, and stories. She and John Couret were passionate about anti-bullying advocacy for children, and both talked openly about how they themselves were bullied as kids. They co-wrote a book called Captain Deadeye: The Bully Shark, a chapter book for young readers, and they regularly visited schools and libraries around the region to read and promote the story of little John with the lazy eye, who learned who to navigate school bullies. (The book was inspired by John Couret’s own experiences; he was teased as a child because of his lazy eyes and called “Deadeye John.”)

    I was so delighted when John and Dianne spent the day in Algiers Point at our Family Pyrate Day earlier this year. They gamely dressed as pirates, sold books, and read and sang pirate songs with the children.

    Dianne’s legacy will live on, through her beautiful canon of children’s books, and through the lives and accomplishments of her wonderful children. She certainly made the world a brighter and better place.

    Dianne was known to say, “Life is too short not to sparkle!” Dianne, you sparkled here on earth. Your spirit will continue to sparkle among the stars.

    – Katy Hobgood Ray

     

  • Music Medley: Spider & the Firefly

    Music Medley: Spider & the Firefly

    Confetti Park brings you a fresh music medley of children’s songs from Louisiana!

    fireflyFireflies, lightnin’ bugs… catch ‘em in a jar. Then let ‘em go, and watch ‘em fly far. Can you believe how many wonderful children’s songs there are from Louisiana? Jazz, zydeco, blues, rock…. it just goes on and on.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    When the Saints Go Marching In – Hack Bartholomew
    Joke of the Day – Spider & the Firefly
    Jump – Schatzy
    This Little Light – Kermit Ruffins
    Turkey Snapping Turtle – narrated by Louis Ray
    Firefly – Jazzy Ash
    When You’re In Love You’ll Understand – Jim Cummings
    We Are the Lightnin’ Bugs – The Lightnin’ Bugs
    Crawfish Fiesta – Professor Longhair

    Also featured in this episode, a childhood Music Memory by Miss Chocolate, and the Confetti Park Storytime feature, Reflections of Childhood by Minnie Carter (narrated by Catherine Golden).

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Music Medley: Zeros & Eights

    Music Medley: Zeros & Eights

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… lots of variety!

    This medley of children’s songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about frogs, leap frog, the alphabet in French, rocket ships, and more. What a variety from a huge talent pool!

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Cartoon number eight with eyesSuper Frog – Asylum Street Spankers
    Joke of the Day – Zeros and Eights
    Can You Do It? – Imagination Movers
    Leap Frog – Jazzy Ash
    Rayden and Leah – French alphabet
    Hard To Explain – Mr. Michael’s Class from Young Audiences of Louisiana
    Jenny’s Rocket – Ph Fred


    Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Randy Guynes, and the Storytime feature, Her Royal Majesty, the Superhero Bride of Frankenstein,  by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • New song from Confetti Park Players: “Riding on the Mississippi River”

    New song from Confetti Park Players: “Riding on the Mississippi River”

    Exciting news from the Confetti Park workshop! The Confetti Park Players have just released their brand new single, “Riding on the Mississippi River.” The track is available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play, and other digital music services.

    “A song inspired by life along the Mississippi River, where beautiful riverboats & big ships rule, & the merry sound of calliopes fills the air. This fun song by Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players features a Dixieland jazz band from New Orleans.”

    The song is performed by Katy Hobgood Ray and the Confetti Park Players children’s chorus. Musicians include: Jim Thornton, trumpet; Owen Callahan, clarinet; David Phy, trombone; Tim Stambaugh, tuba; Brandon Brunious; banjo; and Cale Pellick, drums. It was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio, Algiers Point in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    “Let’s Go Riding on the Mississippi River” was written by Ted Lindsay, from Mooringsport, Louisiana, who was inspired to write the song when visiting Katy and her family in Algiers Point in New Orleans. Ted was a principal songwriter on We’re Going to Confetti Park!, the first full-length album from the Confetti Park Players and winner of a Parents’ Choice Award.

    Let’s go riding on the Mississippi River
    from St. Paul to New Orleans
    It’s 2000 miles all the way
    down the middle of the USA!

    About Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players

    Katy leads a fun mashup of a kids choir and fabulous, well-established adult New Orleans musicians. They perform catchy originals and familiar folk songs, jump rope jingles and clapping chants, and a few rock ‘n roll surprises.

    The Confetti Park Players have collaborated with such musical talents as world-renowned jazz drummer Johnny Vidacovich, flutist Patti Adams of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, internationally lauded clarinetist Evan Christopher, Lincoln Center-affiliated jazz trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, Dirty Dozen Brass Band saxophonist Roger Lewis, beloved New Orleans piano players Tom McDermott and AJ Loria.

    They’ve performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, the Folk Art Fest, Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, Beignet Fest, Creole Tomato Fest, Fête Française, and numerous venues around New Orleans. They are regularly featured on the Confetti Park radio program.

    About Confetti Park

    Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop, weekly radio program and podcast based out of New Orleans. We work with children to build community by sharing stories, music, and culture. The name for Confetti Park comes from a small playground in the heart of Algiers Point, a charming and historical neighborhood on the West bank of the Mississippi River. Learn More

     

  • Music Medley: Grandpa T-Rex

    Music Medley: Grandpa T-Rex

    T-Rex says Roar!Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… lots of variety!

    This medley of children’s songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about lots of sea creatures and jokes about dinosaurs. Oysters, stingrays, seagulls, dolphins, submarines, rowboats, T-Rexes? What a variety!

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Oscar de la Oyster – Louisiana Pollywogs
    Joke of the Day – Grandpa T-Rex
    Yellow Submarine – Papa Grows Funk
    Stingray Shuffle – Johnette Downing
    Bah Bah Black Sheep – Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players
    Row Row Row Your Boat – Dr. John
    Salty Seas Sings – Lynda Deniger

    Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Charlotte Hunter, and the Storytime feature, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, by Tommie Townsley.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Music Medley: To Catch a Squirrel

    Music Medley: To Catch a Squirrel

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… lots of variety!

    This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. And today’s music medley features songs about raccoons, emus, animals at the aquarium, lullabies, irresistible dance tunes, and more. There are also sweet poems and jokes and jumprope jingles throughout.

     

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    • Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Troy and James Andrews
    • Joke of the Day – Catch a Squirrel
    • Nobody Likes Fun More Than Me! – Don Hoffman and Bryan Wagar
    • Humpty Dumpty – Confetti Park Players
    • On the Bayou – a poem by Jaden Norris of Arden Cahill Academy
    • Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot – Fernest Arceneaux, The Zydeco All Stars & Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr.
    • Emus – The Lightnin’ Bugs
    • The Children’s Hour – Longfellow – Read by Magpie Baccinelli
    • I Went to the Aquarium – Johnette Downing
    • Stay Awake – Lori Carsillo
    • How is the House Cat – Greg Schatz

    Also included in this episode is a Music Memory from Darleen Ketchens, beloved New Orleans clarinet player and sometimes street busker, and the Story time feature, the “Camel and the Cat.”

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Storytime: God from A to Z by Robin House

    Storytime: God from A to Z by Robin House

    From North Louisiana (Bossier Parish) comes a Bible-inspired book suitable for all ages because of its unique multilayered approach. For families of Christian faith who want an easy way to teach their children about Bible verses and God, that can be revisited again and again as the child grows, this book is ideal.

    As you listen to Robin narrate her book, you will hear the very simple layer ideal for young children. As Robin moves through the alphabet, she describes characteristics of God of the Christian faithful.

    From the website: “God from A to Z is Robin’s first published children’s book. Aimed at young children, the illustrated book describes the God of the Bible in detail, with each letter of the alphabet linked to one of God’s aspects. God’s nature is poetically captured in Robin’s writing while Peggy A. Borel’s beautiful illustrations visualize and cement the concepts for young minds on each page.”

    In addition, there are verses and discussion concepts included in the pages of the book, that are meant for prompting inquisitive discussions between family members as the children get older.

    Learn more at https://www.godfromatoz.com/

    Look for an interview with Robin about her inspirations and the writing process on an upcoming episode of Confetti Park.

    Thank you, Robin, for sharing your book and your story of personal faith with Confetti Park!

  • Storytime: The Black Hair Alphabet by Deborah A. Anderson

    Storytime: The Black Hair Alphabet by Deborah A. Anderson

    Deborah Anderson
    Deborah A. Anderson is a 3D animator and creator of The Black Hair Alphabet

    It’s Confetti Park Storytime! In this episode, we hear The Black Hair Alphabet, narrated by author and illustrator Deborah A. Anderson.

    This is a children’s book that names different African-American hairstyles, from A-Z. Deborah’s illustrations, which she created digitally, showcase a terrific diversity of styles.

    A is for Afro.
    B is for Bantu Knot.
    C is for Conk.


    Deborah, who lives in New Orleans, is an animator and 3D artist by trade. She trained in Digital eMation in South Korea where she was a 3D Artist on shows such as Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Batman: The Brave and The Bold and Scooby Doo.

    In an interview with the Mane Man blog, Deborah explained why she decided to explore black hairstyles from A-Z. “The original premise came from the fact that a lot of people who play video games, namely guys, are aggravated by lack of representation in hairstyles when making avatars,” explained Deborah. “It’s always dreads or an afro, maybe a low-cut. This is the beginning of my journey in figuring out black hair in a 3D space.”

    Stay tuned for an in depth interview on Confetti Park where Deborah explores these ideas further, and talks about how video gaming is getting better in representing black hair.

    Thank you so much Deborah for sharing The Black Hair Alphabet with Confetti Park!

    You can order the book on Amazon.