In the wait

I had about 30 minutes while waiting for my daughter, second time in one week, so I parked my car and stepped out to enjoy the changing light and clouds. Across the street was a baptist church with two crucifixes. One set high and the other lower in the parking lot. The power line silhouette looked like a third cross, and I was taken by how the three looked against the sky. A large military plane flew in the distance roaring with the hum of the traffic of nearby Interstate 10.

     

As I was taking this last shot, a woman driving an old white van with square windows running down both sides pulled to my side of the street, which was against the traffic for her. She rolled down her window and asked, "What do you see there?" For whatever reason I felt unsettled about her approach, but still answered her briefly. She maneuvered the vehicle as to park and then asked, "You a member of this church?" I quickly replied no and walked behind her van to cross the street to my car. She didn't get out, waited a moment, then pulled away. The whole interaction had an "X-File" feel to it because she seemed peculiar in her mannerisms. Of course I would have been grateful for Mulder and Scully to have stepped out from the church parking lot at that moment and show me their ID, but that didn't happen. I'll always wonder about that interaction, and would like to return to the location to shake it off a bit with another '30 minute shoot'.

#30minuteshoot #sunset #clouds #batonrouge

The Revivalists at the Varsity Theater!

 

 

Why I've only seen The Revivalists live 2 times?! Soaked up their energy with the crazy amount of fans packed into the Varsity.  I was able to slither and scoot to the right side of the stage, then as a few folks who were in the front left? I planted myself in their spots.  I still had room to dance, rock out and play photographer.  Hot night!!  Thanks to the tech who gave me the setlist from David Shaw's spot.  :)))
                                  

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Booker excellence!

Big holler goes out to the Atomic Pop Shop vinyl store here in Baton Rouge for their 2 ticket raffle for the Benjamin Booker show at the Varsity.  I entered and was more than psyched to have a message on my phone that I had won!!  Shared my tickets with a good friend in from North Dakota, and grabbed another great friend to be there with us, too.

Dear lord!!!!  Leaning on the front and rockin' out during the show made for a more than excellent night.  Hot sounds and energy!!

I was treated to a set list at the end of the show given to me by the drummer, Max Norton. When I asked if he could sign it and get the others, too, he didn't hesitate.  "Go on back...." pointing to the doorway to back stage.  Really?!!!  After a nano second of hesitation I walked on through and was welcomed by Benjamin Booker sittin' on a couch with the opening band, the Yelephants, and a handful of friends.  He even made room for me to sit down.  Happy girl, indeed!

Thank you, Benjamin Booker!!  We were the lucky ones to catch you that night.  :)))

Big Sam's Funky Nation!!

Back in Baton Rouge and topping off the Arts Council's Fest for All this past weekend was Big Sam's Funky Nation!  Toot, toot!!  It had been way toooooo long since our city rocked out to their awesome sounds, and folks really had a great time.

I jumped into the last hour of his set, took some shots, and danced a good groove!

With the Tambourine Lady

You just have to participate with Big Sam!

End of show satisfaction.  Check out that smile!

Viva NOLA!!!

Note:  When Big Sam pointed at me while taking a shot, I was very much reminded of Big Sam's 2010 visit to Sunday in the Park Baton Rouge.  That time it was sun glare shooting across the frame. This time my focus didn't grab his hand.  Next time?  :)))

Big Sam's Funky Nation - Sunday in the Park 2010

http://irenekatophotos.blogspot.com/2011/02/big-sams-funky-nation-sunday-in-park.html

Givin' thanks Rebirth style!

Kicked off Thanksgiving Break with the Rebirth Brass Band at Baton Rouge's Bogies.  It was my first time there and didn't know what to expect from this college bar scene.  After shocking the young man at the door checking IDs by my birth date year 30 years older than all others (he had been looking down when viewing), I stepped right in and had a fun time.  Rebirth ALWAYS puts on a great show and treat the crowd right.  The full band was there minus co-founder Keith Frazier on the Bass Drum, and Terrence Andrews performed in his place.  I really enjoyed meeting him and seeing all of the band members in Baton Rouge once again.


A special thanks to Rebirth, co-founder Phil Frazier, Tuba, and Derrick Tabb, Snare, and Terrence Andrews for letting me step into their rear stage space for a different perspective of the show.  I'm more than appreciative of the opportunity and experience.  (I took some nice photos of their instuments during the set break which I'll share in an album, too.) All of these shots were taken with my husband's iPhone 6.  I'm very impressed by how it handled the low light situation and more than psyeched to have grabbed a good set.

Be sure to check out the Rebirth Brass Band back in Baton Rouge on December 20 at Chelsea's!

(Creative Commons Irene Kato)

Found - Fellow young photographer from days past

Photo by Darrell 2007

In the search for a teaching position, I visited an EBR school yesterday.  It was a valuable experience spending time with the principal talking about the school and peeking into classrooms as we walked up and down the one hallway space.   I loved being on the receiving end of a couple smiles and waves as the middle school aged children saw us.  There was one child in particular that I felt like I knew, and right away I connected him to my volunteer days at the FEMA trailer park, Renaissance Village.  The principal had an opportunity during a moment when he passed by us to ask where he was from.  My heart jumped when this young man, now standing taller than me, replied, "New Orleans."  "Were you in the trailer park?" Long pause and thinking face, "I think so...I was so little then."

Immediately in my mind I started digging through my mental archives of images taken while there, by myself and the children.  When I came home, I went right to the blog I used to keep of the visits with the children, "See me see new", and peeked around for the post of his photos.  Found it!  "Photos by Darrell - July 13"  I smiled viewing them, and especially remembered the moment he took his photo of the clouds.  He just wanted to look up and see.

This experience of seeing him again, the first of any of the Renaissance Village children I visited, really speaks to me of the impact and importance of shared experiences of the visual and space.  I'd like to share the photos he took in print with him one day, and wonder if he'll be reminded of looking up to the sky.  I hope that it'll be a positive gift from his days past.


Here are the photos taken by Darrell on July 13, 2007.

The Red Star 8.08.15

The Walls Project #15 - Gettin' out there with art for Baton Rouge

Through a 225 Magazine online posting about volunteer opportunities in Baton Rouge last week, I discovered the good work of the Walls Project.  This past Saturday over 100 volunteers gathered throughout the day at BREC's Gayosa Park to create a group mural painting.  I arrived mid-morning with my husband, two daughters and a friend, and stayed a handful of hours working alongside and meeting people who care about the direction of Baton Rouge's growth.  How valuable to engage in the arts and contribute to our community.  It really was a great time and I loved that my children were hands on!

I'm very excited to have met talented artists and awesome individuals with the Walls Project.  Executive Director, Casey Phillips, Creative Director of the Elevators Project, Raina Wirta, and Alexis Stephenson and Melisa Rad of the Elevators Project.

#goBR

 

The creative space of vision and action.  Raina Wirta's concept notebook.

Melisa Rad, of Elevators Project, preps an empty wall with guiding lines of tape.

Raina Wirta, of the Elevators Project, adds elements to the wall section representing a city grid.

Casey Phillips, Executive Director of the Walls Project.  He speaks so well about the efforts and purpose of the Walls Project.  Be sure to watch his interview with The Advocate http://bcove.me/qxm57kfq.

Raina Wirta stands near the "X and O" wall section.  She spoke of the value in taking an artistic concept and putting it in the hands and expressions of the community.

Alexis Stephenson, Elevators Project Artist, adds a peace sign while feeling great about the wall's progess.

Volunteers Meagan Simone and Antoinette Johnson (left to right) both discovered the Walls Project by walking into the downtown office with their curiosity on different occasions. They share great enthusiasm for the work.

Walls Project members

Eric Stewart, Elevators Project, holds painted tape guides freshly pulled from the wall.  

The collection is a piece of art in itself.

David Chemin, BREC Park Ranger, on site at Gayosa Park to assist with support.

Be sure to check out and appreciate the work done by local papers, The Advocate, and NOLA.com - Baton Rouge.

The Advocate:  http://theadvocate.com/home/9680298-125/brs-gayosa-park-gets-walls
Well done video interview with Casey Phillips by Advocate's photographer, Travis Spradling: http://bcove.me/qxm57kfq

NOLA.com - Baton Rouge, photographs by Brianna Paciorka:  http://www.nola.com/living/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2014/07/volunteers_help_create_new_wal.html

City grid evolution

Lanie Skaggs works on the wall of an abandoned garage which faces the park.