Wherever you’re watching the parades– whether it’s out in the parishes, Slidell, Metairie or along beautiful St. Charles Avenue–chances are you will need some shade and respite after a long day of truck floats. Find a tree, have a rest, look around, and enjoy the show. And keep your eyes peeled for the Mardi Gras trees! You know the ones… they glitter like rainbows, dedicated as bead catchers by the people passing by.
In this episode of Confetti park, we hear the whimsical tale of The Mardi Gras Tree by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust.
“Laissez bon temps rouler! – let the good times roll! It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and everyone’s excited – including the little acorn who just can’t WAIT to grow into a great live oak and watch high over the parades. But as the Great Oak says, it’s not always about being the biggest or the best. “Whatever tree you grow to be, just be the best that you can be.” An endearing tale of growth and self-worth set against the colorful backdrop of one of New Orleans’ biggest celebrations.
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 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 podcast and radio program, 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!
Hello from Confetti Park in New Orleans where we are celebrating Mardi Gras ! The most magical time of the year. If you listen to this show regularly, you know that at Confetti Park we celebrate the magic you find in everyday, in the beats on the street, the clapping of children, and the laughter and musical sounds of life! But Mardi Gras… it’s something special. There is a feeling in the air of joie de vivre…
We’re going to celebrate with some of our most beloved Mardi Gras music today! Songs included in this episode:
Mardi Gras Mambo – The Hawkettes
Joke of the Day – Gummy Bear
Second Line – Charmaine Neville
Bourbon Street Parade – Santo Pecora and his New Orleans Rhythm Kings
ZuZu the Praline Man
Throw Me Somethin’ Mista – Jazzy Ash
If Ever I Cease to Love – Confetti Park Players ftg. AJ Loria
Iko Iko – Buckwheat Zydeco
South Rampart Street Parade – Rene Netto & The Sounds of New Orleans
The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, 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!
The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, 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!
It’s January 6… Twelfth Night! Officially Carnival Season!
To celebrate, the Confetti Park Players have created this very special video to share with you. Here, they perform “If Ever I Cease to Love” with the great A.J. Loria, King Nino, a.k.a. the Louisiana Lounge Lizard.
“If Ever I Cease to Love” is the royal anthem of Rex. It’s a song that has all kinds of pomp and circumstance despite it’s silly lyrics!
If I ever cease to love If I ever cease to love May the moon be turned into green cheese If I ever cease to love.
One of the best versions out there is AJ Loria’s, as it appeared on his album It’s A Mardi Gras World. The Confetti Park Players are honored to perform it here with him. This was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio in Algiers Point in 2015. The parade footage is from the 2015 Krewe of Confetti Kids Mardi Gras parade in Algiers Point.
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The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s chorus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, learn traditional New Orleans songs, and practice the craft of songwriting. The songs we sing are a mixture of fun and whimsical originals by contemporary Louisiana songwriters, classic folk songs, nursery rhymes, jump rope jingles, fairy tales, and natural lore. Our first album, We’re Going to Confetti Park!, was released in November 2015. Learn more at https://confettipark.com/music/
It’s January 6… Twelfth Night! Officially Carnival Season!
To celebrate, the Confetti Park Players have created this very special video to share with you. Here, they perform “If Ever I Cease to Love” with the great A.J. Loria, King Nino, a.k.a. the Louisiana Lounge Lizard.
“If Ever I Cease to Love” is the royal anthem of Rex. It’s a song that has all kinds of pomp and circumstance despite it’s silly lyrics!
If I ever cease to love If I ever cease to love May the moon be turned into green cheese If I ever cease to love.
One of the best versions out there is AJ Loria’s, as it appeared on his album It’s A Mardi Gras World. The Confetti Park Players are honored to perform it here with him. This was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio in Algiers Point in 2015. The parade footage is from the 2015 Krewe of Confetti Kids Mardi Gras parade in Algiers Point.
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The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s chorus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, learn traditional New Orleans songs, and practice the craft of songwriting. The songs we sing are a mixture of fun and whimsical originals by contemporary Louisiana songwriters, classic folk songs, nursery rhymes, jump rope jingles, fairy tales, and natural lore. Our first album, We’re Going to Confetti Park!, was released in November 2015. Learn more at https://confettipark.com/music/
Louisiana Kids Music