Keeping the Tradition Alive

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Published on: September 2nd, 2010

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The musicians outside the Black Men of Labor Social Club
Last year's participants pose in front of the Black Men of Labor Social Club. Photo used by permission of BMOL.

You can't get any more New Orleans than this. The Black Men of Labor Social Club formed in 1993 after the death of Danny Barker, our revered multi-instrumentalist, who was also a storyteller and teacher to many of this city's musicians. Since then, the club continues Barker's mission to maintain traditional styles by hiring traditional brass bands to march in their parade. They also offer mentorship programs for younger musicians.

The Black Men of Labor organize a second line parade each Labor Day weekend to honor the city's workers, including the many brass band musicians who work to make New Orleans' culture unique.

The annual Black Men of Labor parade will take place this Sunday, September 5, 2010. Formation begins at 2 pm. The parade will start at 3 pm at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club, 1931 St Claude Ave., and will follow its traditional route through the Treme neighborhood, ending back at Sweet Lorraine's approximately 4 hours later.

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