Published on:
December 15th, 2012
A page in memory of those we lost in the past year.
It was a(nother) year of taking weather seriously. Isaac tested the Corps' post-Katrina flood protection, and the very station that did more to help WWOZ after Katrina (WFMU in Jersey City, NJ) suffered a gut-punch from Sandy.
Meanwhile, the city's tourism industry continued to flourish in 2012, and New Orleans prepared for the Super Bowl, even if every street in the French Quarter had to suffer in the process.
Mostly though, it was another year ('OZ's 32nd!) of amazing music from the coolest city on the planet! Let's take a look back at some of the best moments.
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Mardi Gras
Between Phunny Phorty Phellows (January 6) and a phat Fat Tuesday (February 21), much King Cake was eaten & many beads were thrown, along with shoes and coconuts and other inestimable treasures.
Photos: Fat Tuesday at Royal and Esplanade.
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A float in the Thoth parade. Photo by Stafford |
Irma Thomas at 'OZ. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee. |
Spring Membership Drive
The brass passes and compilation CDs (Number 37) were flying during our Spring Membership Drive (March 6-16). Check out our photo highlights of all the exciting performers and guests, hardworking staff and volunteers, and delicious food from each day of the drive!
Photos: Spring Membership Drive
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Congo Square New World Rhythms New Festival
Held March 24 and 25 (and now called simply the Congo Square Rhythms Festival), this event celebrates Louisiana's rich cultural heritage by showcasing African, Caribbean and Latin American traditions that combined to make New Orleans a nexus of world culture.
Photos: Congo Square Rhythms Festival
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Kumbuka African Dance and Drum Collective. Photo by Kichea S Burt. |
Photo by Stafford. |
French Quarter Fest
Isn't it crazy how HUGE French Quarter Fest (April 12-15) has grown? It's one of the South's biggest festivals and it's free, so it gives the lie to the old adage, "You get what you pay for."
Photos: FQF Part 1 | FQF Part 2
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Jazz Fest
There's nothing like Jazz Fest (April 27 - May 6), as every good 'OZilian knows. Check out our coverage of Fests past with lots of music, food and fun from the Fair Grounds.
Photos and more: Jazz Fest 2012
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Photo by Stafford. |
Bob Andrews at Piano Night. Photo by Bill Sasser. |
Piano Night
Piano Night 2012 was held on April 30. This one-of-a-kind benefit concert for WWOZ is held each year on the Monday night between the two New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival weekends. This year's included performances by Marcia Ball, Bob Andrews, among many others.
Photos and more: Piano Night 2012
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Live Broadcast: A Great Night in Harlem
The Jazz Foundation of America's annual "A Great Night in Harlem" gala concert (May 17) benefiting our Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund was held at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. The lineup included Quincy Jones, Macy Gray, Dr. John, Bono, Rebirth Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, and many, many more.
Read more about A Great Night in Harlem
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Hurricane Isaac
We don't really want to relive our Katrina-anniversary visit from Isaac (August 29). So instead of damage photos, check out this piece by WWOZ General Manager David Freedman on shepherding a community radio station through a natural disaster, a topic with which he's unfortunately all too familiar.
Reading: "What to do When the Thing Hits Your Station"
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Fall Membership Drive
Doctor John stopped by and showed his support for WWOZ, helping to make the autumnal version of our Membership drive (September 25 - Oct 5) a giant success.
Highlights: Fall Membership Drive
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Doctor John performs at 'OZ. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee. |
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Live Broadcast: Carnegie Hall
Another amazing 'OZ live broadcast, this time Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's 10th Anniversary Live Broadcast from Carnegie Hall on October 8, including Aaron Neville, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams, Sphinx Virtuosi.
Read more about our live broadcast from Carnegie Hall
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Blues and BBQ Festival
Pairing red hot Blues and tender, succulent BBQ, the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival (October 12-14) is rapidly becoming a local favorite. This year's fest featured the region's best slow cooked meat, and a smoking performance by Keb' Mo'.
Photos: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
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Keb' Mo' performs at B+BBQ Fest. Photo by Stafford. |
Preservation Hall Stage at Voodoo. Photo by Stafford. |
Voodoo Music Experience
Voodoo returned to City Park October 26-28 for three spectacularly beautiful autumn days. Local favorties like Marcia Ball and the New Orleans Nightingales kept both the 'OZ and Preservation Hall stages jumping.
Photos: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
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That Sounds Good!, WWOZ's Cookbook
That Sounds Good!, a collection of recipes drawn from WWOZ's Louisiana music community, was published in November 2012. The book contains a variety of eats and drinks which reflect the cultural mix and character of 'OZ, and a fascinating history of the station.
More on That Sounds Good!.
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Photo by Stafford. |
Volunteer Holiday Party
We have the best volunteers in the world, and they do so much around here. Which is why we took time out on the evening of December 13 to celebrate them (and our 32nd birthday) at Cafe Istanbul. Awesome, and thanks again to each and every WWOZ volunteer.
Photos: Volunteer Holiday Party
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