Thursday, December 16, 2010

Jerry Davenport, le Roi du Blanc et Noir; schedule announced


Jerry Davenport, Blanc et Noir
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Blanc et Noir Marching Society hereby announces that Jerry Davenport is king, Le Roi, and Tarama Davenport is queen, La Reine, for the society's 2011 parade.

Le Captaine is Lee Spruell.

Jerry Davenport is co-founder of Blanc et Noir Marching Society and is an educational consultant, photographer and artist. Tarama Davenport, also a co-founder, is the educational coordinator for Artspace Shreveport. Lee Spruell is a Caddo teacher and vice-president of the Hispanic Immigrant Teachers Association.

The public is welcome to join Blanc et Noir, said co-founder Robert Trudeau. "We have a commitment to the rituals of traditional New Orleans Carnival. There is no float; we march and do the second line to the music of a Crescent City-style brass marching band."

Dues are $50 per person (scholarships & rebates may be extended) or $100 for a cohort (affinity group). Mail a check to Blanc et Noir, 912 Monrovia St, Shreveport, 71106, or call 318 861 1519 to join.

Activities include
1) Twelfth Night Brunch at Brother's Seafood on Monkhouse on Sun, Jan 9, moved up to NOON.
Pay independently ($9 - &16)
Please send me your reservation by Jan 8 at trudeau@earthlink.net.
2) Costume Workshop on Sun, Feb 27, 2 pm; location TBA.Reservation by Feb 26 as above.
Ideas and techniques in costume & umbrella decor shared. Bring needed materials such as glue, paint, scissors, fabric.
3) Parade! Marching in the Krewe of Highland Parade on Sun, March 6, 1 pm. Allons danser.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Red and Black Brass Band message to the Blanc et Noir

Red & Black Brass Band leader Daryl Williams wrote, "My bandmembers agreed that we have not had this much fun in a very long time. Thank you very much. The B&N marching society really put on a great show this year. Props to all of the " second liners " and dancers!"

Bass Drum-Kirk " Bigg " House
Tuba-David Johnson
Sax- Earnest Miles... See More
Trumpet- Terence Bradford
Snare Drum- Ken Carter
Trombone - Daryl Williams

Blanc et Noir Marching Society and the Red & Black Brass Band rolled on Sun, Feb 14, 2010

Creswell Ave seemed to have bigger crowds than ever as Blanc et Noir Marching Society and the Red & Black Brass Band rolled. What a mellow neighborhood! Every step brought us smiles of affirmation from the crowd.

More people than ever danced to the band as we passed their spots. And, happily, the krewe was joined by several capable ad hoc dancers who stayed with us for much of the parade. One was an outstanding lad dressed all in black - with I'd gotten his name. One dancer was middle-aged, rumbly, stubbly and marching & dancing in tall rubber boots. Another nice development were several groups of people who spontaneously applauded the krewe and band.

If you wondered about the hula hoop girl: her name is Lisa and she teaches hula hoop dance at Lotus Center on Olive St.

The Red & Black Brass Band played the night before the parade for the Krewe of Harambee, said Jerry Davenport, and impressed everyone. In our 4th year together we thought they played better than ever. And they told us they're getting more gigs than ever.

One of my favorite developments: 15 year-old Larsson McSwain brought his long-legged dance moves to the krewe and sort of instantly learned all of Jerry Davenport's routines and kept the energy high block after block.

A shout-out to this year's Big Shots, a group of sustainers who contribute $100 or more as their membership fee: Lee Spruell, Stuart & Elysse Orchard, Marion & Ginger Marks, David & Beth Wells, MIke & Dolly McSwain.

Another shout to the Blanc et Noir Queen, Jennette Ginsberg, and King, Lee Spruell. Both have been admirable in bringing new people to our party. And a salute to my co-founders and co-admins, the tireless Jerry & Tarama Davenport.

A tip o' the top hat, too, to the Krewe of Highland, who took Blanc et Noir under its wing from the beginning: Matthew Linn, Queen Kathy Melancon and more.

The effervescence of the Krewe of Highland's Bal Masque should also get a note. It was packed (hail to the Krewe of Justinian for their neon!), it was all about dancing. The 2010 music was amazing: David Egan and Twenty Years of Trouble were hot. And they were joined by Buddy Flett on slide and by Kenny Wayne Shepherd on sunburst Strat.

Wish I had more of the names of the Krewe of Highland producers; they have given a huge gift to the city and the neighborhood.

If you want to hire the Red & Black Brass Band, their leader is trombonist Daryl Williams; reach him at basebone1898@hotmail.com.

We want to join us in Blanc et Noir! Send us an email or phone us!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Times video: BLanc et Noir Marching Society, Shreveport and the Red & Black Brass Band

Here's a link to the Shreveport Times video of the Krewe of Highland parade. The soundtrack is the music of the Red & Black Brass band.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Front page of the Shreveport Times: Jennette Ginsberg, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport / photo Henrietta Wildsmith


Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport / photo Henrietta Wildsmith


Vega and Chema, Krewe of Highland 09


Virginia & Christian Villanueva, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


New Orleans voodoo @ the Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Vega Mendoza, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Jerry Davenport, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Annalysse, Mac, Elysse Orchard and Tarama Davenport, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Monica and Mac, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Claudine & Tristan Elise, Blanc et Noir costume workshop


Carnavale in Shreveport


Carnavale in Shreveport
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Maggie Martin, Robert Trudeau, Krewe of Highland Bal Masque


Carol & Gene Shafton, Krewe of Highland Bal Masque


Matthew Linn, Krewe of Highland, Shreveport


Vega Hernandez, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Tarama Davenport, Elysse Orchard, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


David Wells, Tristan Elise, Larsson McSwain, Claudine Elise, Jimmy Clawson, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Marion K Marks, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Red & Black Brass Band on Creswell


David Wells as Abe Lincoln, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Beth Wells, Mac Orchard, Lyosuke Kawanaka, Alice Boyer, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport


Red & Black Brass Band on Creswell Ave, Shreveport


Daryl Williams, trombonist and leader of the Red & Black Brass Band


The Red and Black Second Line Brass Band, Shreveport


Blanc et Noir / Highland Parade, Shreveport, 2010


Blanc et Noir / Highland Parade, Shreveport, 2010


Jett, Mad, Annalise, Zach, Lee, Jennette, Jerry: Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade


Blanc et Noir 10


Blanc et Noir 10
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Blanc et Noir 10


Blanc et Noir 10
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Blanc et Noir 10


Blanc et Noir 10
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Hello from Daryl Williams, Red & Black New Orleans Style Second Line Band

From Daryl Williams:

"1. When the Saints go marching in
2. Tiger Rag
3. Bourbon St Parade
4. Carnival Time
5. Mardi Gras 2nd Line

We will play about 4 other brass band tunes every now and then. We will all have on New Orleans Saints gear in respect/honor of our Saints winning the Superbowl. We will be chanting WHO DAT during many of our tunes. The band will be made up of a Trombone, Trumpet, Sax, Tuba and two drummers. For the past 3 years, we have been using a small " set bass drum " in all of our parades. We now use a traditional marching band/2nd line bass drum w/cymbal attached. Since we will be performing for a Mardi Gras Ball at the horseshoe casino on Saturday night, the rest of my band members will already be in town, and ready to roll " on time " this Sunday. Thanks for everything. You have put us on the map in Shreveport. We owe the Blanc et Noir marching society a great show on Sunday!"

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"