PocoNotes Newsletter 2014-1: February, 2014
With "The Last Great American Roadhouse" booked, the "Second Line Hankies" ordered and the LimoBus chartered, all of the pieces are in place for ONE amazing night of Mardi Gras fun at The Stanhope House with PocoNotes, WNTI...and New Orleans' "Best Traditional Brass Band"...The Storyville Stompers!
So, as the "Keepsake" Wrist Bands keep winging their way to some lucky wrists, we want to remind you - one last time - of what is going on and how YOU can join all of us for the most New Orleans you'll experience THIS side of the Mason-Dixon Line.
... THE EVENT ...
At our request, The Storyville Stompers Brass Band and their Grand Master have delayed their return to New Orleans from their appearance at the high-profile Washington Mardi Gras Ball in Washington, D.C. to help us and our co-host, WNTI-Public Radio at Centenary College, celebrate Mardi Gras in true NOLA fashion at The Stanhope House located at 45 Main Street in Stanhope, New Jersey, on Sunday, February 23rd.
... THE MUSICIANS ...
We first encountered The Storyville Stompers in 2006 as New Orleans was navigating the "long road home" in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, it was a news story on Yahoo about a woman who was paying local musicians $100 a week to keep them in the city until its tourism could rebound and its venues reopened that led us to the woman in question…Bethany Bultman, co-founder of the New Orleans Musicians Clinic. In speaking with her, she told us it was New Orleans' brass bands that needed the most support to keep their unique "sound" alive during some of their city's darkest days. It was then that we started our search for just the right brass band to be the first musicians ever to step on a PocoNotes stage.
We truly had no real concept of the depth of the pedigree of The Storyville Stompers when we first met them. However, over time, we have come to learn that they have been entertaining audiences with their Traditional Jazz and Dixieland sound since 1981, with performances that include New Orleans' own Jazz and Heritage, French Quarter and Satchmo Summer Festivals, as well as world-famous Bacchus and Orpheus Mardi Gras parades and sporting events like the Rose Bowl and New Orleans Saints games. They have also performed at hundreds of national and international events that include China's Macau International Jazz Festival, Japan's Kobe Urban Resort Jazz Festival, Italy's Carnival Ambrosiana, Ecuador's Guayaquil Jazz Festival and First Lady Hillary Clinton's Congressional Luncheon. One of their personal favorites is the Washington Mardi Gras Ball, where they have performed for over 30 years and for which attendance has been described as a "once in a lifetime opportunity…not something you put your name in a hat for…not something you seek or ask for, but something that is bestowed upon you."
... THE PLACE ...
Like PocoNotes, The Stanhope House is a sponsor of WNTI. This 1794 former residence...and general store/post office/tavern/boarding house, which is now described as a "crazy cool" venue and "The Last Great American Roadhouse," is the perfect setting for a PocoNotes reunion with The Storyville Stompers.
... THE WHY ...
We met Melanie Thiel, WNTI's "Mornings with Melanie" DJ, in 2007 as we were planning our Hot Tuna Electric/Oteil and The Peacemakers show. It was her passion to help anyone involved in keeping music 'alive and well' that helped us forge a strong relationship. Over the years, we have become staunch supporters of WNTI, sponsoring both their annual WNTI Stage as well as a weekly radio spot called "It's Not Perfect, It's Live." However, it was our deep personal fondness for her that prompted us to join her on disaster relief trips to New Orleans...with students and faculty of Centenary College and Drew University to serve as volunteers with St. Bernard Project, an organization that is still working tirelessly to rebuild homes throughout the city.
Now that efforts have been refocused toward helping local victims of Superstorm Sandy, PocoNotes and WNTI thought it timely to bring a little New Orleans into the area as a way of connecting two communities...with the common denominator being the kind-hearted folks from New Jersey who have served in both.
... THE TICKETS ...
Tickets to this special event are "Keepsake" Wrist Bands that are available for $20 in advance through WNTI at www.WNTI.org or (908) 979-4355 Ext. 1 or PocoNotes at www.PocoNotes.com or (888) 800-POCO (7626)...with any remaining tickets to be sold for $25 at the door.
... COMING AND GOING - OR STAYING ...
From New York City...
1) Travel Route 80 West
2) Take Exit 27B (Route 183 North, Lackawanna Place)
3) You will travel approximately 1-1/2 miles on Route 183 North
4) Make left onto Main Street
5) The Stanhope House is located 1/4 mile down on the right
From Pennsylvania...
1) Travel Route 80 East
2) Take Exit 25 (Route 206 North)
3) Travel .4 miles to Route 183 South/Reis Avenue
4) You will travel approximately 1 mile
5) Make right onto Main Street
6) The Stanhope House is located 1/4 mile down on right
The Whistling Swan Inn is a stunning bed and breakfast located at 100 Main Street and, since it is within walking distance of The Stanhope House, is an EXCELLENT choice for anyone who wants to stay until the party ends and not have to drive afterward. You can check them out at www.WhistlingSwanInn.com and call them for reservations at (888) 507-2337...but be sure to tell them PocoNotes and WNTI sent you!
... THE DETAILS ...
The doors to The Stanhope House will open at 4:30 p.m. where Nawlins food will be cookin', tunes will be spinnin' and people will be twirlin' even BEFORE the "Second Line" into the venue where the show will start at 6:00 p.m.
If you have already received your "Keepsake" Wrist Bands, be sure to have them with you! Please feel free to show your Mardi Gras spirit by wearing whatever costumes and masks you like...with your umbrellas, of course! We'll bring the beads...and the "Second Line" hankies!!
For more information about the event, go to www.PocoNotes.com or call Dolores and Pat at (888) 800-POCO (7626). For more information about the musicians or the venue, visit them at www.StoryvilleStompers.com or www.StanhopeHouseNJ.com respectively.
That's it for now. We look forward to having you with us as the good times roll for Storyville Stompin' with PocoNotes and WNTI!
#throwmesomebeads
Peace...really!
Dolores & Pat "It's About the Music!"
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