Tag: interview

Steven Scaffidi on why authors should self-publish their books—and advice on how to do it!

In this episode of Confetti Park, we connect with the creative mind of Steven Scaffidi, a veteran of the entertainment industry.
Steven filming a documentary, The People’s Story, in Central America
For decades Steven has worked in film and television—writing, directing, and producing. Based out of New Orleans, Steven has deep connections to the industry in South Louisiana, but his work extends nationally as well. From commercials for restaurants, furniture companies, lawyers, etc., to full length feature films, TV shows and gritty documentaries, Steven has a vast amount of experience, connections, and know-how.
Lately, he has turned this experience and wisdom to a new industry—that of children’s book publishing. And Steven has lots of fearless opinions about how to publish books in 2021.
Papa Dude, a new children’s book series
Steven is the author of the Papa Dude series. Papa Dude is a solid and warm guide-type character, kind of an authority on all things as you travel with him on adventures. He’s a likable and solid dude—a Papa Dude! His best friend, Charlie Crab, offers a playful, lighthearted touch to every page, while Papa Dude delivers factual information about all sorts of things. With Papa Dude, young readers can explore the zoo, the continental USA, dog breeds, the history of Santa Claus, outer space, and more. The whole package makes for a supremely educational yet fun series!
The character of Papa Dude was inspired by Steven’s own dad. It’s a sweet tribute.
The character of Papa Dude was inspired by Steven’s own dad—what a sweet tribute! However, in this interview, Katy Hobgood talks with Steven not so much about the creative impetus for Papa Dude, but more about the savvy he’s developed when it comes to getting his books out there.
“I think I’ve cracked the code on getting books made, published and distributed,” says Steven. “The worst thing a writer can do is write, and then it sits on a shelf and nobody ever reads it. If you’re creative and you can tell stories, you can find someone to help you with the art. You can find a printer. You can publish it yourself.”
Steven also runs creative workshops to people who are looking to learn how to get their art out into the world.
Learn more about him at https://www.ghostriderpictures.com/ And check out Papa Dude books at https://www.heypapadude.com/
Thanks, Steven, for sharing your talent and advice with Confetti Park!
Animator Deborah A. Anderson discusses black hair, illustrations, and animations

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!
Andreas Sahar shares about a musical childhood and following the call
Andreas Sahar, of New Orleans, is a musician, songwriter, and the artistic director of Totally Square Records. In this interview with Confetti Park, Andreas talks about his record label, about his earliest childhood musical memories, and about nurturing a love for music within his own young children.

Wimmerpot

From Andreas’ childhood recollections is the enchanting nickname his grandmother gave him: “wimmerpot.” He discusses this nickname in the interview… and from his website:

“My grandmother made up the word,” explains Andreas. “Roughly translated from German, her moniker for me was something along the lines of “stewing teapot,” a reference to the constant humming I did while playing with my Legos or train sets. At four years old, music was already brewing inside my head, escaping in bouts of sonorous steam while I fiddled with my toys.” More from his website

Totally Square Records

Andreas discusses with Confetti Park the unique concept behind Totally Square Records, which features pop and pop rock music. The featured artists have more than captivating hooks, intriguing melodies, and tight harmonies in common—they also share a commitment to serve as positive role models to their fans.

“What we do is we sign recording artists who agree to stay out of trouble, to stay away from all the tabloid catchers, and focus on making great music,” Andreas explains. He then goes on to introduce some of the artists featured on the label. (Enjoy clips of the following artists from the roster of Totally Square Records in the interview.)
- “Anamaria Angel has a great pop rock feel…She is a fantastic artist.”
- “I’m also really excited to work with Justin and Alina, a brother and sister team. It’s amazing watching and hearing them work together.”
- “We also have an artist by the name of Nicole Raviv, a fantastic vocalist. She was raised in Canada and Israel. She goes back all the time to Israel to put on some really big shows.”
Outside of the label, Andreas creates his own music—which runs the gamut of styles from pop singles to long-form symphonic pieces and musicals. Much of Andreas’ musical creativity is inspired by his spirituality. (Listen to some samples.)

Andreas and daughter Ramona, who is already showing a love for songwriting

Passing on the love of music

Andreas also enjoys collaborating with his children, twin boys and a daughter, on music. Here is a song called “Rock ‘n Roll Star” that features a hook that his five-year-old daughter Ramona came up with.

“She just started singing it and I immediately screeched to a halt whatever I was doing and listened and started banging it away on the piano,” says Andreas. “It’s such a catchy little hook!”

Andreas’ advice to parents who want their kids to find a creative outlet is, first and foremost, let them breathe and have room to find their own passion. And once you see their passion, nurture it!

“Kids will have their own spark and their own interest, and you can pick up on that,” he says. “If you do see a spark, and a genuine interest, I say feed it!”
Interview with Kid Chef Eliana about her foodie inspirations & aspirations

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Kid Chef Eliana de Las Casas, a New Orleans-based chef who is seriously one of the hardest-working kids around.

Eliana has been cooking since she was four years old! Her interested hasn’t waned over the years from those early days of watching her family elders make food in the kitchen. Now at 16 years old, Eliana has bloomed as a chef, as an entrepreneur, as a cookbook author and as a culinary personality.

Eliana was born in Gretna and has a whole lot of cultural influences driving her style. She describes herself as a gumbo of Filipino, Cajun, Honduran, and Cuban.

“My whole family taught me how to cook, everyone. We always loved being in the kitchen together and having huge family gatherings,” says Eliana. “There would just be all kinds of different dishes at the table. I never wanted to leave the kitchen! I was never the kid to ask for toys. I always wanted something kitchen-related.”

Eliana’s mom is notable Louisiana children’s author Dianne de las Casas, and she encouraged Eliana to start a food blog when Eliana was touring with her at book signings around Louisiana. From there, Eliana’s abilities as a media mogul, too, grew! Soon Eliana was doing cooking tutorials for kids on YouTube, and before long she declared her intention to publish a cookbook. She was only ten years old when her first cookbook came out—today Eliana has three: Cool Kids Cook: Fresh & Fit, Cool Kids Cook: Louisiana, and Eliana Cooks: Recipes for Creative Kids.

In this interview, Katy and Eliana dive deep into Eliana’s early inspirations and her current aspirations, which include launching her own line of spices. They also talk about some of Eliana’s adult mentors, such as New Orleans-based chefs Tory McPhail (Commander’s Palace), Chef Adolfo Garcia (Primitivo, RioMar) and Chef Ryan Hughes (Purloo).

Eliana is currently a full-time student at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She takes traditional academic classes in the morning, and in the afternoon, she studies in a culinary arts program funded by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. She is also a radio host! Every Friday at 6pm CT, listen to Kid Chef Eliana’s weekly radio show, Let’s Get Cookin’, on 102.3 FM WHIV.

Learn more at http://www.kidchefeliana.com

Eliana is competing on Chopped Teen Tournament on Food Network in September. The tournament has 16 teens battling for a cash prize of $25,000. Let’s all support this teen chef representing the city of New Orleans!
Paul Butler of WFDU’s Kids Crossroads interviews Katy Hobgood Ray

Paul Butler interviews Katy Hobgood Ray on WFDU’s Kids Crossroads

Katy Hobgood Ray spent a lovely hour with Paul Butler of WFDU’s Kids Crossroads and the Imagination Parade (based in the NY/NJ area) talking about the Confetti Park Players, the Confetti Park radio show, and the real park and Louisiana culture which are her inspiration.

Katy loves hosting a radio show for kids down here in Louisiana, which she’s been doing for a year. Paul, meanwhile, has been hosting his shows since 1985!!!!

There is lots of good children’s music to hear in this fun segment, which is archived online. Paul chooses songs from the Confetti Park Players’ CD, We’re Going to Confetti Park!, and pairs them with topical songs by other children’s musicians throughout the United State (and from generations of songwriters). There are songs about watermelons, dancing, peanuts, snoballs, and much more.

LINK TO ARCHIVE (July 18, 2016)
Children’s Music Network: Partner Spotlight on Confetti Park

Children’s Music Network: Partner Spotlight on Confetti Park

Confetti Park is affiliated with The Children’s Music Network, which celebrates the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas, and creating community.

The Children’s Music Network maintains a blog series to shed light on its partners. This is a Q&A with Katy Hobgood Ray.
Little Mouse Santi author David Eugene Ray featured on WWL-TV

Here is a great interview with children’s author David Eugene Ray, who was a guest on the WWL-TV Morning Show in New Orleans. He is interviewed by the lovely Sally Ann Roberts, and you can see he is still glowing from the honor of writing one of the Best Books of 2015, as declared by Kirkus’ Reviews, with The Little Mouse Santi.

This book, which is the story of a mouse who dreams of being a cat, was inspired by the entire Ray family’s deep and abiding appreciation of crazy feline antics. The Little Mouse Santi is the first publication from Confetti Park, and we are so proud that it is also winner of a Gold Mom’s Choice Award and a Moonbeam Award (Best Picture Books for Children 4-8).

David originally spun this yarn as a bedtime story to his son Louis, who, by the way, accompanied Dave to the studio! Pics below the video.

Dave and Louis behind the scenes at WWL-TV. The Gris Gris Strut practice in the background.

What a small world! Also in the studio this morning was Tracey Katz, one of Dave’s phellow Phunny Phorty Phellows!

Sally Ann Roberts and David Eugene Ray chat at the break.

Seriously, it’s a small world. Dave (@aquarium_dave on Twitter) never expected to run into two of his co-workers from the Audubon Nature Institute: Brenda and Emmy, the ferret.
Interview with Alex Beard, fine artist and children’s author

Photo of Alex Beard from www.alexbeardstudio.com

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 the familiar street scenes of New Orleans. Imagine giraffes, tigers and peacocks strutting among streetcars, Mardi Gras floats and French Quarter balconies!

There are also fine art children’s books and jigsaw puzzles for sale at 608 Julia, geared toward the young and the young at heart, for Alex is an artist with a mission. He wants to educate children about the importance of preserving the Earth’s wilderness and saving endangered wildlife.

His first children’s book, The Jungle Grapevine, debuted in 2009. (Listen to Alex narrate this story.) It’s a comedic game of telephone between animals in the savannah….. “When Bird mixes up something Turtle says, he accidentally starts a rumor about the watering hole drying up. One misunderstanding leads to another, with animals making their own hilarious assumptions.” There are two more books in the Watering Hole Trilogy: Monkey See, Monkey Draw, and Crocodile’s Tears.

In 2012, Alex established The Watering Hole Foundation. The first project of the foundation was centered on protecting the Wild African Elephant in Northern Kenya. Today, the foundation funds conservation efforts locally in Louisiana, nationally, and internationally.

Enjoy this interview on Confetti Park, where Alex shares the secret of how he first landed a children’s book publishing deal. Other aspiring writers—and anyone with a dream, really—will enjoy his advice.

“There’s no single path,” admits Alex, “But I try to make it so that whatever meeting I go into, for whatever goal I have, I try to figure out…how do I make it that I have checked every box that they require to get it through the corporate structure? I’m trying to give ammunition to the people who would like to sign me up, so that they can sell it to the people they work with, who will have never met me.”
Interview: Rich Collins of The Imagination Movers

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” Smith – had an idea. They thought kids wanted and deserved music that spoke to them, not down to them. So, they started gathering after their kids’ bedtimes to write songs and brainstorm ideas about a children’s television show. Two years later, they had become the latest sensation of their musical city, attracting parents and children alike with an eclectic pop sensibility and lyrical turns about healthy snacks and playing catch and conquering childhood fears of bedtime. Lines to the Movers’ shows stretched for blocks.”

Today, the Imagination Movers are ranked as the No. 1 rated major touring act for families, according to Ticketmaster. They’ve embarked on several world tours, have recorded nine albums, partnered with Disney on an Emmy-winning show, and now, they have another animated show in the works!

Rich is the drummer (and the Scribble Sticks master!) in the television show. In real life, he is a super multi-instrumentalist and a great songwriter. Rich has a recording studio in his house where lots of the group’s brainstorming happens.

Rich is a father of five children, and tells Katy about how the songs he and fellow Movers write are evolving as their kids are growing up. In their newest album just released this year, called Licensed to Move, the songs address such sophisticated topics as line cutters, messy rooms, and fingers coated in snack powder.

Rich points out that this album is also very high energy!

“It is a rowdy record,” he says. “We’ve made probably 190 songs over the last eleven years and I don’t think any collection of music has been this energetic!”

Rich also discusses the animated television show “Super Movers” currently in development with Toronto-based 9 Story Media Group. The series is tentatively scheduled for a 2016 debut.

Listen to the full interview, full of musical treats, on this free podcast.
Interview: ‘WEEN DREAM founder Kelsey Meeks

‘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 chapters form in four states.

Kelsey L. Meeks, Founder/CEO of ‘Ween Dream

In 2014 (its first year), the organization gave costumes to 580 kids in need in seven states. This year, they will easily double that number.

Kelsey shares how the idea came about. “I noticed kids in my neighborhood were trick or treating without costumes, and I knew my friends’ children had closets overflowing with costumes, and were outgrowing them every year,” says Kelsey. “So, I thought, certainly there is a way we can share the wealth, and get some of those formerly loved costumes to some kids who would really treasure them.”

For children who need costumes, applications are being accepted through August 21, 2015. Says Kelsey, “We expect to receive over 1,000 applications this year, so apply early!”

For people/organizations who would like to donate costumes to children in need, the ‘WEEN DREAM website has lots of information, including guidelines for donating gently used costumes and more ways to support this terrific organization.
David Eugene Ray finishes Mr. Schu’s sentences

Author David E. Ray holds his children’s book, The Little Mouse Santi, as well as his main inspiration, his son Louis. Photo by David Lee Simmons with NOLA.com

This past week Confetti Park author David Eugene Ray was interviewed by Mr. John Schu, a K-5 teacher-librarian and a well-known blogger, in a fun interview style. David finished all Mr. Schu’s sentences! Check out this wonderful interview!

Dave had the opportunity to discuss his book The Little Mouse Santi, the beautiful art of Santiago Germano, and what it’s like working at the Audubon Nature Institute (“the best work environment imaginable,” he says). He also talked about what it’s like to raise a child in New Orleans.

New Orleans is a place where people love life, and celebrate moments big and small. And the most misunderstood thing about the city is that it’s a very family friendly town, set up for kids to grow up amazed and inspired.

Read the full article here!
Interview: Jayna Morgan & the Swing Setters swing kids music

The New Orleans-based jazz band the Swing Setters play kids music!

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 music scene with their polished treatment of classic American songs, folk songs, and Disney favorites that kids love.

Says Morgan, “There’s not many jazz bands in New Orleans that play children’s music…we were trying to think of names of other people in New Orleans that have a great personality [that aren’t grumpy!], very affable with children, who wouldn’t mind being silly once in a while!”

The band is comprised of professional jazz musicians including Morgan on the vocals, Alex Owen on trumpet, Greg Agid on clarinet and saxophone, David Phy on trombone, Ted Long on guitar, Joe Kennedy on piano, Alan Broome on bass, and Gerald French on drums.

The band recently released their first CD, called Swingin’ at the Playground, available for purchase online at http://11thcommandmentrecords.com/store/ This podcast includes several previews of songs from that record, including “Look for the Silver Lining,” “The Glow Worm,” “This Old Man,” and “A-Tisket A-Tasket.”

Tag: interview

Papa Dude, a new children’s book series

Wimmerpot

Totally Square Records

Passing on the love of music