New Orleans historic Tremé neighborhood celebrates its bicentennial anniversary

By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer

This year’s kickoff to the Bayou Classic Weekend also marks the beginning of another New Orleans celebration. The New Orleans African American Museum invites locals as well as SU and GSU fans to a jam session, kicking off the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the historic Treme’ neighborhood. The event takes place Friday, November 25, at the Museum, 1418 Gov. Nicholls St. from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person (in advance and at the door).

“This is an event that can serve as an alternative to the events that take place along downtown/Canal Street,” NOAAM Deputy Director Bridget Johnson told The Louisiana Weekly. “It will give people who haven’t ventured into the neighborhood a chance to visit; and of course we were on the map before, but the HBO series “Treme” has certainly solidified our presence.”

Johnson says a Tremé bicentennial concert series is in the works; hopefully to run every month, beginning in February 2012. The anniversary officially runs from November 5 to October 21, 2012.

From the earliest notes of jazz to the struggle for Civil Rights, the Tremé neighborhood has long been at the heart of the African-American experience.

Fittingly, The Treme Brass Band, Original Pinettes Brass Band and the New Birth Brass Band, will be on hand to provide the entertainment, and area food favorites Lil Dizzy’s, Coco Hut and McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’ will be showcased.

“The really neat thing is that this (200th anniversary celebration) is a community event being organized by the community members,” Johnson says. “Several organizations on board include the Preservation Resource Center, Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Offbeat Magazine, and many others.”

The Tremé Bicentennial Committee includes representatives from the neighborhood and around the city. The committee is planning a year of events in partnership with the State of Louisiana, City of New Orleans, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network. All proceeds from the Kickoff party will support the committee’s work and the yearlong celebration of the neighborhood’s bicentennial.

“It going to be fun-I hope everyone can come out and support the event,” Johnson states.

Get your tickets at Treme­2012.com or call (504) 523-5652 to learn about more about the NOAAM’s Tremé bicentennial events.

This article was originally published in the November 21, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper