Confetti Park

Tag: confetti park players

  • Look for Katy & the Confetti Park Players at Jazz Fest!

    Look for Katy & the Confetti Park Players at Jazz Fest!

    Photo of Katy and the Confetti Park Players at Jazz Fest, by Sally Asher (those are her feet in the foreground)
    Photo of Katy and the Confetti Park Players at Jazz Fest, by Sally Asher (those are her feet in the foreground)

    Katy Hobgood Ray and the band and some of the Confetti Park Players will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this year! We perform at the Kids Tent on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 3 p.m. SCHEDULE

    This year Katy is leading a smaller troupe of Confetti Park Players in an interactive music set in the Kids Tent. We will do some of our favorites like “Roman Candy Man,”  “Snoball,” “Watch Out for the Pirates,” and lots of Lead Belly songs. We will also do a special tribute to our dearly departed Mr. Okra. And of course you can expect a lively performance of our theme song, “We’re Going to Confetti Park!”

    The Kids Area is a lovely zone where you can relax and enjoy a spacious safe area and special kid-oriented foods (still delicious and unique to Jazz Fest), arts & craft areas and discovery centers. and wonderful shade under the tents! There are some WONDERFUL people working and performing in the kids area on May 3!

    Our own Algiers Point-based Calliope Puppets and the International School of Louisiana Circus Arts Kids are all performing on the same day as the Confetti Park Players? How cool is that? Algiers Point represents!

    Also on May 3 are performers from Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle Orleans and the fabulous Micaela y Fiesta Flamenca and OperaCreole!

    We are thrilled that the local media has given us some wonderful coverage surrounding our Jazz Fest performance. Hopefully people will be curious about our music and check out the Confetti Park Players CD, which every kid should have! 🙂

    Enjoy these articles that appeared this week.

    New Orleans Advocate: Confetti Park Players offer a colorful take on Louisiana music

    Tulane New Wave: Tulane takes Jazz Fest

    Da Cubes! Jazz Fest May 3, 2018, when Katy Hobgood Ray and some of the Confetti Park Players perform at the Kids Tent at 3 p.m.
    Da Cubes! Jazz Fest May 3, 2018, when Katy Hobgood Ray and some of the Confetti Park Players perform at the Kids Tent at 3 p.m.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Milk Dud

    Music Medley: Milk Dud

    Hi kids! Welcome to another episode of Confetti Park, a radio show featuring songs and stories from Louisiana.

    I am so excited that Confetti Park is available in states from Alaska to Maine. Thank you to all the stations carrying the show, and I hope you all enjoy the music and stories. Don’t forget you can download the free podcast and listen to stories, interviews and music medleys anytime!


    cow cartoonSongs included in this episode:

    Holy Cow – Tin Men
    Joke of the Day – Milk Dud
    Big Brown Cow – Ph Fred
    Bushel and a Peck – Vivi Melody & Friends
    Choctaw Choo Choo – Confetti Park Players
    Ham & Eggs – Danny Barker
    Jambalaya- Fats Domino
    Mama Inez – Sunpie Barnes
    Cailette – Gerard Dole
    Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing

    This episode also features JuJu, the Good VooDoo, by Michelle Hirstius, during Confetti Park Storytime.

    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:

    Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned!

    SEE MAP

    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: Of Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs

    Music Medley: Of Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs

    Confetti Park: Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs!

    Hi kids! It’s Mardi Gras time in Louisiana! Confetti Park is a kids radio show out of New Orleans. In my city the kids are out of school while we celebrate the end of the Epiphany season with parades, lots of good food, and music. Brass bands, marching bands, Indian chants, and sweet rock n roll. I’d like to bring you along for the carnival ride today…

    Mardi Gras Indians
    Mardi Gras Indian in feathered glory on a Mardi Gras day, Central City, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2016. KDHRay

    Every city that celebrates Mardi Gras has its own special customs, and in New Orleans, we have a few unique aspects… such as the Mardi Gras Indians. Neighborhood tribes wear fabulous towering costumes made up of colorful feathers and beads…. the Big Chiefs battle for who is the most beautiful on a Mardi Gras Day.

    One of the songs I play today is famous across the world, but what you might not know is that it came from the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tradition. This song “Iko Iko,” performed by the Dixie Cups, tells the story of two warring Indian tribes who have a confrontation in the street.

    I also play “My Indian Red,” a very famous Indian prayer, performed by the Baby Dodds Trio. On Fat Tuesday, we will hear that sung on the streets of New Orleans from sunup to sundown. And there are other songs sure to be played along the parade routes where families will be camped to catch beads.

    Songs included in this episode:

    Red White and Blue Got the Golden Band – Mardi Gras Indians
    Iko Iko – The Dixie Cups
    Joke of the Day – Ash Who?
    My Indian Red – Baby Dodds Trio
    Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Trombone Shorty
    Throw Me Something Mister – Johnette Downing & Jimmy LaRocca’s ODJB
    Aveine, Aveine, Aveine – Les Petits Amis
    Every Day is Mardi Gras – Schatzy
    3-6-9 (The Clapping Song) – Confetti Park Players
    Crawfish Fiesta – Professor Longhair
    Mardi Gras in New Orleans – Olympia Brass Band

    This episode also features The Cajun Cornbread Boy by Dianne De Las Casas at Storytime.

    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:

    Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned!

    SEE MAP

    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.

  • 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: Pink Carnation

    Music Medley: Pink Carnation

    Pink-Carnation-pink-colorConfetti 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 medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Cameron Meshell and the storytime feature Little Laveau, a magical bedtime story by Erin Rovin.

    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:

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

  • Music Medley: Pirates on the Deck

    Music Medley: Pirates on the Deck

    pirateConfetti 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 medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Foots Quinn of Bogalusa and the storytime feature Tale of a Spitball by Ms. Chocolate.

    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:

    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!!!

     

  • Katy featured as a “Mompreneur” in NOLA Family magazine

    Katy featured as a “Mompreneur” in NOLA Family magazine

    NOLA Family cover October 2016Look for Katy Hobgood Ray and the Confetti Park Players in the October 2016 issue of NOLA Family!

    Katy is featured as a New Orleans Mompreneur in an article titled “Lullabies And Lagniappe” for her work as director of the choir and as a radio host/producer and book publisher.

    The article talks about how becoming a mom to son Louis in 2011 and being part of a neighborhood community full of children developed her interest in children’s music and literature. Katy started collecting songs and folktales from around Louisiana(she has an MA in musicology) and parlayed that interest into a radio show. The article also talks about the beginnings of the Confetti Park Players. Thank you for the lovely feature, NOLA Family!

    NOLA Family cover October 2016

  • Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players in Story Monsters Ink

    Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players in Story Monsters Ink

    Story Monsters Ink features the Confetti Park Players and Katy Hobgood Ray
    Story Monsters Ink features the Confetti Park Players and Katy Hobgood Ray

    What an honor! The August 2016 issue of Story Monsters Ink has a lovely feature story on Katy Hobgood Ray, director of the Confetti Park Players.

    The cover story for this issue is on Dav Pilkey, author of the beloved Adventures of Captain Underpants series, one of the most popular series of books written for elementary-school aged children. There is also a profile on children’s author and illustrator Liz Pichon, creator of the popular  Tom Gates series, and on Linda Dennis, founder of the Team Backpack Journalists program.

    The article on Katy was written by Melissa Fales.

    “As the host and producer of the New Orleans-based Confetti Park children’s radio show and director of the Confetti Park Players children’s chorus, Katy Hobgood Ray pays homage to the music and culture of her beloved home state of Louisiana. Both projects allow Ray to share her vast musical knowledge and songwriting talent with children and adults alike.”

    Thank you so much for the wonderful support, to writer Melissa and to Editor-in-Chief, Cristy Bertini!

    Download the issue

    Story Monsters Ink is a free, subscription-based magazine that gives parents and educators the latest news about award-winning and debut books, profiles on both renowned and newly published authors, upcoming book events, author presentations and more.

     

  • Bumblebee, the animated music video!

    Bumblebee, the animated music video!

    The Confetti Park Players are a children’s chorus based here in New Orleans. One of our favorite things to do is to collaborate with other musicians who live in this amazing, creative city! We are SO lucky to be surrounded by and nurtured by so much talent.

    Our most recent collaboration  was with local folk-pop duo Ginger & the Bee (aka Sherri Montz and Scott Frilot). This duo perform around New Orleans and have other musical projects, including the beloved Vinyl Girls, Slack Adjustor, Skin & Bones, and the Tomatoes.

    Ginger & the Bee wrote a song specially for the Confetti Park Players—it’s called “Bumblebee.”

    Bumblebee, bumblebee, where is your honey? I want some honey for my honey!

    Bumblebee, bumblebee, where is your honey? I want some honey for me.

    Choir director Katy Ray taught the song to the kids over a few weeks, and one special Wednesday night, Ginger & the Bee came to our practice at Algiers United Methodist Church to record with the kids.

    After the recording was over, the kids went outside to play on the grass with Sherri to shoot some playful scenes with scarves.

    A few weeks later, the Confetti Park Players went to the Mini Art Center, a child-centric community arts center located in our very own Algiers Point, to do stop motion animation for the music video. We had such a great time creating this from drawings and recording footage. Molly and Prescott, who run the Mini Art Center, are great teachers.

    And, voila! Enjoy the final product!

    Confetti Park Players perform Ginger & the Bee from Mini Art Center on Vimeo.

     

  • WWL-TV performance by the Confetti Park Players

    WWL-TV performance by the Confetti Park Players

    The Confetti Park Players appeared on the WWL-TV Morning News on May 11, 2016! The band played five songs throughout the morning hour from 8-9 a.m., and Sally-Ann Roberts interviewed director Katy Hobgood Ray. She asked Katy questions about the band’s new CD, We’re Going to Confetti Park!,which recently won a Parents’ Choice Approved Award. We had such a wonderful time at the station—what a treat for us to see a news station from the inside, and to perform for our city on live television. We are also so honored to have met Sally Ann and Eric Paulsen, who are famous and beloved icons of the New Orleans community.

    Enjoy this clip of the group playing “Buttermilk Drop,” followed by the interview.