Caroline Cotto Now Featuring Her New Song Cherry Red

Caroline Cotto, New Orleans singer/songwriter, presents Cherry Red, a manifesto for freedom, truth and rock n’ roll. In homage to her Puerto Rican heritage as well as their determination, resilience and passion. 

Imagine leaving your country in search for beauty, love and truth. That’s exactly what Caroline Cotto was brave enough to do after her 22nd birthday. She toiled away in the NYC music scene for years before she left to live in Paris and explore Europe for artistic opportunities to enrich her writing and music. She dreamed by the Seine, wrote in cafes and wandered the Louvre for hours. She describes this as her own beautiful version of the Lost Generation. Caroline then lived in London playing bluesand soaking up the history of her rock heroes before moving to New Orleans.

Caroline Cotto is an artist who has thought deeply about her experiences. Her poetic lyrics and soulful voice weave the story of a woman on a journey to her salvation, a woman who has sacrificed the familiar for her dreams, a woman with incessant curiosityand desire to better herself and the world.  

Check out her video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFJOb4OLNY

Thanks for visting. Feel free to post comments below.

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

Have Mardi Gras Fun At Home

Just because the pandemic has shut down a lot of events, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Mardi Gras season from home wherever you live. All you need to get started are a few things like:                                              

* Mardi Gras themed masks (preferably in the Mardi Gras colors, purple green and gold) or anything creative

* Lots of strands of beads in the Mardi Gras colors and any other color you like

* Decorations like confetti, banners or streamers

For drinks, you'll want to have the Hurricane. Food is usually typical New Orleans dishes like red beans and rice or dirty rice; or even a seafood gumbo. For sweets try pralines or a king cake.

As for music we have plenty of options for Mardi Gras and New Orleans tunes to get your Mardi Gras party rolling. Here's a link to a previous post to get your mojo going. Click here!

Remember you can go ahead and get your celebration started, Mardi Gras Day, February 16, 2021 is the LAST day of the season. After that it's Ash Wednesday, so get your party started NOW!

Any questions or if you want to share, comment below. 

Thanks for stopping by, have fun!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Kermit Ruffins And Rebirth Brass Band Performing Song Mardi Gras Day

One of the things about Mardi Gras celebrations that I love is the music. The songs, the horns, especially along with the brass bands, just get me caught up in a party flow no matter where I am.

Kermit Ruffins, native New Orleans trumpet player and vocalist, teamed up with the renowned Rebirth Brass Band on their rendition of "Mardi Gras Day". You can play the video below to listen.









Feel free to post comments below and let me know what you'd like to see here. Thanks for stopping by.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Music From The Band Of Saint Augustine High School The Marching 100

One of the many special components of the Mardi Gras parades are the marching bands. They consist primarily of local area high schools and the most famous is from the St. Augustine  High School in New Orleans. They are known as "The Marching 100" to their fans and are considered one of the best high school marching bands in the United States.

They have played in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Super Bowl, also during a celebration for Pope John Paul II. 

Check out the video below to see them in action!








They'll be performing with several krewes this Mardi Gras, you can view their schedule here:
http://www.mardigras.com/news/2016/01/st_aug_marching_100_mardi_gras.html

Photo credit: Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com

Fee free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
TheMardiGrasGirl.com

Like My Facebook Fan Page The Mardi Gras Girl

Created a Facebook Fan Page called The Mardi Gras Girl...what else? Will not only have additional Mardi Gras pictures and updates but also posting more music videos.

So if you'd like to see and hear the artists who are playing the blues, jazz and zydeco music that make up the Carnival and New Orleans sound like Kermit Ruffins, Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews and more, make sure to visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheMardiGrasGirl

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Hey The Mardi Gras Girl Is Baaaaack!

Hi folks, my apologies that I've been away so long, but well, life happens. Anyway I'll be posting regularly again. Please feel free to comment and let me know what Mardi Gras related topics you'd like to see covered here.

One topic I do plan on having more posts on is music, since I love the sound of New Orleans. I've started with one of the native musicians Glen David Andrews. Click here to check out my previous post featuring him as well as a video of one of his live performances.

Will also be reviewing some of the traditional brass bands like the Rebirth and Treme Brass Bands.

So glad to have you back if you're a loyal follower, if you're a new visitor welcome to my little world, lol!



Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Free Mardi Gras Music Playlist

One of the great things to enjoy during Mardi Gras season is the music. Basin Street Records in New Orleans has been in the business supporting major local talent such as Kermit Ruffins, one of my favorites, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, Rebirth Brass Band and others since 1997.

If you visit their site you'll see on the left of the main page a great playlist of Mardi Gras music available free. Definitely worth checking out to get you in the Mardi Gras mood. Have fun!

 

Thanks for visiting, feel free to leave comments below.

 

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Support This Film Project Featuring New Orleans Marching Bands: The Whole Gritty City

The New Orleans  marching bands have been a part of not only the city's multi-faceted music history, but African American culture as well. The tradition of the brass bands go back well into the 1800's and have been the backdrop for practically everything New Orleans from parties to Mardi Gras parades to funerals. The brass bands have also been an integral part of college and high school campus life.

Within the New Orleans community the high school brass bands carry on the tradition in the midst of inner city violence and distress in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's disruption. The creators of the independent documentary The Whole Gritty City is currently seeking funding for their film. The production shows the mentors of these students supporting these children by passing down a musical legacy. The importance of the tradition is not only in keeping the music of the brass bands alive through the next generation but also the children's character and spirits strong amidst the dramas they face.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TRAILER!

  

Thanks for visiting. Please click here to help fund this project. Minimum pledge is only $1. They are almost halfway through to the $50,000 needed. All pledges must be received by October 10, 2012.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Glen David Andrews Continues The Amazing Music Tradition In New Orleans

This is not really a post about Mardi Gras, but in another sense it is. If you know anything at all about New Orleans, you know the music is a big part of the Mardi Gras celebration as well as any of the festivals in the area.

 A few years back, before Hurricane Katrina, I was hanging out in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Jackson Square is located in the famous French Quarter, surrounded by ornate historic buildings. It has long been a haven for artists of every type, particularly musicians and painters.

On this particular day I was fortunate enough to hear the incredible artist Glen Davis Andrews, native of New Orleans who grew up in the Treme section of New Orleans. Treme is known to be one of the oldest as well as one of the most important historic neighborhoods in the country for African American culture.

I purchased an original CD from him during his performance in Jackson Square years ago and it's a special addition to my music collection. Check out some of his more recent releases below as well.


 

What struck me immediately about Glen David Andrews' performance was it's uniqueness, but also the similarity to the great Louis Armstrong in his trombone playing as well as vocals. His background includes membership in the New Birth Brass Band and Olympia Brass Band. Glen's rendition of "The Saints Go Marching In" was soulful and energetic. You can tell he not only loves the music, but also the traditions of New Orleans.

Check out the video from one of his performances at the Louisiana Music Factory.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to leave comments.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl