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| The Neighborhood Story Project is a nonprofit organization in partnership with the University of New Orleans. |
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March 23, 2011:
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After a season of writing workshops on the backside of the Fair Grounds, the Neighborhood Story Project has produced an exhibition of open letters written by jockeys, trainers, grooms, hotwalkers, veterinarians and track employees. With photographic portraits by Aubrey Edwards, the show gives a sustained look into a city within the city of New Orleans. Each year, more than 700 workers arrive in October and leave after the Louisiana Derby at the end of March. In this project, the writers have documented the joys and struggles of the horseracing world during the months in between. The exhibit includes handmade letter boxes with copies of the letters that can be taken home to read more about the months of work and planning that go into creating the racing glory that lasts less than two minutes. Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m., in the paddock area of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans), there will be an opening preview of Letters from the Backside featuring 17 open letters and posters representing all parts of the Fair Grounds Barn Area, known colloquially as “the Backside.” The reception will feature finger food and a cash bar with proceeds benefiting the Neighborhood Story Project. The exhibition will remain on view through Fair Grounds’ Closing Day, March 27. Read Martin Brown's letter from the backside. (PDF) Read more about Letters from the Backside in The New York Times. Letters from the Backside is a product of the Neighborhood Story Project and the University of New Orleans. Publishing supported by a generous grant from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Graphic design by Erik Kiesewetter.
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November 21, 2010:
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Come out for Nine Times Social & Pleasure Club's 12th annual parade on Sunday, November 21, 2010! The parade begins at noon, starting out from 3436 Louisa St. NOLA 70126. We hope to see you there! The Nine Times are authors of Coming Out the Door for the Ninth Ward.
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May 16, 2010, 1:00pm to 5:30pm: |
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 Design: Erik Kiesewetter | EBSL |
Last year's event was such a success that we couldn't help but break out the pens and paper once again to raise some bucks for the NSP. We'll be gathering together to write, eat cupcakes from Cake Cafe and barbecue from The Joint, and toast the current and future works of the NSP. How can you get involved?
Become a Write-A-Thoner! Set aside Sunday, May 16th, from 1:00pm-5:30pm in your calendar. Ask people to sponsor you in the NSP Write-A-Thon! We'll help you with this, with model emails and flyers. You'll set up a page with Firstgiving (an online fundraising site), which will make your fundraising as easy as sending out an email to your friends with a link to your page. We'll make the process easy. Email Lea (leadowning [at] gmail. com) if you are interested in being a Write-A-Thoner. Can't Write-A-Thon but still want to support the NSP? Hit us up with a donation: http://www.firstgiving.com/nsp
UPDATE: Defend New Orleans is matching donations to the Write-a-Thon -- up to $1500. Beginning on Wednesday, May 12 every dollar donated will be doubled by Defend New Orleans!
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December 10, 2009, 7pm: |
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Four New Classics Documenting the Now!
The NSP has been working with five students from John McDonogh for two and half years, and the books are now street-ready. The four books tell New Orleans as no one else can -- as lived by teenagers.
Order all four books at once at a special rate ($55.00): |
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March 14, 2009, 1317 TUPELO STREET, IN THE LOWER NINTH WARD: |
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The newest Neighborhood Story Project book has been two years in the making, and is staking its claim as the first time a Mardi Gras Indians have collaborated on a book about their community. The book, The House of Dance & Feathers: A Museum by Ronald W. Lewis, is a full color tour of the museum and the history and meaning of New Orleans African American street cultures, from Mardi Gras Indians, to Second Lines, to Bone Gangs. It was made possible through the support of the University of New Orleans, and a Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities grant. For more information on the museum: Ronald W. Lewis: 504.957.2678 |
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FRERET MARKET: EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH |
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Every 1st Saturday of the month, from 12-5pm, the NSP will be at the Freret Market selling books. Come eat, listen to music, and see what the NSP has been up to! |
December, 2008: |
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The NSP is now hosting a series of writing workshops that are open to the public. The first one was held in October 2008 and ran for seven weeks. The workshop culminated with a printed anthology titled Cornerstories. On December 10, 2008, friends and family gathered at the NSP for wine, food, and for a public reading by participants. For more information about the next writing workshop, contact Lea Downing.
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November 23, 2008: |
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To help celebrate and commemorate Nine Times Social & Pleasure Club's 10th anniversary parade on November 23, 2008, we produced a series of three posters with graphic designer Erik Kiesewetter. The posters featured the history of the Desire Housing Development, the history of the club, and the current members. Over 600 posters were hung on the parade route, and nearly all were claimed by the end of the day. This project was supported by Transforma Projects/National Performance Network thanks to generous support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts. |
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October 15, 2008: |
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On October 15 2008, we celebrated the Grand Opening of our office/workshop. Together with our neighbors and community supporters, we danced along side Nine Times Social & Pleasure Club, and listened to the music of John McDonogh marching band. We would like to extend our thanks to the Lupin Foundation, Deutsche Bank, Heritage Conservation Network, Sarah Gamble and CityBuild, friends in Missoula Montana, and everyone who came out to celebrate with us. |
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June-July, 2008: |
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Continuing the Neighborhood Story Project's collaboration with Maya Haviland and Side-by-Side Community Projects, Rachel traveled in June-July 2008 to Derby, Western Australia to work with the Jalaris Aboriginal Corporation on a book-making project around Aboriginal women's experiences with formal and informal education in the Kimberley. Listen to some of the some of the writers reading their stories at the Derby Media Aboriginal Corporations's 6DBY. For more information about the book, please contact Rachel at the NSP. |
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August, 2008: |
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As they were finishing rebuilding their sanctuary, Grace Lutheran asked how they could work with us. They began our partnership by becoming one of our biggest supporters, with their congregation buying more than 100 books to give to the volunteers they hosted—one of the largest NSP purchases to date. In 2008, Grace Lutheran approached the NSP about helping to write a book about their stories of coming home after Katrina. Abram worked with parishioners in a series of three writing workshops, and the pieces were edited by Caitlin Moen. The resulting book, The Essence of Grace was published in time for the third anniversary of Katrina. It is a testament to the strengths found in times of crisis. |
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August 20, 2008: |
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Our latest book- done in conjunction with Tulane City Center- and our first one published on UNO Press- just got a huge, two part shout-out on NPR's All Things Considered. We had a great time taking Neda Ulaby around to the spaces featured- and the story has gotten the first edition sold out! Listen to the story on All Things Considered here: Part I Part II |
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August, 2008: |
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The NSP full-time staff has doubled- with Lindsey Darnell (nee Amistad Research Center) and Lea Downing (nee Octavia Books) having joined our staff. They have been at work since August- and have made us exponentially better. |
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March, 2008:
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In partnership with the Tulane City Center, the NSP has been working with Cornerstones, a new project dedicated to documenting important everyday monuments and meeting places around New Orleans. The first publication, Cornerstones, highlights seven important meeting spots: the Maple Leaf Bar, Sportsman's Corner (aka Second and Dryades), Liuzza's by the Track, N. Roman by Terry, Joytown Square Barber Shop & Beauty Salon, Mimi's in the Marigny, and the House of Dance and Feathers. The project welcomes nominations of other important sites. Learn more about the book or purchase at our online bookstore. | ||||||||||||||
March 28, 2008: NEIGHBORHOOD STORY PROJECT JOHN MCDONOGH SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS READ AT TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL |
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 Roderick Taylor reads about the Lafitte Public Housing Development. |
On a Friday afternoon at Le Petite Theatre, NSP writers read stories about their neighborhoods before the storm for fellow students from around the city. Read their stories. Afterwards, poet Al Young talked about his work and shared some of his poetry. | ||||||||||||||
March 22, 2008: NEIGHBORHOOD STORY PROJECT HELPS SPONSOR THE NINE TIMES SOCIAL AND PLEASURE CLUB'S ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT |
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Nine Times held its annual Easter Egg hunt at Sampson Park in the Ninth Ward for the first time since Katrina. Kids from all over the neighborhood came out to search for candy, eat lots of barbeque, and participate in the water balloon and egg throwing games organized by club members. | ||||||||||||||
February 21, 2008: DINNER PARTY FOR SEVENTH WARD SPEAKS |
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 Keith Medley and Joyce Montana |
The NSP hosted a dinner party at its writing workshop to thank all the people who participated in the Seventh Ward Speaks oral history project and to talk about next steps in the project. | ||||||||||||||
January 24, 2008: SEVENTH WARD SPEAKS: CREATIVITY & ACTIVISM IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DEBUTS AT THE SEVENTH WARD NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER'S GRAND OPENING |
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 Nat Williams and the Soul Rebels Brass Band, courtesy of Fotos for Humanity. |
In honor of the grand opening of the Seventh Ward Neighborhood Center, the NSP, in collaboration with the Porch Seventh Ward Cultural Organization, put up an exhibit of 24 posters honoring the diverse voices of people who live and work in our community. Many of the people portrayed on the posters came to see the exhibit and pick up copies of the posters. View this project. | ||||||||||||||
