About Town with A.J., the Boudin Man
Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5

Congo Square Rhythms Festival

Rumored work at Congo Square forced the second annual Congo Square Festival to be moved to Bayou St. John in Mid-City this year.

Saturday

Saturday was a great day to be outside and an even greater day to see some great music and Mardi Gras Indians.

The day started with a drum circle led by Alfred "Uganda" Roberts.

I thought it was pretty clever that most of the music highlighted on Saturday was bounce music and DJs. Names like Big Freeda and Sissy Noby, D.J. Jubilee, Fifth Ward Weeble, Partners In Crime and Miss Tee, Dizzy with DJ Raj Smoove, to name a few.

Donald Harrison Jr. with special guests Hollywood, Ses 45, Truth Universal and Jimi Clever showed the future of hip hop with a live band.

A craft section set up with locals. Ernie K-doe was out in his white suit selling hot sauce.

Got to see Cupid perform the Cupid Shuffle with the To Be Continued Brass Band closing out the long day on the bayou.

Sunday

Started off the day with the Family Ties Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs 2nd line parade.

After a bar-b-cue pork chop sandwich (with the bone) from Mr. Lester I checked out the start of the second line. Saw Kermit Ruffins had the same idea of catching the start before heading to Bayou St. John where he is scheduled to play at 5 o'clock.

Headed back to the bayou for a little bit more of the Congo Square Festival. After a bowl of red beans, I decided to leave early since I had drive to Houston.

Not a bad weekend.

On a side note, I went to check the work that was being done. All I saw was a homeless man sleeping on a bench and barricades around a manhole cover. Let's hope that for the third year of the festival we can get it back to where it belongs.

About Town with A.J., the Boudin Man

Thursday, October 2, 2008 — Mr. Quintron & Miss Pussy Cat