Dear Listener,

After the Federal Flood of ’05, it seemed like you could shoot a cannonball through the streets of the French Quarter without hitting a tourist. They were staying away in droves, convinced that the city wasn’t fun anymore. Of course, those of us who were here knew better. In the sliver by the river where most of the music clubs were situated, people were partying with a vengeance.

In 2006, WWOZ approached the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation with a plan for a nationally distributed show, to help get all our free-spending outta town good-timers back on the dance floors by letting them know firsthand that our live, local music was alive and well.

WWOZ had some experience with national programming, having collaborated years ago with WGBH-FM, the great production house of Boston, on a national program called The Crescent City Connection in which we tried to convey some of the magic that infuses life in this magnolia and gardenia-scented paradise. So, with NOTMC’s financial support, we created New Orleans All the Way Live, an hour-long, weekly program of WWOZ-recorded music with interviews, features on food and local events that aired in 38 markets across America for the past 7 years. In that time, we’ve posted 270 programs produced by one of our star show hosts—George Ingmire.

Now, as you know, there are more tourists these days on the streets of New Orleans than we can say grace over. So it was time to revisit the purpose of our program.  In April, we called a big powwow of our creatives and spent three days really thinking about it: what kind of a program would we want to do now for a national audience?  How could we raise the bar?

Ever since, staff has been working feverishly on new ideas, new pilots and even a new name—all of which is about to be launched in the next few weeks. So stay tuned as WWOZ moves into the next phase of its quest to share with the world what an absolute blessing it is to live in this city. WWOZ is New Orleans calling to the world.

Yours in snow balls and baby dolls,

David Freedman
General Manager

WWOZ and the Healthier Air for All Campaign are partnering to present the Join The Movement Tour: six concerts around Louisiana promoting healthy, smoke-free environments for musicians and fans. Six venues will go smoke-free to help increase awareness of smoking-related health dangers faced by musicians and live music lovers, and to demonstrate to venue owners that the public supports smoke-free shows.

» Join The Movement Tour dates and locations

Apply by August 1 for funding from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival & Foundation's Community Partnership Grants program. There's a new emphasis on funding music and art programs at Louisiana K-12 schools, as well as documenting Louisiana's indigenous culture and presenting Louisiana artists.

» Learn more about the NOJHFF Community Partnership Grants

WWOZ and Euclid Records present "Private Collections," featuring different WWOZ DJs spinning vinyl from their private collections during happy hour (6-9pm). On Sunday, June 22, Soul Sister will celebrate her 20th year with WWOZ with her "Free Spirit"-themed selector's set of down-tempo soulful and swinging sounds, chill breaks, and mellow rare groove vibes. A portion of bar proceeds will benefit WWOZ. (This will not be a dance party set.)

» WWOZ Private Collections at Siberia featuring Soul Sister

Keep up with "Private Collections" and all the other shows at New Orleans-area music venues with the online version of our Livewire Music Calendar.

» Live Music Calendar

Musicians and other noteworthy folks from around New Orleans (and the world) visit the WWOZ studios to chat with our show hosts about all aspects of their music, their careers, their lives. The latest batch of WWOZ Interviews includes, among others, master guitarist Carl LeBlanc, brass band veteran Joseph Torregano, and Tricia Boutté (left) & Paul Longstreth.

» Check out the WWOZ Interview

Yep, it's hot out. But the music and festival fun just gets better as the temperature increases. And there's a wide range of events to choose from, including Essence Fest, the Running of the Bulls, and a variety of festivals all across Cajun country. Check out some of the music festivals and other diversions in and around south Louisiana this summer.

 » South Louisiana summer fun

In this Ultimate Shrimp and Squash Casserole, summer produce and gulf shrimp are brought together and seasoned to mouthwatering effect. Thanks to Louisiana Cookin’ columnist Frank Davis for this concoction designed to highlight the bounty of the garden.

» Recipe: Ultimate Shrimp and Squash Casserole