Confetti Park

The Cajun fiddler and singer for Lost Bayou Ramblers recalls learning to dance with his cousins while the family band played Louis Michot, a talented fiddler and singer with the Grammy award-winning Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers, shared a sweet childhood music memory with Confetti Park. Growing up, Louis would often join his father and uncles' band, Les Frères Michot, in the vibrant dance halls and restaurants of Lafayette. (Randalls, Mulates, Prejeans, etc.) It was there, amidst joyous community gatherings, that Louis learned to dance. He was only six or seven! "I remember taking my cousins' arms, Effie and Rebecca, and we'd switch off.....It was kind of magic. We'd stay on the dance floor all night." The spontaneous magic of dancing lively two-steps, waltzes and jitterbugs to the family band's music left a lasting impression on Louis. It remains a fond memory that continues to inspire his love for music and performance today. Thank you, Louis, for sharing this childhood music memory! You can hear Les Frères Michot perform one of the songs Louis recalls from that time, "Two-Step De Pilette," in this interview.

A new reading and coloring book about New Orleans' relationship with water will entertain and educate! Katy recently interviewed hrilina ♡, a rising leader among young New Orleanians, who is proud to announce the release of a unique educational coloring book titled “Water Wonderful World.” Published by Trinity City Comics, the book explores the relationship we in South Louisiana have with water, particularly in and around New Orleans. hrilina ♡'s vision for this book was to create an engaging and fun experience for kids (and grownups) that teaches about the role of water in New Orleans—from providing livelihoods to being an essential part of our recreation. The book also faces the challenges of coastal erosion and rising waters. In fact, it was funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund and supported by Mayor Latoya Cantrell's office and the City of New Orleans. “One of my favorite New Orleans Easter eggs in the book is on page six, where everything in the garden bed is a Louisiana export,” says hrilina ♡. “It's Water Wonderful World, and it's about the unique relationship that we New Orleanians have with water. But it's also about how our waters matter to the world, and why people should care about our waters and  issues relating to our waters.” “Water Wonderful World” stands out not only for its content but also for its collaborative creation process. The artwork in “Water Wonderful World” was created by three talented teenaged illustrators from New Orleans: Lauren Landers, Zion Mercadel, and London Salvant. Each brings their distinct style to the pages. (They represent local arts programs such as New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), YAYA, and Morris Jeff.) “Water Wonderful World” is now available for download as a PDF from the Trinity City Comics website. Printed copies are also available for sale. Dive into the wonder of water and explore New Orleans through this coloring adventure! Thank you, hrilina ♡, for sharing your talent with Confetti Park in so many ways! (hrilina ♡ is a veteran member of the Confetti Park Players and has long contributed her thoughtful creativity to this radio show and podcast. Here she is sharing a poem called “Teacher's Prayer.”)

At 12 years old, this musician and composer is already active on the local music scene in New Orleans. Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Arlo for Confetti Park. In a recent interview, New Orleans based music prodigy Arlo McCracken Allen shared insights into his musical journey that began at the young age of four when he first sat at a piano. Arlo quickly progressed from playing at home to performing with his dad's band (Luke Allen, Happy Talk Band) and other notable musicians. Arlo plays piano and cello, but he loves electronic music. Influenced by video game music creator Toby Fox, Arlo aspires to compose soundtracks for games and films. He enjoys creating electronic music using tools like Logic Pro X and making animations. Arlo even created a piece displayed on a large projection for an audience at Luna Fete, working with artist Courtney Egan. Currently at Homer Plessy middle school, Arlo is preparing to attend NOCCA, a school for creative arts. He is actively involved in collaborative projects, including the development of a video game with friends for which he composed the main menu theme. In this interview with Confetti Park, Arlo offers advice to other young musicians -- on how to get started playing music, and on finding confidence to perform. Despite having stage fright, playing music liberates him, allowing him to connect deeply with his audience. Arlo's vision is to continue building his portfolio and expand his reach through platforms like YouTube. Whether flying solo or collaborating with others, Arlo McCracken Allen's passion for music is undeniable. We're excited to watch his journey! Thanks for sharing your talent with Confetti Park, Arlo!  Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Music can carry powerful memories and emotions through generations, as Scott Durbin of the Imagination Movers shares with us.  Scott, whose grandmother was Native American, recalls participating in powwows at a very young age. His family's tribe would come together to honor their cultural traditions, and music with drumming and dancing was a central component. "I remember being very young, dressed in garb and doing a powwow, and as much as a six year old can intuit a spiritual elevation because of the music and the beat, I knew this was amazing." Through experiencing the resonating drum circles and participating in the spirituality of his ancestral heritage alongside his grandmother and family, he came to know the power of music early. Scott believes this may be his first clear memory of music unlocking a moment of revelation. Journey into the past with more music memories brought to you by Confetti Park.  

Happy Mardi Gras, everybody! Wherever you're watching the parades– whether it's out in the parishes, Slidell, Metairie or along beautiful St. Charles Avenue–chances are you will need some shade and respite after a long day of truck floats. Find a tree, have a rest, look around, and enjoy the show. And keep your eyes peeled for the Mardi Gras trees! You know the ones… they glitter like rainbows, dedicated as bead catchers by the people passing by. In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear the whimsical tale of The Mardi Gras Tree by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust. “Laissez bon temps rouler! – let the good times roll! It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans and everyone's excited – including the little acorn who just can't WAIT to grow into a great live oak and watch high over the parades. But as the Great Oak says, it's not always about being the biggest or the best. “Whatever tree you grow to be, just be the best that you can be.” ​An endearing tale of growth and self-worth set against the colorful backdrop of one of New Orleans' biggest celebrations. You can order the book at https://www.waggingtalespress.com/picture-books Melinda, thanks for sharing your story and your wonderful talent with Confetti Park!

In this episode of Confetti Park, we connect with the creative mind of Steven Scaffidi, a veteran of the entertainment industry. For decades Steven has worked in film and television—writing, directing, and producing. Based out of New Orleans, Steven has deep connections to the industry in South Louisiana, but his work extends nationally as well. From commercials for restaurants, furniture companies, lawyers, etc., to full length feature films, TV shows and gritty documentaries, Steven has a vast amount of experience, connections, and know-how. Lately, he has turned this experience and wisdom to a new industry—that of children's book publishing. And Steven has lots of fearless opinions about how to publish books in 2021.

Summertime means road trips! In this episode of Confetti Park, we take a road trip with Papa Dude and his best friend Charlie Crab. They take us on a trip across America, and we get visit some of the most interesting and fun places the continental United States has to offer. Who is Papa Dude? His real name is Steven Scaffidi, and he is a New Orleans creator who has a whole line of Papa Dude adventures, a character he based on his own father. Says Papa Dude: “Ya know…I just love good food, good times, and a good story too. Some folks say that I know a little bit about a lot of things. Ha! Well maybe so but I can't wait to share all that I've learned over the years with you!” Through Papa Dude and Charlie Crabs eyes, we get to visit some amazing American attractions—both manmade, like the Hoover Dam and Mount Rushmore, and natural attractions, like Yosemite and Carlsbad Caverns. As we travel through bayous, beaches, deserts, mountains, and crisscross the great highways with Papa Dude and his sidekick, we think about just how vast and majestic is this country of America. What a great summer book!

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Valerie James Abbott, a mother whose journey with her own daughter's hearing loss inspired a children's book called Padapillo. Parents should be aware that hearing loss in young children can go undetected for quite a while. Do you know the signs? "My daughter Bridget passed her newborn screening test at the hospital when she was born," Valerie tells Katy Hobgood Ray, host of Confetti Park. "It wasn't until she was about two-and-a-half years old—she'd been in preschool for six months—when the teacher said, 'Are you concerned with her speech?' And I said, 'Not really.' Yes, she was using strange words and language but we assumed that it was in the range of what's normal." In fact, it wasn't....

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear the children’s book Padapillo narrated by the author, Valerie James Abbott. Based on the true life events of the author and her family, Padapillo is the story of a family discovering the hearing loss of a child.

Happy Thanksgiving! Something we all should be thankful for is that, in this world, there are good people everywhere. Kindness and civility, thoughtfulness and helpfulness, these are qualities that exist in people in every town, city, and country. Like Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.” They are everywhere, and we can learn from them about who to surround ourselves with (to feel one kind of joy) and how to model our own behavior (to feel another kind of joy). True friends and true neighbors make the world a better place. In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear the tale of “Why He Carried the Turkey,” which documents the kindness of John Marshall, (September 24, 1755 – July 6, 1835) an American politician and lawyer who served as the fourth Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835. Marshall remains the longest-serving chief justice and fourth-longest serving justice in Supreme Court history, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential justices to ever sit on the Supreme Court. This tale was penned by James Baldwin. It is a simple story, but it teaches a lessons. You may decide: is this a tale about humility, about kindness, about being a good neighbor? Maybe is all these things.

It's almost Halloween, the time of year when the doors between the living world and the spiritual world are open wide. Soon we will observe Allhallowtide, when we remember the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. It's the perfect time to cozy up to a fire and hear tales of the supernatural. You decide... truth or fiction? In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, Kathleen Welch shares with us the legend of the Loup Garoup as found in Acadiana French-Canadian, Acadian, and Franco-American folklore. Loup garoups are also knows as rougarou in Louisiana, most famously, as werewolves, are a form of night creature. "The belief is that sinners may be transformed into black bears or dogs, in which shape they wander each night until someone draws blood from them, thereby breaking the curse," says Welch. Listen in for a spooky thrill!

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear about Le Lutin, a fairytale figure and a trickster spirit! Contributor Kathleen Welch shares some of the legends about this hobgoblin who has a knack for pranking. Le lutin could change his appearance whenever he wanted. So you never know when you are seeing a lutin. But legends say his natural form was a little man with a long beard. He was especially fond of children and horses. According to the Houma, Louisiana newspaper, "If you’ve ever lost your car keys or misplaced one of your socks, you just may have been pranked by a lutin." Some stories are darker. This tale of Le Lutin, from an 1870 text from France called The Fairy Mythology by Thomas Knightly, says: The other legend named Le Lutin tells how seven little boys, regardless of the warnings of their old grandmother, would go out at night on various affairs. As they went along a pretty little black horse came up to them, and they all were induced to mount on his back. When they met any of their playmates they invited them also to mount, and the back of the little horse, stretched so that at last he had on him not less than thirty little boys. He then made with all speed for the sea, and plunging into it with them they were all drowned. So, how to get rid of a lutin if one of these little hobgoblins is plaguing you? According to Knightly: "The best way, it is said, to banish a Lutin who haunts a house, is to scatter flax-seed in the room that he most frequents. His love of neatness and regularity will not allow him to let it lie there, and he soon gets tired of picking it up, and so be goes away." Thanks to Kathleen Welch for sharing this bit of French folklore. She gives credit to The Red Housewife Blogspot.

Hi everybody, it’s Rosemary the Garden Fairy, and I’m here to share fun gardening tips and interesting information about the natural world around us. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the early bird catches the worm’ ? For people who like watch birds, the early birder catches the bird! Between the time the first gray light of day appears and the sun peeps over the horizon, the mockingbirds make some of their most beautiful music. Those who have heard it say the birds are greeting the sun with an anthem of joy. Others say they are singing to mark their territorial boundaries: “Stay off my property!” There is a great deal of activity as birds fly from their roosts to feed in the cool dawn. One morning, you should try to wake up very early, with the sun. Go outside into the morning air with your family, and sit quietly. How many birds do you see? What are their colors, and what are they doing? How many different bird songs and calls do you hear? “Follow me to the garden! Let’s check out the magic of nature!” Learn more about bird songs and calls at A Beginner’s Guide to Common Bird Sounds and What They Mean. Listen to the sounds of the Northern Mockingbird at All About Birds. Rosemary the Garden Fairy’s adventures and teachings are inspired by Gypsy Damaris Boston and her books such The Rainbow Fairies and Dear Louisiana, Love Gypsy.

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear some sweet excerpts from Lucky Enough: A Year of a Dad's Daily Notes of Encouragement and Life Lessons to His Daughter, in the voice of the author Dr. Chris Yandle.

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear the loving and endearingly bittersweet Sometimes Even Elephants Forget: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease for Young Children, narrated by the author Kathleen Welch. You’ll love the main characters: two elephants, Grandma Bawa and grandson Mookie, and Kip, a kind and clever hedgehog, who have an adventure together in the jungle.

Storytime: Samuel Morse, That’s Who! By Tracy Nelson Maurer HomePodcastStorytime: Samuel Morse, That’s Who! by Tracy Nelson Maurer   Storytime: Samuel Morse, That’s Who! by Tracy Nelson Maurer In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, you’ll hear the fascinating and fun story of the inventor Samuel Morse, who used electricity to power the telegraph and who invented Morse Code. Way back in the 1800s, he was teaching the world how to do instant messaging! Tracy Nelson Maurer is the author of this fun biography geared toward kids, and we are so happy that Tracy has narrated the story for our enjoyment. Back in the 1800s, information traveled slowly. Who would dream of instant messages? Samuel Morse, that’s who! Who traveled to France, where the famous telegraph towers relayed 10,000 possible codes for messages depending on the signal arm positions—only if the weather was clear? Who imagined a system that would use electric pulses to instantly carry coded messages between two machines, rain or shine? Long before the first telephone, who changed communication forever? Samuel Morse, that’s who! Tracy Nelson Maurer will be one of the featured authors at the upcoming New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University being held March 19-21. Learn more about this event at https://bookfest.tulane.edu/. She has written several fun biographies of important change makers, such as John Deere and Noah Webster, and lots of nonfiction books about a wide range of topics such as history, STEM, social skills—even cheerleading and automobiles! Learn more Thank you, Tracy for sharing the story of Samuel Morse with Confetti Park!

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear a traditional folk tale interpreted and narrated by Janneke van der Molen of New Orleans. Janneke is originally from the Netherlands, but has called New Orleans home for two decades. She has a deep love of the culture of South Louisiana and her adopted city of New Orleans. Enjoy her interpretation of this strange Native American myth about why opossums have pouches. Opossums are marsupials— do you know what a marsupial is? It is a kind of animal that carries its babies in a pouch outside its belly, after the babies are born. They continue to grow and eat until they are big enough to travel on their own. Most opossums live in the South Pacific in countries like Australia and New Guinea. Can you name some other animals that are marsupials? The only marsupials living in the United States are different kinds of opossums. You will have to listen to this story to learn the reason the opossum has a pouch—that is, according to Native Americans! The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories that families will love listening to together. We explore songs of Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta and beyond. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Justin Wilson is a Louisiana Legend. He has since passed away, but in his life he was a beloved Cajun chef, storyteller, comedian and poet who delighted fans around the world with his whimsical stories, songs, genial nature, and delightful sense of humor as he shared his Cajun recipes and heritage, through television, radio, stage and other venues. 
 I loved watching Justin on PBS, standing in a kitchen, telling stories and preparing Cajun dishes, when I was growing up. I’ll always smile to hear his famous catchphrases—”I Garontee!” and “How Y’all Are?!” Confetti Park recently partnered with his estate and Justin Wilson Southern Products LLC to help share his stories with a new generation of children. Soon, we might see Justin again on TV! And now you can get digital versions of his stories on Amazon and iTunes, and enjoy them on Confetti Park! This particular story, which was first released in 1975, is called “The Littlest Engine That Could.” You probably know the lassic American fairytale of a persevering little train—but this version has a twist—A Christmas Twist! This is the story of the “happy little train” that has to deliver presents to boys and girls over a steep mountain pass, so that the children have a happy Christmas. And the other twist in this story is the lovely Cajun delivery and humor of Justin Wilson. Learn more about Justin Wilson Southern Products LLC. Confetti Park The Confetti Park radio show is a weekly 30-minute program that streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available for free to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. We’re going to enjoy the music of the season all this month on every episode. There will be Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs of light, and children’s favorites all month long here in Confetti Park, as well as sweet stories to make you smile. Thanks for joining me, your host, Katy Hobgood Ray! The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

More holiday music, stories and songs for you and your family to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the culture and holiday spirit I’m sharing from Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta, and beyond. It’s Christmas – Imagination Movers Joke of the Day – Pizza on Earth Burn Little Candles – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh Blue Christmas – Belton Richard Winter Wonderland – Vince Vance Sleigh Ride – Matt Perrine Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town – narrated by Louis Ray ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong Jingle Bells – Harry Fontenot Deck the Halls – Robert Kingrob Harris The Confetti Park radio show is a weekly 30-minute program that streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available for free to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. We’re going to enjoy the music of the season all this month—Christmas carols, and Hanukkah songs of light,  as well as sweet stories to make you smile. Thanks for joining me, your host, Katy Hobgood Ray! “The holiday season is lots of fun, we celebrate when the year is done,  Come together now everyone—It’s Christmas!  An Hanukkah, too! Well, happy Kwanzaa! Season’s Greetings to you!” —the Imagination Movers All about the music On this episode, “Pizza on Earth,”we start off with the high energy Imagination Movers, with some of their original Christmas music! “It’s Christmas!”—and Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and Children’s Day. This is followed by “Burn Little Candles,” a song of Hanukkah by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of Alexandria, La. Judy is a rabbi, in addition to a prolific children’s musician and educator.  There is lots of Cajun Christmas music in this episode—enjoy Belton Richard, Harry Fontenot, and Robert Kingrob Harris, all with delightful performances of classics.  And you’ll also hear the inimitable Vince Vance and his Valiants, and their unique version of “Winter Wonderland,” sousaphonist Matt Perrine with a rousing “Sleigh Ride,” and the great Louis Armstrong with “‘Zat You, Santa Claus?” Also featured in this episode is Confetti Park Storytime with Justin Wilson, a beloved Cajun chef, comedian, and storyteller. This Louisiana legend, who passed away several years ago, is emerging for a new generation, as his music and stories have been digitized and re-released, and a new food products line of spices, pickles, and more is available in stores and online. Thank you to the estate of Justin Wilson for contributing to Confetti Park. The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

Let the holiday music commence! It’s the most magical time of the year…and we are feeling the holiday magic in Confetti Park! I hope you enjoy the culture I’m sharing from Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta, and beyond. The Confetti Park radio show is a weekly 30-minute program that streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available for free to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. We’re going to enjoy the music of the season all this month on every episode. There will be Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs of light, and children’s favorites all month long here in Confetti Park, as well as sweet stories to make you smile. Thanks for joining me, your host, Katy Hobgood Ray! Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Fats Domino Joke of the Day – Snow Bank Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Elvis Presley Christmas in Tennessee – Amy Grant and Kid Pan Alley Christmas in New Orleans – Louis Armstrong It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Michael Doucet Blue Christmas – Linnzi Zaorkski Mele Kalikimaka – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine All about the music On this episode, Snow Bank, we start off with the delightful Fats Domino, singing about everyone’s favorite reindeer. The we hear from the one and only Elvis Presley, singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” I bet kids of all ages, even young ones today know that voice… Now, while I still call New Orleans home, I recently took a wonderful job at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. That’s where Elvis lived and first recorded! So let’s hear another song from the Volunteer State… enjoy Amy Grant and Kid Pan Alley with “Christmas in Tennessee,” followed by the great jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong with “Christmas in New Orleans.” How fun to compare the lyrics! They both begin with verses about the distinctive trees of the regions. Christmas in Tennessee The leaves are changing colors, they’re falling off the trees I know it won’t be long now till it’s Christmas in Tennessee.  I hope somewhere that Santa Claus is thinking about you and me.  He’s gonna bring us lots of toys when it’s Christmas in Tennessee. Christmas in New Orleans Magnolia trees at night, Sparkling bright,  Fields of cotton look wintery white  When it’s Christmas time in New Orleans A barefoot choir in prayer fills the air,  Mississippi folks are gathering there,  ‘Cuz it’s Christmas time in New Orleans. Next we hear from the marvelous Cajun musician Michael Doucet with “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, followed by a jazzy version of “Blue Christmas” by Louisiana chanteuse Linnzi Zaorkski (who was raised in Alexandria and Shreveport and now calls Bush, Louisiana home). Last we hear a Hawaiian Christmas song, “Mele Kalikimaka,” performed by singer Debbie Davis & sousaphonist Matt Perrine, a married couple who are busy musicians in New Orleans (as are their musical kids). Also featured in this episode are two delighted holiday stories. One is a fun little tale from Justin Wilson, an old Cajun cook from Roseland, with “Santa Claus and the Mouse.” And we hear “The Kitty at the Manger” told by Mary Jean Chester of Des Allemands, Louisiana. The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

Ahoy!!!! Welcome to Confetti Park, a magical place full of music and stories for children. Aye, You’ll hear lots of songs from the Mississippi delta and beyond as we hear an amazing variety of American music for scurvy buccaneers! This week we are celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day! It’s held on September 19... avast… that’s right around the corner! Here are some songs of the piratical nature for ye to enjoy: Sensible Life of a Pirate - Imagination Movers Talk Like a Pirate - Jake & the NeverLand Pirates Watch out for the Pirates - Confetti Park Players Down by the Way - Andrew Best A Sailor Went to Sea - Johnette Downing Allons a Lafayette - Feufollet The Big Blue Sea - Danny O'Flaherty and Khaetidawne Quirk Sri Lanka Fisherman's Chant - Katherine Dines First we have that grand kids band, the Imagination Movers of New Orleans, with "Sensible Life of a Pirate." And then a sensible lesson in Pirate talk for ya, as featured on that brigand show, Jake & the Never Land Pirates. How about those Confetti Park Players, the cutest pirates in all the land, with Watch out for the Pirates! (Enjoy this music video featuring the Confetti Park Players and the NOLA Pyrate Society, shot on location in Pirate's Alley in the French quarters of New Orleans.) Sea Shanties Argh, Mateys I hope you enjoy the song about sailors, too, by Louisiana pied piper Johnette Downing, and the camp favorite "Down by the Bay" by Memphis children's performer Andrew Best. Then we go dancing, "Allons a Lafayette," by the Cajun band Feufollet, who started performing together as young buccaneers and are still traveling the high seas today. We also hear a song about that Big Blue Sea from Danny O'Flaherty, an Irishman who relocated to New Orleans (as many a good pirate will do), and then the beautiful "Sri Lanka Fisherman's Chant," performed by Katherine Dines, a fine fellow of the Children's Music Network. This episode's Storytime feature is a delightful piratical tale from Bill Harley, the "Ballad of Dirty Joe." I hope ye join me again — yer Mate Katy Hobgood Ray — for more wonderful children’s music from Confetti Park…. and remember to look for the magic in every day! More about Confetti Park The Confetti Park radio show streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. Check to see if your local community radio station carries it, and ask! Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Visit Confetti Park at confettipark.com. 

This is a road trip from North Louisiana to South Louisiana, represented in an essay called “Panorama” by Gypsy Damaris Boston, and narrated by her granddaughter, Katy Hobgood Ray.  The essay is from her collection of published nature observations, Dear Louisiana, Love Gypsy. Gypsy's mantra has always been, "Stop, look and listen.... Nature is at work for you." Some excerpts from this essay: From the pine-covered red clay hills of north Louisiana, to the moss-draped live oaks of the black and coffee grounds-land of south Louisiana, I watched Nature’s pageant of beauty and look at our state with pride and delight. …. The rains that caused so much trouble made everything lush and green. The water hyacinths are beautiful! …. Young boys tell of filling sandbags to protect the levee. When the water would wash the sand out of the bags, bags of shells were used to slow the water and the sand bags were placed behind them. An additional problem developed when the continuing winds pushed the tides inland on the bayous and would not permit rainwater to drain anywhere. …. I look at a small pirogue hewn out of a cypress log. I am surprised to see it painted…It is shallow, slightly pointed at the end, and the smooth walls look no thicker than a bread board. There is a trick to paddling a pirogue. —— I eat seafood gumbo cooked as the French do and served with French bread. The loaf weighs only eight ounces but it is over 30 inches long. The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

You’ve heard of Pirate Jean Lafitte, a French pirate who gained infamy in the bays and swamps off the Gulf of Mexico. He lived from 1780-1823. He is often featured in tales of treasure hunters and is part of many legends from Louisiana and Texas. Here is one that takes place in Laport, off the coast of Galveston Bay… in the 1800s, many years after Lafitte;s death. We learn thatt he ghost of the smuggler continually wanders the earth searching for a worthy inheritor. Only when he finds a person who is worthy can he at last rest. The story is narrated for you by Ted Lindsay of Mooringsport, La. We begin with a weary travel who is approaching an abandoned house at dusk, and he enters it to take shelter from the cold wind. He can hear the waves tearing at the bluffs of Galveston Bay…. After stabling his tired horse, he enters the old house and builds a fire for comfort. He wakes to find a strange man standing over him, who beckons him to follow. The weary traveler, in a stupor, is so commanded by the presence and entreaty in the eyes of the stranger that he does…. The strange man says to him, “Here more gold lies buried than is good for any man. All you have to do is dig, and it is yours. You can use it; I cannot. However, it must only be applied purposes of highest beneficence. Not one penny may be evilly or selfishly spent. Do you understand?” I said “Yes.” Then the visitant was gone, and I was shivering with cold. What happens next? Listen to the full story as featured on Confetti Park!  

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear an original fable created by husband and wife team Iran and Henryelle Martin of Bossier City, La. "There once lived a family of mice in the city of New Orleans, on Upperline Street, in a house abandoned of people. There were three of them...Mother Yum-Yum, Father Boom-Boom, and House-Mouse, their daughter." Iran, as narrator, introduces us to this cute family of mice, and gives us the background on their story.   Yum Yum as a child grew up in Micedale, Louisiana, a hop, skip and jump up the road from Baton Rouge the state's capitol. When a traveling circus came through her small town, the country mouse fell in love with Boom-Boom, a star of the show.   Boom-Boom knew city life quite well, and was able to find his bride a wonderful house in the Garden District of New Orleans. Once they had their daughter he happily gave up the circus life, as getting shot out of a cannon is not a great way to ensure you'll be there for your family. He was also determined that House Mouse would know how to read and write, so that she would have many options growing up.   And so.... Iran sets the stage for how it is that House Mouse's knowledge of books helped save the family when human beings moved in to their wonderful house on Upperline Street.   Enjoy this cute modern fable by Iran and Henryelle Martin! And listen to more stories by the Martins.  

Welcome to Confetti Park, a radio show out of New Orleans, Louisiana. We play lots of songs and stories from the Bayou State and from the Mississippi Delta region. This is a music medley of songs, poems, and jump rope jingles featured on a recent episode. Louisiana’s Alphabet Song – Kristen Cole and Daniel Morgan Joke of the Day: Cows Go Moo Hey Diddle Diddle – Wee Sing Rock Paper Scissors – Ph Fred The Itsy Bitsy Spider – Jeremy Lyons Do Your Ears Hang Low? – Johnette Downing Music Memory from David Phy Lovely Little Ladybug – Confetti Park Players Children’s ChorusConfetti Park Players Tit Cochon Roti – Girard Dole Kukuriku – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh This Little Light of Mine – Kermit Ruffins Quarter Past Purple – a poem by Carlos Colon Butterflies – a poem by Lily Bell The Coast of Louisiana – a poem by Hrilina Ramrakhiani Chien Jaune et Chien Caille – Girard Dole When You’re in Love, You’ll Understand – Jim Cummings: The Princess & the Frog Cinderella – a poem by Manele Anika Warehouse Mouse – Imagination Movers This episode, “Cows Go Moo,” the show begins with a song showcasing the Louisiana state bird, the state insect, the state flower… and so on. This is “Louisiana’s Alphabet Song,” featuring Kristen Cole and Daniel Morgan. The old nursery rhyme favorite “Itsy Bitsy Spider” is performed by Jeremy Lyons, from his DeltaBilly style Silly Goose Music. And Ph Fred leads a group with Rock Paper Scissors. What a great song! Who doesn’t love a Silly Song performed by New Orleans kids’ favorite, Johnette Downing? Sing along and play along with “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” You’ll hear “Lovely Little Ladybug” performed by the Confetti Park Players, a kids chorus in New Orleans, and “Kukuriku, the Rooster’s Song,” sung by Judy Caplan Gibsburgh of Alexandria, La. Rabbi Judy has been performing music for kids since the 1980s! Check out her website at judymusic.com Other songs featured: a hand-clapping version of the Sunday school classic “This Little Light of Mine,” by New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his children; the Imagination Movers with “Warehouse Mouse” and “When You’re in Love, You’ll Understand” featuring Jim Cummings, who played Ray, the lightning bug of the Princess & the Frog…. a beautiful Disney movie set in the swamps of Louisiana. Sprinkled throughout are many terrific poems by Louisiana creators, of all ages. Also featured on this episode is a Music Memory from trombonist David Phy and a folk tale called the Beaver’s Tale of Greed, narrated by Iran Martin of Bossier City. The Confetti Park radio show streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. Check to see if your local community radio station carries it, and ask!  Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.  

Welcome to Confetti Park, a place where you can listen to kids music and hear stories, poems, jumprope jingles, and learn about the culture of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. I’m Katy Hobgood Ray, your host.  In New Orleans we are celebrating our 300th birthday this year. New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Bienville, and the city and Louisiana are known for having unique mix of cultural influences: French, Spanish, African, German, Native America, and many other peoples … that is why we have such unique food and music. This is a music medley of songs featured on the show this week. Give Me A Squeeze Please - Buckwheat Zydeco Joke of the Day - 7-8-9 Swamp Stomp - Angela Mannino Whistle While You Work - Louis Armstrong Twinkle Twinkle - Ayana of the Renzi Center Sharing - a poem by Marcus Page Fingers Under the Door - Vivi Melody Hide and Seek - Jazzy Ash L.O.S.T. - Imagination Movers Je Veux Marier - Magnolia Sisters This episode of Confetti Park begins with a song by Buckwheat Zydeco, a famous zydeco musician. Zydeco is a kind of music that was created in Louisiana, by Cajun French, African and Native American people blending all their sounds. Buck is going to tell us all about a very important instrument of zydeco music….. the accordion. Then we hear from Angela Mannino with "Swamp Stomp"…. Angela is a New orleans Native who now lives in NY where she is a renowned soprano opera singer… we are lucky to have her singing several great Louisiana kids songs on this album. We also hear famous jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, performing a song from Disney’s Snow White…. You might remember seven dwarves singing this… "Whistle While You Work." Ayana, a student at the Shreveport based Renzi Center, and New Orleans poet Marcus Page share their poems, and then we hear a little run of hide and seek songs, beginning with NOLA native Vivi Melody. The Imagination Movers are perhaps Louisiana’s most famous kids music band. Jazzy Ash, who is terrific fun, lives in Los Angeles but spent her childhood summers on the West bank of New Orleans. She plays Dixieland style kids music. We end with the Magnolia Sisters, a Cajun band from Lafayette Louisiana. "Je Veux Marier," which translates to“I want to marry,” is a fun song to dance to at a Cajun wedding. Also in this episode of Confetti Park is the storytime feature Louis Lion, When It Gets Dark I May Start Cryin, by Cindy Foust of Monroe, Louisiana. Cindy has a whole Alpha-kidZ children's book series. Each letter of the alphabet gets a feature story and a feature creature who has an adventure… and learns a valuable lesson. You can listen to all the stories you hear on this radio show on our free Confetti Park podcast. The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

Summertime in New Orleans brings a hyper awareness of storm season. In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear Fair Weather Friend: A Story of Hurricane Katrina, narrated by the author Marcus Page. Marcus is a poet and a New Orleans native. He was inspired to write a story of the power of friendship after the experience of Hurricane Katrina. Two children, who are the best of friends, are separated from each other during the hurricane evacuation. While their families face different challenges, both of these young children bear the pressure of the situation and the forced evacuation of their home. It was August, the summer of 2005. The kids were getting ready to go back to school. After a long summer of playing and vacationing, Payton and Maria were looking forward to getting back to school. Payton and Maria were walking to the corner store. When they arrived to the store the store clerk was watching the news on a TV behind the counter. There was a special bulletin urging all residents to evacuate soon, because a huge storm was coming. The news man called the storm Katrina. Katrina was said to possibly be the biggest storm New Orleans had ever seen. Fair Weather Friend: A Story of Hurricane Katrina is available on Amazon. Listen to Marcus narrate the story. And learn more about Marcus and his poetry and performance art at http://www.rawartists.org/marcuspage.  

Charlie Bush is a guitar player, drummer, and a retired chef from Shreveport, Louisiana. His childhood was imbued with music, as he had an incredibly wonderfully large musical family, with all the siblings having particular instruments they played and a personal repertoire of songs they were known for singing in their family ranks. Charlie’s brother Bill Bush is a Louisiana legend who led a musical combo for fifty years. (Learn about the Bill Bush Combo) He operated a club in Shreveport called the Moulin Rouge, where members of the family honed their performance chops. Eventually, Charlie and his sister Rebecca toured New Zealand as a duo singing folk and rock songs. Charlie’s mom Ruby had a big impact on his appreciation of music (and that of his siblings). “It started out with my mom, who was a piano player, and played for all my talent shows growing up,” says Charlie. Ruby is still living at 99 years young and regularly performs for her fellow residents at a nursing home in the Dallas area! Charlie took ukulele lessons when he was seven years old at the Shreveport Memorial Library. (Aren’t public libraries WONDERFUL??) Soon after, he started taking guitar lessons. “My first song was John Denver, ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads,’” recalls Charlie. “Then I learned 27 Jimmy Buffet songs because they were all three and four chords. Easy to learn…. and I just went on from there!” And that’s how it’s done, kids. Find an instrument you like, learn some popular songs you really love. Start with the easy ones. Once you learn just a few chords, the world of musical performance opens up to you! Thank you Charlie Bush for sharing your childhood music memories with Confetti Park.

Welcome to Confetti Park,  a magical show featuring stories and music for children of all ages.  I’ve been gathering songs from across my home state of Louisiana and from places around the Mississippi Delta. I just love the variety or music—blues, jazz, country, rock n roll, rap and church music and Cajun, and brass band… there’s a lot to learn and I am still listening and learning every day. I hope you like what I share with you. This is a music medley of songs featured on the show this week. Arkansas Tongue Twister - Sunpie Barnes Joke of the Day: Grizzly Bear & Harp Salmon Song - Jazzy Ash Avocado Woo Woo - Tin Men Daycare - Ph Fred Days of the Week - Jason & Layla Louis Ray - ABCs Five Little Butterflies - Johnette Downing Curious George Main Theme Song -  Dr. John We’ve Got Each Other -  Imagination Movers We begin with a game song from Arkansas, by Arkansas born New Orleans resident Bruce Sunpie Barnes. He is a real forest ranger, and a great musician. You will also hear the wonderful Tin Men of New Orleans, L.A. based Jazzy Ash (who has deep Louisiana roots), and Louisiana pied piper Johnette Downing. There is also a famous song by the famous Dr. John, all  about the most famous monkey in the world. And I know you will enjoy brother and sister duo Jason & Layla, who are wonderful artists on their own, and together. (Jason Rhein plays music in Rotary Downs and is one of the owners of Marigny Recording Studio. Layla is a professional belly dancer in NYC. They are originally from Baton Rouge.) And we have a terrific parody song by Ph Fred... "They tried to make me go to daycare, I said 'No, No, No!'"  We end with a song by the Imagination Movers all about a hurricane evacuation. These are the times when you realize what are truly the most important things in life... HINT: it's not houses nor possessions. The guys know what's up in "We've Got Each Other." This song leads us into our storytime feature, Fairweather Friend, by New Orleans poet and storyteller Marcus Page. It is the story of young friends separated because of a hurricane evacuation. You can listen to all the stories you hear on this radio show on our free Confetti Park podcast.The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

It was hot. VERY hot. Dave, Ted and I finally remembered this fact about the day that we rescued Annie Ledbetter off the side of a country highway, because we recalled that the little pads of her paws were burned off by the heat of the asphalt.  Little Orphan Annie Ledbetter, the Laughing Dog, was a medium sized solid black mutt who had been abandoned on the Blanchard Latex Road in rural Caddo Parish in northwest Louisiana.  We know she was abandoned because she was running back and forth along the road cut through the rolling piney woods, sticking close to shoulder, waiting and barking, and terrified. We passed her in our truck on our way to visit Lead belly's grave, and agreed that were she still there on our way back, we would try to rescue her. We spent an hour in the grave yard at Shiloh Baptist Church, looking at the old headstones, including Lead Belly's grave (a place we all visit several times a year) and noticing all the Ledbetter descendants in that yard. Ted was captivated by a head stone that had the name 'Annie Ledbetter' etched upon it. He loved that name.  We piled back into Dave's white pickup truck and headed back to Ted's house in Mooringsport. There was nothing save pine forest, or the occasional dilapidated shack or mobile home every half mile or so.  We all kept our eye out for the little black dog. As we rounded a gentle bend, we saw her. She was there. Sitting on the side of the road. Waiting. For what? For who? Dave pulled his truck over and he and Ted and I scrambled out of the car to approach the little black dog.  She was panicked and terrified, and bared her teeth at us. Yet she wouldn't run away. You could see she was desperately in need of comfort. She would chase after us a few feet when we would retreat.  We didn't give up. We had nowhere to be, nothing more pressing on this sunny day than to save this life. We didn't chase her. We gave her time and space and hung out in the back of the pickup truck and waited for her to get comfortable. The wind blew gently through the tree tops. Cars were few and far between. Dave finally got the bright idea to coax her with water. He went to his truck, pulled out a big frisbee and poured in cool liquid from his water bottle. He put it on the ground outside the truck and sat just inside with the door open.  Ted and I watched from behind the truck as she warily approached the water. She sniffed, and then desperately started drinking. We gingerly approached, and soothingly talked to her. She didn't run..... She cowered, and then she gave in. She gave herself over to what fate would bring. Ted put his hands gently on her, and next thing you know, he had scooped her up and put her into the back of the truck. We climbed in to sit with her while Dave drove the truck back to Ted's house.  She was a lapdog for the rest of the night. Hugs and snuggles and food and water and campfire light and music. A frisky, wiggly, joyful dog emerged from the fearful creature, just like that. Little Orphan Annie Ledbetter was full of joy, happy to be alive, happy to be loved.  She lived out the rest of her happy life with Ted there in those woods.     

There is something special about a Catahoula Leopard Dog! What strange and magical breed...It’s the state dog of Louisiana. And it’s celebrated in the cute children’s book by Leif Pedersen. The author himself narrates the fun-filled adventure in A Dog Named Cat, the fourth book in The Adventures of The Swamp Kids series. The Swamp Kids travel to a nearby animal shelter in hopes of finding a new pet they can adopt and bring home. They find a Louisiana Catahoula Cur puppy and learn all about him.  This podcast features a bit of “Sunbonnet Sue” performed by the Hackberry Ramblers. ….They’re called “catahoulas,” and raised up the bayou a bit. They’re really good herders, and faster than lightning. At home he will be a big hit! So now what to name their new furry friend? Lots of smiles come from this great book for animal lovers, not least the brightly colored illustrations of the swamp critters by artist Tim Banfell. Also included in the book is a Lagniappe Lesson written by WWL-TV and Radio personality Angela Hill, a dedicated animal lover respected for her journalistic talents and her unwavering commitment to animals. Angela offers kids tips on the care and responsibility involved with pet ownership. Want to hear more? Listen to The Missing Chord by Leif Pedersen, the very first Swamp Kids book in the series. The Swamp Kids have many adventures you can enjoy… Visit www.theswampkids.com for puzzles, plush toys, activity sheets of teachers, and more!

This is Confetti Park,  a magical playground of music and stories for kids everywhere. What’s unique about these songs, and these stories, is that they all come from Louisiana. Today you’re going to hear songs from all corners of the state, and across a century of time. This is music that has touched generations of children…. I’m talking about songs that were popular when your grandparents were kids, that are sung by children today. Like "Skip to My Lou," a song that has stood the test of time and is sung for you by Johnette Downing. And "Bye Bye Blackbird," by the great New Orleans’ banjoist Danny Barker. And there is new stuff, too… "King of the Sea" is a rap written and performed by New Orleans school kids through the Young Audiences of Louisiana arts and education network. Thanks to their teacher, Michael Patrick Welch, for recording it! Featured in this episode: Take My Turn (King Of The Sea) - Mr. Michael's Class Bye Bye Blackbird  - Danny Barker Joke of the Day - Ice Cream Let me In Ice Cream - George Lewis’ Ragtime Band Skip to My Lou - Johnette Downing    L’arc en Ciel - Michael "Beausoliel" Doucet With Family & Friends Also featured in this episodes a childhood music memory by guitarist and music producer CC Adcock, and the Louisiana folktale, The Girl Who Danced with the Devil, narrated by Catherine Golden. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. We are in states from Alaska to Maine. Look for the full broadcast schedule here. Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.  

Hi everyone, Here is another music medley from Confetti Park. And in this episode, you will hear lots of songs about fresh fruits and vegetables. In the radio version of this program, we listen to a story about our recently departed dear Mr. Okra. (You can listen to the story here: Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by Lashon Daley) Mr. Okra passed away this week, and he was one of the last of the New Orleans street vendors. Mr. Okra sold fresh fruits and vegetables from a brightly painted pickup truck that traveled slowly throughout New Orleans’ neighborhoods. His voice rang out over his loudspeaker affixed to the roof of the truck: “I have oranges! I have bananas!” When people heard him coming, they could step out their door and buy their fresh produce for the week. The Confetti Park Players are so fortunate and grateful to have had Mr. Okra sing with us on our first album. He recorded a special song with us. You can listen to the entire track. Now for the full playlist of this episode: First up is one of my favorite tunes, that first came out in 1984 and is surely as classic a Louisiana song as any. I tell you what, I defy anyone of any age, kids or adult, to listen to the song and not feel like a kid when the chorus comes on. This particular version features two patriarchs of Louisiana culture……Doug Kershaw and Fats Domino. This song is Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot. We will also here Satisfied ‘n Tickled Too, by Jeremy Lyons from his Silly Goose Music CD, which features more beautiful Americana classics created with children in mind. There is a beautiful Cajun lullaby called Raisins & Almonds sung by Nancy Tabb Marcantel, and Watermelon Time, by Ted Lindsay of Mooringsport, La., leading the Confetti Park Players in an homage to ripe summer fruit. Then we hear a trio of songs about bananas…… Oh Dego – Leroy Etienne of St. Martinville as featured on the National Park Service’s Songs Of The Lower Mississippi Delta. Anna Banana – Johnette Downing of New Orleans, pied piper of Louisiana Yes We Have No Bananas – the fabulous Louis Prima Kids, go check out Mr. Louis Prima on YouTube… he is a jazz trumpeter from New Orleans who had the energy of a kid, and a style like no one else. Well, we’ve talked about banana, watermelon and other fruits. And so now We play Mr. Okra, singing a song in his own voice. Mr. Okra…. we love you. We will miss your call. Thank you for sharing your voice with us, for sharing good food with us, and for making the world a better place. Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot – Doug Kershaw and Fats Domino Joke of the Day – Atoms Make Up Everything Satisfied ‘n Tickled Too – Jeremy Lyons Raisins & Almonds – Nancy Tabb Marcantel Apple On A Stick – The Confetti Park Players Watermelon Time – The Confetti Park Players Music Memory from Jimmy Caskey Oh Dego – New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Leroy Etienne Anna Banana – Johnette Downing Yes We Have No Bananas – Louis Prima Have You Seen The Okra Man – Mr. Okra and The Confetti Park Players Story time: Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by Lashon Daley Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

  Confetti Park HOME ABOUT CONFETTI PARK RADIO & PODCAST SHOP BOOKS MUSIC NEWS EVENTS SUBSCRIBE Music Medley: Milk Dud HomeUncategorizedMusic Medley: Milk Dud 0  Music Medley: Milk Dud     Hi kids! Welcome to another episode of Confetti Park, a radio show featuring songs and stories from Louisiana. I am so excited that Confetti Park is available in states from Alaska to Maine. Thank you to all the stations carrying the show, and I hope you all enjoy the music and stories. Don’t forget you can download the free podcast and listen to stories, interviews and music medleys anytime! Songs included in this episode: Holy Cow – Tin Men Joke of the Day – Milk DudBig Brown Cow – Ph Fred Bushel and a Peck – Vivi Melody & Friends Choctaw Choo Choo – Confetti Park Players Ham & Eggs – Danny Barker Jambalaya- Fats Domino Mama Inez – Sunpie Barnes Cailette – Gerard Dole Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing This episode also features JuJu, the Good VooDoo, by Michelle Hirstius, during Confetti Park Storytime. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KVOY 104.5 FM Norman OK, every weekday between 3-4 p.m. KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM New Orleans every Saturday at 11 a.m. KWRK 90.9 FM Fairbanks, AK every Sunday at 7 a.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. WHPW 97.3 FM Harpswell Center, ME various times Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned! SEE MAP A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Confetti Park: Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs! Hi kids! It’s Mardi Gras time in Louisiana! Confetti Park is a kids radio show out of New Orleans. In my city the kids are out of school while we celebrate the end of the Epiphany season with parades, lots of good food, and music. Brass bands, marching bands, Indian chants, and sweet rock n roll. I’d like to bring you along for the carnival ride today… Every city that celebrates Mardi Gras has its own special customs, and in New Orleans, we have a few unique aspects… such as the Mardi Gras Indians. Neighborhood tribes wear fabulous towering costumes made up of colorful feathers and beads…. the Big Chiefs battle for who is the most beautiful on a Mardi Gras Day. One of the songs I play today is famous across the world, but what you might not know is that it came from the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tradition. This song "Iko Iko," performed by the Dixie Cups, tells the story of two warring Indian tribes who have a confrontation in the street. I also play "My Indian Red," a very famous Indian prayer, performed by the Baby Dodds Trio. On Fat Tuesday, we will hear that sung on the streets of New Orleans from sunup to sundown. And there are other songs sure to be played along the parade routes where families will be camped to catch beads. Songs included in this episode: Red White and Blue Got the Golden Band - Mardi Gras Indians Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups Joke of the Day - Ash Who? My Indian Red - Baby Dodds Trio Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Trombone Shorty Throw Me Something Mister - Johnette Downing & Jimmy LaRocca’s ODJB Aveine, Aveine, Aveine - Les Petits Amis Every Day is Mardi Gras - Schatzy 3-6-9 (The Clapping Song) - Confetti Park Players Crawfish Fiesta - Professor Longhair Mardi Gras in New Orleans - Olympia Brass Band This episode also features The Cajun Cornbread Boy by Dianne De Las Casas at Storytime. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KVOY 104.5 FM Norman OK, every weekday between 3-4 p.m. KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM New Orleans every Saturday at 11 a.m. KWRK 90.9 FM Fairbanks, AK every Sunday at 7 a.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. WHPW 97.3 FM Harpswell Center, ME various times Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned! SEE MAP A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.    

Confetti Park: A Mardi Gras music medley! Hello from Confetti Park in New Orleans where we are celebrating Mardi Gras ! The most magical time of the year. If you listen to this show regularly, you know that at Confetti Park we celebrate the magic you find in everyday, in the beats on the street, the clapping of children, and the laughter and musical sounds of life! But Mardi Gras… it’s something special. There is a feeling in the air of joie de vivre… We’re going to celebrate with some of our most beloved Mardi Gras music today! Songs included in this episode: Mardi Gras Mambo - The Hawkettes Joke of the Day - Gummy Bear Second Line - Charmaine Neville Bourbon Street Parade - Santo Pecora and his New Orleans Rhythm Kings ZuZu the Praline Man Throw Me Somethin’ Mista - Jazzy Ash If Ever I Cease to Love - Confetti Park Players ftg. AJ Loria Iko Iko - Buckwheat Zydeco South Rampart Street Parade - Rene Netto & The Sounds of New Orleans This episode also features Coming Up Cajun by Carrie Delatte at Storytime. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.    

Happy New Year! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created by Louisiana artists. This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs that appeal to children of all ages that reach back through generations. The music reflects the variety of sounds that come from our fertile Mississippi valley. Also featured in this episode, the storytime feature Swamp Kids: The Lost Chord, narrated by author by Leif Pedersen, and a music memory from Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of Alexandria. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Careless Love Blues – Danny Barker Joke of the Day – Time Flies Freight Train – Jeremy Lyons Lady With The Alligator Purse – Johnette Downing Gummy Bear – narrated by Louis Ray Arkansas Tongue Twister – Sun Pie Barnes You Gotta Sing – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong Deux Cocodries – Michael Doucet with Family & Friends   About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created in Louisiana. This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs that kids and the grownups will love, that reflect the unique culture of Louisiana and the American South. Today's special episode features songs celebrating the great river that courses through our lives: the Mississippi River. The very ground beneath our feet was created by this river, over thousands of years. It is so much a part of our culture. Listen up!   Songs featured in this episode, in order: Lazy River - Danny Barker Joke of the Day - Tuna Fish Riding Down the Mississippi River - Ted Lindsay Roll On Mississippi, Roll On - Richard Piano Scott Frère Jacques - recorded at Nunu in Arnaudville, La. Rolling Down The River - Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca’s ODJB Mary Don’t You Weep - Renzi Center Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Kaylin Orleans Ruffins and Kermit Ruffins Also featured in this episode, the Storytime feature Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch by Dianne De Las Casas, and a music memory from John Doheny. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.  

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’. This book is narrated by the author, Cindy Foust, creator of the Alpha-kidZ book series. Each letter of the alphabet gets a feature story and a feature creature who has an adventure and learns a lesson. Louis Lion – When It Gets Dark, I May Start Cryin’ is the “L” book in the series, of course! And little Louis has a problem that many children share…. fear of the dark and being alone in bed at night. “Bedtime for Louis became a battle.  He would cry with all his might.  Before his parents knew what had happened,  their little Louis was sleeping with them every night.” But what happens as Louis grows bigger? The “big bed” becomes too small! One night, it was too much for Louis to take. Dad pulled the covers off Louis…. then his mom’s arm accidentally bonks his nose…. And mom and dad both snored too loudly for Louis to get his needed rest. “Louis covered his head with his pillow… he just wanted some sleep!” Guess where Louis found sweet dreams at last? In his very own bed, despite the dark! Cindy Foust lives in West Monroe, Louisiana. She launched the Alpha-kidZ: Reading Adventures A-Z book series in 2003. Patti Pig, Austin Alligator, Elephant Emmy Lou, and Freddy Fox… these are some of the characters who face a challenge and find a solution. All of Cindy’s books offer lessons in character development and conflict resolution, told in engaging rhyme.  And the books are brightly and colorfully illustrated (by different artists). Cindy says that personal experiences and inspiration from family and friends provided the basis for each of the stories. Look for all the books at http://www.alphakidz.com, and look for an interview with author Cindy Faust in a future episode of Confetti Park! Listen to Cindy read Patti Pig, Please Clean Your Digs.

In this episode of Confetti Park, we meet Deborah A. Anderson, New Orleans based animator and creator of The Black Hair Alphabet, a children’s book that explores different African-American hairstyles from A-Z. In this interview, Deborah discusses why and how she created the book, and shares insight into the interesting worlds of video game avatars, 3D illustration, and the animation industry. Says Deborah, “The idea behind the book came from a conversation with some colleagues in animation. We talked about the representation of black hair in video game avatars…. It was actually guys complaining… they were complaining about how if you want to represent your ethnicity, you’re picking between an afro or dreads. There’s really not a myriad of hairstyles to pick from.” Deborah decided to blog about a different black hair style for each day of the month during Black History Month, starting with a different letter of the alphabet, to explore the versatility of black hair. Each day during February 2017, she spent approximately three hours illustrating a different hairstyle inspired by a letter—A for Afro. B for Bantu Knot, C for Conk., etc. At the end of the month, she had the material for a book! Deborah, who is primarily an animator (she has created background scenes for Family Guy, the Cleveland Show, Batman, Scooby Doo) created her illustrations using a 3D animation software. “I would first choose a font I thought would kind of illustrate the hairstyle I was going to do on it," explains Deborah. "I tried to figure out to put hairstyle on the font, so, sometimes I would pick a font where I needed it to be a certain way. So, for 'Geometric Cut' for 'G,' I purposely chose a font with a square top so I could do that geometric cut.” She published The Black Hair Alphabet on Amazon, where it is currently highly ranked in the category of hair books. You can purchase it in print or for Kindle. Check out blkwmnanimator.com for more information about Deborah and her work! Thank you so much Deborah, for sharing your story with Confetti Park. Listen to Deborah narrate the entire book in this episode of Confetti Park Storytime!

Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created in Louisiana. This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs that kids and the grownups will love, that reflect the unique culture of Louisiana and the American South. We've got songs about possums, bees, foxes, bubbles, and Cajun prairie trail rides. Listen up! Songs featured in this episode, in order: Pretty Purple Possums - Angela Mannino Joke of the Day: Honey Comb Bumblebee - Ginger & the Bee featuring the Confetti Park Players Here Comes Summer - Imagination Movers Vinegar - narrated by Louis Ray Bubbles - Jazzy Ash Take Me to the Trail Ride - Terrance Simien FoxHunt - Bruce Sunpie Barnes Also featured in this episode, the Storytime feature Foolish John, narrated by Ted Lindsay, and a music memory from Bruce Sunpie Barnes. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. KXCJ-LP 105.7 FM Cave Junction, OR every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.    

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created by Louisianans (or transplants who will always call Louisiana home). This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs in the vein of Cajun, rock, blues, folk, jazz, and FUN! Listen up! Songs featured in this episode, in order: Jambalaya (On The Bayou) - Papillon Joke of the Day - Candle Out Chicken Strut - The Meters Feliciana LeRoux - Johnette Downing Sunny & Norah Sing Toulouse the Crawfish Hunter - Ron "Black" Guidry I Want My Mommy - Imagination Movers Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Lead Belly Backyard Camping- Jazzy Ash Also featured in this episode, a Music Memory from Ms. Chocolate and for Storytime, a reflective essay—"Coyotes at Night" by Katy Hobgood Ray. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.  

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… dogs! We love dogs! This medley of children's songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features all songs about dogs! You know what that means.... These are also songs about faithful friends. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Three Legged Dog - Imagination Movers Joke of the Day - Something Smells My Dog - Johnette Downing Best Friends - Zachary Richard BULLFROG - narrated by Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players Ol Blue - Jimmy Cousins About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Listen to the magical storytelling of Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas. Here is Dianne reading “Brer Rabbit and the Peanut Patch,” from her collection Jambalaya – Stories With Louisiana Flavor. Brer Rabbit is a favorite recurring character in Louisiana folklore—as in all regions with strong African-American and Native American cultural influences. Brer Rabbit is a “trickster” figure, who can get out of tough situations and win the day though cunning and quick thinking. Though Brer Rabbit is smaller and less physically capable than other animals (and really, just exactly what damage can a bunny rabbit do to anything besides a vegetable garden?), he uses clever tricks and fast talking to outsmart his rivals. We celebrate the life of Dianne de Las Casas—masterful storyteller, prolific children’s author, champion of Louisiana children and Louisiana folklore, incredible mother, educator, entrepreneur, and creative soul. Read “Remembering Louisiana children’s author Dianne de Las Casas”

Fireflies, lightnin’ bugs… catch ‘em in a jar. Then let ‘em go, and watch ‘em fly far. Can you believe how many wonderful children’s songs there are from Louisiana? Jazz, zydeco, blues, rock…. it just goes on and on. Songs featured in this episode, in order: When the Saints Go Marching In - Hack Bartholomew Joke of the Day - Spider & the Firefly Jump - Schatzy This Little Light - Kermit Ruffins Turkey Snapping Turtle - narrated by Louis Ray Firefly - Jazzy Ash When You’re In Love You’ll Understand - Jim Cummings We Are the Lightnin’ Bugs - The Lightnin’ Bugs Crawfish Fiesta - Professor Longhair Also featured in this episode, a childhood Music Memory by Miss Chocolate, and the Confetti Park Storytime feature, Reflections of Childhood by Minnie Carter (narrated by Catherine Golden). About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of children's songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about frogs, leap frog, the alphabet in French, rocket ships, and more. What a variety from a huge talent pool of musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Super Frog - Asylum Street Spankers Joke of the Day - Zeros and Eights Can You Do It? - Imagination Movers Leap Frog - Jazzy Ash Rayden and Leah - French alphabet Hard To Explain - Mr. Michael’s Class from Young Audiences of Louisiana Jenny's Rocket - Ph Fred Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Randy Guynes, and the Storytime feature, Her Royal Majesty, the Superhero Bride of Frankenstein,  by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust.  About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of children's songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about lots of sea creatures and jokes about dinosaurs. Oysters, stingrays, seagulls, dolphins, submarines, rowboats, T-Rexes? What a variety! Songs featured in this episode, in order: Oscar de la Oyster - Louisiana Pollywogs 
Joke of the Day - Grandpa T-Rex Yellow Submarine - Papa Grows Funk Stingray Shuffle - Johnette Downing Bah Bah Black Sheep - Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players Row Row Row Your Boat - Dr. John Salty Seas Sings - Lynda Deniger     Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Charlotte Hunter, and the Storytime feature, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, by Tommie Townsley. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. And today’s music medley features songs about raccoons, emus, animals at the aquarium, lullabies, irresistible dance tunes, and more. There are also sweet poems and jokes and jumprope jingles throughout. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Troy Andrews Joke of the Day - Catch a Squirrel Nobody Likes Fun More Than Me! - Don Hoffman and Bryan Wagar Humpty Dumpty - Confetti Park Players On the Bayou - a poem by Jaden Norris of Arden Cahill Academy Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot - Fernest Arceneaux, The Zydeco All Stars & Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. Emus - The Lightnin’ Bugs The Children’s Hour - Longfellow - Read by Magpie Baccinelli I Went to the Aquarium - Johnette Downing Stay Awake - Lori Carsillo How is the House Cat - Greg Schatz Also included in this episode is a Music Memory from Darleen Ketchens, beloved New Orleans clarinet player and sometimes street busker, and the Story time feature, the "Camel and the Cat." About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show! Subscribe on iTunes The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University. Current broadcast schedule: KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m. WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY every Saturday at 8 a.m. KFZR 93.3FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. KLQS 96.7FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans every Saturday at 12 p.m. KPNW-DB Pacific Northwest Radio in Bellingham, WA every Sunday at 9 a.m. WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. KSLU 90.9 FM in Hammond every Sunday at 12 p.m. A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at http://confettipark.com/podcast/ Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

From North Louisiana (Bossier Parish) comes a Bible-inspired book suitable for all ages because of its unique multilayered approach. For families of Christian faith who want an easy way to teach their children about Bible verses and God, that can be revisited again and again as the child grows, this book is ideal. As you listen to Robin narrate her book, you will hear the very simple layer ideal for young children. As Robin moves through the alphabet, she describes characteristics of God of the Christian faithful. From the website: "God from A to Z is Robin’s first published children’s book. Aimed at young children, the illustrated book describes the God of the Bible in detail, with each letter of the alphabet linked to one of God’s aspects. God’s nature is poetically captured in Robin’s writing while Peggy A. Borel’s beautiful illustrations visualize and cement the concepts for young minds on each page." In addition, there are verses and discussion concepts included in the pages of the book, that are meant for prompting inquisitive discussions between family members as the children get older. Learn more at http://robinwrites.net/godfromatoz/ Look for an interview with Robin about her inspirations and the writing process on an upcoming episode of Confetti Park. Thank you, Robin, for sharing your book and your story of personal faith with Confetti Park!

It’s Confetti Park Storytime! In this episode, we hear The Black Hair Alphabet, narrated by author and illustrator Deborah A. Anderson. This is a children’s book that names different African-American hairstyles, from A-Z. Deborah’s illustrations, which she created digitally, showcase a terrific diversity of styles. A is for Afro. B is for Bantu Knot. C is for Conk. Deborah, who lives in New Orleans, is an animator and 3D artist by trade. She trained in Digital eMation in South Korea where she was a 3D Artist on shows such as Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Batman: The Brave and The Bold and Scooby Doo. In an interview with the Mane Man blog, Deborah explained why she decided to explore black hairstyles from A-Z. “The original premise came from the fact that a lot of people who play video games, namely guys, are aggravated by lack of representation in hairstyles when making avatars,” explained Deborah. “It’s always dreads or an afro, maybe a low-cut. This is the beginning of my journey in figuring out black hair in a 3D space.” Stay tuned for an in depth interview on Confetti Park where Deborah explores these ideas further, and talks about how video gaming is getting better in representing black hair. Thank you so much Deborah for sharing The Black Hair Alphabet with Confetti Park! You can order the book on Amazon.

Are you ready for the creation story of Juju the Good Voodoo Doll? In a cabin in a bayou one foggy night Marie the VooDoo Queen was casting spells on dolls that were good, and some that were a fright. One little doll she saw at a glance— purple hair, big black eyes and a gold dress. could this be the very one, by chance? “You are special…. you are the one!” and so Marie mixed the spell of good deeds for this doll. This is how the story of Juju the Good Voodoo doll begins her role casting spells of good deeds on others who need help. This is the very first in the adorable series by Michelle Hirstius. “Voodoo, Hoo Doo, You do! Juju knows voodoo, and I’ll put a good spell on you.” From here, you can follow her adventures in books both written and illustrated by the very talented and creative Michelle Hirstius, who lives in New Orleans. Confetti Park is so delighted to share some of Juju’s other adventures in our Storytime feature too! Listen along as Juju saves Christmas in da Bayou (and meets Cajun St. Nick) and as Juju Meets the Rougaroo—it's a perfectly hair-raising tale spooky tale featuring the Louisiana swamp monster. All these books are ideal for young readers and impart lessons about being nice and doing good. From the author’s website: "Juju is adorable and will enter your hearts as she comes off the pages of this delightful tale. Children and adults will fall in love and enjoy reading the origin of where Juju came from and what she is set out to see and what “good deeds” are to come.  This book lets children learn something known a negative can be positive. Juju is also different and unique and that's OK. You can be YOU!" Check out all the adventures of Juju at http://www.michellehirstius.com/