Hello out there in Neighborhoods Storyville:
It is with great pleasure that the Neighborhood Story Project Family announces the birth of our latest book- CORNERSTONES.
The book is a slam dunk- seven chapters documenting seven gathering places in the city- 3 barrooms, one empty lot, one backyard museum, one barbershop, and one second-line clubhouse. Interviews, maps and architectural drawings.
Cornerstones, the book, is done in partnership with Cornerstones, an ongoing project of the Tulane City Center, cornerstonesproject.org/ and they will be there to take nominations for new spots to add.
To see all of the amazing Neighborhood Story Projects books, check out your favorite local bookstore for them or go to neighborhoodstoryproject.org
Essays, links and visuals highlighting an alternative, resilient place at the strategic crescent of one mighty river.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Travel through time
I sit in my sleeping compartment on the City of New Orleans train, listening to Bill Evans play “The Boy Next Door” and then Lucinda Williams on a few on my iTunes, with knitting project nearby, coffee from the dining car on the table (Grits were okay; eggs were not) and views of the Delta outside of my window.
I am traveling back from Memphis, a city I like in a fair amount; fair meaning that I don’t really like many cities besides New Orleans for more than a few days. Having been in a lot of American cities the last few years (my partial list in the last 2 years: Cleveland, Austin, Dallas, St. Paul, Chapel Hill, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York City, Syracuse, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Baton Rouge, Houston, Gainesville, Columbus, Washington DC, Nashville, Louisville, Jackson, Milwaukee, off the top of my head) I like to see the high points, which include any downtown life, ambitious green space, cultural authenticity, and decent local food spots: Usually only a few days worth is available (outside of the obvious large cities listed) and so I start at that point thinking about home and getting on my bike or scooter to see my friends and all of our lives.
On the CoNO going home, I pass through old towns with a profile presented to the train riders, rarely the full front view. You will see people waving at the riders, clearly a regular activity for some. I often wonder as I wave back how many wish they were on the train; I suspect most train wavers are wannabe riders, and those who drive their car speedily alongside (to beat the next cross street) are airline passengers at heart.
Sometimes there’s a pretty, rebuilt station to see (love those Memphis wooden benches), sometimes a grain elevator (“Greenwood Mississippi next stop”), odd sights (what is that well kept memorial outside of Pocahontas I still ask), lots of woods and less trash than I always expect. What may strike you is the space between towns, the poverty, with the American version of segregation showing. Mississippi, of course, is mostly poor, and what we see from these tracks is profoundly so, as the areas that are not as poor are either along the water down past Jackson or next to modern highway areas nearer to the middle of the state. Occasionally (really, rarely actually) you will see something like a plantation home with oaks lining the driveway facing you; how much of the farmed land around that house belongs to that one house my liberal head wonders…
For, right next to the tracks of America is truly still the poorest part of town still (or the poorest towns) with hastily built cinder sheds or trailers from pre-FEMA days lining the few intersections. These old train towns are relics of a way of life that left long ago, where people used trains as transportation, as social space and as work. I just read an amazing book about Boxcar Bertha (reviewed on my goodbooks.com page) and can see the ghosts of her and her friends walking along the tree line sometimes. Now, the costs of train travel are high, (and as was reported by the conductor) with coach seats totally full, every seat, but conversely this sleeper car was about half full, to show the disparity of those who ride.
Half full even though my sleeper was only 45.00 more than a coach seat. Actually, I am not sure I would have even paid for that from my checkbook, but as I am traveling for work, I felt I could spring for it, as it was still much cheaper than flying on their dime. (Did you know food is free for sleeper riders? Why? Is there no end to the class separation we offer in this country?)
I, of course, am drawn to thoughts of my city when I ride this train named for it, because old America is more obvious from these vistas than modern consumer America (“Yazoo City, next stop; if Yazoo City is your final destination…”), just like at home. And like at home, along these tracks I see a quiet America not waiting for its share of the wealth as it has no reason to expect it, and no real plan to change to grab the out of reach ring or interest in any of that.
Instead, BBQ cookers in front yards, maybe a boat or a motorbike parked alongside the house, crawfish boil signs for Friday nights at the church, toys in purple and pink and green, some old cars, a few new cars, and lots of people sitting and watching us go by.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Zeitgeist right here in New Orleans-again.
Multi-disciplinary Arts Center, 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 352-1150 cell (504) 522-0309 office (504) 827-5858 www.zeitgeistinc.net zte@bellsouth.net
We are pushing the 2nd Annual New Orleans Middle East Film Festival back yet again. But that's a good thing, cause when we do it, we want to do it up big and right! See new festival dates below.
In the meantime, you can help us publicize the following:
After over 21 years of serving the city of New Orleans (and a 3 and a half month hiatus), Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center will officially open it's beautiful, new 4000 sq. ft venue in the Saturn Screen Printing building at 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. on Saturday, March 15, 2008
We are putting together a powerful line-up of award-winning new films from Tunisia, Iceland, Brazil. Sweden, France, Mexico, and the U.S. along with visiting filmmakers, guest curators and concerts for our March 15 through April 9, 2008 calendar.
Expect the complete schedule sometime next week along with film stills, movie posters and film trailers posted on our website.
Highlights will include:
Saturday, March 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
ZEITGEIST - THE MOVIE - THE OFFICIAL RELEASE
Saturday, March 14 & 15 @ 10:00 p.m.
LUKAS MOODYSSON's (Lilya-4-ever, Show Me Love) experimental feature CONTAINER starring JENA MALONE with the French short film CINDY, THE DOLL IS MINE by Bertrand Bonello starring ASIA ARGENTO (The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things) as famed photographer CINDY SHERMAN.
Sunday, March 16 @ 8:30 p.m.
JAMES SINGLETON STRING QUARTET. The quartet is a who's who of string players brought together by James Singleton to play his compositions. Each is a master of various classical styles and various improvisational traditions. violinist Matt Rhody, violist Dave Rebeck, cellist Helen Gillet and bassist/composer James Singleton. $10.
________
NACER KHEMIR’S DESERT TRILOGY
A traveling writer and teller of fables, multi-award winning Tunisian filmmaker Nacer Khemir applies his age-old skills to craft his highly-regarded, visually stunning DESERT TRILOGY that includes WANDERERS OF THE DESERT, THE DOVE’S LOST NECKLACE and BAB’AZIZ - THE PRINCE WHO CONTEMPLATED HIS SOUL, which is playing to rave reviews in select theatre across the U.S. www.typecastfilms.com
Monday & Tuesday, March 17 & 18 @ 7:30 p.m.
WANDERERS OF THE DESERT by Nacer Khemir. Winner of both the Special Jury Prize, Carthage Film Festival and the International Critics Prize, Valencia Film Festival. Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Saturday, March 22 @ 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday, March 19 & 20 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE DOVE’S LOST NECKLACE by Nacer Khemir. Special Jury Prize, Locarno International Film Festival. Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Sunday, March 23 @ 3:30 p.m.
Friday through Thursday, March 21 through 27 @ 7:30 p.m.
BAB’AZIZ: THE PRINCE WHO CONTEMPLATED HIS SOUL by Nacer Khemir. Winner Best Picture at the Muscat Film Festival and the Fajr Film Festival. The script was written by Nacer Khemir with the participation of screenwriter Tonino Guerra (Amarcord, Night of the Shooting Stars, Blowup and L’Avventura). Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Sunday, March 23 @ 5:30 p.m.
_______
Monday, March 17 @ 9:30 p.m.
SCREAMING MASTERPIECE a documentary on the indie music scene in Iceland’s cool capital city of Reykjavik featuring Björk, the Sugarcubes, Sigur Rós, Múm, Bang Gang, Mugison, Minus, Slowblow, etc. www.milanrecords.com/screamingmasterpiece/
Tuesday, March 18 @ 9:30 p.m.
HEIMA an experimental music documentary on the controversial Icelandic band Sigur Ros. www.packagedeals.org
Wednesday, March 19 @ 9:30 p.m.
MORO NO BRASIL. Mika Kaurismäki’s musical journey throughout Brazil featuring over 40 musical acts, including interviews and performances by Walter Alfaiate & Seu Jorge, Antônio Nôbrega, Darue Malungo, Silverio Pessoa, Margareth Menezes, Ivo Meirelles and much more. www.milanrecords.com/moronobrasil/
Thursday, March 20 @ 9:30 p.m.
THE SOUND OF RIO: BRASILEIRINHO. Mika Kaurismäki’s musical documentary film about CHORO, the first genuinely Brazilian urban music featuring Trio Madeira Brasil, comprised of Ronaldo do Bandolim, Marcello Gonçalves and Zé Paulo Becker conducting a workshop with over 450 Choro musicians from throughout Brazil.
_______
Friday through Tuesday, March 21 through 25 @ 9:30 p.m.
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET). Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography Awards at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Brazil is known for its lush rain forests, beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, but in recent years, the country has developed more of a reputation for corrupt politicians, kidnapping, plastic surgery. This brilliant documentary connects all of these elements together by beginning with a look at a money laundering frog farm. www.mandabala.com
Wednesday, March 26 @ 9:30 p.m.
COLD HEARTS REVISITED: SHORT FILM & VIDEOS FROM ICELAND guest curated by Kelly Shindler (in-person) from Package Deals in New York. From irreverent faux pop songs and edible instruments to escapist fantasies and unorthodox quests, the program of twelve rarely-seen films (many of which have never screened before in the U.S.) encapsulates all that is enchanting and inventive about this small island nation. www.packagedeals.org
Thursday, March 27 @ 9:30 p.m.
DAYDREAM NATION: ANIMATED FILMS FROM SWEDEN guest curated by Kelly Shindler (in-person) from Package Deals in New York. A far cry from the beloved Saturday cartoons of mornings past, Daydream Nation’s roster of animated video offers a vision of Sweden all grown-up, bringing unorthodox and often unsettling imagery to life. Taboo intimacies, couples on the brink, lonely mopers, and more than a few decapitation and dismemberment scenes find themselves juxtaposed against the nicer things in life: colorful origami, toy cars, dancing ladies with parasols, horses, and pretty blonde party girls. This is the first in a series of guest curated programs of experimental animations from across the world that Zeitgeist will be presenting in memory of the filmmaker Helen Hill. www.packagedeals.org
______
Friday through Thursday, March 28 through April 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE VIOLIN. This remarkable film about a one armed violinist and his grandson who roam the countryside smuggling ammunitions for the resistance movement has surpassed Amores Perros for the most awards won on the international film festival circuit in the history of Mexican cinema with 46 international awards. Screens with the multi-award winning French short film UN BISOU POUR LE MONDE. www.filmmovement.com
______
Friday through Thursday, March 28 through April 3 @ 9:30 p.m.
ALICE’S HOUSE (CASA DE ALICE). A multi-award winning feature film from Brazil, starring the remarkable Carla Ribas, which dramatically shows that in every house you never know what secrets lie behind the front door. http://www.acasadealice.com.br/site_en.html
________
Friday through Tuesday, April 4 through 8 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE UNFORESEEN. From producers Robert Redford and Terence Mallick, this acclaimed environmental documentary will be presented by visiting Academy Award winning director LAURA DUNN (Green) and sound editor LARRY BLAKE, winner of the Truer Than Fiction Award at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards. A documentary about the development around Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, and nature's unexpected response to being threatened by human interference. Director present opening night only. www.theunforeseenfilm.com
________
Zeitgeist will be the main venue for the 5th Annual NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL April 10 through 20. www.nolahumanrights.org
Following the Human Rights Film Festival, we have already booked several theatrical film releases and a drag fashion show for the first two weeks of May.
Zeitgeist will then from the Middle of May to the Middle of July, be presenting a weekly "ZEITGEIST CREATIVE MUSIC CONCERT SERIES"; a weekly series of new films & videos from Latin America curated by Brian McKnighten of the local film distribution company LAS AMERICAS as well as an 8 week touring series from Arteeast in New York of French/Arab Films called BEUR IS BEAUTIFUL: A RETROSPECTIVE OF MAGHREBI-FRENCH CINEMA (presented by the New Orleans Consulat De France).
Also, later this Summer, August 1 through 10, 2008, Zeitgeist will host the long awaited 2nd Annual NEW ORLEANS MIDDLE EAST FILM FESTIVAL with the added addition of Middle Eastern music, visual art and of course food. This time we mean it!
for complete schedules and updates please go to www.zeitgeistinc.net
As you can see, our programming is extremely ambitious as always,
but we need your help to make it happen.
If you are willing or interested in volunteering or making a donation or sponsorship please contact Rene Broussard at 504 352-1150 (cell) or zte@bellsouth.net
Donations can be sent to:
Zeitgeist inc.
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 352-1150 cell (504) 522-0309 office (504) 827-5858 www.zeitgeistinc.net zte@bellsouth.net
We are pushing the 2nd Annual New Orleans Middle East Film Festival back yet again. But that's a good thing, cause when we do it, we want to do it up big and right! See new festival dates below.
In the meantime, you can help us publicize the following:
After over 21 years of serving the city of New Orleans (and a 3 and a half month hiatus), Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center will officially open it's beautiful, new 4000 sq. ft venue in the Saturn Screen Printing building at 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. on Saturday, March 15, 2008
We are putting together a powerful line-up of award-winning new films from Tunisia, Iceland, Brazil. Sweden, France, Mexico, and the U.S. along with visiting filmmakers, guest curators and concerts for our March 15 through April 9, 2008 calendar.
Expect the complete schedule sometime next week along with film stills, movie posters and film trailers posted on our website.
Highlights will include:
Saturday, March 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
ZEITGEIST - THE MOVIE - THE OFFICIAL RELEASE
Saturday, March 14 & 15 @ 10:00 p.m.
LUKAS MOODYSSON's (Lilya-4-ever, Show Me Love) experimental feature CONTAINER starring JENA MALONE with the French short film CINDY, THE DOLL IS MINE by Bertrand Bonello starring ASIA ARGENTO (The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things) as famed photographer CINDY SHERMAN.
Sunday, March 16 @ 8:30 p.m.
JAMES SINGLETON STRING QUARTET. The quartet is a who's who of string players brought together by James Singleton to play his compositions. Each is a master of various classical styles and various improvisational traditions. violinist Matt Rhody, violist Dave Rebeck, cellist Helen Gillet and bassist/composer James Singleton. $10.
________
NACER KHEMIR’S DESERT TRILOGY
A traveling writer and teller of fables, multi-award winning Tunisian filmmaker Nacer Khemir applies his age-old skills to craft his highly-regarded, visually stunning DESERT TRILOGY that includes WANDERERS OF THE DESERT, THE DOVE’S LOST NECKLACE and BAB’AZIZ - THE PRINCE WHO CONTEMPLATED HIS SOUL, which is playing to rave reviews in select theatre across the U.S. www.typecastfilms.com
Monday & Tuesday, March 17 & 18 @ 7:30 p.m.
WANDERERS OF THE DESERT by Nacer Khemir. Winner of both the Special Jury Prize, Carthage Film Festival and the International Critics Prize, Valencia Film Festival. Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Saturday, March 22 @ 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday, March 19 & 20 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE DOVE’S LOST NECKLACE by Nacer Khemir. Special Jury Prize, Locarno International Film Festival. Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Sunday, March 23 @ 3:30 p.m.
Friday through Thursday, March 21 through 27 @ 7:30 p.m.
BAB’AZIZ: THE PRINCE WHO CONTEMPLATED HIS SOUL by Nacer Khemir. Winner Best Picture at the Muscat Film Festival and the Fajr Film Festival. The script was written by Nacer Khemir with the participation of screenwriter Tonino Guerra (Amarcord, Night of the Shooting Stars, Blowup and L’Avventura). Special Family Matinee (Children 16 and under admitted free) on Sunday, March 23 @ 5:30 p.m.
_______
Monday, March 17 @ 9:30 p.m.
SCREAMING MASTERPIECE a documentary on the indie music scene in Iceland’s cool capital city of Reykjavik featuring Björk, the Sugarcubes, Sigur Rós, Múm, Bang Gang, Mugison, Minus, Slowblow, etc. www.milanrecords.com/screamingmasterpiece/
Tuesday, March 18 @ 9:30 p.m.
HEIMA an experimental music documentary on the controversial Icelandic band Sigur Ros. www.packagedeals.org
Wednesday, March 19 @ 9:30 p.m.
MORO NO BRASIL. Mika Kaurismäki’s musical journey throughout Brazil featuring over 40 musical acts, including interviews and performances by Walter Alfaiate & Seu Jorge, Antônio Nôbrega, Darue Malungo, Silverio Pessoa, Margareth Menezes, Ivo Meirelles and much more. www.milanrecords.com/moronobrasil/
Thursday, March 20 @ 9:30 p.m.
THE SOUND OF RIO: BRASILEIRINHO. Mika Kaurismäki’s musical documentary film about CHORO, the first genuinely Brazilian urban music featuring Trio Madeira Brasil, comprised of Ronaldo do Bandolim, Marcello Gonçalves and Zé Paulo Becker conducting a workshop with over 450 Choro musicians from throughout Brazil.
_______
Friday through Tuesday, March 21 through 25 @ 9:30 p.m.
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET). Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography Awards at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Brazil is known for its lush rain forests, beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, but in recent years, the country has developed more of a reputation for corrupt politicians, kidnapping, plastic surgery. This brilliant documentary connects all of these elements together by beginning with a look at a money laundering frog farm. www.mandabala.com
Wednesday, March 26 @ 9:30 p.m.
COLD HEARTS REVISITED: SHORT FILM & VIDEOS FROM ICELAND guest curated by Kelly Shindler (in-person) from Package Deals in New York. From irreverent faux pop songs and edible instruments to escapist fantasies and unorthodox quests, the program of twelve rarely-seen films (many of which have never screened before in the U.S.) encapsulates all that is enchanting and inventive about this small island nation. www.packagedeals.org
Thursday, March 27 @ 9:30 p.m.
DAYDREAM NATION: ANIMATED FILMS FROM SWEDEN guest curated by Kelly Shindler (in-person) from Package Deals in New York. A far cry from the beloved Saturday cartoons of mornings past, Daydream Nation’s roster of animated video offers a vision of Sweden all grown-up, bringing unorthodox and often unsettling imagery to life. Taboo intimacies, couples on the brink, lonely mopers, and more than a few decapitation and dismemberment scenes find themselves juxtaposed against the nicer things in life: colorful origami, toy cars, dancing ladies with parasols, horses, and pretty blonde party girls. This is the first in a series of guest curated programs of experimental animations from across the world that Zeitgeist will be presenting in memory of the filmmaker Helen Hill. www.packagedeals.org
______
Friday through Thursday, March 28 through April 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE VIOLIN. This remarkable film about a one armed violinist and his grandson who roam the countryside smuggling ammunitions for the resistance movement has surpassed Amores Perros for the most awards won on the international film festival circuit in the history of Mexican cinema with 46 international awards. Screens with the multi-award winning French short film UN BISOU POUR LE MONDE. www.filmmovement.com
______
Friday through Thursday, March 28 through April 3 @ 9:30 p.m.
ALICE’S HOUSE (CASA DE ALICE). A multi-award winning feature film from Brazil, starring the remarkable Carla Ribas, which dramatically shows that in every house you never know what secrets lie behind the front door. http://www.acasadealice.com.br/site_en.html
________
Friday through Tuesday, April 4 through 8 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE UNFORESEEN. From producers Robert Redford and Terence Mallick, this acclaimed environmental documentary will be presented by visiting Academy Award winning director LAURA DUNN (Green) and sound editor LARRY BLAKE, winner of the Truer Than Fiction Award at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards. A documentary about the development around Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, and nature's unexpected response to being threatened by human interference. Director present opening night only. www.theunforeseenfilm.com
________
Zeitgeist will be the main venue for the 5th Annual NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL April 10 through 20. www.nolahumanrights.org
Following the Human Rights Film Festival, we have already booked several theatrical film releases and a drag fashion show for the first two weeks of May.
Zeitgeist will then from the Middle of May to the Middle of July, be presenting a weekly "ZEITGEIST CREATIVE MUSIC CONCERT SERIES"; a weekly series of new films & videos from Latin America curated by Brian McKnighten of the local film distribution company LAS AMERICAS as well as an 8 week touring series from Arteeast in New York of French/Arab Films called BEUR IS BEAUTIFUL: A RETROSPECTIVE OF MAGHREBI-FRENCH CINEMA (presented by the New Orleans Consulat De France).
Also, later this Summer, August 1 through 10, 2008, Zeitgeist will host the long awaited 2nd Annual NEW ORLEANS MIDDLE EAST FILM FESTIVAL with the added addition of Middle Eastern music, visual art and of course food. This time we mean it!
for complete schedules and updates please go to www.zeitgeistinc.net
As you can see, our programming is extremely ambitious as always,
but we need your help to make it happen.
If you are willing or interested in volunteering or making a donation or sponsorship please contact Rene Broussard at 504 352-1150 (cell) or zte@bellsouth.net
Donations can be sent to:
Zeitgeist inc.
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70113
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