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the VOX:

1959-2009: 50 YEARS OF WTUL

Summer 2009

A Publication of: FREE

The Rat Hair Issue

wtulneworleans.com

are you?

MyNameisJohnMichael: New Orleans Next Rising Stars? Interview with Ooops the Clown Peter Murphy (of Bauhaus) Show Review A Review of White Noise: A Cautionary Musical

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08/15/2009

08/15/200908/15/2009

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Contribution form:

Name: ____________________ Phone: ____________________

AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED:

Address: ____________________

$500 $250 $100 $50 $25

____________________

Please send to: The Vox

WTUL New Orleans 91.5 FM Other: ____________Tulane University Box 5069

New Orleans, LA 70118

(donate at least$100.00for this gift + marathont-shit + compilation CD)

WTUL Old School Block Logo

White Logo on Blue T-shirt

(donate at least $50.00to be eligible for this gift +

Compilation CD)

WTUL 2009 Marathon T-shirtThis years Marathon t-shirt reflects 50 years of WTUL

and is on an asphalt colored American Apparel t-shirt

(Donate at least $25.00 for this gift)

WTUL Songs from the Basement,Vol. 7 Compilation CDOur annual local compilation - this year featuring: Clint Maedgen + 9, Good Guys, Impenus, Spickle,

Good Guys, One Man Machine and more!!

(donate at least $150.00 for this gift + old school blocklogo shirt + marathon t-shit + compilation CD)

WTUL Looking Back on 50 years Coffee Table Book

Photos, stories, etc. collected from alum and current

WTUL staff compiled in full color 7x7 coffee table book

WTULs 2009 Special Gift CatalogWTUL New Oreans 91.5 FM is New Orleans only free-form non-commercial radio station. Weve counted on you for 50 years to make donations.

Make a Donation to WTUL. Get a gift.

Your donation helps to keep WTUL going. The more you donate the more you receive.Get the total package of everythingWTUL for only $150.

All orders over $50 will also receive

WTUL buttons and bottle openers

Or Donate online @ wtulneworleans.com

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Sponsors

Andrew Bizer, Attorney at Law

Fresco

The Mushroom

ContributorsAaron Burns

Tom Connor

Deborah Dixon

DJ Babybat

Myrna Enamorado

Kyle Hellstrom (DJ Indecisive)

Ray Moose Jackson

Hannah Sparks Ranck

Brian Zeigler

Associate EditorsPerrey Lee

Kristin Lekki

Art Director

Myrna Enamorado

Editor-in-Chief

Kyle Barnett

PEOPLELetter from the General Manager

Letter from the Editor

(Cover Design by Kristin Lekki with drawing Rat Hair by Myrna Enamorado. All other graphics throughout the publication provided by Myrna Enamorado.

Tells us what you think. Send comments to voxwtul@gmail.com.

Disclaimer

AddressThe opinions expressed in this magazinedo not represent those of WTULNew Orleans, or of Tulane University.

Really, we dont even like Tulane, we

just go here. We think they take too

much of our money and keep putting

us in the basement. Never put WTUL

in the basement.

Letter from the General Manager

WTUL New Orleans, 91.5 FM

Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA 70118-5555Office: (504) 865-5885

Studio: (504) 865-5887

www.wtulneworleans.com

voxwtul@gmail.com

Dear Readers,

This upcoming year at WTUL is going to be an

exciting one, for both our Airstaff and you the loyal

listener. We will be piloting a lot of new events inthe station and out in the community:

WTUL is planning to become a part of VooDoo Mu-

sic Festival this upcoming fall, partnering with Free

Yr Radio to bring three days of exciting broadcast-

ing straight from the fairgrounds. Our broadcast will

include hourly artist interviews and live sets!

WTUL will also be getting closer to our fellow

independent progressive broadcasters, attending

the annual Collegiate Broadcasters Incorporated inAustin at the end of October. The conference will be

attended by independent and progressive broadcast-

ers from all of the U.S., and will be an opportunity

for WTUL to learn from our peers (plus hang out in

Austin!).

As always, well have our annual Marathon in the

spring. Marathon is our exciting fundraising event

where we hold concerts and event all across thecity! During marathon, we even let three lucky DJs

broadcast live for a full 24 hours.

And last but not least, we officially begin our digi-

tization process this summer with our CD and Vinyl

collections, a process that has been long awaited and

we are overjoyed to begin.

Of course theres always a ton going on over at the

station, and its all for you!

Thank you for all the support,

Patrick Townsend

General Manager

WTUL New Orleans

Wellits summertime, but the living aint easy. I

didnt know it ever got this hot in Louisiana. Every-

day I come home and am tempted to cut my sweat-

soaked shirt off with a pair of scissors rather than

fight to pull it over my head. Maybe that is why it

took me an extra month to get this issue of the VOX

out. I am sure all of you have been waiting eagerly.

That is if you realized we were back in print after

an unfortunate year-long hiatus that ended with the

publication of our Marathon issue in March.

In this second issue of my term as Editor-in-Chief

of the VOX I have been lucky enough to gather atalented crew of writers and artists around the print

version of WTUL to make a case for its continuance

as a project of our station. It isnt cheap to print this

thing, but the product justifies the price and I am

pretty happy with this issue. I hope you are too.

If you have any comments or questions or think you

can help us with further issues (READ: ADVERTIS-

ING) please direct them toward me at voxwtul@

gmail.com. In the meantime take a look at our

merchandise on the previous page to get some ultra

good swag like our compilation CD of cutting edge

local musicians on WTUL Songs from the Basement

Vol. 7 and help us out at the same time. We cant do

it without you, the listener (and now again the reader

too).

Kyle B.

.BackgroundphotobyEricMartinez.

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Table of Contents2 - Merchandise Page (Please support us!)

3 - Letter from the General Manager and

Editor - List of Contributors

5 - MyNameisJohnMichael: New Orleans

Next Rising Stars? by Aaron Burns

6 - Peter Murphy: Time Has Got Nothing To

Do With Itby DJ BabyBat

WTUL by the Numbers by Deborah Dixon

7 - MyBestMixCD

by Hannah Sparks Ranck

8 - Interview with Alley Ooops (aka Ooops

the Clown) by Myrna Enamorado

11 - an opening for the rose of jericho (poem)

by Ray Moose Jackson

Six Degrees of Deborah by Deborah Dixon

12 -A Trip to the Grocery Store in Three

Character Sketches by Tom Connor

13 -Bikes and Zines: A Trip to 511 Marignyby Kyle Hellstrom

A Review of White Noiseby Kyle Barnett

14 -Bitter Ink (cartoon)

by Ray Moose Jackson & Brian Zeigler

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On June 25th, in the dimly lit cloud of smoke known as Tipitinas Uptown, I was

one of a few hundred people to witness New Orleans rising stars Mynameis-

johnmichael (MNiJM) put on an hour and half set of pure electricity.

Surrounded by a crowd far too young and too big for a summertime show in

New Orleans, I found myself dancing, singing, jumping and pumping my fist

like it was 1976 and I was at a Springsteen show in New Jersey. With every

catchy chorus and thumping rhythm, this band of six kids no older than 25proved themselves to be unique, driven, and, above all else, important. I was far

from being the only new fan they won over that night. As I hung around like a

15-year-old girl to meet the band and tell them just how refreshing they were, I

talked to a middle

aged couple

who had just

seen MNiJM

for the first time

and were blown

away.

Ive never

heard anything

like that in New

Orleans, said

the flush-faced

man.

I thought they

were from New

York or LA, his

wife added.

The band grace-

fully side steps

the token New

Orleans stamp

by offering a

sound that is

more American

Hollywood than

Cajun. With

their intoxicating

stage presence

and pop sensibil-

ity, they could

easily excite

show-goers anywhere. Fans new and old of all sizes, shapes, and ages hung

around after the show completely mystified because what they saw was some-

thing so out of the ordinary that it seemed unthinkable that this indie-rock/pop

group could possibly be made up of Crescent City natives.

The charm of Mynameisjohnmichael has nothing to do with reinventing thewheel. Their music is at times an Arcade Fire like anthemic blast of horns,

voices, and cymbals. The calculated melodies reach far outside the barrier of

their surroundings. These kids paid great attention to every detail of every song

and managed to mesmerize the audience. Although New Orleans musicians are

known for extensive jamming, Mynameisjohnmichaels set did not feature a

single solo all night. The jazz and funk that defines the Tipitinas scene hangs its

hat on freeform party music. This group paid great attention to every detail of

every song and managed to repeatedly captivate the audience 3 to 5 minutes at a

time.

Most of the music we encounter in the Big Easy has a heavy emphasis on instru-

mentals while the true heart of MNiJMs music lies in their timely and impecca-

bly executed harmonies and carefully placed horns. Their set, a swirl of slowed

down synth tunes, stadium rockers, and introspective lyric driven melodies, was

clearly mapped out long in advance. The seductively smooth Her, I Think

beckons the listener to lean in and listen attentively before the uproarious chorus

(backed by vocalist Teddy Tif Lamson of opening band Givers) speeds the heartup a few bpms. The group vocals on Misery Runs and Nothing But Memo-

ries inspire the listener to jump up and down like a five year old at a birthday

party from the first note. With their effervescent stage presence added into the

mix, it was easy to

tell that they were

having fun and that

they believed in ev-

ery word they sang

and every note they

played. All of this

combined into one

set makes these guys

masters of manipu-

lating the emotion

of an audience and

puts the six people

on stage in complete

control of the crowd.

Although the story

of MNiJM can notbe written without

due credit given to

all six members, it

also cannot be told

without focusing on

front-man and name-

sake John Michael

Rouchell. Humble

and a bit shy in

person, Rouchell

explodes onto stage

like a gladiator go-

ing into battle. His

curly afro swings

back and forth as he

belts out every note with a passion that proves hes not just singing, hes testify-

ing. His earnestly delivered lyrics on the melancholy The People that Come and

Go are both universal and deeply personal as he asked the question have you

changed before concluding that the only things that change are the people that

come and go. On Every Night of the Year Rouchell shows a certainty in his

own talent by stating Im the one theyll reminisce, every night of the year.While some might taste a hint of arrogance in the line, what it truly exhibits is

the simple fact that music like this could only be written by someone who feels

they are truly special, someone who is willing to fine tune every element of each

song until it is just right. The maturity of Rouchells words helps the band es-

cape the pity pleading emo band tag and the pigeon hole of just another weird

haircuts and tight bands pants indie band. Though evident in the summer of

2009, the ambition of John Michael Rouchell is best understood when we look

back at the insane year he had in 2008.

On January 1st of 2008, months before MNiJM was a team sport,

MyNameisJohnMichael: New Orleans Next Rising Stars? article and photos by Aaron Burns

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Rouchell took on a daunting task. As a New Years

wager, a friend challenged Rouchell to write and

record 52 songs in 52 weeks. For 15 weeks he

slaved and stressed while playing every instrument

on every song and churning out track after track.

At the end of each week, Rouchell would place

the finished product on his website and go back to

work. After three months of flying solo, Rouchell

realized that the mountain would be easier toclimb with a little support, so he put together the

existing line- up and kept on writing. For an entire

year, his rapidly growing fan base was treated to

something new on a weekly basis. Comfortably

sharing the work load, the 53rd track was written

by a band mate and the group aesthetic of MNiJM

was born.

The noteworthy fact about the completion of the

53 songs is not the shear output, but the quality ofthe songs. While I have not heard all of the songs,

the ones I have heard both on and off the record

are never filler and never seem half-baked. Ad-

ditionally, for a band to have such a vast catalogue

of material before its first birthday leaves them

with the option of putting together a plethora of

different sets with any vibe or focus. Rouchell can

do a solo set of acoustic folk or the group can do

an hour of rock n roll. They can go with synths or

horns and guitars. The versatility of their collec-

tion makes them the type of band that could be in your little sisters cd CD bookor on your dads new Pandora station.

With all the 52 songs completed, the band decided that their first album would be

more about the fans than themselves. They asked their following to vote on their

favorite thirteen tracks and the album the People that Come and Go was born.

Now, armed with a debut album that sounds like a band 10 years into its career

and a manager in Erin Frankenheimer acting as den mother, the boys have set

out to take on New Orleans and beyond. The Tipitinas show came on the heels

of a successful stint at Tennessees renowned Bonnaroo music festival where

the band played a full blast gig before Rouchell did an acoustic set and gave aninterview. Prior to the stop in Manchester, Tennessee they played the Geironimo

festival in Lafayette to win over some nearby attention. This fall, the band will

set off on an extensive Southeaster tour to take MNiJMs sound to whoever will

listen.

All that we in New Orleans need to know is that these guys are a rocket ship

that will garner a new kind of attention to the New Orleans scene. Jazz, funk,jam, and second line will always be the cornerstone of New Orleans music, but

this group proves that we can play the big market game too and that we still

understand music outside of what grows in our own back yard. In the past year,

more and more indie music has torn into the headlines and charts. Tennessee/

Mississippi boys Kings of Leon saw their latest album release at number one just

weeks before the far more avant-garde Part Bear album snuck its way into the

number 8 slot on the Billboard charts. MNiJM could easily find its way into the

high school parking lots of America as at least two thirds of the songs they per-

formed on June 25th are fully radio ready. The band already gets love from col-

lege radio, but they have the swagger, the stamina and the skill to make a huge

splash on the national scene in the next 12 months. They are not simply a band,they are the complete package and have all the weapons theyll need to conquer

the pop market. When its all said and done, America will realize yet again that

lady New Orleans loves and makes good music and she can cook it up however

you like it.

Visit WTUL New Orleans 91.5 FM online at wtulneworleans.comwhere you can find:

- WTULs free webstream - News - Top Weekly Song Picks - Archived Playlists - DJ Bios -Apprenticeship Info (How to become a DJ) - WTUL History - Videos - Sponsorship info -

Contact info (email addresses) - Events Calendar - Continually Updated Playlist -

Vox archives from the past 26 years up until this issue - Online donation information

- Current Show & DJ Schedule

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WTUL by the Numbersby Deborah Dixon

I wanted to meet girls, but instead I fell in love with the station. -Patrick, our GM

I surveyed 35 WTUL DJs and found:

-Most popular superpowers: Flight, time travel, mind control, teleportation, and

omnipotence. Other powers included the ability to make healthy ice cream, to have

the voice of God, and to be tall.

-Music: Most DJs like most genres. One DJ is not a fan of Ellen Degeneres music.

I like how Matt R. put it when he quoted Duke Ellington- There are two kinds of

music: good and bad. I like the good kind. -How DJs got started: through friends

or roommates who were WTUL DJs. I asked the DJs which animal they wouldlike to be. The winner: Cat overwhelmingly. Also, otter, koala, bird (any kind), and

dolphin. Weird responses included: Ankylasaurus, a Unicorn with 2 horns, and an

Aardvark (No one before me in the dictionary!). -Where DJs are from: WTUL

DJs tend to hail from Louisiana, the Northeast, and the Midwest (see illustration).

-International DJs: Erdi from Turkey, Kat from Germany, Tel (our advisor) from

France, and me from Jamaica. -Favorite colors: Green won, with blue, and the color of sunsets as a close second. Maybe we really are a Tulane station!

-Age: Being a college radio station, most WTUL DJs are in their twenties.

Peter Murphy: Time Has Got Nothing To Do With It by DJ BabyBat (photo by Sharky)Thirty-one years ago Peter Murphy played his first

show at the age of twenty-one to a bar full of drunk

people who didnt know his name. Monday, June 22,

he played in New Orleans at the Howlin Wolf to a

merry crowd that knew the words to every song he

sang. Sometime in between these two shows Peter

Murphy, with the aid of his band Bauhaus, became theGodfather of Goth and an idol to millions.

Ive been a Peter Murphy fan since I was born. As a

little kid riding in the car I rocked out to bands like

Bauhaus and Joy Division. So last year when I heard

Murphy was coming to the House of Blues I quickly

bought tickets.

The show itself wasnt very crowded and, despite

being at a big venue like the House of Blues (HOB),

there was a very personal air about it. He stopped in

between songs to chitchat, he sang several covers,

and talked about his brief encounters with the late Ian

Curtis. You can imagine my surprise when I heard that

not even a year since the HOB show, he would be back

in New Orleans to play at the Howlin Wolf.

I showed up at the Howlin Wolf early to get a feel

for the place. It was Peter Murphys sound check, but

he was nowhere to be found. Instead, a tough look-

ing bearded man came out on stage and started sing-

ing. No, it wasnt Murphy, but if the crowd was drunkenough they might not have noticed. Much to my

relief, after local opener The Public ended their set,

the real Peter appeared. Clad in a fur-trimmed coat, he

took center stage and began to belt out tunes from his

best selling 1990 album Deep. After all these years his voice still sounded the

same. The crowd was transfixed, their eyes locked on the stage, and smiles filled

the room.

During some instrumental down time in

Marlene Dietrichs Favorite Poem Murphy

took the time to dedicate the song to Neda

Agah Soltan. At the time, I didnt know who

she was. It was just a day since the 26-year-old Iranian woman was captured dying on

film. She was shot at a protest contesting the

recent Iranian presidential election and videos

of her death soon circulated the Internet. A

convert to Islam in the 1990s and a resident

of Turkey, Murphy is a strong advocate for

rights in the Middle East.

After playing many of his most popular tunes,

Murphy skipped Deeps single Cuts You

Up. Instead, he played Bauhaus hit Shes

In Parties and a beautiful, haunting cover of

Nine Inch Nails Hurt. He ended the show

with an impressive cover of Bowies Space

Oddity.

The show, the man, and the venue brought a

few thoughts to my mind. Although Murphy

was still in top artistic form, the show itself

lacked a sense of intimacy. There was signifi-

cantly less banter with the crowd than in his2008 HOB show and fans were not allowed to

take photographs. However, the venue itself

couldnt have been better. The staff was won-

derful and the room was perfect for the show.

It was a superb show and we should all hope that the Godfather of Goth comes

back to New Orleans even if its just one more time.

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MyBestMixCD

by Hannah Sparks Ranck

Ahh the MixCD: so thoughtful, so permanent. This is what I love about

it. Once its done, its done. Theres no going back and recording over

it. Theres no taking back the songs and words you lazered to that CD-R

(unless you have a CD-RW, I guess, but dont miss the point). Throughoutmy life, when I sat down to create the ultimate MixCD, I have always had

a person in mind. I rarely used MixCDs for myself, but as gifts for friends

and family, just to let them know how much I appreciate/miss/love/etc.

them. Therefore, they do so much more than stand as a record of a bunch

of songs I or someone else might like. They actually capture a moment, a

feeling, in my personal history. They always happen in the heat of the mo-

ment, despite the amount of effort I pour over perfecting the mix. I cant

tell you how many mixes Ive begun and never finished because I waited

too long and that necessary urge to create dissipated with time.

In this edition of My Best MixCD I present to you a masterpiece I havebeen working on lately, a mix to bookmark this place in time. Yes, there is

a person in mind. Yes, there is a hidden message (or not so hidden if you

listen carefully to the songs). Just like any piece of music or work of art,

its always better when theres some real human emotion behind it.

1. Run Ben Kweller

Who can resist this redheaded child musical prodigy (see reviews of

Sha Sha)? His third, self-titled album features little bit of folk twang, but

continues to hold strong to his cutesy indie-pop roots.

2. Like a Hurricane Neil Young

Neil Young is THE man. What more can I really say?

3. From the Morning Nick Drake

In his short lifetime and music career, he created

some of the most beautiful songs Ive ever heard.

Luckily, he recorded a virtually countless number

of songs before committing suicide in 1974.

4. A Man Like Me Beulah

Is he singing about a guitar or a woman? I run my

hands down your neck. Cross your back to another fret. I know, youre

fragile. Youre bound to self-destruct. Sexy.

5. Anything You Want Spoon

Spoon remains one of my favorite bands. I cant make a MixCD without

including them. Great indie-rock. Period.

6. Jesus, Etc WilcoYankee Hotel Foxtrot is probably my favorite Wilco album. I like the sort

of queer country sound throughout.

7. Bluish Animal Collective

The most sensuous song by AnCo, featured on their most recent release,

Merriweather Post Pavillion.

8. Brandy Alexander Feist

A sweet little diddy from indie musics darling Leslie Feist.

9. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? She & Him

This is my favorite song on She & Hims (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward)

sugar-coated first album, Volume One.

10. Spit on a Stranger Pavement

First heard the Nickel Creek version of this song. I think I like Pavements

better.

11. Meat & Potatoes Belle & Sebastian

Cute, funny song about kicking it up a notch in the

bedroom.

12. P.S. You Rock My World Eels

If youre not already into the Eels, you probablyshould be. The lead singer rocks a pretty stellar

beard. See the cover of their newest album, Hombre

Lobo.

13. With Arms Outstretched Rilo Kiley

The Execution of All Things has really stood the test of time as my favor-

ite Rilo Kiley album since junior high.

14. To Be Alone With You Sufjan Stevens

This song may very well be about Jesus Christ. Certainly not the reason I

put it on here, but all of Sufjans music is beautiful and serene.

15. Pitter Patter Goes My Heart Broken Social Scene

Instrumental piece from BSSs You Forgot It In People. See title for mean-

ing.

16. Shes the One The Beta Band

Discovered The Beta Band from our second favor-

ite John Cusak movie (Say Anything comes in first),High Fidelity. Their music is sort of psychedelic, but

strangely catchy.

17. Friday Im in Love The Cure

Whatever. It had to be here.

If you would like your best MixCD featured in the next issue of the VOX

please send the playlist with brief descriptions of the tracks/artists in the

above style to voxwtul@gmail.com or to:

the VOX

WTUL New Orleans, 91.5 FM

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA 70118-5555

Offfice: (504) 865-5885

You can see this issue of the VOX and past issues on our website at wtulneworleans.com/v08/vox

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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ME -My introduction to you was at the Krewe de Poux Ball when you were dancing

with your now husband, Ratty Scurvics. You had some problems with your wardrobe so

you stripped on stage. Could you describe that outfit for us?

Ooops - My outfit was a frilly jacket poofy short sleeves with fringe with matching

ruffly chaps of sorts, all light blue with white polka dots, blue/white bloomers with a

white corset and a white bra trimmed long white fringe. But all that did not stay on long.

Actually when I first came in I had a Victorian dress over that as to be in costume not

revealing my other costume costume. But it was way too hot to wear all of that. I credit

finding my inner clown some to that dress. Makes me think of the gin timbers of that

time, loose women with runs in there stockings, missing teeth, white makeup caked on

over itself not quite disguising the fact that a bath has not happened in quite some time.

Bright colored makeup as if a parrot exploded on her face and a painted mole. Still

flashy, over the top, and garish, the life of the party.... that she stumbled into. Like a

Victorian version of a crack whore but merrier. But as for the wardrobe malfunction on

stage, my corset and bra keep shifting during the show, so I liberated them.

ME -How did you and Ratty Scurvics fall in love?

Ooops - Well when we first met on new years of 2004 we instantly felt like we knew

each other. Like I dont know how many lifetimes I have shared with him before but we

both instantly felt it. We both say the same thing about how its like we already knew

each other when we met the rest was just finding out the detail. I met him at a party at

his house called the clown house. We ended up breaking away from the party and talk-

ing on the couch. We talked for a while but both terribly intoxicated I cant remember

everything that was said. I awoke on that same couch the next day, I had a moment that

morning trying to adjust to where I was. I remembered Ratty and burst into his room

with excitement saying RATTY as I flung open the door to his outside room. He

opened up his arms and I climbed in bed with him and we giggled and talked all morn-ing. We didnt pursue each other romantically at this point but we both feel we were

always in love in a way. He was real disappointed to hear I was moving to Austin the

next day. We spent the day together and he gave me his art and a purple tape. That I still

have. That has the some of the only copy of certain songs that would otherwise be lost.

Now after that no matter how hard I tried to track him down, it wasnt till after Katrina

that I saw him again. At that time I had a boyfriend. But after seeing him again at the

music compound where he evacuated to, we stayed in touch from there on. I would light

up when he was around. And he was a very important friend to me. He has told me the

whole time he had a crush on me. Misled and Ratty invited me on circus tour the sum-

mer of 2006. Misled ended up not being able to go, but I was encouraged to take the

train to meet Ratty in Milwaukee, so I did.

I was so nervous and excited, this was my first tour ever, and had only performed a

twice at this point. Boy oh boy, did that drastically change after that. So not only was I

headed to live my dream, perform with Ratty Scurvics, discovering my clown, as well

as myself, but I was headed to fall in love with my other. Every day every single hour

and minute of that tour was magical. Three days into tour and Ratty and I were dating

and in love. It was too powerful to resist. It drove our fellow performers Eric and Liz

nuts with how mushy we were. We couldnt be 12 inches apart at any time. And Ratty

is real real romantic, even still. Aside from the sparks, every single aspect of this tour

(I cant emphasis enough) was blow my mind magical. It was better than the fairytales,

it really felt like dancing thru life. At this point it felt like the universe was opening upand giving us everything we ever wanted. I had never been so happy. Sometimes we

ask ourselves is this real because it seems too good to be true. So from then on we were

together. And even survived two years of long distance relationship because after tour I

was still living in Austin and not ready to move back home to New Orleans. Now I am

home, performing, and happily married. Ratty is my best friend and has always been my

best friend.

ME - Where did you learn to twirl a hula hoop?

Ooops - At a party there were large hula hoops. I picked one up and couldnt stop. After

the party a friend that was at the party, made me a hoop to practice with. It is kinda

weird how these stories link up, but the same friend left to head west. At his recom-

mendations he directed a crew of circus kids to our doorstep to crash. They were the

Invisible Circus, mostly from England and they were on tour in the states. Interesting

sidenote is that they were the ones performing at the music compound where I ran into

Ratty after Katrina. See, fate! But anyways I became friends with all of them and they

threw into the circus after finding out it was a dream of mine. I tried to back out 500 dif-

ferent ways on the account of my nerves and the fact that I was very green as a hoopist.

I dont know if I could even call myself a hoopist at this point. But they made me do it

and I will forever love them for it. Now I didnt know any tricks at this point, I mainly

just danced with the hoop.

I started learning tricks on the beach of Costa Rica for a wedding. Once again with the

nerves. Two of the lovely people in the Invisible Circus were in love and engaged and to

be married in Costa Rica, and I invited to be a bridesmaid and perform at the wedding

along side a wonderment of talented circus performers from around the globe... yes oh

yes I was nervous. And hadnt practiced the hoop since they had seen me last.. not really

anyways. So I went and at the time I was practicing a healing technique called e.f.t. that

really worked for me. So I was in Costa Rica and had three days before the wedding.

I slept outside in a hammock so the monkeys provided an alarm clock at 5 a.m. So I

Interview with Alley Ooops (aka Ooops the Clown) by Myrna Enamorado

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

11/16

awake and headed to the beach and sit and do my healing work then practice for a little

bit each day. By the time for the wedding I had taught myself some hula hoop tricks and

hooped with a lot of heart for all the bride and groom, their friends and family. I have

been a hoopist ever since.

ME -How many can you twirl at one time?

Ooops - Quite a few, still learning my limits so I guess I can safely say 5 or 6, but if you

want tricks with multiple hoops I then say three.

ME - Could you give me the exact date of your wedding?

Ooops - March 6, 2009 I like it because the numbers are 3/6/09

ME -Did you wear white?

Ooops No, my dress was antiqued looking tan with iridescent shades of blue and a

goldish/light tan corset, with accent peacock colors in back. It is kinda hard to explain it.

ME - You had a lot of aerial performances and professional dancers at your wedding,

are they friends of yours? How did you get involved with them?

Ooops - Yes all of them are dear fr iends of mine. We have all worked together before

under Aurora Circus Theatre. It is an aerial group that Raven started and we all have

participated in. We all also train together and there is a collective in which we belong to

called the Whirley Bones. But our space to train is no more, so we are currently working

it all out. And we work together independently. I love them, I feel lucky to have them all

as my friends. They really moved me by performing for my wedding. And everyone did

such a great job!

As for getting involved with them, it kinda just happened in a way. I picked up aerial

weirdly enough kinda fast during classes. Raven had told me in a visit to New Orleans,

that there was going to be auditions for her troupe. I was ready to move home about that

time, it seemed like that was another piece of the puzzle and was so ready to move back

home. And I was so ready to be close to Ratty. I just had to make sure that I would be

able to take the next step with my projects over here. I wanted to be an aerialist BAD! I

had a goal. Came down started training and got cast in the Lunatic King and had be-

come an aerialist. I studied under Wayne and Raven at different times.

And Sarah has been an immense help as well in me doing what I am doing. Kinda feel

taken under their wings in a way. Actually it is through the support of all of them, that I

am able to do this. I love them all very dearly.

ME -I saw a picture of you as a child, where you were wearing a burlesque outfit

with flapper fringe. What was that picture taken for and how old were you when it was

taken?

Ooops - I was dressed for a dance revue, little shows they have for when youre in

dance classes. I always thought it was weird some of the costume choices they make, for

a four year old you might say I am dressed a little risqu. I love that picture.

ME - You have also done some artist modeling where you make faces that reflect certain

emotions and you can hold a backbend pose for several minutes. What attracts you to

that kind of work?

Ooops - I am also a painter and artist. I have been the person on the other side of the

sketch pad and I want to not only be a figure to study from to achieve form, but I want

to inspire and aid the creation part. I want it to push things a place where art is hap-

pening in the scene itself. I want to leave feeling inspired in the exchange. I want to be

pushed into unflattering poses to get the interesting shadow, or hold a painful pose just

a little longer till the emotion of the gesture is captured. It gives me a chance to cre-

ate what I want to see in a model, in art. That is not to say reclining nudes do still have

merit to me, but I really like it when the artist give me the artistic license and I feel in

some ways I have grown by the experience. I feel honored really.

ME -Does Ratty ever get jealous when you expose yourself?

Ooops - Nope not once

ME - What was your involvement with Carousel Cabaret in Austin?

Ooops - I am one of the original cast members and I helped create the troupe. The only

other original cast members are Raina, the troupe leader, (also known as Lady Bangs)

and the announcer Sick (a.k.a. Surly Joe). I worked with them for about 2 years and I

really I have grown as a performer by the whole experience. It was burlesque troupe, but

surely we doubled as a comedy troupe and was a good place for my clown to be. I felt

that we were extremely creative at what we did. I am proud of my involvement with the

Carousel Cabaret.

ME - Who designs your amaz-

ing and colorful costumes?

Ooops - We did, each girl was

responsible for our own costum-

ing,

ME -Last year, you and Ratty

were King and Queen of Krewede Poux. What were your du-

ties?

Ooops - This year actually, and

we are to abuse our power as

tyrants! FEAR THE WRATH!!!

oh and supervise croquet games.

ME - What were your favorite

Mardi Gras moments of 2009?

Ooops - Our crowning ceremo-

ny and I got to sit on a cake with

no pants.

ME -Janet, the founder of the

Eris Krewe says all punks can

be classified by their favorite

holidays. What is your favorite holiday?

Ooops - Without a doubt that would be Mardi Gras! You know how people talk about a

feeling the spirit of Christmas, I get that for Mardi Gras. I loooove Mardi Gras!

ME -At the airlift to the Berlin show, there was a scary moment with a pole. When the

pole actually came off of the ceiling. Can you describe your feelings about this?

Ooops - That was nuts and scary. It broke in half! I am a little upset about the whole af-

fair. My friend got injured. Lester is an aerialist and acrobat and needs his arm to heal to

work. So I am concerned about my friend. And the pole broke in half!!!! I dont believe

it is suppose to do that. So I hope everything will work out okay in the end. So lets just

say I am hoping for the best. Aside from the brush with danger, it was a fun show!

ME - Would you like to share any upcoming events you will be performing at *in June

or after?

Ooops Well, in June I go to Berlin and perform with Ratty Scurvics Singularity. Also

helping the The Black Forest Fancies with there puppet show once I am there. When

I get back there is a tour scheduled for July. I imagine between that I will have gigs

around town but it is too early to have those dates now. I do a lot of shows at the All-

ways Lounge, Hi-Ho, and One Eyed Jacks so look for me there. At the end of May the

last two weekends I am an aerialist for a Black Forest Fancies production called Po-

mology of Sweetness and Light. It involves life size marionettes, aerial performance,

animation scenes, and breath taking costuming and imagery. The show takes place at the

Colton School on St. Claude, and inside the theatre the last two weekends of May.

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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an opening for the rose of Jerichoby Ray Moose Jackson

something closed today

a deal was clinched

quietly

as the votive came to its natural endand the pomegranate split

three drops of blood on the table

the scorpion was given wings

oh no, it has not gone unnoticed

that your slippers were left

beneath the couch opposite my bed

i woke today, like most days

with a body hungry

but i caught my sex this timein flagrante delito

chanting a mantra i never taught it

this is a sort of spell

like an opening for roses of jericho

and it shouldnt be kept a secret

i have pinned you to a sliver of

moon

you will fall when she is fatbe caught by the stone fingers

which have stolen all our silence

no, it shouldnt be kept secret

nor tampered with excepting

a lovers invitation

for there is a dark side

to every light in the firmament

and in this umbra we have

incumbent encumbrancesi would have shielded you

but in haste you threw your coin

with mine into the well

and now only time

can tell from whose table you shall

sup

so bear with me this cup

while we await the full completion

of our lovers lunar spell

adfsdfgsdgdsg

Six Degrees of Deborah

by Deborah Dixon

I dont think Gods awake at this hour. -Erin H, a

Classical apprentice.

If Disney thought it was a small world wayback when, hed think it was a microbe now. I can

proudly say that I have friends as near to me as the next

bed over and as far away as Argentina. The Internet has

made that sort of thing very easy. So has the entertain-

ment industry. If I did enough research and thought

about it really hard, I could probably connect myself

to Hugh Jackman in six degrees or less. Thats excit-

ing! I truly believe that all things are possible through

the Internet. I can discuss war and politics with people

from Great Britain. I can learn everything about my nextroommate before she even moves in. I can make sure

my DJs are doing their jobs correctly. (Im watching

you!) And most importantly, I can communicate with my

Jamaican family quickly and inexpensively, and they can

listen to my show online through our lovely webstream.

Kids today dont know how good they have it.

Why, when I was your age, son, I had to get up at 7 AM

if I wanted to watch Bugs Bunny, and I had to get my

homework done by 8 PM if I wanted to watch Walker,

Texas Ranger. We didnt have this Hulu free TV web-

streaming stuff and we certainly didnt have iTunes to

sell us episodes so we could watch a cranky physician

insult everyone within a five-mile radius over and over

again! But I digress. The Internet is good stuff. Through

the Internet, I was able to locate the only two Jamaican

restaurants in New Orleans (for shame!) and figure out

which one was the better one. Ive put on The Worlds

Greatest Job Search through Monster and HotJobs. Ive

laughed at local shenanigans in Craigslists Missed Con-nections. Youve done some stuff over the Internet too.

I know it. I know about the time you Facebook-stalked

your new boyfriends ex-girlfriend. I saw it in my News

Feed. I heard about your companys massive layoffs. I

read about it on Yahoo! News. And I know you listen to

WTUL online. You called in from Utah or New York or

Florida and requested a song.

I love random callers. I love when people call in

at 6 in the morning. I once had to start the transmitter

to get my classical show started, and once I did, I got acall asking me why I would get up so early for no pay.

Its tough. Its tough to get up before the sun just to do

something because youre signed up to do it. Its tough,

especially when you stayed up until midnight playing

Project Rockstar. But you know what? I love my Classi-

cal show. I get more callers for it than for my Jazz show.

I have regular listeners. It makes me feel good, to know

that someone else is awake too. So yes, Ive met quite a

few of my fans over the phone. I hope Ill meet more of

you at WTULs concerts this coming year. Just dont callme Debbie when we meet. That would be bad. Very bad.

Poem

Visit WTUL New Orleans 91.5 FM online at wtulneworleans.com where you can find:- WTULs free webstream - News - Top Weekly Song Picks - Archived Playlists - DJ Bios -

Apprenticeship Info (How to become a DJ) - WTUL History - Videos - Sponsorship info - Contact info (email addresses) -

Events Calendar - Continually Updated Playlist -

Vox archives from the past 26 years up until this issue - Online donation information

- Current Show & DJ Schedule

Why dont you quit staring and buy an ad already?

Why dont you quit staring and buy an ad already?

Why dont you quit staring and buy an ad already?

Why dont you quit staring and buy an ad already?

Why dont you quit staring and buy an ad already?Why dont you quit staring and contact us @

voxwtul@gmail.comYou know you want to.

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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Hipster Girl in the Produce Section

You walk in with your friend, gossiping and laughing, but soon stop, look left, look

right. Where to go? You dont seem to come here that often, and your wardrobe sug-

gests the same - indie chic. Not cheap, by any means, but expressive without being

overly flashy, and far from the uniform of gym shorts and white t-shirts other shop-

pers seem to prefer. Oh, there are the fruits and veggies, you seem to say, and thetwo of you walk over, continuing your conversation as you do.

You stop in front of the California Navel Oranges, 80 cents a pound. The conversa-

tion trails off as you both consider whats before you: large, ripe oranges for the

taking, and its at this moment I notice your hair, a tasteful combination of white girl

dreads and feathers, either from a pheasant or an exceptionally small wild turkey. It

seems to work with your outfit in its own way, though I cant help but consider (and

feel sorry for) the poor bird that owned that feather before you, the one now wander-

ing around with a bald spot on his ass so you could make a fashion statement. As

you innocently weigh your Vitamin C intake, I briefly consider stealing the feather

and trying to find the bird to return it (shouldnt be too hard to find, hed probably bethe only one wearing sweat pants), but this all goes on apart from you as the citrus

fruit before you quietly hold your attention.

No, you say, trailing off, and you nudge your friend away from this rack, to the

left a few feet and the oranges pre-bagged in plastic mesh. These are way cheaper

and more palatable, not for you, but for your debit card. Just like how you dont

seem to fit here, the choice oddly makes sense - your outward appearance says

youd rather be shopping at Whole Foods, but your choice in produce says you spent

your grocery budget at Buffalo Exchange and now youve got to play catch up. But

hey, you can call this glass half full! And besides, 14 oranges for a dollar is a great

deal, one youd be crazy to pass up, even if you arent quite sure whether orangesare supposed to be the color of an old sponge or not. Youve got a winner, just like

the new Regina Spektor album.

You continue around the section, suddenly alive with purpose, grabbing a cucumber,

and then a handfull of green onion stalks. We can call this dinner, you seem to

think as you tie the bag of onions off, making it look like a cellophane troll doll with

green hair. Its a vegetarian Mandarin chicken salad, dammit! Who needs chicken?

Or lettuce or nuts? Or a bowl?

Older Guy in the Cereal Aisle

Youve already been here for a while when I walk into the aisle, and youre clearly

a little lost. The wife asked you to do the shopping tonight, shes got to finish that

book for book club on Friday, and she just cant spare a moment this evening. Not

a problem, I lived on my own, you figured as masculinely as possible, She already

made the list, and Ill get whatever the wife and kids need, maybe even sneak a sixer

of Amber and an oven pizza in there, too. That was the plan, the one you counted

on, the one that didnt materialize.

The first chills of this reality snuck up your spine in the spice aisle, when you

couldnt figure out what the hell cardamom even is, let alone where its located, and

the signs have become undeniable here in the cereal aisle where, beset by choices,you stand trying to figure out exactly what your wife meant when she put, simply,

cereal on the list. You start by the Cheerios, working down to the Corn Flakes,

past the Cinnamon Toast Crunch (By the way, you ever hear of a fucking Carda-

mom Toast Crunch? Probably a reason for that), through the Special K, and end at

the Honey Bunches of Oats, before wandering back toward the Cheerios again, only

to start back toward the Honey Bunches of Oats. Youre in over your head, and you

had no idea that this many variations of grains floating in milk even existed.

Then it happens, right when you are beginning to realize that a 55 year old man

simply should not spend this much time around cartoon mascots on cardboard:

another man, about your age but dressed better, walks in, looks for a second, grabs a

single box and strides away, head high with wide steps. He was gone as soon as he

arrived, facing his doom and grabbing that box of Blueberry Muffin Mini Wheats

like a French nobleman staring down the guillotine: Confident. Poised. Proud even.

You, though you face your demise like a dirty cattle rustler, kicking, screaming

and crying as they push you toward the gallows against your will. Youre standingquietly, but your eyes are wailing. Watching you is no longer fun, no more fun than

watching a fish gasp for air on the shore. I take my Honey Nut Corn Chex and leave

you for dead.

Later though, we meet in the checkout line as I pull my cart in behind yours. Our

eyes meet again, and as you start to move your items to make room for mine on

the black conveyor belt, I can feel what you want to say, as poignant and cold as a

gravestone - I busted out, partner, Im getting away, and you aint never gonna find

me in these parts again.

Really Stoned Bagger Kid

I notice your red, bloodshot eyes first. For a split second I wonder if you have al-

lergies, but the permanent shit grin that seems to be spot-welded to your lips and

the slow, deliberate movements from your gangly teenage limbs tell me a different

story. Then again, I already knew that about you, seeing as how you do look this

way every time I come here. As you sway gently back and forth, but still manage to

remember not to put a loaf of bread under soup cans, youre distinctly different from

every other bagger on the line tonight. No conversation like the others, no comments

or jokes, but at the same time youre not ignoring me either. To do so would be

totally redundant, because, really, you arent even here. Youre on a different plane

somewhere, unraveling the mysteries of life that seem to be so naggingly apparentwhen this much THC is coursing through your veins.

What exactly does plastic start out as? Do midgets make better stalkers because

they can dress as lawn gnomes as a form of camouflage, or would the fact theyd

need to bring a stepladder give them away? Where is Waldo now, not geographical-

ly, but in life? Should we have maybe let him have some alone time instead of trying

to track him down all the time?

As I watch you bag my groceries and wonder where your mind is taking you, I can

only hope you at least had the presence of mind to wash your hands at some pointduring the day. After all, Ive seen how you eat when youre on your breaks, with

the superhuman abandon and commitment that can only be summoned with the

assistance of the witch Mary Jane, which I am sure results in a lot of finger licking.

The formula is always the same: One bag of nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips,

consumed in handfuls so large that from a distance you appear to be eating an apple,

held with one hand so the other will be free to hold the bag underneath to catch

crumbs (stoner efficiency at its finest). If youre feeling indulgent, and you almost

always are, youll wash the whole thing down with a bottle of any sugary sports

drink you can get your hands on, which is gone in four gulps or less. After you fin-

ish, your eyes always seem to say that you knew it wouldnt do anything to help

with the cotton mouth, but its a moments respite, a moment away from the teachersand bosses and asshole customers you deal with, day-in, day-out, for gas money.

You finish bagging and set the last items in my cart. I thank you, and you actually

respond with, Youre welcome, something Im yet to see any other bagger do.

Youre not a bad guy by any means, its just that, through no fault of your own,

youve reached working-stiff-status way too early in life, like so many in this city

do. Unlike many others, though, youve found a way to make the best of your situ-

ation, and even thrive in it. Wilde had absinthe, Sixx had heroin, and youve got

weed, your silent but loving muse of plastic bags and cleanups on aisle three.

A Trip to the Grocery Store in Three Sketches by Tom Connor

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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Zines and Bikes: A Look at New Orleans Collectives at 511 Marignyby Kyle Hellstrom

Recently, I visited two Marigny collectives that

have set up shop in the past decade. Both located

at 511 Marigny, The Iron Rail Book Collective

and Plan B: The New Orleans Community Bike

Project, are separate non-profit organizations

working to educate and provide for the people ofNew Orleans.

On approaching the building, I immediately no-

ticed the surplus of bikes in the area, as very few

cars were parked on nearby streets. The majority

of locals were either walking in large groups or

riding their bikes down the center of the vacant

street. I also noticed a wide variety of flyers posted

on the wall outside, ranging in subject from De-

stroy the G20 to the Bike in Movie that would

be shown later that night.

The Iron Rail Book Collective

The Iron Rail Book Collective was my first visit.

A few locals were sitting on the couch reading

as I scanned the room, taking note of the historic

political and social literature, records, crafts, and

other miscellaneous items in which the library/

bookstore deals.

Talking with two collective members and volun-

teers of the collective, Mike Lest and Candace, I

learned that the Iron Rail was founded in 2002 byits collective members and was first known as the

Crescent Wrench Library and later as The Arc.

Iron Rails library collection consists of over 5000

titles, most that one would not usually encounter

at the typical library or book store, including texts

on alternative, radical, and political literature, as

well as various Do it Yourself (DIY) books. Some

of the major topics include Anarchism, Feminism,

Labor Struggles, Capitalist Exploitation, and Glo-

balization.

Iron Rail has played a significant part in rebuild-

ing the Marigny neighborhood in Post-Katrina

New Orleans, as it was the first library/bookstore

to reopen after the storm, and has continued to

provide a safe space and resources for community

members and the disadvantaged. The collective,

consisting of a rotating cast of 7-15 members,

meets every Wednesday at 8:00 PM and is open

to all comers. In addition, it serves as a hub for

Anti-Capitalist Organizing, hosting art workshops

and presentations, lectures, presentations, music

events, and movie nights every Tuesday at 8 pm.

One major feature of Iron Rail is the Above

Ground Zine Library, which features thousands

of zines from all over the world. Taped to one of

the bookcases in the library is a short essay by

Matt Holdaway, entitled What is a zine? By

Holdaways definition a zine is an independently

created publication, not directed towards com-

mercial success, and with very little circulation.

Derived from magazine or fanzine zines are

almost always works of minority interest and are

typically lofi publications that are photocopied

for distribution. Typical subjects for zines include

politics, creative writing, comics, personal writ-

ing, fan-based writing, science-fiction, literature,

and anthology/art. The Iron Rails individual zinecollection includes a wide variety of zines, some

which are very rare. The collections 6-7 book-

shelves of zines are organized by broad categories,

including Art, Catalog, Do-It-Yourself, Gender,

Music zines, and Political. The Above Ground

Zine Library is open to all of the public, though

the zines must remain in the store at all times.

For information, to volunteer, or hours of opera-

tion visit www.ironrail.org.

Plan B: The New Orleans Community Bike Project

Plan B: The New Orleans Community Bike Proj-

ect, like Iron Rail, is a non-profit volunteer-run

operation that functions as an open workspace for

bicycle resources and repair.

We are the bike community in New Orleans

against cars, states Victor Pizarro, one of the core

collective members in the shop.

Founded in 2000, the project aims to enable and

empower the people of New Orleans by educat-ing them about bicycle maintenance and repair

and providing a low cost alternative to individual

transportation, while using renewable resources.

In the shop, bike parts are available at low cost or

for a small donation, while volunteers offer help

and education for bike owners on bicycle repair

and maintenance at no charge. In addition, Plan B

recycles and accepts old bicycle parts and uses the

proceeds generated from selling parts to keep the

project running.

Besides education and empowerment, Plan B alsobelieves, due to various reasons, such as afford-

ability, low emissions, and reduced urban conges-

tion, more individuals should be riding bikes as

a primary means of transportation. By providing

a community space for bicycle maintenance and

community-based education, the project hopes

to strengthen the community and counter the

extreme wastefulness of industrialized nations.

Taking notice of the numerous individuals with

bikes in Marigny and the number of people in the

shop, the significant effect Plan B has played in its

immediate surroundings is clear.

For information, to volunteer, or hours of opera-

tion go to www.bikeproject.org.

(The Iron Rail Book Collective and Plan B: The

New Orleans Community Bike Project are both

local collective efforts which strengthen the com-

munity through knowledge and resources. They are

non-profit projects run completely by volunteers.)

A Review of White Noise: A Cautionary Musical

by Kyle Barnett

Only a few miles away from where former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon David

Duke was elected as state representative nearly two decades ago, a high quality re-

prise of the 2006 off-off-broadway anti-racism musical White Noise is on the stage

at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. The July 26th finale will be last chance for New

Orleanians to see the production before it moves to Broadway.

Loosely based on an actual twin sister white supremacist pop duo, White Noise is

the story of white supremacist twins Eva (Makenzie Mauzy) and Kady Siller (Patti

Murin) and Evas sociopath boyfriend Duke (Patrick Murney) who are packaged as

a mainstream breakthrough group by scheming executive Rick Kent (Brandon Wil-

liams) and social climbing songwriter Kurt (David Nathan Perlow), who joins the

trio as a counterbalance.

Mauzy and Murins singing and harmonizing are surprising, and either actress could

easily supplant poppy Britney Spears or Christina Aguleira. However, casting two

young women who could easily fit the role of actual pop stars and representing it as

fine art probably does not appease the palate of most discriminating theatre-goers. As

aspiring pop stars, though, Mauzy and Murin fill the roles well.

Murneys unfortunate professional debut as Duke, a stereotypical brute, displays a

range of emotion that spans only from brooding (his default when not speaking or

singing) to violent, exhibited most flagrantly in a strange, slow motion fight scene.

Perhaps Murneys statement in the program I thank god for being a part of such a

depth defying piece is more than just a syntax error. Murney does what he can to fill

the flawed role, but the audience is left wondering if a more experienced actor could

have overcome Dukes inherent flaws, perhaps giving him a touch more humanity.

The musical doesnt stop at its lampooning of White Supremacy, but adds depth in

sub-plots. The first, concerning conniving record executive Rick Kent, who rep-

resents commercial success, versus Kurt, who represents morality. Next, familial

economic conflict is personified with a clash between Bob and Laurel Siller (parents

to the twins). Finally, the rap duo The Blood Brothers, Dion (Antwayn Hopper) and

Tyler (Rodney Hicks), get into the act, exemplifying the perverse negative of white

supremacy in hate rap.

As Dion, Hopper adds mesmerizing moments of pure star power. His presence is

electrifying, his dance pure spectacle, and his humanity touching. The play is perhaps

worth seeing only as a chance to catch this fine performer on stage.

Williams, as Rick Kent, likewise brings a commanding performance, although his

role as a greed-filled record company executive is also stereotypical. In fact, the

character is so contrived that, on the night I attended, one audience member was

actually able to finish one of the actors lines for him. However, Williamss nuanced

performance overcomes his characters downfalls. He displays a charisma so viablethat the audience finds themselves emphatically playing along with his frat-boy-

tinged quick wit despite themselves.

Additionally, the direction of Mitchell Maxwell, although impressive overall,

displayed a number of poor choices, most notably the misplaced interracial dance

troupes who suddenly appear on stage dressed in odd patchwork clothing. Although

the dancing and choreography are excellent, the dance numbers often dont seem to

fit into the action of the musical and are more unsettling than entertaining. Another

especially bad choice in direction was when, just before the wonderful performance

of I Know Blue by Laurel Siller (Nancy Anderson), the actress unnaturally and

hysterically leaps onto a bed in the middle of an otherwise normal line. Such mo-

ments left the audience feeling awkward and took away from the plays strengths.

Despite the uneveness of the production and the tendency for the stage to serve as a

pulpit, White Noise provides an enjoyable night out in the city.

3 out of 5 stars

White Noise runs daily (except Mondays) at 7:30pm with additional Saturday andSunday showings at 2pm until the July 26th finale.

For more information and tickets visit www.lepetittheatre.com.

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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Bitter Ink is born of an aberrant gene shared by two cousins, both exiled from

Detroit. One went to the land of good groceries in Vermont and the other to New

Orleans. Mostly Brian draws the pictures, mails them to Moose and he comes up

with the goofy aphorisms. Except when theyre together, downing pints and pass -

ing notes back and forth and giggling like schoolbus drivers on acid.

A recent compilation of Bitter Ink has recently been released by local publisher

Press Street. The book can be purchased on their website:

press-street.com

The VOX is seeking contributions for the FALL issue, due out September 2009. We

publish submissions from aspiring writers and artists throughout the city, as well as frequent contribu-

tions from WTUL staff and DJs. The VOX is looking for writing interesting enough to be

memorable. Although we mainly serve as a conduit for relaying the voice of WTUL, anything works:

misconnexions, show reviews, interviews, album reviews. And any other views including My Best

MixCD, photographs, feature articles, anecdotes, jokes, poems, short stories, creative non-fiction,

short plays, political and cultural satire, comics, photos, art slides, etc. Really anything that can be

viewed 2-D or smashed under the hood of a scanner or photocopier to

make it 2-D. Anyway, when you find out what it is that you want to do send it to

voxwtul@gmail.com. In the meantime you can check out the VOX archives @

wtulneworleans.com/v08/vox.html.Also check WTUL out on:

Bitter Ink by Ray Moose Jackson & Brian Zeigler

8/14/2019 Summer VOX 2009

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