Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to feature arts and practices of Mardi Gras Indians

Semolian Warriors perform on the Jazz and Heritage Stageat the 2011 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival  Video by kpsoundadvice from the crowd  

From "Eagles, Tom Petty to perform at 2012 Jazz Fest"
by Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press

The Mardi Gras Indians will be given an entire pavilion to showcase their photos, costumes, and music, [Quint] Davis said.

Davis said the HBO television series "Treme" brought national attention to the Mardi Gras Indians, so next year the festival plans to include a lecture series, costume demonstrations and a photo display showing the history of the Mardi Gras Indian culture in New Orleans.

"'Treme' was probably the first national look at the Mardi Gras Indians," Davis said. "Millions of people saw that for the first time, and it generated interest. It made more people aware."

The lineup will include performances by the Mardi Gras Indians as well as the city's popular brass bands.

The Cultural Exchange Pavilion is a wonderful addition to the Mardi Gras Indian performances on the Jazz and Heritage Stage and the daily infield parades.

Visit the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival site for updates about the Cultural Exchange Pavilion programs and to plan your personalized Fest schedule.

We look forward to seeing you out there April 27-May 6, 2012!

Yellow Pocahontas Flagboy Charles "Bubblegum" Robertson has become an ancestor

Charles "Bubblegum" Robertson, Flagboy of the Yellow Pocahontas, has become an ancestor.

Indian practices in his honor will take place at 5 pm on Friday, December 9 and at 7 pm on Sunday, December 11 at The Cultural Cafe at 1300 St. Bernard Avenue in New Orleans.

Participants are requested to bring their tambourines.


Obituary and funeral coverage from Offbeat Magazine:
Memorial for Flagboy Charles Anthony “Bubblegum” Robertson of the Yellow Pocahontas (Photos by Kim Welsh)

The Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian tribe paid respect to its late Flagboy, Charles Anthony “Bubblegum” Robertson, on Saturday, December 17 at a funeral service at Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion Funeral Home in Treme.

Born on September 19, 1955 in New Orleans, Robertson graduated from McDonogh #35 High School and worked for the Sewerage & Water Board for over 20 years. Since Hurricane Katrina, he had lived in San Antonio, Texas, where he passed away on Tuesday, December 6 in his home.

Big Chief Darryl Montana, the son and successor of the great Tootie Montana, and other members of the Yellow Pocahontas, as well as Big Chief Victor Harris, Spirit of FiYiYi and other Mardi Gras Indians were present at the funeral service. After the hearse left the funeral home, a procession led by the Indians marched to the Treme Center.

VIDEO: Mandingo Warriors Big Chief Victor Harris is crowdsourcing his 2012 suit via Kickstarter

Video by AXEL KAPPES

From the "Beads for the Chief" project Kickstarter page:

Every year, New Orleans' Mardi Gras Indians make and wear a "new suit." These are elaborately decorated, fantastically feathered costumes generally somewhat reminiscent of the attire of Native Americans, as seen on the HBO series "Treme." Big Chief Victor Harris and his Tribe, the Mandingo Warriors, are distinctive: they mask in an African style.

Many thousands of hours and dollars are required to create these works of art. When completed, they may be valued at $50,000 or even more. Many people donate their time and energy to help with the sewing, but funds are needed to purchase beads, feathers, and other supplies. It's hard to find the money in today's economy.

The Chief and his Tribe also work hard to keep the young people of the city off the mean streets, providing school supplies, sewing classes and mentoring. The video tells the story: sewing, masking, performing, and teaching the culture to young people. This is an endangered tradition. Many Indians, among thousands of others, have been unable to return to New Orleans since the flood following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Victor Harris didn't miss even one Mardi Gras. He has masked every year for 47 years. Let’s help him make it 48!

The Chief's New Suit is dedicated this year to the memory of Mandingo Warrior Collins "Coach" Lewis, who was the Chief's spiritual brother and friend, a cultural warrior, artist, teacher, drummer, and soulful singer. He had sewn with the Chief for all 47 years before passing unexpectedly this fall. We miss you, Coach!