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, inspired by life here Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound. Songs featured in this episode, in order: When I Grow Up – Asylum Street Spankers Joke of the Day – Pirates on the Deck Watch out for the Pirates – Confetti Park Players Splish Splash – Dr. John Butterfly – a poem by Lily Bell Old Dan Tucker – Jeremy Lyons Hushabye Mountain – Lori Carsillo Lovely Little Ladybug – Confetti Park Players Eenie Meanie -a poem by Millie Moffett Bubblegum -a poem by Belen Walker Birdie -a poem by Virginia Strong Barefootin’ – Buckwheat Zydeco Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Foots Quinn of Bogalusa and the storytime feature Tale of a Spitball by Ms. Chocolate. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that k

Andreas Sahar, of New Orleans, is a musician, songwriter, and the artistic director of Totally Square Records.  In this interview with Confetti Park, Andreas talks about his record label, about his earliest childhood musical memories, and about nurturing a love for music within his own young children. Wimmerpot From Andreas’ childhood recollections is the enchanting nickname his grandmother gave him: “wimmerpot.” He discusses this nickname in the interview... and from his website: “My grandmother made up the word," explains Andreas. "Roughly translated from German, her moniker for me was something along the lines of “stewing teapot,” a reference to the constant humming I did while playing with my Legos or train sets. At four years old, music was already brewing inside my head, escaping in bouts of sonorous steam while I fiddled with my toys.” More from his website Totally Square Records Andreas discusses with Confetti Park the unique concept behind Totally Square Records, which features pop and pop rock

“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. How does your garden grow? All seeds need water to sprout. Sometimes rain waters the garden. You can also collect rain, in a rain barrel, to make sure you have it at exactly the right time you need it. Irrigation systems are another way to get the water to the plants in a garden or farm. After the seeds sprout, the vegetable plants or seedlings needs the right amount of sunlight. Most need six to eight hours a day. Other important things that will help your garden grow… keep an eye out for pests, like caterpillars and other bugs who like to eat the plants. Compost and fertilize when needed, and pick the vegetables when they are ripe and ready!

Mike Strecker is a stand-up comedian who has been performing in the New Orleans area since 1995. And now, he is a published book author. Mike recently released two volumes of jokes, Young Comic’s Guide to Telling Jokes Vol. 1 and 2, which are nationally distributed by Sterling Children's Books. “The way it came about… my wife’s a school teacher, and I have a habit of coming up with these corny little jokes. And she would say, ‘You have to write these down; kids love these kids of books.’ So I wound up writing them down, and sure enough, I sent them away and a publisher wanted  to publish them.” “First I wrote 150 jokes—I figured that would make one volume. Little did I know!,” laughs Mike. “I sent it away, and they said, ‘Yes, we like this. But we want to make two volumes of 600 jokes each.’” Whew! That’s a lot of jokes! Mike rose to challenge, and spent the next few months torturing his wife and kids with experimental puns and word play. “I have to say, the experience was pure joy,” says Mike. “Somedays I’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 shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Woody, Lead Belly & Pete – Ph Fred Pig Latin Song – Lead Belly Woodpecker – a poem by Nola Frazier Lost in the Library – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh O’Guillori – Michael Doucet This Old Man – The Swing Setters Goodbye in the Bayou – Jazzy Ash Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Layla Isis and a story called Dixie the Old Dog by Tommie Townsley. _________________ 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 performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make f

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear an excerpt from the enchanting fairy tale To Dream of Dancing: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 1. Z.W. (Zachary) Mohr, the author, narrates for us a dream poem and an introduction to Desdemona. This is an excerpt from the first book in his original series co-created with illustrator Aaron Damon Porter. Desdemona is an 11 year old girl who is being raised by her two mysterious aunts and guardian teddy bear. When we first meet Desdemona, she is battling a mad maestro who wants to steal away her dream of dancing. When she awakes, her adventures continue….. From this introduction, we, along with Desdemona, will discover she can bring her dreams into the waking world at a time when everyone else is forgetting how to dream. Many more chapters of Desdemona's Dreams are to come from New Orleans-based co-creators Mohr and Porter. Currently, there is To Dream of Dancing: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 1 and The Land of Mar: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 2. The second book features pir

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.