MANNO TO MANO
The former elected mayor of Port-au-Prince is a freaking rock star in Haiti. Yes. Born in 1948, Manno Charlemange is a political activist, folk singer, songwriter and all around magic man. His bio reads like an epic novel. In the '70s, he was a member of the kilti libete (freedom culture movement), promoting popular culture, acoustic folk music and other things. His style of music was inspired by the twoubadou tradition, a guitar-based jam style that goes back both to the rural songs of Haitian peasantry and to the returning migrant sugar cane cutters in the early decades of the 20th century.
November 3, 2010
Written by Dege Legg
MANNO TO MANO
The former elected mayor of Port-au-Prince is a freaking rock star in Haiti. Yes. Born in 1948, Manno Charlemange is a political activist, folk singer, songwriter and all around magic man. His bio reads like an epic novel. In the '70s, he was a member of the kilti libete (freedom culture movement), promoting popular culture, acoustic folk music and other things. His style of music was inspired by the twoubadou tradition, a guitar-based jam style that goes back both to the rural songs of Haitian peasantry and to the returning migrant sugar cane cutters in the early decades of the 20th century. Forced into exile it the '80s, Charlemange returned to Haiti in 1986. His involvement with certain political organizations frequently got him in trouble with the Haitian military. After a number of death threats, Charlemagne spent several years hiding out in his own country - an outlaw, political fugitive. After the brutal Haitian military coup d'état of September 1991, he went into exile once again, playing concerts in the U.S. and Canada while attempting to rally the expatriate Haitian communities in support of Haitian democracy. After returning to Haiti in 1994, Charlemange was elected mayor of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. His term ended in 1999. How's that for a freaking bio? And that's the abridged version. Kind of eye opening when you consider that in order to become a political folk singer in the U.S. all you have to do is talk some trash and wear a doo-rag or something. The sacrifices made for liberty! And Charlemange is still rocking. Singing in both French and Creole, Charlemange's music rings out like an iron bell of truth in a world full of corrupt pencil necks, power-hungry dweebs, and self-serving lightweight politicians - those nerds can't rock! If they did, they wouldn't need to hire prostitutes to party! Case closed, the prosecution rests its case. Bang. That was the gavel. Now here's the real deal: Manno Charlemange plays Blue Moon on Nov. 4, Bach Lunch on Nov. 5, and Grant Street on Nov. 12. Catch him at one of these venues. You won't be disappointed.
GALACTIC KICK-OFF
Downtown Lafayette has a new festival called LA Festival, and for its first outing, this one looks like it is going to be HUGE with a stack of big name regional acts. However, to get the party started a week early, Bodacious Brothers Productions is hosting a kickoff concert with New Orleans funkmeisters Galactic. Galactic has been throwing down the pork-flavored groovicide funk in support of their new album YA-KA-MAY. This will be their only show in Lafayette on a tour which also includes stops at Bonnaroo and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." This kickoff event promises to be a special night with a New Orleans flair. Special guests Cyril Neville (Neville Brothers) and Corey Henry (Rebirth Brass Band) along with opening band T-Bird and the Breaks. The LA FEST kick-off party goes down at Grant Street on Nov. 3. www.LAfestival.net
BAND O'GOLDEN DUDES
The golden gods of swamp pop have basked in the glow of many different types of starlight - most notably their own - but Lil'Band O'Gold's recent live collaborations with Robert Plant and Elvis Costello have definitely upped their swamp superstar profiles. The band was assembled by vocalist and guitarist CC Adcock, who searched the flatlands of South Louisiana to form a band composed of his childhood heroes. Lil'Band O'Gold is the result. This weekend Lil'Band O'Gold - Warren Storm, CC Adcock, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, David Egan and Pat Breaux - will bring its all-star swamp pop and classic soul revue to Downtown Alive! at Parc Sans Souci on Oct. 5.
KRVS LISTENER APPRECIATION PARTY
KRVS 88.7 FM is one of Lafayette's greatest assets. They are a listener-supported, public radio station, broadcasting everything from NPR programming to Cajun music, zydeco, blues, jazz, swamp pop, swamp rock, alt-roots, indie rock and many other types of music created in Louisiana. They've hosted countless musicians in their Cypress Lake Studios, to play live and talk about their work. Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet, Zachary Richard, Steve Riley, David Greely, Christine Balfa & Dirk Powell, the Magnolia Sisters, Keith Frank, the late Beau Jocque, Mark Broussard, Henry Butler, the Red Stick Ramblers, Terrance Simien, Marcia Ball, Buckwheat Zydeco and many others have all made the trek. On Nov. 6, KRVS hosts the "Rock the Moon" Listener Appreciation Party at the Blue Moon. Be there to support them.
LOVETT
Born in North Harris County, Texas, raised Lutheran, and educated at Texas A&M University, Lyle Lovett is a lot of things. Would you have guessed he'd grow up to be a country music singer, actor in Robert Altman's films, and the former husband of actress Julia Roberts. It's a crazy world like that sometimes. Lyle Lovett & His Large Band play the grand opening of the Acadiana Center for the Arts theater on Nov. 6.
RADIO KILLED THE VIDEO STAR
Award-winning print, TV and radio journalist Lou Rom's got a lot of things on the burner. His latest gig as KVOL radio drive-time host is just the latest of his many incarnations. His newest project is gathering a gang of MTV music-video stars from the '80s and putting them all on one radio broadcast. For one day only, KVOL & Rom will turn back the clock to Aug. 1. 1981, the day MTV launched the first all-music television network. This two-hour special will feature songs from MTV's heyday, including unforgettable hits rife with plastic-fantastic drums (think Phil Collins), rarely heard clips as well as live interviews with VJs, music executives, producers and musicians. You can peep it out at 11 a.m. on Nov. 6 at KVOL 1330 AM.
ETC
Here's one for the kids! Sesame Street Live with Elmo & Friends hits the Cajudome Nov. 5-7UL Lafayette Opera Theater presents "Too Many Sopranos" Nov. 5-7 at Burke HallOn Nov. 5, the rocking sounds of Kung Fu Pineapple play NitetownShotgun Party plays Bourque's Social Club in Scott on Nov. 5Rhythmic Circus plays the Acadiana Center for the Arts theater on Nov. 4 & 5On Nov. 5, Foul Stench of Youth plays Bisbano'sOn Nov. 5, Cocodrie plays at Antler's after DTAThe Iguanas and Donnie and the Pooldoos play Blue Moon on Nov. 5On Nov. 9, Jaime Kelly's Rainy Day Project plays at Brewski's...Jaryd Lane plays Cowboys on Nov. 6 Local musicians Mack Johnson, Jim Miller, Pee Wee Whitewing, Tim Mader, Tim Benson and Jack Miller will entertain the prisoners with the music of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Elvis to perform at Oakdale's federal detention center on Nov. 7.