LTHForum Luncheon w/ Tipitina's Interns @ Edna's

LTH:

First, I'd like to thank G Wiv for arranging this event, and all the LTHers that supported the kids, whether or not they were able to attend the luncheon. LTHForum raised over $1,000.00 in total to help feed these kids on their trip to Chicago. Your generosity is much appreciated.

It turns out that Edna's was the perfect venue for this event. I must admit that I was somewhat ignorant of Ednas' prominent place in the history of the Civil Rights movement in Chicago (it was Dr. King's favorite place in town), but the folks from New Orleans were not, and Edna herself couldn't have been a more gracious hostess. She took time out from her busy schedule to pose for pictures with the kids, and checked up on us several times to make sure everything was OK.

LTHers in attendance were ChiNOLA, G Wiv, trixie-pea, PIGMON, stevez, pdaane, and dicksond. The menu consisted of fried chicken, greens, mac & cheese, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. The food was very good - exceeded only by the company. IMHO it is worth attending an LTH event for the "Peter and Gary Show" alone. Most entertaining.

Later that evening, several of us re-convened for an excellent pre-show dinner at Spoon Thai, where we encountered a group of people at the next table that were definitely LTHers, they just didn't know it yet.

The performance at the Old Town School of Folk Music went very well. The kids got a chance to show off a couple of new (to them) blues songs that they have been working on during the trip, and it was good for them to get some time in front of an audience, as they have been invited to perform at the Blues Festival today. They opened the festivities this morning with a traditional New Orleans style "second line" parade, and will perform again this afternoon (U.S. Cellular Front Porch Stage, as part of the Blues In The Schools program, from 1:00 - 2:30). Sorry there wasn't more advance notice on these gigs, but it all came together at the last minute.

In addition to the performances, the interns are participating in a series of workshops with some of the last remaining living legends of the blues - David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Billy Boy Arnold, and Jody Williams. Unfortunately, the workshops are not open to the public.

By any measure, this trip is going extremely well, far exceeding the expectations of the kids and the foundation's staff. This is due in large part to the interest and support of people like you. Thanks again.

To learn more about The Tipitina's Foundation and our programs, check out our web site HERE.

[Edited to include a link to the foundation web site]

Thanks for the follow-up report

Sorry I could not make the event.

Rob

I'll echo what Rob said, events conspired against my attendance but I'm glad to hear things are going so well. That's great that they were invited to perform at Blues Fest; I can only imagine that has to be a thrill.

I'm so glad to hear how well everything went! Though I couldn't attend the lunch, I had the chance to talk to a few of the young musicians on Wednesday night, as I had a class there that evening.

I thought you all should know that they raved about their lunch and, "yes, Ma'am," were truly excited about the chance to perform that night.

Congratulations to all of you who made their trip so magical.

Shanti

Bill,

Thank you for the opportunity to meet the Tipitina's Internship teens on their swing through Chicago. Polite, enthusiastic, talented, equally at ease with LTHers at Edna's as performing on under the bright lights of the Old Town School stage.

Lunch at Edna's was a treat, not simply for the delicious fried chicken, but Edna herself, who seemed energized by the enthusiasm generated for the history of Edna's, as well as appreciation of her culinary talent.

Edna w/Bill Taylor, Director of the Tipitina's Foundation.


Edna's many photos were of great interest to students and Tipitina's chaperons alike.


Edna's fried chicken was a favorite, as well as baked mac & cheese and greens.


Tipitina's Interns seemed to quite enjoy lunch.



When I saw this picture I started wondering if Edna had a canary she was missing.
Peter Daane, Bill Taylor, Bill Bender


Steve Z and Dickson w/Tipitina's posters Bill T so generously gifted.


The Tipitina's Intern's concert at the Old Town School of Music was terrific. The interns, who range in age from 15-19, are immensely talented, and the concert was truly enjoyable.






Our LTH day was rounded out by a lovely pre concert meal at Spoon Thai and drinks at the Grafton after the concert. Thanks again to Bill Bender and the Tipitina's Interns for a truly enjoyable day.

Enjoy,
Gary

Hi,

I was advised today Edna's has closed. I tried calling their phone, which rang but was not disconnected. Is anybody aware what happened?

Edna's Restaurant
3175 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60612
773-638-7079

On a trip to Gerfield Park Conservatory this weekend, I went past Ednas, and it appeared to be shuttered. The driver of our car zipped by, but I could see a banner at the top of the window that included..."Thanks for 37 years of Business". I didn't get a chance to read the rest of the sign...

But if indeed they are closed - i'll truely miss their delicious food, friendly atmosphere, and the fluffy coconut cake!

leesh

Don't worry. They reopen August 23rd per phone call.

m'th'su

Many thanks for locating someone by phone. I was somewhat hopeful the information might be wrong when the phone was not disconnected. Especially since Edna's is an institution like Busy Bee years ago, I could not imagine it fading away quietly.

Thanks!

Many of you have inquired about how the kids fared during and after Hurricane Katrina, and up until now I'm sorry to say I had little to report. Communications were difficult, to say the least, in the aftermath of the storm, and all the public and private schools in New Orleans were of course closed for a time, forcing all of the kids to evacuate to other cities in order to stay in school.

Things in New Orleans are slowly starting to recover, and a good number of schools have re-opened. I just heard from Bill Taylor, Director of the Tipitina's Foundation, that about half of the kids from the internship program have returned and we will be re-starting the program for them next week.

Thanks for your interest in, and support of, these kids.

Edna's just got a really nice shout out on the NBC Evening News with Brian WIlliams for her generosity in helping out her community and giving society's "dregs" (ex cons, etc.) a chance at a new life after being released from jail.

Sorry for the late notice, folks, but the Tipitina's Interns are performing this evening at Navy Pier with our musical director, Donald Harrison Jr.

They will be putting on an opening set for New Orleans legend Dr. John.

The performance is already sold out, but I wanted to pass the word along that these kids are this years' version of the program that this thread is about.