Dear Listener,It used to be that after the first weekend in May, everyone at WWOZ would fall directly into estivation mode — another way of saying that, after our 10-day frenzy of Jazz Festivities, we would crash and burn as the city quietly went about the business of putting itself to sleep for the summer. Back in the day. But not any more. Now, as I write this, 'OZ is a beehive of activity as we plan for a very, very active summer.
Fresh off the heels of being selected as one of the 5 best radio stations in America by none other than Rolling Stone magazine (May 1st issue, p. 38!) and an Esky from Esquire magazine for being the best internet radio station in the Universe (April issue, p. 100!), we are now ramping up for all the live, live, live music we can possibly accommodate. First, it's the Bayou Boogaloo Music Festival from the banks of the Bayou St. John here in New Orleans, followed by the Telluride Jazz Festival in early June, then the Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Creole Tomato Festival from the French Quarter later in June.
Plus we'll be getting tons of live performances from local music venues as we put together material for our just-announced national hour-long weekly program of live music called "'OZ Presents New Orleans Live!" You'll be hearing more about this program, so stay tuned if you like your music delivered fresh from the stage to your own personal, discriminating, music-savvy, 'Ozillian ear.
Yours in sousaphones and pheromones,
David Freedman
General Manager
Upcoming Festivals
Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo — Live Broadcasts — May 23 & 24
WWOZ never stops; as soon as one festival is over, we move on and start planning the next broadcast. Coming up we'll be broadcasting from the 2008 Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo on Friday, May 23 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
So far we have confirmed the Friday night broadcast with Marc Stone's Louisiana Blues Throwdown featuring Josh Paxton, Danon Smith, John Gros, Walter Washington, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Jamelle Williams, Jimmy Carpenter, Rick Trolsen, Van Odom, Ernie Vincent and Sam Price. The line-up looks great, so keep checking our Live Events page for more updates to the live broadcast schedule.
Read more about live coverage of the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo
June Festivals
Another festival of interest, as we approach the summer months, is the newly renamed New Orleans Vieux-To-Do. This features a half-mile-wide festival, June 13th to the 15th, in the Vieux Carré/French Market area. Included are the Cajun-Zydeco Festival, Creole Tomato Fest and the New Orleans Seafood Festival!
Read more about the great June Festival Season
Jazz Fest Redux
Jazz Fest Thanks
More than 3,100 Brass Pass & Over Pass Members grooved along with 'OZ at the 2008 Jazz Fest. We shared past and present Jazz Fest stories, wore many 'OZ tattoos and, especially, enjoyed the expanded hospitality oasis. Thanks for showing your support of WWOZ and our mission to bring the sounds of New Orleans to the Universe!
It takes an army to move a mountain, and we feel the same way about all of the help it takes to put on a fundraiser, to broadcast live for seven days and to staff a hospitality area serving more than 3,000 people. We would like to thank our "army of Wild 'Ozillians" for making everything come together.
Jazz Fest Blog & Highlights
The Fest is over but you can enjoy the memories with our live blog from the Fest, with stories and photos from the fairgrounds from our WWOZ show hosts, volunteers, listeners, staff members and friends.
You can also share your Jazz Fest stories and photos with us by submitting them to our blog.
Submit your Jazz Fest memories to the blog
Piano Night Videos
To learn more about the early days of Piano Night and get a view behind the scenes, watch our backstage video interviews from Piano Night.
Rolling Stone Magazine Award Goes to WWOZ!
In their May 10th issue, Rolling Stone magazine named WWOZ one of the top 5 radio stations in the country. And this on the heels of an Esky Award from Esquire magazine in April, naming WWOZ the best internet radio station of the year.
Read more about recent awards WWOZ has received
Social Aid & Pleasure Club Party with John Goodman
Starting off the festival season on the right note, the first annual WWOZ Social Aid & Pleasure Club party was held Friday, April 11th. John Goodman, Honorary Chair of the newly-formed Social Aid & Pleasure Club, welcomed the station's major donors and friends to the celebration.
WWOZ's Social Aid & Pleasure Club was initiated to build a community of members interested in supporting & sharing in the station's mission in significant ways. Members support the station with an annual gift of $1,000 or more and play an important role in ensuring the continued success of the station that so many people in New Orleans and around the world depend on, learn from and enjoy.
Read more about WWOZ's Social Aid & Pleasure Club Party and how to get involved
May Recipe — Creole Tomatoes
With the Creole Tomato Festival coming up next month, the time for tomatoes in Louisiana is June, and one of the treats of the summer months is fresh crab meat. One of the best ways to mix them both is to stuff those fine Creole tomatoes with fresh Louisiana crab meat.
Read the recipe and see more delicious goodies from past months
Street Talk
THIS WEEK: Street Talk reporter Eve Abrams updates us on the New Orleans Food Co-Op getting off the ground and providing a healthy food resource in the Crescent City.
NEXT WEEK: Street Talk reporter David Weinberg introduces us to the Threadheads. They met as Jazz Fest enthusiasts and now they are music activists, helping sweet sounds swing in a variety of ways.
WWOZ Quick Links
A Message for WWOZ Members
504 and Then Some, WWOZ's Spring Compilation CD, is still in the works. We don't want to rush a good thing, and we thank you for your patience. If you requested a CD when you made your pledge, we'll mail it to you as soon as the CD is completed.
Membership FAQ
Do you have questions about your membership? Check out our Membership Frequently Asked Questions. Our Membership Director Crystal wants to hear from you if you have any membership questions that aren't answered there.
Playlists Online
Are you interested in an artist we played on the air? You can search playlists by song title, band name, CD title or label.
WWOZ Swamp Shop
The 'OZ Swamp Shop is open and chock full of WWOZ gear.
New Orleans Music Calendar
There's live music in locations all around New Orleans. We've got a music calendar online.
Pledge / Renew Now
Support WWOZ — and the music you love!
