Confetti Park

Author: Confetti Park

  • Storytime: The Beaver’s Tale of Greed narrated by Iran Martin

    Storytime: The Beaver’s Tale of Greed narrated by Iran Martin

    Grand's Fairy Tales by Iran and Henryell Martin
    Grand’s Fairy Tales by Iran and Henryell Martin

    In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear “The Beaver’s Tale of Greed” by Iran Martin, from his book Grand’s Fairy Tales. This is an adapted version of a Grimm’s fairy tale called the “Fisherman and his Wife.”

    In the older version of the tale, which was first written in Germany in the 1800s, a poor fisherman and his wife are blessed with wishes by a magical fish in exchange for releasing it. However, the wife becomes greedy and the husband, who wants to please her, goes along with her ever-more selfish demands to the fish.

    In this version, adapted and narrated by Iran Martin along with his wife Henryell, the main character is a trapper who saves the life of a magical beaver, and the story takes place in a forest.

    “I plead with you. Let me live.”

    The old trapper stared in disbelief. Never had he trapped a talking beaver before!

    Iran and Henryell live in Bossier City, in north Louisiana. They are native New Orleanians who moved to north Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. “The Beaver’s Tale of Greed” and all of the tales and fables in Grand’s Fairy Tales are steeped in Louisiana folklore and imagery of the forests, bayous and other water ways of our beautiful state. And many of them offer a moral for the reader to take away.

    You can look forward to more stories from Iran and Henryell Martin on Confetti Park!

    Buy Grand’s Fairy Tales on Amazon.

    Iran & Henryell Martin
    Iran & Henryell Martin
  • Music Medley: Dickory Dock

    Music Medley: Dickory Dock

    Fishing boatLouisiana Kids Music

    This Confetti Park medley of kids music showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. Songs featured in this episode:

    I Was Born To Blow This Horn – Michael-Leon Wooley
    Ballin’ the Jack – The Swing Setters
    Throw Me Something Mista (Feat. Mista Cookie Jar) – Jazzy Ash
    This Land is Your Land – Renzi Center Kids
    Sue – Michael “Beausoliel” Doucet With Family & Friends
    Hands and Feet (Are to Myself) – Patricia Reece

    Stories, poems, interviews….

    Also featured in this episode, The Jungle Grapevine narrated by Alex Beard, a music memory from Anthony Dopsie, and poems by Hrilina, Belen, Eleanor, and Dameon.

    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 is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, OffBeat magazine and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

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

  • Trombonist David Phy recalls turning sheet music for the church organist–his dad

    Trombonist David Phy recalls turning sheet music for the church organist–his dad

    Dr. David Phy plays trombone
    Dr. David Phy plays trombone

    In this episode of Confetti Park, New Orleans-based trombonist Dr. David Phy shares early music memories of learning how to read sheet music with his dad.

    David is a professional musician who has performed with national acts and jazz artists such as The 4 Tops, The Temptations, Bonerama, Delfeyo Marsalis, The Yin Yang Twins, Chip McNeil, Louis Belson, Lena Prima, Louis Prima Jr., Charo, and the Dukes of Dixieland. He has taught at Tulane University, University of New Orleans and Delgado Community College in New Orleans.

    David grew up in a musical household. His father was a professional pianist, organist, and teacher. His role as church organist led to David’ earliest interactions with written music.

    Says David: “Growing up, my father was the church organist. At the end of church, there is always the postlude, where there’s a nice big organ fanfare piece, as people are supposed to go out into the world and carry on the philosophy of the sermon.

    I remember I used to run up the stairs to the church loft where he would be playing organ, and he would need me to turn pages for him.

    As he said ‘Turn the page,’ I knew that he would be starting at the top…so though I couldn’t read music…I kind of started following along.

    I would play a game with myself, to think, ‘I bet, as I’m following along with my eyes, I can guess roughly when he needs me to turn the page….’ That was one of my earliest moments with music.”

    David explains how these early experiences led him to playing in high school, college, cruise ships, Vegas, and now, New Orleans!

    Isn’t it wonderful how these childhood musical interactions with his father led to a full, lifelong career in music? Thanks for sharing your memory, Dr. Dave!

    Learn more about David Phy

  • Music Medley: A Dog & a Dictionary

    Music Medley: A Dog & a Dictionary

    dog-ate-my-homeworkConfetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Also featured in this episode, a folk story called The Devil’s Marriage; a Music Memory from Jayna Morgan, and a poem of childhood by Darrell Bourque, a Louisiana poet laureate.

    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 is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, OffBeat magazine and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

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

     

  • Music Medley: Frog on a Lily Pad

    Music Medley: Frog on a Lily Pad

    Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Also featured in this episode, a story called Gumbo, Fried Cheese, The Saints, and Drew Brees, by Patricia Reese; a Music Memory from David Rosser; and several poems. Here is a poem of childhood by Peter Cooley, Louisiana poet laureate.

    And here are Confetti Park Players Eleanor and Manele Anika with their original poems.

    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

    Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, OffBeat magazine and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

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

     

  • Polly Wolly Wee, the animated music video!

    Polly Wolly Wee, the animated music video!

    One of my favorite songs performed by the Confetti Park Players is “Polly Wolly Wee,” a.k.a. “The Frog Song.” You can hear the song on our first album, and now, you can watch an adorable stop-motion animated music video created by the kids! This was made at the wonderful Mini Art Center in Algiers Point.

    I first heard this cute folk song on a Lead Belly recording. Lead Belly is an important musical influence in my life. I grew up in Shreveport where there is a statue of Huddie Ledbetter standing in front of the public library downtown on Texas Street. I’m part of a group of Louisiana musicians who gather around his grave every October to sing his songs.  This October 2017 will be the 25th year we hold our informal gathering!!! (I joined up around 2000.)

    Lead Belly started singing to children later in his career, so of course I have plumbed his recordings since I myself have become a children’s musician. I have listened to a lot of Lead Belly, but I think I love the Smithsonian Folkways compilation Lead Belly Sings for Children most. His version of “Polly Wolly Wee” has such a pleasant vibe to it. When Lead Belly sings it, he does not have call and response on it,  but that’s what the song creates…. I just can’t help but respond to him and I’ve had a good time re-creating it with the Confetti Park Players!!!

     

  • Storytime: Diamonds in the Rough—1800s Memories of Minnie Carter

    Storytime: Diamonds in the Rough—1800s Memories of Minnie Carter

    Minnie Maude Carter Boston, born in Nathan, Ark., August 18, 1888.
    Minnie Maude Carter Boston, born in Nathan, Ark., August 18, 1888.

    A very long time ago, my great-grandmother Minnie Carter Boston shared for posterity some of her memories of life growing up in rural Arkansas in the late 1800s, in the piney woods and rolling hills. Her daughter-in-law (and my grandmother) Gypsy Damaris Petty Boston transcribed the memories while they lived in Shreveport, Louisiana.

    Arkansas is part of an eroded lamproite volcanic pipe, which has caused diamonds to rise to the surface. I don’t understand all the geological processes, but there really are diamonds to be found on the ground in Arkansas. There is even a mining field called Crater of Diamonds that is open to the public, where you can go with your shovel, bucket and screen kit and hunt for diamonds under the hot, hot sun. You keep what you find!

    The story goes that when Minnie was growing up, they regularly encountered the rough uncut stones in their yard, and never knew that they were playing with precious gemstones. So many people in the region were poor farmers and loggers—oh, the irony! How different their lives would have been had they recognized the diamonds in the rough (and knew where to trade them!).

    I Played with DiamondsMinnie Carter printed up her memories in a little book and called it I Played With Diamonds. In the forward, she dedicates it to her grandchildren:

    “This booklet has especially been written for you. You have the story of my childhood days in the first ten years of my life.”

    You won’t find this collection of family stories, childhood adventures, descriptions of country life or particular people on any library shelf (that I am aware of), but there are a few dozen copies out there. I have one, and to me, it is as precious as any diamond.

    Within it are essays with colorful titles such as “Bath Facilities,” “Hog Killing Time,” “An Ash Hopper and How to Make Soap,” and “My First and Last Dip of Snuff.” The book is delightful, sweet, entertaining, and shows the great warmth and love her family. It’s also a marvelous snapshot of a time before industrialization, telephones, television, and Internet. It seems so very long ago.

    Here is the opening of the book, narrated by New Orleans schoolteacher Catherine Golden. It is a description of the house that Minnie grew up in… it sets the scene for the stories that will follow, about the family, friends and neighbors of little Minnie Carter. The second segment is “My First Shopping Trip,” in which Minnie must trade an old hen to afford a birthday present.

    I hope you enjoy this booklet, which I will share in segments over time.

    P.S. Consider writing a memoir for your future grandchildren, by documenting the experiences of your childhood!

     

     

     

     

     

  • Music Medley: Royal Bees

    Music Medley: Royal Bees

    cartoon of queen beeConfetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.

    This medley of kids music celebrates the mighty bee! The songs also showcase a diversity of Louisiana musical styles.
    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    We’re Going to Confetti Park – Confetti Park Players
    Be My Honey Bee – Greg Schatz
    Busy Beeline –  Johnette Downing and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band
    Three Little Birds – Renzi Center Kids
    Bumble Bee – Ginger & the Bee and the Confetti Park Players
    Sugar “Shuga”  Bee – Papillon
    Animal Planet – a poem by Marcus Page
    How Doth the Little Busy Bee – Isaac Watts, narrated by Louis Ray
    Twenty Bees – Johnette Downing


    Also featured in this episode: A misadventure in beekeeping by Louisiana beekeeper Dan Hobgood for Confetti Park Storytime. He shares a true story from his childhood:

    Marcus Page shares a poem called “Animal Planet.”

    And Confetti Park Player Louis Ray narrates a poem about bees written by Isaac Watts.

     

    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 is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, OffBeat magazine and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

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

     

  • A Christmas Music Medley from Louisiana: Snow & Tell

    A Christmas Music Medley from Louisiana: Snow & Tell

    Snow falls over streetcars in New Orleans. Photo by Sally Asher.
    A rare snow falls over Saint Charles Avenue streetcars in New Orleans. Photo by Sally Asher.

    Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This is a special Christmas medley of songs that kids of all ages will love…. it certainly showcases the diversity of our Louisiana sound!

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer –  Fats Domino
    Joke of the Day – Snow & Tell
    I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Hadley Castille & The Louisiana Cajun Band
    Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong
    Sleigh Ride – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine
    Mele Kalikimaka – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine
    Winter Wonderland – Linnzi Zaorski
    It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Michael Doucet 

    Also featured in this episode, Rosemary the Garden Fairy teaches us about the beautiful amaryllis. We hear “A Christmas Song” composed and performed by Zoey of the Confetti Park Players, a music memory from Crystal Thomas, and the story JuJu Saves Christmas in da Bayou, narrated by author Michelle Hirstius.

  • Storytime: Juju saves Christmas in da Bayou by Michelle Hirstius

    Storytime: Juju saves Christmas in da Bayou by Michelle Hirstius

    Night Before Christmas - two versions
    Lucky Louisiana kids have many interesting takes on holiday classics…. and one that is beloved worldwide is the Cajun Night Before Christmas, adapted from the classic version (which dates back to the early 1800s) by James Rice in 1974.

    ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house
    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
    In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

    In the Cajun version, the story is told in Cajun dialect:

    Twas the night before Christmas an’ all t’ru de house,
    Dey don’t a ting pass Not even a mouse.
    De chirren been nezzle good snug on de flo’,
    An’ Mama pass de pepper t’ru de crack on de do’.

    In Trosclair’s eyewitness account, St. Nicholas drives a skiff which rises up over the swamps led by alligators instead of reindeer!

    “Ha, Gaston! Ha, Tiboy! Ha, Pierre an’ Alcee’! Gee, Ninette! Gee, Suzette! Celeste an’ Renee’!”

    JuJu saves Christmas in da BayouNow, the legend grows, thanks to the imagination of New Orleans children’s author and illustrator Michelle Hirstius.

    Michelle is the creator of the adorable series about JuJu, a good voodoo doll who brings good luck and fortune to those she encounters. In JuJu Saves Christmas in da Bayou, we learn the backstory of how Santa’s reindeer became gators.

    Every year Santa delivers presents to all the boys and girls, but this year Santa gets into a pickle! Juju the GOOD voodoo is there to help… see how Juju saves Christmas! 

     

    What fun! Thanks, Michelle, for sharing your Christmas tale with Confetti Park.

    Learn about all of JuJu’s adventures at http://www.michellehirstius.com/

     

  • Rosemary the Garden Fairy: The lovely, giving amaryllis

    Rosemary the Garden Fairy: The lovely, giving amaryllis

    Rosemary the Garden Fairy“Follow me to the garden! Let’s check out the magic of nature!”

    The amaryllis bulb is a wonderful thing to have inside your house in the wintertime. They grow large, brightly colored blooms, even when it’s freezing outside! and the blooms can last for months and months.

    They are EASY to grow. You can even grow amaryllis bulbs in nothing more than stones and water.

    The amaryllis bulb is a great holiday gift, because it is the gift that keeps on giving, again and again. It’s always a wonderful surprise to see what color your bulb will be.

    Red, pink, white, orange, or even striped!

     

  • Storytime: Coming Up Cajun by Carrie Delatte

    Storytime: Coming Up Cajun by Carrie Delatte

    Coming Up Cajun by Carrie DelatteIt’s Confetti Park Storytime! In this episode, author Carrie Delatte narrates her children’s book Coming Up Cajun, which is based on the true tales of two little boys growing up in the heart of Cajun Country.

    Full of nature, this sweet tale told in rhyming verse captures some of the wholesome outdoor activities, daily chores, and good times of Carrie’s own children.

    “From the green of the land, to the blue of the bayous, they made the best of their time in the splendour of a Southern youth,” says Carrie.

    The story is educational for how it captures all the activities that are part of daily life for kids growing up in the country, such as gathering eggs, trapping, fishing, hunting, loading bales of hay, tending livestock, paddling in their pirogues…. In addition, Coming Up Cajun is chock full of Cajun French vocabulary, and Carrie includes a handy glossary for readers’ benefit.

    Carrie DelatteBorn and raised in quaint Gheens, Louisiana, Carrie Delatte is the proud mother of four young children. She was brought up on a small farm off of Central Bayou Lafourche, and she enjoys southern living and the beauty of nature.

    Carrie was diagnosed at the age of seven with the neurological disorder known as Tourette’s Syndrome. Carrie has vowed to donate 10% of proceeds from each title she releases to the Tourette’s Association of America (formerly called the National Tourette’s Syndrome Association) to further assist in the search for a cure, research and educational purposes. Her one outlet from the daily life of a “ticcer” is her writing.

    Thank you so much, Carrie, for sharing your stories with Confetti Park!