• Interview with multi-talented author Melinda Taliancich Falgoust

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    Children’s author, actress, and musician just scratches the surface of the roles and capabilities owned by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust of Metairie, La., as Katy Ray discovers in this interview on Confetti Park. Melinda, who has published several award-winning children’s books including Lousy Liver, Footprints, and her newest, Her Royal Majesty, the Superhero Bride of Frankenstein (which just earned a 5-star review with Reader’s…

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    Melinda Taliancich Falgoust
  • Interview with Alex Beard, fine artist and children’s author

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    Down on Julia Street in New Orleans, fine artist Alex Beard has a gallery where his gorgeous nature-inspired paintings and drawings are on display. Elephants, birds of paradise, and flowery fish are among the colorful creatures drawn out by Alex’s hand. Some are portraits, and some are whimsical landscapes of these exotic creatures interacting with…

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    Photo of Alex Beard from http://www.alexbeardstudio.com/
  • Interview: Judy Caplan Ginsburgh shares Jewish culture through music

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    In this edition of Confetti Park, Katy Ray sits down with Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of Alexandria, La. to talk about children’s music. Judy has been creating music for children since 1981! Among the topics they discuss: what kinds of songs do little kids love? How does Judy share her Jewish heritage through song? Judy specializes in music…

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    Judy Caplan Ginsburgh has been performing children's music since 1981.
  • Interview: Rich Collins of The Imagination Movers

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    In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Rich Collins of the Imagination Movers. The Imagination Movers are one of the most famous kids’ music bands in the world, and they hail from New Orleans! From their website: “In 2003, four New Orleans friends – Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty”…

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    Rich Collins
  • Interview: ‘WEEN DREAM founder Kelsey Meeks

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    ‘WEEN DREAM is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives free Halloween costumes to children in need. Simple mission—so simple, it’s brilliant! In this episode of Confetti Park, ‘WEEN DREAM founder and CEO Kelsey Meeks talks to Katy Ray about the spooktacular mission of the New Orleans-based nonprofit that, in just one year, has seen new…

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    Kelsey L. Meeks, Founder/CEO of 'Ween Dream
  • How to talk to your kids about human trafficking, by Stephanie Hepburn

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    This is a special edition of Confetti Park. Stephanie Hepburn is a writer living in Louisiana. She is a weekly and monthly contributing writer to the New Orleans Times-Picayune and regularly contributes to other news outlets. Her most recent book, Human Trafficking Around the World: Hidden in Plain Sight, was released by Columbia University Press…

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  • Interview: Jayna Morgan & the Swing Setters swing kids music

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    In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews jazz vocalist Jayna Morgan about her newest New Orleans band, the Swing Setters, a fun, energetic group that plays kids music jazz-style! (Is this a great name for a jazz band that plays kids music, or what?!) The Swing Setters truly fill a void in the New Orleans live…

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  • Ben Schenck wrote a song about a cockroach

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    When facing off with a cockroach in the shower, what would you do? Some people would scream. Some people would hurl the shampoo bottle at the little sucker, and then run. But Ben Schenck? He wrote a song for the cockroach. “I was raised with a strong care module, so I cared deeply about this…

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  • Interview: How Jeremy Lyons started singing to kids

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    In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Jeremy Lyons about how he started playing for kids and what kinds of songs he plays. Jeremy also discusses how much he enjoys the curiosity and interest of little human beings in music. Jeremy Lyons began his musical career playing in a washboard band on the streets…

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  • Change the life of a kid through CASA

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    This is a special edition of Confetti Park.  Katy Ray interviews Rosana Gonzalez, Executive Director of CASA Jefferson, who is looking for volunteers to advocate for foster children in Jefferson Parish. In 2014, CASA Jefferson served 295 kids in Jefferson parish with only 150 volunteers. In other words, about 15% of foster care children in…

    Read more: Change the life of a kid through CASA
  • Interview: Meet Tommie Townsley

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    Tommie Townsley is a Cajun children’s author from Lake Charles, Louisiana. She published her first book, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, in 2005, and from that sweet beginning has launched a children’s book empire headquartered in Southwest Louisiana. In this interview, Tommie talks about her driving mission to get more kids in Louisiana interested in books:…

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    Tommie Townsley, Louisiana children's author and publisher
  • Johnette Downing at Jazz Fest!

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    In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Johnette Downing, award-winning children’s musician and author. Through her books and songs, Johnette shares Louisiana culture with kids around the world. Johnette will be appearing at Jazz Fest this year; it is her 23rd year at the fest! You can see her at the kids tent on Sunday, May…

    Read more: Johnette Downing at Jazz Fest!