Round 9 (2017)

Dance for Social Change

Dance for Social Change is an annual leadership summit that brings New Orleans youth artists together to catalyze action through the arts. High school students from across the city will work with professional dancers, musicians, poets, and visual artists to create original, multidisciplinary performance pieces about pressing issues facing their communities. DSC 2018 will consist of component programs dealing w/ Social Justice Arts, Movement Workshops, homework assistance and development of Site-Adaptive Performances. It will culminate in the DSC Festival Weekend March 24th & 25th followed by a Performance Tour in April-May. For more info on Dancing Grounds and their efforts go to: https://www.facebook.com/dancingrounds/ or https://dancingrounds.org/.


Upturn Arts

The grant to Upturn Arts will be used to expand and diversify the master artists guest series during their 2018 Summer Camp. In addition to the weekly musical guest artists, Upturn Arts will invite the following artists, and others, to strengthen the series: Laveau Contraire (drag, gender neutrality); Trixie Minx (dance, performance, costuming); Artivism Dance Company (anti-bullying); Derwin May (Marigny Opera Ballet, dance); Barman’s Fund (healthy sodas using bartending techniques); Chef Jacob Cureton (Atchafalaya, culinary arts); and Uptown Warriors (New Orleans culture, Mardi Gras Indians). The goal of this series is to expose our young artists to a variety of local professional artists and art forms which creates a connection with the New Orleans arts community. For more info on Upturn Arts go to www.upturnarts.org/.


The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation

The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation will produce new tours of New Orleans music history sites on ACloserWalkNola.com, an interactive map of the city’s cultural landmarks. The tours will be in the neighborhoods surrounding the Fairgrounds so 2018 Jazz Fest attendees can follow them to and from the festival using GPS on their phones. This content will be a free resource for music lovers, students, preservationists, and everyone—in the city and around the world—who wants to engage with New Orleans’ musical heritage.


Woodenhead

Woodenhead is a long running (1975-2018 and counting) instrumental rock/jazz/blues/prog (you name it) band from New Orleans. The project has been a labor of love since forming at The Loyola College Of Music, and the band continues to write, rehearse and perform. Woodenhead celebrated it’s 40th anniversary in 2015 with a live Tipitina’s show, a NOLA Jazzfest concert, and the release of an archival “Live At Tipitina’s” CD. This project will be a recording of new, original compositions by guitarist Jimmy Robinson, keyboardist Fran Comiskey and drummer Mark Whitaker, along with bassist Paul Clement. The group has released multiple vinyl recordings, CDs and even cassettes (back in the day) and are very happy to be focusing on this new project with the help of the Threadheads. For more on the band go to www.woodenheadmusic.com/Home.html .


NOMC Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil

The 6th Annual Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil is a springtime crawfish boil and block party which celebrates the life and times of a beloved chef and musician, Jamie Galloway, and benefits the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic. Anchored by the legendary Maple Leaf Bar and started with the love of Jamie’s bandmate Dave Jordan the event has grown in popularity over the years; in 2017 more than a thousand guests were entertained on two stages by more than 50 of New Orleans’ finest musicians (George Porter Jr., Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart, Flow Tribe to name a few). Over 2,000 pounds of crawfish and all the fixing are boiled by Jason and crew of Seither’s Seafood. The success of the Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil grows each year and has been called “the most anticipated event before Jazz Fest.” For more on the event go to www.facebook.com/jamiegallowaycrawfishboil/.


New Orleans Airlift

New Orleans Airlift will use the award for artists fees for up to 9 accomplished New Orleans based musicians who will have the unique opportunity to perform with guest artist Weedie Braimah to bring Music Box Village audiences on the journey of the djembe, the instrument given to him from birth by his Ghanaian father, and to which he feels most connected. Braimah is a true polymath, having grown up in both Ghana and East St. Louis, and driven by the desire to see the day when African instruments like the “djembe and kora get the same respect as piano and saxophone”. Other artists from countries like France and Africa, selected in collaboration with New Orleans Airlift, the non-profit creators of the Music Box Village, will also be invited to develop the story of the djembe, past, present and future, and the migration of African culture across the Atlantic, mirroring his own journey through life. For more info on N.O. Airlift go to www.neworleansairlift.org/.


Sam Price & the True Believers

Sam Price & the True Believers will record a full length album to follow up their critically acclaimed debut EP. The band’s music has been described as “slinky and funky” and “relentlessly positive”, with the first release being “a five-track jubilee of infectious songs and note-worthy performances” that “harks back to the deep soul on [Allen Toussaint’s] ’70s Reprise albums”. The new record will feature original music written by Sam Price while touring the country as a member of Honey Island Swamp Band, and it will be produced by Papa Mali. For more info check out www.sampricemusic.com/.


The Asylum Chorus

The Asylum Chorus, “New Orleans’ premier roots vocal ensemble, is made up of established performers from across the city’s music scene. The Asylum Chorus will return to the studio in 2018 for the recording and release of their 2nd full-length album. With a full roster of original songs and a unique sound, The Asylum Chorus looks forward to putting some conscientious and earnest feelings into a project that allows them to fully express the music inside them.” For more on the Asylum Chorus go to www.theasylumchorus.com.


Michael O’Hara

Originally from St Louis, MO, Michael O’Hara moved to New Orleans in 1979 with his band the Sheiks which had been a regional success. They became a sensation here with a loyal following and lit up the 1984 World’s Fair along with standing gigs at such legendary clubs as Jimmy’s on Willow. After a long hiatus pursuing other dreams and caring for and helping raise family members, Michael returned to his musical home 2 ½ years ago bringing his unique blend of rock n roll, gospel and other influences with him and has been performing both on piano and as the Sheik as well. This THCF award will go toward the finishing costs of his new CD ‘It’s My Turn’ which heralds the return of one of New Orleans most beloved showmen who also influenced many local musicians and performers who followed. For more on Michael go to www.michaeldreams.com/.


Lyrica Baroque

Lyrica Baroque’s mission is to support a diverse community of students, teachers, artists, institutions and audiences of all ages through performance, education, collaboration and promotion of the extraordinary classical musical history of New Orleans, They seek to accomplish this by performing accessible chamber and baroque music at the highest level of artistic excellence. The award will assist their newest project The Power of Language, a 3-day workshop using music and writing skills to help students identify their feelings and express them in a healthy, productive way, while strengthening their writing skills. Each session is 45 minutes long, except the first session which will include an extra 15 minute introduction. Each session will be held after school. One educator and 1-2 musicians will lead the workshop. This program is targeted for 3-6th graders, but can be modified for any age. Journals and a snack will be provided for the students. For more on Lyrica Baroque please go to www.lyricabaroque.com/.


Rick Coleman

Rick Coleman will use the grant from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation to help with the completion of his book ‘Blues for Funeral Dancing: The Revolutionary Roots of New Orleans Music 1682-1947’. This book is an ambitious history of New Orleans music from the colonial days of Louisiana through the early jazz era. It vividly portrays the musical history of the city through its many revolutions, conflicts, and powerful personalities, many of whom are forgotten today. Through massive research and colorful writing it brings New Orleans’ incredible musical legacy alive through tragedy and triumph, leading to musical and social revolutions that have changed the world.


Alison Regalado

Alison Regalado is producing the project ‘For The Dogs’ which will be a be a fundraiser CD of songs by New Orleans-area musicians with all proceeds going to ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and Zeus’ Place Rescue. The majority of the musicians participating in this project are owners of rescue dogs (and one cat) who came from ARNO and other rescue organizations. Making a living as an artist can be a rewarding but rough business at times and a large number of musicians find comfort in the unconditional love, diversion and companionship their pets provide. Some of the artists that will be contributing original (and sometimes lighthearted) love songs to the CD are Sam Price, Arsene DeLay, Charlie Wooton & Brittany Purdy, Dave Jordan, Dick Deluxe, the Hill Country Hounds & others. This project really is ‘For the Dogs!” Check out our facebook page For The Dogs for project updates at www.facebook.com/LoveSongsToNOLAdogs/ .


Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund

The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund will use their grant to assist with costs for it’s program of two 11 week sessions using esteemed community educators and a hands-on approach to teach and explore the cultural history of New Orleans to local students. Session one introduces them to the wide variety of arts that make up the culture including visual arts, music instrumentation and dance and drums. In session two students select one artistic pursuit in which to become proficient utilizing integrated arts activity to accomplish this goal. New Orleans’ art, music, and unparalleled culture may shine brightly throughout the world, but its descending poverty, ever-widening achievement gap, and upsurge in crime continues to overshadow the city’s progression. New Orleans’ cultural history is like a diamond, with profound historical significance to American history. However, due to lack of education and translation, these traditions have not been properly communicated and passed down throughout generations. In that, many citizens may celebrate this culture but don’t know why. To this respect, the Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund has created its Music and Cultural Education Program to help increase cultural knowledge. Utilizing integrative arts techniques, DSEF will teach New Orleans youth a valued appreciation for their culture, by taking them on an interactive hands-on ride through News Orleans’ remarkable history. For more information go to www.facebook.com/DSEF-NOLA-242310405800406/.


Artists Inc.

Artist, Inc.’s Kids Music Jam is a reoccurring educational program that teaches, mentors and inspires kids through music instruction on trombone, trumpet, sousaphone and drums. Thanks to the support from Threadhead Cultural Foundation and our new partners, Preservation Hall Foundation and Art Camp 504, we have refined the music curriculum and structure of the sessions. We will be connecting the music with the culture that birthed it. The kids will explore from where the music came and how it has evolved over time, paralleled with the cultural evolution of our fine city New Orleans. Sessions begin Monday, March 5th, 4:30pm-5:30pm and will continue weekly through Monday, April 30th, 2018. In addition to the brass music lesson, we will also offer homework support. Students may arrive 30 minutes early and/or stay 30 minutes after the music lesson for help with homework or support in reading or mathematics comprehension. Midway through the 8 weeks, a Preservation Hall All Star musician will come to lead the students in a special music class- thanks to the Preservation Hall Foundation! At Art Klub we instill a love for playing and listening to music with community centered programming. At the end of the 8 week session we will host a concert played by our Art Klub Kids Brass Band, lead by the Art Klub teaching musicians and members of Preservation Hall. Witness the magic of New Orleans brass band traditions and Louisiana music and cultural heritage played by the promising talent of the St. Roch neighborhood and surrounding 504 area youth musicians, in an amazing night of big brass music and New Orleans rising talent. For more info go to www.artistinc.org.


Frenchman Street Fais Do Do

The Frenchmen Street Fais Do Do takes place on pre-announced Saturdays from 4-7pm at the Maison on Frenchmen Street. It’s free to the public and family friendly with 2 stages offering continuous dance music in the Cajun, Zydeco and Country genres. This great Cajun tradition was THCF’s first foray into live music events as part of the Buddy Mann Live Music Grant and we’re happy to still help keep this fun event and tradition going.

For more information and how to keep our regional culture thriving donate or become a member of Threadhead Cultural Foundation.