SAMEDI

Dj Captain Charles

by Jillian Firnhaber

NOLA neighborhoods are keeping things local with community-level festivals this weekend. Along with Broadmoor, the Marigny and Mid-City, the East is getting friendly as well. Friend's of Joe W. Brown Memorial Park will be hosting their second annual NOLA East Friends' Fest this Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  to “promote peace in New Orleans East.” Free and open to the public, the event will feature, food, music, and activities for the whole family – all in support of Mayor Mitch Landrieu's anti-crime initiatives.

Last year's event was a two day festival, but this year the event will be streamlined into one full day.

“We didn't want to compete with the Saints,” said Tangee Wells, President of the Joe W. Brown Memorial Park and Nature Center.

The theme of this year's event is an “old school salute to Motown.” Elmo will be in the house, along with a variety of games and prizes for kids sponsored by Home Depot.

“It was very important that we make this a comfortable setting for children,” said Wells.  “We want it to be a relaxed and easy-going environment that everyone can enjoy.”

As for adult attendees, the main draw is the selection of live, local music. Headlining the show will be DJ Captain Charles, a local icon who will be returning to the park for the first time since Katrina. Other acts include Gina Brown and a Motown Revue.

Of course the event's primary focus is supporting Mitch Landriu's recently announced Flip the Script program – meant to help curb NOLA's crime problem.

“The Mayor has been very much committed to attacking crime, so we're doing our part too now,” Walls said.

With a range of local and national sponsors such as the New Orleans Police Department and McDonald's, the park is ready to host families and friends of the community. “Crescent Crown has been our main sponsor,” Walls said. “They should really be commended for what they've done for their community.”

Named for Joe. W. Brown, a self-made real-estate and oil investor who donated the 163 acre space in 1957, the park operated year round but was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The park was re-opened in 2007, but renovations continue to this day, with retro-fitting and updating needed throughout the park. New Orleans East experienced a significant reduction in population following the 2005 flooding, so community organizers have been working hard to give Joe W. Brown Memorial Park the attention it deserves.

“Nike has done a phenomenal job with many parts of the park such as the gym and track and field. And the stadium is gorgeous,” Wells commented when asked if the park will be ready for it's close-up come Saturday. “There are still some passive parts of the park that need fixing – grounds, bridges, some beautification and landscaping, but we're hoping to have that done soon and reach completion.”