October brings with it the Treme Fall Festival and Nickel-A-Dance

1st October 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

The St. Augustine Catholic Church doesn’t appear to be weeping anymore. Through funds and awareness raised in part by the Historic Faubourg Tremé Association’s Tremé Fall Festival, the trail of rust that once appeared to be tears running down the face of the historically significant place of worship have been wiped away with a coat of fresh paint. Built in 1841 and renowned as the oldest African-American Catholic church in the nation, St. Augustine’s naturally requires further renovation and, as anyone who maintains an old house in New Orleans knows, constant upkeep. So the HFTA’s fundraising continues for this enormous project and others aimed at the betterment of the architect, culture and history of the Tremé neighborhood this weekend, Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 7, 2018 at the now annual event.

All of the activities of the three-day festival are centered around a very active area of the Treme, or as people used to call it and some still do, the Sixth Ward. The opening Patrons Party kicks things off Friday at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on North Rampart Street. It’s a ticketed affair and will honor the beloved chief Leah Chase and features food, drinks and entertainment by vocalist Naydja CoJoe.

On Saturday, the fun is all free and all outdoors with a big stage set up in the parking lot/grassy field next to the church. The music starts at 11 am with Kid Merv & All That Jazz. Born Mervin Campbell, the trumpeter and vocalist who boasts the legendary trumpeter Kid Rena as his great uncle, is well-known in the brass band, traditional jazz and Tremé community having first hit the streets with Harold Dejan’s Olympia Brass Band, moving on to the Young Olympia and the Soul Rebels bands and playing in Jackson Square with the much-loved and influential Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen. As leader of his classic jazz combo, Merv embraces the roots of the tradition.

During breaks while the stage is being set up, the entertainment will continue as provided by the Samba Kids, DJ HC and MC Chuck Perkins and the ever-popular stilt walkers. It’s a good time to take a stroll along Henriette Delille St. and check out the numerous food and arts and crafts booths.

Drummer Russell Batiste will hold center court as the featured artist of Batiste Fathers and Sons that hits a noon. He says the group would better be described as Russell Batiste & Friends as his father, keyboardist and vocalist David Batiste, who is best known for his work with the Batiste Brother Band, and his brother, percussionist Damon Batiste will sit in with Russell’s band. It includes bassist Bill Richards, guitarist Ian Cunningham and longtime keyboardist Dr. Adam. Russell, of course, is a powerhouse on drums as has been heard over the decades with the funky Meters, leading his big band Russell Batiste and the Orkestra from ‘Da Hood (like to hear that ensemble again sometime), and presently lays down the rhythm with the Joe Krown Trio with Krown on organ and the great guitarist and vocalist Walter “Wolfman” Washington. Expect some special guests.

It won’t take long for drummer/vocalist Shannon Powell to get to his 2 p.m. gig – he’s a long-time Treme resident and such a fixture that he’s been declared by many as the Mayor of Treme. His New Orleans All Stars live up to the title with pianist David Torkanowsky, clarinetist/saxophonist Christian Winther, bassist Chris Severin and trumpeter Steven Lance.

Now a northshore “country gentlemen” of sorts, vocalist John Boutte doesn’t perform in his hometown very often these days. So it’s even more of a special treat to hear this great interpreter of song sing old favorites like Jackie Wilson’s “Reet Petite” or Boutte’s very humorous originals such as “I’m a Good Neighbor.” People always wait for him to sing his, “Treme Song,” he wrote for the hit television series “Treme” and his moving rendition of “Hallelujah.” Boutte, who takes the stage at 4:30 p.m., brings the love.

Grammy-winning zydeco accordionist/vocalist/composer Dwayne Dopsie closes the day with his Zydeco Hellraisers beginning at 6 p.m. Dopsie, the son of the late great Alton “Rockin’ Dospie” Rubin stands as one of the most energetic accordionists on the planet applying the same passion to classic zydeco numbers and his original material. Save up some energy to keep up with this set.

Sunday, October 7, is a day of gospel music that will be performed in St. Augustine Church. As always, mass is at 10 a.m. and the St. Augustine Soulful Voices led by Carol LeBlanc will lift their voices. The choir will also be featured as part of the festival program beginning at noon in the church. Another well-known neighborhood place of worship, the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church will also be represented by its choir led by the heralded Veronica Downs-Dorsey, who has been active in the gospel community for decades and recently retired as the director of McDonogh 35 High School Choir.

What makes the Treme Fall Fest special is that it really boasts a community – everybody knows your name – feeling. For the complete schedule, go to www.faubourgtreme.wixsite.com/tremefest.

Nickel-A-Dance Series Is Back

The wonderful Nickel-A-Dance series that celebrates traditional jazz in its birthplace of New Orleans returns to the Maison every Sunday evening in October. This year’s fall line-up is really exceptional for presenting some of New Orleans very finest musician. It all begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, with trumpeter/vocalist Gregg Stafford & His Jazz Hounds. Stafford is truly a keeper of the flame of the classic jazz style and like those who came before he knows something about being not only a fine musician but an entertainer as well. He can be hilarious.

The entire month just kicks with the always gregarious (and also sometimes hilarious) vocalist Thais Clark fronting her Jazzters on October 14. Clark can also dig into some serious blues. Pianist/vocalist Davell Crawford, a musician of great talent in many styles, leads the Creole Jazzmen on October 21 and drummer/vocalist Shannon Powell is again with his well-named New Orleans Jazz All Stars on October 28.

All the Nickel-A-Dance shows at the Maison, 508 Frenchmen Street, start at 4 p.m. and are free. Children are always welcome.

This article originally published in the October 1, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.