Dear Listener,
As I write this, looking out over the Mississippi River from the WWOZ offices in the heart of the French Quarter, hundreds of celebrants prowl the streets as they savor the Louisiana Seafood Festival, the Creole Tomato Festival, and the Cajun-Zydeco Festival.
Where else would someone think it a bright idea to cram three festivals into one location and call it a Vieux-To-Do in homage to the city’s storied Vieux Carré, while cheekily sending up another New Orleans tradition, the Zoo-To-Do?
Earlier this month, our crack team of engineers headed to the Rockies for the Telluride Jazz Celebration, and we were able to broadcast live despite a barrage of technical difficulties. But the perpetual mobile feast that is WWOZ is still cooking up roots-flavored specialties for your hungry ear. Stay tuned. . . the world is our kitchen!
Yours in dew rags and trick bags,
David Freedman
General Manager
Tell the World Why You're a Member of WWOZ
Want to hear your voice on WWOZ? Contact Crystal Gross to set up a time to come in to the station and record a brief testimonial about why you're an 'OZ member, and your comments will be played both on the air and online! You must be a current member and able to make it in during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9-5 p.m.) before Saturday, August 15. Can't make it to the station? Share your love on our site or our Facebook page
» Read listener love letters and add your own
Design the New 'OZ T-Shirt
It's time for a new WWOZ T-shirt, and we want you to design it. We're looking for something that represents what WWOZ is all about, and we'll print the winning design on a limited edition T-shirt, which listeners will be able to buy at the WWOZ Swamp Shop. The deadline for entries is August 1, 2009, so get those creative juices flowing!
» Read the complete design contest rules
WWOZ in the News
WWOZ made headlines last month, thanks to a story about us that ran on ABCnews.com and several other major news sites! The article focuses on 'OZ's commitment to covering the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and includes quotes from our own Scott Borne and Tom Morgan (pictured), as well General Manager David Freedman. We wouldn't be news at all without the support of our members and volunteers, and we hope you enjoy seeing our — and your — hard work acknowledged in the press!
» Read more about WWOZ in the news
New Interview Series: "Yeah, You Right!"
If you're a regular visitor to WWOZ.org, you know we've launched a new interview series called "Yeah, You Right!" in which we fire 20 questions at New Orleans musicians like George Porter, Jr., John "Papa" Gros, and Margie Perez (pictured) to get their knee-jerk reactions. Hop on over to the web site Friday afternoons for a quick-but-fun peek inside the heads of some of our brightest stars! And don't be shy about letting us know who you'd like to hear from next in the Comments section below each interview.
» Check out the latest interview with Mario Abney
Essence Music Festival
The Essence Music Festival, now in its 15th year, is returning to the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans July 3-5. If you want huge stars, they've got 'em, from Al Green and Anita Baker to John Legend and Beyoncé. But the Crescent City will steal plenty of thunder, thanks to appearances by Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Little Freddie King, and dozens of other local acts. Daytime seminars feature lots of big names like Bill Cosby and Omarosa, and our own Soul Sister (pictured) will be on the main performance stage at the close of each day!
» Read more about the Essence Music Fesival
Voodoo Experience to Announce 2009 Performers Wednesday!
The Voodoo Music Experience descends upon New Orleans' City Park again this October. The schedule and a complete list of performers will be released on June 24. WWOZ VIP passes, which get you into the 'OZ hospitality area, will be available soon, but only while supplies last, so check our Voodoo Experience 2009 page for details. The photo of the incredible Melody Clouds (at right) was taken at last year's Voodoo Fest.
» Visit our Voodoo Experience 2009 page for more info
» View picture galleries of highlights from Voodoo 2008
Meet Our Vespa Raffle Winner
WWOZ congratulates the winner of our Vespa scooter raffle, Mid-City resident Bill Sadin. We had a chance to catch up with Bill and his wife Vicki over at The Transportation Revolution in downtown New Orleans, where they were presented with the shop's generously donated red Vespa LX150 autographed by everyone from Dr. John and Irma Thomas to Trombone Shorty and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Needless to say, Bill and Vicki (pictured) will no longer be riding their bicycles to the next Jazz Fest.
» Read more about our Vespa winner
Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes with Crabmeat Remoulade
We hope this month's recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes with Crabmeat Remoulade will help you kick off the 2009 Creole Tomato season. It comes to us from Marcelle Bienvenu, a native of St. Martinville, Louisiana, who writes a food column for the Times-Picayune as well as regular features for Louisiana Cookin'. She's worked with Paul Prudhomme and collaborated with Emeril Lagasse on his cookbooks, so your tastebuds should sit up and pay attention! If you like the recipe, then check out Louisiana Cookin' magazine. Subscribe with the promotion code wwoz09, and they'll donate $5 to WWOZ.
WWOZ Quick Links
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.
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