The Black Men of Labor Parade - 2008

from Black Men of Labor Parade - New Orleans, October 25, 2008

These men are cultural heroes. This is an amazing event that usually takes place Labor Day weekend. It was postponed this year due to Hurricane Gustav. Here is some additional information from their press release:

The 2008 Black Men of Labor’s Second-Line Parade and International Dance Festival:

"For the past 14 years, the second line stylings of the Black Men of Labor have consistently stayed the course in keeping Traditional Jazz Music Alive and honoring its incredible legacy. The Black Men of Labor will once again take to the streets of New Orleans to display the brilliance, style and color of their Annual Parade.

For four hours, the Communities of Farbrough/Marigny, Treme and the Esplanade Ridge will be filled with the sounds of Traditional Jazz music and the percussion drums of West Africa united in creating a fusion electrically infused with the rich Culture and Traditions of Africa and American Africans in the most mystical of African cities in America where authenticity still reigns supreme.

New Orleans Traditional Jazz/Brass Band Music is the stuff legends are made of and the World has come to love. Whether it be through the cornet of Louis Satchmo Armstrong, the cornet “King” Oliver; the ivory stylings of Jelly Roll Morton piano; the powerful yet tender tones of Sidney Bechet’s clarinet, the growling blast of “Kid” Ory Trombone and the banjo strings of Danny Barker, New Orleans has gifted us with an unmistakable and magical cultural heritage that is unique, yet hauntingly familiar.

The BMOL continues to enrich the lives of thousands by perpetuating and preserving both African and African American Cultures and Traditions by recalling the history of American Africans who exited through the Door of No Return off the West African coast of Senegal from the Island of Goree, traveled through the Middle Passage of the Atlantic Ocean and arrived at the Port of the Mighty Mississippi River, eventually culminating in the masses gathered on the hallowed and sacred grounds of Congo Square.

The thirty man membership of the BMOL educates, serves and empowers the community of Treme, which it represents yearly by mentoring socially and economically disadvantaged young males from 8 -18. They accomplish this noble cause by training the youth through music and teaching them self esteem and conflict resolution.

This is the third year the BMOL will present the New Orleans Young Traditional Brass Band in their parade, playing along side of the Treme Brass Band and the New Birth Brass Band, proudly adorned in their Black & White uniforms.

The celebration features a mixture of New Orleans Traditional Jazz music from its inception to more modern sounds; the music, along with good food and activities such as arts and crafts will provide a variety of enjoyable experiences for visitors and participants.

So come immerse yourself in a unique culture of life, music, food and fun. Don’t forget your hat and comfortable dancing shoes, for although the BMOL definitely move as one group, they will entice you into becoming a part of Living Culture !"