Nov 16, 2011
Junebug Productions presents the debut of its new place-based storytelling performance series, HOMECOMING PROJECT, on Saturday, December 3rd from 12 Noon until 5pm in and around the Treme neighborhood. This project combines traveling performances and street art with community engagement in a colorful celebration of what makes New Orleans home. Featured artists include the Hot 8 Brass Band, Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective, Michaela Harrison and more will perform at the outdoor festival and Second Line.
New Orleans’ historical community theatre organization, Junebug Productions, founded by John “Junebug Jabbo Jones” O’Neal out of the Civil Rights and Free Southern Theatre Movements, celebrates three decades of bringing ground-breaking cultural and issue-based programming through the theatre arts to the New Orleans community. In its commitment to uplifting oppressed, exploited and underserved communities, Junebug is proud to present the first installment of Homecoming Project, led by O’Neal and Associate Artistic Director, Stephanie McKee, paying tribute to more than a dozen New Orleans cultural leaders and landmarks while incorporating collaborative participation among local artists and residents.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent disasters, New Orleans is facing large-scale re-birth and re-structuring. Junebug finds itself in the role of facilitator, particularly in the African American community where the traditional organic relationships that have existed between members for generations have been disconnected and are in jeopardy as a result. HOMECOMING PROJECT aims to expand upon and lift up to the level of popular consciousness the collaborative relationships that naturally exist among artists and audiences in the African-based culture of our city, that which makes New Orleans so unique. Junebug will creatively illustrate this social and productive infrastructure through the culmination of the 2011 HOMECOMING PROJECT program with a free public performance series in a multi-disciplinary Second Line on Saturday, December 3rd in the Treme neighborhood.
[see page 2 for Second Line route]
However, unlike a typical Second Line, there will be performance pieces by local artists and street art created by Xavier University art students along the route under the leadership of renowned New Orleans artist, Ron Bechet. As well, HOMECOMING PROJECT will conclude with a free community health and resource fair where residents can find growth and connect with an array of organizations and individuals interested in skill and service sharing to build healthier communities – rather than end with police sirens.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Saturday, December 3, 2011 | 12pm – 5pm | FREE | ALL AGES
12:00pm at Congo Square - 800 block of N. Rampart St. at St. Peter St.
- Welcome and Libations with Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective
- Vocalist Michaela Harrison will perform
12:30pm - Second Line travels Northeast on N. Rampart St. to Ursulines St.
- Kumbuka Drummers meet Hot 8 Brass Band for Jazz tribute at former Lu & Charlie’s
- Stop at 1105 N. Rampart St.
1:00pm - Travel Northeast on N. Rampart St. to 1931 St. Claude Ave.
- Tribute to New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Freedom Riders
- w/ Black Men of Labor Social Aid & Pleasure Club
- Public art at Mosque at 1911 St. Claude Ave.
- Public art at former McDonogh 16 School at 1815 St. Claude Ave. and Pauger St.
1:15pm - Travel Southwest on St. Claude Ave. to St. Bernard Ave.
- Tribute to re-entering community with R.A.E. House men’s resurrection after exoneration
- Stop at R.A.E. House for street performance at 1212 St. Bernard Ave.
1:30pm - Travel North on St. Bernard Ave. to N. Claiborne Ave.
- Tribute to local grocers and food growers, community businesses with “Place Matters”
- Stop at Circle Foods Store at 1522 St. Bernard Ave. w/ Roscoe Reddix Jr. performance
1:45pm - Travel North on St. Bernard Ave. to Hunter’s Field
- Tribute to musical leadership and excellence in brass and marching band tradition
- Stop at 1600 N. Claiborne Ave.
2:00pm - Travel Southwest on N. Claiborne St. to Bayou Rd., Right on Bayou Rd.
- Tribute to Junebug founder & director, John “Junebug Jabbo Jones” O’Neal
- Stop at 1712/14 Bayou Rd. for performance from Jabbo Jones – at the home he has not yet been able to move back into since Hurricane Katrina
2:15pm - Travel back South on Bayou Rd to N. Claiborne Ave., Right onto N. Claiborne, travel West
- Tribute to Tootie Montana and the Yellow Pochahontas Tribe, Mardi Gras Indians
- Stop at Corner of N. Claiborne and St. Phillip St. at Montana family property green space
- Public art by Ron Bechet & The Xavier University Art Students
2:30pm - Travel Southeast on St. Phillip St. to N. Villere St, turn Right onto N. Villere
- Tribute to Jerome Smith and the Treme Community Center, Tambourine & Fan
- Stop at 900 N. Villere St. for “Be Encouraged” performance by Mike Melina
2:45pm - Travel back Northeast on N. Villere St. to St. Phillip St., turn Right onto St. Phillip St.
- Tribute to education w/ he closing of old schools and the building of new ones at the Craig School
- Stop at 1423 St. Phillip St. for LOCKDOWN performance from FSTI’s VOIC’D Collective
3:00pm - Travel Southeast on St Phillip St to Treme St, turn Left on Treme St to Ursulines St, turn Left onto Ursulines, travel North to N. Villere St, turn Right onto N. Villere to Governor Nicholls St.
- Tribute to the Treme neighborhood, 6th and 7th Ward communities
- Stop at 1418 Governor Nicholls St. for Community Health & Resource Fair
- Finale, conclusion of Second Line at New Orleans African American Museum
+ Community Health & Resource Fair hosted by Institute for Womens & Ethnic Studies