Confetti Park Children's Workshop

Category: Podcast

  • Music Medley: Mississippi Fishing

    Music Medley: Mississippi Fishing

    Confetti Park: A music medley celebrating the great Mississippi River

    Mississippi River alluvial plain
    Mississippi River alluvial plain

    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.

    Today’s special episode features songs celebrating the great river that courses through our lives: the Mississippi River. The very ground beneath our feet was created by this river, over thousands of years. It is so much a part of our culture. Listen up!

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Lazy River – Danny Barker
    Joke of the Day – Tuna Fish
    Riding Down the Mississippi River – Ted Lindsay
    Roll On Mississippi, Roll On – Richard Piano Scott
    Frère Jacques – recorded at Nunu in Arnaudville, La.
    Rolling Down The River – Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca’s ODJB
    Mary Don’t You Weep – Renzi Center
    Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Kaylin Orleans Ruffins and Kermit Ruffins

    Also featured in this episode, the Storytime feature Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne De Las Casas, and a music memory from John Doheny.

    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: Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’ by Cindy Foust

    Storytime: Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’ by Cindy Foust

    louis lionIn this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’. This book is narrated by the author, Cindy Foust, creator of the Alpha-kidZ book series. Each letter of the alphabet gets a feature story and a feature creature who has an adventure and learns a lesson.

    Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’ is the “L” book in the series, of course! And little Louis has a problem that many children share…. fear of the dark and being alone in bed at night.

    “Bedtime for Louis became a battle.
    He would cry with all his might.
    Before his parents knew what had happened,
    their little Louis was sleeping with them every night.”

    But what happens as Louis grows bigger? The “big bed” becomes too small!

    One night, it was too much for Louis to take. Dad pulled the covers off Louis…. then his mom’s arm accidentally bonks his nose…. And mom and dad both snored too loudly for Louis to get his needed rest.

    “Louis covered his head with his pillow… he just wanted some sleep!”

    Guess where Louis found sweet dreams at last? In his very own bed, despite the dark!

    Cindy Faust Cindy Foust lives in West Monroe, Louisiana. She launched the Alpha-kidZ: Reading Adventures A-Z book series in 2003.

    Patti Pig, Austin Alligator, Elephant Emmy Lou, and Freddy Fox… these are some of the characters who face a challenge and find a solution. All of Cindy’s books offer lessons in character development and conflict resolution, told in engaging rhyme.  And the books are brightly and colorfully illustrated (by different artists). Cindy says that personal experiences and inspiration from family and friends provided the basis for each of the stories.

    Look for all the books at http://www.alphakidz.com, and look for an interview with author Cindy Faust in a future episode of Confetti Park!

    Listen to Cindy read Patti Pig, Please Clean Your Digs.

  • Animator Deborah A. Anderson discusses black hair, illustrations, and animations

    Animator Deborah A. Anderson discusses black hair, illustrations, and animations

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

    In this episode of Confetti Park, we meet Deborah A. Anderson, New Orleans based animator and creator of The Black Hair Alphabet, a children’s book that explores different African-American hairstyles from A-Z.

    In this interview, Deborah discusses why and how she created the book, and shares insight into the interesting worlds of video game avatars, 3D illustration, and the animation industry.

    Says Deborah, “The idea behind the book came from a conversation with some colleagues in animation. We talked about the representation of black hair in video game avatars…. It was actually guys complaining… they were complaining about how if you want to represent your ethnicity, you’re picking between an afro or dreads. There’s really not a myriad of hairstyles to pick from.”

    Deborah decided to blog about a different black hair style for each day of the month during Black History Month, starting with a different letter of the alphabet, to explore the versatility of black hair. Each day during February 2017, she spent approximately three hours illustrating a different hairstyle inspired by a letter—A for Afro. B for Bantu Knot, C for Conk., etc. At the end of the month, she had the material for a book!

    Deborah, who is primarily an animator (she has created background scenes for Family Guy, the Cleveland Show, Batman, Scooby Doo) created her illustrations using a 3D animation software.

    “I would first choose a font I thought would kind of illustrate the hairstyle I was going to do on it,” explains Deborah. “I tried to figure out how to put hairstyle on the font, so, sometimes I would pick a font where I needed it to be a certain way. So, for ‘Geometric Cut’ for ‘G,’ I purposely chose a font with a square top so I could do that geometric cut.”

    She published The Black Hair Alphabet on Amazon. You can purchase it in print or for Kindle. Check out blkwmnanimator.com for more information about Deborah and her work!

    Thank you so much Deborah, for sharing your story with Confetti Park.

    Listen to Deborah narrate the entire book in this episode of Confetti Park Storytime!

  • 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”

     

  • 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.

  • 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!