Confetti Park

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Walking the Dog - Buckwheat Zydeco Training Wheel Rag - Asylum Street Spankers featuring Dr. Sick Tuba Lullaby - Jazzy Ash Mellow Down Easy - Jeremy Lyons A Little Caterpillar - Johnette Downing Woodpecker - a poem by Nola Frazier Circle to the Right - Judy Caplan Ginsburgh We're Going to Confetti Park! - Confetti Park Players Also featured in this episode, a story called "The Lord's Supper" by Ms. Chocolate and a music memory from Dirty Dozen saxophone player Roger Lewis. 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 perf

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Summit of Sound – kids at the Renzi Center in Shreveport Mardi Gras – Mr. Michael’s Class of Young Audiences Raps Nobody Likes Fun More Than Me! – Don Hoffman and Bryan Wagar Big Hola – Imagination Movers Lollipop Tree – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh Lemonade, Crunchy Ice – Confetti Park Players The Clapping Song – Confetti Park Players Skunk in the Grave Yard – Sadie Strong Coconuts – Virginia Strong Bubblegum in a Dish – Belin Walker Days of the Week – Jason & Layla Allons a Lafayette – La bande Feufollet Also featured in this episode, a story called Alphonse and the Alligator by Black Guidry and a music memory from Carole Gauthier Lancon. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, feat

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Whole World in His Hands - George Porter, Jr. Kazoo Song - Judy Caplan Ginsburgh I’m a Puppy - Mel Lecompte Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog - Don Abney & the Louisiana Pollywogs Messy Room Blues - Johnette Downing Ducks in a Nest - Belen Walker Inky Pinky Ponky - Nola Frazier Clean My Room - Imagination Movers Farmer in the Dell - Juliann Banks and Friends Goodbye - Red Wolf Brass Band Also featured in this episode, The Little Louisiana Pine Tree, and a music memory from Duane Petri. 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 this episode of Confetti Park, we hear “The Beaver’s Tale of Greed” by Iran Martin, from his book Grand’s Fairy Tales. This is an adapted version of a Grimm’s fairy tale called the “Fisherman and his Wife.” In the older version of the tale, which was first written in Germany in the 1800s, a poor fisherman and his wife are blessed with wishes by a magical fish in exchange for releasing it. However, the wife becomes greedy and the husband, who wants to please her, goes along with her ever-more selfish demands to the fish. In this version, adapted and narrated by Iran Martin along with his wife Henryell, the main character is a trapper who saves the life of a magical beaver, and the story takes place in a forest. Iran and Henryell live in Bossier City, in north Louisiana. They are native New Orleanians who moved to north Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. “The Beaver’s Tale of Greed” and all of the tales and fables in Grand’s Fairy Tales are steeped in Louisiana folklore and imagery of the forests, bayous an

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: I Was Born To Blow This Horn – Michael-Leon Wooley Ballin’ the Jack – The Swing Setters Throw Me Something Mista (Feat. Mista Cookie Jar) – Jazzy Ash This Land is Your Land – Renzi Center Kids Sue – Michael “Beausoliel” Doucet With Family & Friends Animal Fair - Confetti Park Players Hands and Feet (Are to Myself) – Patricia Reece   Also featured in this episode, The Jungle Grapevine narrated by Alex Beard, a music memory from Anthony Dopsie, a street vendor chant, and poems by Hrilina, Dameon, and Belen. 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 create

In this episode of Confetti Park, New Orleans-based trombonist Dr. David Phy shares early music memories of learning how to read sheet music with his dad. David is a professional musician who has performed with national acts and jazz artists such as The 4 Tops, The Temptations, Bonerama, Delfeyo Marsalis, The Yin Yang Twins, Chip McNeil, Louis Belson, Lena Prima, Louis Prima Jr., Charo, and the Dukes of Dixieland. He has taught at Tulane University, University of New Orleans and Delgado Community College in New Orleans. David grew up in a musical household. His father was a professional pianist, organist, and teacher. His role as church organist led to David' earliest interactions with written music. Says David: "Growing up, my father was the church organist. At the end of church, there is always the postlude, where there's a nice big organ fanfare piece, as people are supposed to go out into the world and carry on the philosophy of the sermon. I remember I used to run up the stairs to the church loft where h

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: The St. Charles Streetcar Song - Daniel Morgan & the Louisiana Pollywogs The Mice Ate My Rice - Buckwheat Zydeco Baby Loves Beignets - Jazzy Ash Millie - I Love Vanilla (a poem) Belen - Roses Are Red (a poem) Summit of Sound - Renzi Center A Tisket, A Tasket - Jayna Morgan and the Swing Setters J’vas Voler Comme Un Oiseau - Terrance Simien & Marcella Simien Also featured in this episode, a folk story called The Devil's Marriage; a Music Memory from Jayna Morgan, and a poem of childhood by Darrell Bourque, a Louisiana poet laureate. 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

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Down in New Orleans – Anika Noni Rose Sounds – PH Fred Adella the Storyteller –Philip Melancon ABCs – Louis Ray Amazon ABCs – Johnette Downing We’ve Got Each Other – Imagination Movers Look for the Fleur de Lis – Sham Rockers Momzelle Zi Zi – Nancy Tabb Marcantel Also featured in this episode, a story called Gumbo, Fried Cheese, The Saints, and Drew Brees, by Patricia Reese; a Music Memory from David Rosser; and several poems.   

A very long time ago, my great-grandmother Minnie Carter Boston shared for posterity some of her memories of life growing up in rural Arkansas in the late 1800s, in the piney woods and rolling hills. Her daughter-in-law (and my grandmother) Gypsy Damaris Petty Boston transcribed the memories while they lived in Shreveport, Louisiana. Arkansas is part of an eroded lamproite volcanic pipe, which has caused diamonds to rise to the surface. I don’t understand all the geological processes, but there really are diamonds to be found on the ground in Arkansas. There is even a mining field called Crater of Diamonds that is open to the public, where you can go with your shovel, bucket and screen kit and hunt for diamonds under the hot, hot sun. You keep what you find! The story goes that when Minnie was growing up, they regularly encountered the rough uncut stones in their yard, and never knew that they were playing with precious gemstones. So many people in the region were poor farmers and loggers—oh, the irony! How d

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music celebrates the mighty bee! The songs also showcase a diversity of Louisiana musical styles. Songs featured in this episode, in order: We’re Going to Confetti Park – Confetti Park Players Be My Honey Bee – Greg Schatz Busy Beeline –  Johnette Downing and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band Three Little Birds – Renzi Center KidsBumble Bee - Ginger & the Bee and the Confetti Park Players Sugar “Shuga”  Bee – Papillon Animal Planet - a poem by Marcus Page How Doth the Little Busy Bee – Isaac Watts, narrated by Louis Ray Twenty Bees – Johnette Downing Also featured in this episode: "A misadventure in beekeeping" by Louisiana beekeeper Dan Hobgood for Confetti Park Storytime. Confetti Park Player Louis Ray narrates a poem about bees written by Isaac Watts, and Marcus Page shares a poem about animals.

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This is a special Christmas medley of songs that kids of all ages will love…. it certainly showcases the diversity of our state sound! Songs featured in this episode, in order: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Fats Domino Joke of the Day – Snow & Tell I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Hadley Castille & The Louisiana Cajun Band Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong Sleigh Ride – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine Mele Kalikimaka – Debbie Davis & Matt Perrine Winter Wonderland – Linnzi Zaorski It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Michael Doucet  Also featured in this episode, Rosemary the Garden Fairy teaches us about the beautiful amaryllis. We hear “A Christmas Song” composed and performed by Zoey of the Confetti Park Players, a music memory from Crystal Thomas, and the story JuJu Saves Christmas in da Bayou,

Lucky Louisiana kids have many interesting takes on holiday classics…. and one that is beloved worldwide is the Cajun Night Before Christmas, adapted from the classic version (which dates back to the early 1800s) by James Rice in 1974. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; In the Cajun version, the story is told in Cajun dialect: Twas the night before Christmas an’ all t’ru de house, Dey don’t a ting pass Not even a mouse. De chirren been nezzle good snug on de flo’, An’ Mama pass de pepper t’ru de crack on de do’. In Trosclair’s eyewitness account, St. Nicholas drives a skiff which rises up over the swamps led by alligators instead of reindeer! “Ha, Gaston! Ha, Tiboy! Ha, Pierre an’ Alcee’! Gee, Ninette! Gee, Suzette! Celeste an’ Renee’!” Now, the legend grows, thanks to the imagination of New Orleans children’s author and illustrator Michelle H

“Follow me to the garden! Let’s check out the magic of nature!” The amaryllis bulb is a wonderful thing to have inside your house in the wintertime. They grow large, brightly colored blooms, even when it’s freezing outside! and the blooms can last for months and months. They are EASY to grow. You can even grow amaryllis bulbs in nothing more than stones and water. The amaryllis bulb is a great holiday gift, because it is the gift that keeps on giving, again and again. It’s always a wonderful surprise to see what color your bulb will be. Red, pink, white, orange, or even striped! More gardening tips from our fairy: confettipark.com/category/gardening/

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Mama Odie's Kitchen Song - Jenifer Lewis Joke of the Day - Lights Turn Red Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu - Huey “Piano” Smith & The Clowns Goodbye in the Bayou - Jazzy Ash This Old Man - The Swing Setters Brahm’s Lullaby - Nancy Tabb Marcantel Wakey Up O - Kevin Griffin My Perogative - Red Wolf Brass Band Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Andrew Baham and the storytime feature A Pig’s Tale by Jerica Guillory.

Louisiana author Carrie Delatte shares from vocabulary words from her children's book Coming Up Cajun.

It’s Confetti Park Storytime! In this episode, author Carrie Delatte narrates her children’s book Coming Up Cajun, which is based on the true tales of two little boys growing up in the heart of Cajun Country. Full of nature, this sweet tale told in rhyming verse captures some of the wholesome outdoor activities, daily chores, and good times of Carrie’s own children. “From the green of the land, to the blues of the bayous, they made the best of their time in the splendour of a Southern youth,” says Carrie. The story is educational for how it captures all the activities that are part of daily life for kids growing up in the country, such as gathering eggs, trapping, fishing, hunting, loading bales of hay, tending livestock, paddling in their pirogues.... In addition, Coming Up Cajun is chock full of Cajun French vocabulary, and Carrie includes a handy glossary for readers’ benefit. Born and raised in quaint Gheens, Louisiana, Carrie Delatte is the proud mother of four young children. She was brought up on a sm

Crystal Thomas is a Shreveport-based songwriter, singer and trombonist who regularly performs around Louisiana. A performer of the blues and gospel, you can find her (if not in churches) at various clubs like Southern Soul Lounge and at the venerated Monday Night Blues Jam at Lee's in Shreveport. In this episode of Confetti Park, Crystal shares a delightful story about how her desire to perform overcame her lack of musical know-how when she was just a child. "I was in the third grade and we had a Mother’s Day Program and they wanted everyone to participate. Being a music lover, I was like, 'Well I’ll play the piano!' 'I couldn't play the piano….didn’t know how to play the piano! But my love for music…prompted me to getup to the piano, sit down and play. And everyone loved it. I think they applauded more because I had the gumption, the nerve…..I basically made up a song on the spot, in front of the entire school.'" Crystal goes on to explain that she believes her music memory can serve as an example for childr

“Follow me to the garden! Let’s check out the magic of nature!” Rosemary the Garden Fairy shares gardening tips and natural lore with children. Did you know that some plants can tell time? A wonderful project would be for you to plant a time-telling garden, full of morning glories, four o’clocks, and moon flowers. You will see that your beautiful morning glories open their temper purple blue petals at dawn. The four o’clocks uncurl their bright pink faces in the afternoon, and guess when the moon flower blooms? Something amazing: these flowers can even be placed in a dark closet and still bloom at the right time for several days.

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear a special childhood memory from Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of Alexandria, Louisiana, an internationally recognized and multi-award winning performer, recording artist and educator. Judy sings as a cantorial soloist and travels throughout North America presenting concerts, residencies, educational keynotes and workshops. Judy works actively in both Jewish and non-Jewish settings and she has developed a number of interactive, educational performances and arts-in-education residencies for school-age children. She has been creating children's music since 1981! Judy shares how important the validation of adults can be when it comes to nurturing a child's natural talents and interests, and how an experience that  happened when she was just eight years old set her on a career in music! Says Judy: "We had a music teacher who came to our school maybe every other week, and she would do music with all the children in the school. At one point our local symphony here in Rapides parish

  Halloween calls for some spooky tales, and we have some wonderful spooky tales to share in Louisiana! Here is one of our newest little Louisiana characters—it's Juju, who makes GOOD voodoo! What is a rougaroo?  It's like a werewolf. It's a hairy half-human/half-wolf monster that lives in the swamps of South Louisiana. The Cajun people tell tales of the rougaroo (or rougarou, roux-ga-roux, rugaroo, rugaru or loup garou) prowling the Louisiana swamps and forests, stalking livestock, pets, and humans. It changes into wolf form with the phases of the moon—in worst case, the phase lasts 101 days.  Some say you turn into a rougaroo by breaking church habits, and others say witches turn you into a rougaroo, and others say that the bite of a monster causes the change. It's definitely a scary legend meant to keep little children close to home! Well... this sweet little book isn't as scary as those legends. In Juju Meets the Rougaroo, Juju and her friends are trick-or-treating when they encounter the rougaroo, and he