Dear Listener,
For the past 30 years, when we were lighting candles on WWOZ’s birthday cake, we’ve also been lighting candles to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. And every year, we say a prayer--a prayer of gratitude for all of you who have supported WWOZ through thick and thin. A prayer of gratitude for the thousands of folks over the years who have volunteered their time and commitment to WWOZ. A prayer of gratitude for the hundreds of volunteer show hosts who, even under the worst of conditions, week-in and week-out, have been so loyal to WWOZ and to its listeners, sharing with all of us their deep knowledge and passion about the music of New Orleans.
And, most of all, we say a prayer of gratitude for the musicians themselves, for making our lives so rich and wonderful and special and spiritual and celebratory and full of surprises and creative and joyful and expressive and for reminding us each and every day that we live in such a special place. We, and this city, are truly blessed by our musicians. And we, who give of our time and resources to WWOZ, day-in and day-out, year-in and year-out, feel truly blessed to be able to bring these offerings to keep our very special way of life and our music alive and well. And God willing, we pray that it will continue to be alive and well for another 30 years and then at least 300 more after that!
Amen!
David Freedman
General Manager
Happy Holidays and End of Year Giving
As the year draws to a close, we are looking back and celebrating all the things that make this city such a special place--the music, food and people of New Orleans. Our Guardians of the Groove are part of this. They support the preservation of our little miracle radio station and its importance to the universe. Thank you to the loyal members of WWOZ, your support is an indispensable part of what we do here at ‘OZ. When deciding where to send your support this giving season, we hope that you will consider giving a special year-end gift to WWOZ. Gifts to WWOZ are tax-deductible, so get your gift in before December 31st!
You can also give the gift of the groove, with a Brass Pass or any other donation level, to the people you love.
» Learn more about the various ways to support ‘OZ
» Give the gift of a Jazz Fest Brass Pass
Merry Mobile Holidays! Our Gift to You
Thanks to all the 'OZilians that pledged in the last membership drive. Because of your support, we've been able to finish our Android and Blackberry mobile 'OZ apps! They're both available--along with our iPhone app--for free! So while you're spending the holidays with your family and friends, you can introduce them to the joys of mobile WWOZ listening. We've also updated our mobile site with access to more multimedia, so cruise the WWOZ website from wherever your holiday travels may take you.
» Find out how to download our new apps and more
30th Birthday Bash Highlights
We second lined! We danced! We ate cupcakes! The WWOZ 30th Birthday Bash and Second Line was a success! Hundreds of 'OZilians met out on the neutral ground of Elysian Fields and boogied our way through the French Quarter to the tunes of the Tremé Brass Band, the New Wave Brass Band and the TBC Brass Band with our friends from the Camel Toe Lady Steppers, the Black Men of Labor and Mardi Gras Indians. Later that night, we had our annual Volunteer Thank You Holiday Party upstairs on the Tipitina's balcony, followed by our sold-out Birthday Bash. The Bash featured some of our favorite musicians like John Gros, Theresa Andersson, and a crowd-surfing Glen David Andrews. If you couldn't make it out, check out the photos and video on our website.
» Photo highlights of our big celebration
Holiday Events (And a Live Broadcast!) Through the New Year
For New Orleanians, there are lots of events through the New Year that are special to the season. From the Réveillon dinners throughout the French Quarter, to concerts at the St. Louis Cathedral and caroling in Jackson Square. There's also the third annual Joan of Arc Parade through the French Quarter, celebrating the relationship between New Orleans and France. We've compiled a list of special events this year, to keep your winter months festive.
On New Year's Eve, we will broadcast live from Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, featuring Irvin Mayfield with David Torkanowsky, Shannon Powell, Don Vappie, Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown, Lucien Barbarin, and entertainer Trixie Minx. Tune in at 10:30 pm to 90.7 fm or online at wwoz.org to listen live! Bring in the New Year with 'OZ and countdown with us!
» New Years Eve special concert featuring Irvin Mayfield and the Jazz Playhouse Revue
» New Orleans All The Way Live: "Duck Andouille Gumbo: Réveillon Celebration (Part I of III)"
Mardi Gras Around the World
WWOZ invites Mardi Gras enthusiasts all over the globe to send us your photos and stories about Mardi Gras where you live. Join the ‘OZ Mardi Gras network and show the world how your town celebrates Carnival culture! And if you know of a place near you that serves as a haven for Mardi Gras-ers, send in pictures and stories about it to help@wwoz.org and help bring your own Mardi Gras experience culture to the universe.
» Mardi Gras celebrations around the world
Recent Festival Highlights
'OZ has been busy during the last few months with our Outreach Krewe tabling events, live broadcasts of festivals and photographers snapping pictures of all that's been happening in and around New Orleans' music and festival scene. If you've missed out on any of these events, read through the 'OZ website for exciting recaps, interviews and more. We have coverage of the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival; the New World Rhythms Festival, which included the Fiesta Latina, Congo Square, Tom Dent Congo Square Symposium and A Tribute to Idris Muhammad; and the Po-Boy Preservation Festival.
WWOZ Volunteer Danielle Small interviewed Show Host Gentilly Jr., the second oldest DJ at WWOZ for the newsletter and in honor of OZ's 30th anniversary. He shares his stories of his tenure over the last 28 years, from K-Doe singing over records and DJing at Tipitina's, to Armstrong Park and beyond.
December Recipe: Day-After-Thanksgiving Turkey and Sausage Gumbo
Try out this post-Thanksgiving recipe for all your leftover turkey hiding in the freezer, or save it for a day when you're wishing Thanksgiving came more than once a year. If you like the recipe, then check out Louisiana Cookin' magazine. Subscribe with the promotion code wwoz2010, and they'll donate $5 to WWOZ.
WWOZ Quick Links
Playlists Online
Interested in an artist we played on-air? View playlists posted by our show hosts; use the Search tab to search by song title, band name, CD title or label.
Shop WWOZ
The Swamp Shop is open and chock full of WWOZ gear.
New Orleans Music Calendar
Live music is the life-blood of New Orleans. Check out our online music calendar to find out who's playing where!
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