Bayou Boogaloo 2009 - The little festival that could

Written by Ryan Tramonte

When my sister was a kid, I used to read her the book "The Little Engine That Could". My Aunt Tina would read that book to me every time I slept at her house and I remember, as a kid, thinking that little engine was nuts. Each time Aunt Tina would read that book, I would wait to hear that the little engine would fail miserably. Perhaps it is my dark side. However, each time the little engine "would" I "would" rejoice as if it were the very first time I had ever heard the story.

My sister, on the other hand, would sit blank faced, wondering why I was reading this book to her again. One night she questioned me about it. She asked why I read the same book to her over and over. It had the same ending every time. She said we knew the ending and that made the book no fun to read. I explained to her that if you pretend that there is still a chance that the little engine will plummet backwards to its grave, it will make the book more fun and you will have a little party in the end, celebrating the little engine's success. My sister did not buy into my plan. In order to make her happy, I allowed her to choose the books for us to read. I dare say I can answer any question you might want to know the answer to concerning "The New Kids on the Block", their success, their weaknesses, and their personal growth. It was after all, the 80's.

I have always enjoyed watching the growth of something. It is the main reason that I became a teacher, way back when I was a delusional.

This weekend, as I sat along Bayou St John, I was reminded of my sister, my Aunt Tina, and the little engine that could. As I watched the crowd enjoy the Mid City Bayou Boogaloo, I remembered a festival much smaller in scale happening in this exact place a mere two years ago. The 2007 Bayou Booglaoo was definitely something for its founders to write home about. I was expecting much the same having been out of town for last year's Boogaloo. But, before me played out a festival that would warrant more than just a letter home. The little festival that I remembered had become a huge cultural event in a mere two years. I had heard that the festival itself had grown, but in a city that has some of the largest festivals in the nation, it's hard sometimes to really place importance on a young and aspiring festival. I now consider the Mid City Bayou Boogaloo one if the major cultural events that my city has to offer the nation and the world.

For starters, this year is the first year that the Boogaloo has gone green. The festival founders have created Louisiana's first Green Music and Arts Festival. With solar powered stages, biodiesel generators, locally grown and organic foods, and a comprehensive recycle program and sustainable living and coastal restoration education section, this festival has gone from growing to grown. A kids' stage makes the festival a family event for those interested in having their children aboard for the ride. This kids' stage is more than just a babysitting station. It engages kids and adults alike, making this section of the festival, again, unique and appealing.

If art is what you are looking for, this is the little festival that could provide you with just the thing you are looking for. This year's list of artists included carpenters, painters, sculptors, glass masters, and even weavers. As I walked through the market I got the sense that this was a festival that not only "could", but was "doing it". A few of the artists featured stood out to me in that their creations are typically New Orleans, but possess a flare and are born from origins that are uncommon and come from the creative mind of the artist. Suzzane Ens, for example, is an artist working with clay. She is taking the typical industry standard and making works that are throwbacks to the sculpted alter pieces of early Catholic churches where Spanish influence meets religious faith. For a more modern turn on painting, I spent a few minutes in front of New Orleans native Jeffery St. Romain's vibrantly painted, hangable skateboard decks. Artists that are rolling out the old and bringing in the new, but giving those of us that love the old something to hold on to, are rare. This guy "could" be doing just that. Bergeron Woodworks was another outstanding contributor, taking the old and making it new; David Bergeron is the new "Green Artist." He takes found and old objects and makes them into new working pieces of furniture. Each piece has a rustic charm, but does not become too country inspired in its attempts to be weather beaten.

I "could" have stayed in the arts all day. But, if fair is fair, I need to nourish my ears a little. Bayou Boogaloo had assembled a cast of bands that rivaled the diversity in the artists presented and the food being served. Bands like Honey Island Swamp Tour, Storyville Stompers, Soul Rebels Brass Band, and Gov't Majik offered a diverse sound as well as a diverse message. While of course I was only able to see one group, I chose the E.O.E at the Lafitte Stage. I choose them because, much like the Bayou Boogaloo, they are the "little band that could". Recently named "Best New Act" and "Best Live Show" by Gambit Weekly, they claimed the title of "Best Hip Hop Act" from Where Y'at Magazine. I was not disappointed by the blend of jazz and reggae infused lyrics that I thought were appropriate social messages for our times.

Now for my stomach...well it is flat and hard and has a nice...ooooo all right!!! The food was amazing. Even in the smaller days of this festival, the food was impressive. This year, it was comparable to other festivals I have seen in the region and surpassing a few, I might add. I sampled dishes from Mona's Mediterranean Café, Garage Pizza, Vidalia Grill, and La Divina Gelateria.

This year's poster design was created by artist Ellis Chappell with 300 signed posters made available to the public. Again, "the little engine that could" impressed me. Its poster artist's name is well known with works gracing the covers of many modern day novels including some by Michael Crichton and John Grisham.

As I settled back into my chair along Bayou St. John, I once again pondered the "Little Engine That Could". How he plodded along, slow and steady heading straight for success. I thought for a moment our little Bayou Boogaloo "could" do it ... it could ...it really could...or maybe it really HAD.

As the sun began to tuck itself away behind the trees along the bayou, I folded up my chair and headed for the car. I couldn't wait to get home...I had a book to read.

Ryan Tramonte is the General Manager of French Art Network and Rue Royale Art Partners of New Orleans. With galleries in Carmel by the Sea, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; New Orleans and Key West, Florida; the company's family of galleries represents 54 artists from across the globe. With his office in the center of the French Quarter at 541 Royal Street, Ryan has managed to surround himself with some of the most beautiful aspects of New Orleans, its artists. Artists mold the way we think and live on a daily basis, they are one of society's most prized possessions. Ryan, himself works in all mediums, but centers his work on painting and collage.