Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Joan, in her own words


If you want to hear the voice of Joan, I highly recommend Joan of Arc In Her Own Words, compiled and translated by Willard Trask. Because Joan's trial was diligently recorded, we have an excellent record of her sass, faith, focus, and frustration during the most harrowing time of her short life.

I am using her verbiage for 8 signs that I made to be "worn" by volunteer participants during the parade...so they don't blow away or get too annoying to hold, I'm making them into sandwich boards (they're foam core) with messages on either side. I painted them with simple big bold black letters, inspired by Bread and Puppet Theater's raw and earthy style (http://www.breadandpuppet.org/). I worked with Bread and Puppet in the early 1990s, as well as In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater and Underground Railway Theater. All share similar principles of inspiring social change through art.

May this be an inspiration to you, if you are still making your costume, thinking of handmade throws (obviously sized accordingly), or want to make some artwork to give out, leave at the statue, or share otherwise during the parade!

I think that words carried in silence can really add power to our moving tableau...so you are more than welcome to bring more!


Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Updated Press Release

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL
SAINT JOAN OF ARC PARADE
TWELFTH NIGHT JANUARY 6, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE FRENCH QUARTER

December 30, 2008---One week from today, on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, a.k.a. Twelfth Night and Joan of Arc’s birthday, admirers of the Maid of New Orleans will gather at Woldenberg Park at 5:00 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. will walk up Conti Street , then down Decatur Street to the St. Joan statue at St. Phillip Street in the New Place de France. The parade will honor of the life and death of Jeanne D’Arc, born January 6, 1412, in Domremy , France , who was burned at the stake at age nineteen, two years after her success at the Battle of Orléans, France.

This first annual parade will feature four Joan of Arc portrayals, in addition to artists, musicians, and revelers of all ages in medieval/Renaissance costumes. The parade will be lit by processional candles and medieval torches, and parade participants will walk to the sound of drums (Bradley Wilkins, dressed as the Dauphin and Raymond "Moose" Jackson), tambourines and bells.
Prior to the parade, four vocalists from ArtSpot productions: Kathy Randels, Lisa Shattuck, Sean LaRocca and Anne-Liese Juge-Fox, will serenade parade walkers with the medieval French song, “St. Marguerite”, a song presented in ArtSpot Productions' 2004 piece "The Maid of Orléans“. They will sing inside the John Scott sculpture, where cellist Helen Gillet will play medieval music before the parade rolls.

The primary Joans will be played by the following New Orleanian girls and women, portraying Joan from when she first received the visit from her Voices to after her life, when she was finally canonised in 1920:

-Corinne Bachaud, a student at Louise S McGehee School, will portray the Domremy peasant Joan at the time she first heard her Voices. She will be joined by several other McGehee girls also dressed as childhood Joans.

-Australia James, a NOCCA theatre student, will portray Joan as prisoner, during her Rouen trial by the English. She will perform a monologue from George Bernard Shaw’s play Saint Joan at the statue at St. Phillip Street , giving voice to Joan just before her execution.

-Caye Mitchell of the New Orleans Posse, a riding club whose members participate in many New Orleans parades, will play Joan as a soldier, riding on a white horse carrying a replica of Joan’s standard (created by local artist Susan Gisleson*) and will be flanked by two knights in armor. One of these knights will be her husband Fred Mitchell, portraying the Bastard of Orléans, one of Joan’s most loyal comrades.

-Kelly Faucheux, one of the owners of Renaissance Publishing—whose company logo happens to be the image of the Joan of Arc statue in the French Quarter—will ride on a horse as the beatified Joan, wearing a halo and covered in gold as a symbol of Joan’s redemption and immortality. Kelley shares a birthday with Joan of Arc, and is particularly excited to celebrate her 40th in this truly New Orleans fashion, surrounded by members of Renaissance Publishing Company dressed as angels.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOAN!
Parade participants will toast Joan below her statue with Goldschläger, a cinnamon schnapps containing tiny flakes of gold, generously provided by Glazer’s of Louisiana. Participants will also enjoy King cakes donated by Gambino’s Bakery in honor of both Twelfth Night and Joan’s 597th birthday. Bee Sweet Cupcakes will provide cupcakes for the happy occasion, and other revelers will bring sweets and birthday treats to share at the statue, as well as flowers to lay at Joan’s feet.

Celebrators will be greeted by The Prayer Warriors of St. Joan of Arc, an avid prayer group that has honored Joan’s feast day (May 30th) for many years at the statue with prayer, song, and flowers. They will lead everyone in the song, “Maid of France, With Visioned Eyes” as well as “Happy Birthday”.

COMMEMORATIVE THROWS
A highlight of the parade will be the limited edition gift boxed commemorative imported Italian Saint Joan of Arc medallions and necklaces that Rob Clemenz, owner of SaintsforSinners.com, will offer fortunate parade-goers. Additional throws include more reverent and unique items such as Joan of Arc prayer cards, wooden crosses, and flowers, as well as somewhat irreverent items like Atomic Fireball candies.

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Additional key participants include: Rev. Fr. James M. West of Saint Joan of Arc Reformed Catholic Church in New Orleans, who will say a prayer before the parade in Joan’s honor; Julie Wallace, a local artist and art teacher who is creating various large-scale art pieces for parade members to carry, including puppets of Joan’s “voices” and butterflies, rumored to have surrounded Joan’s horse when she entered Orléans; Susan Gisleson, arts educator, costume designer and the events coordinator for Press Street-a literary and visual arts collective located in the Bywater, will create Joan’s standard and St. Joan of Arc Krewe parade banner.

WHY A JOAN OF ARC PARADE?
Considered the Patron Saint of New Orleans, Joan of Arc represents many things to many people, among them: female warrior, faithful servant of God, follower of her voices (St. Michael, St. Margaret, St. Catherine), and rescuer of France. Although not its original intention, the parade has come to represent to some a call to Joan to help “save New Orleans ”. As one participant said, Since she saved the old, why not the new? She is a courageous figure that inspires hope, faith, awe and conviction in all who learn about her short but remarkable life.
The fact that Joan was born on January 6th, The Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate Twelfth Night, gives us yet another reason to create an event celebrating The Maid of Orleans and all things unique to our sacred--and not-so-sacred--city.

OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS--KREWE DUES BEGIN NEXT YEAR

Followers and fans of Saint Joan from around the New Orleans area and around the country have come forward to offer their support and talent to this first annual event.

All interested in walking with us may participate as long as they are dressed in some interpretation of medieval/Renaissance garb and are willing to carry an instrument, candle, sign, or art piece. Walkers are encouraged to bring their own unique throws.

In future years we look forward to growing this into a Joan of Arc festival, complete with film, theater, musical performances, costume contests, and Renaissance Fair style events reflecting the times in which Joan lived. We also plan to charge a modest membership to St. Joan of Arc krewe members next year. This year, it’s free and open to all in costume!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Decent weather expected for January 6th

I snapped this shot just as the sun was setting in the French Quarter on December 20th. Moments later the lights below her statue came on. I love how it looks like she's riding into eternity...

The weather looks good for the parade January 6th. It is supposed to rain on Monday, January 5th, but clear up and be partially sunny on Tuesday. Although there is no rain expected, it will be cold...high is only 63 degrees, low 40.

Pray to Joan for a sky like the one in the picture, above! (That was during a balmy week in New Orleans...in the seventies all through Christmas! Ah well! Her birthday cakes, king cakes, and cupcakes will stay fresh that night!)

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Ideas for throws!


Several participants have had good luck getting inexpensive religious items to hand out to parade watchers as throws, including St. Joan prayer cards and medallions. Check out Discount Catholic Products via the link below:


There will be commemmorative throws of Italian hand-painted Saint Joan medallions being given out by Saintsforsinners.com.

We want this to be a unique parade so we discourage throwing Mardi Gras beads. Make your throws unique and relevant, like:

1.small wooden crosses, like the one someone made for Joan to hold as she was being burnt at the stake.

2. birthday candles or something birthday related, since this is Joan's birthday!

3. matches or something related to flames...nothing dangerous, but something that references Joan's fate.

4. anything w/ the iconography associated with joan: fleur di lis, butterflies, swords...


Do your research and bring something that you wouldn't get at any other Mardi Gras parade!


Saturday, December 27, 2008

We need a Warrior Saint!!


While Our Lady of Prompt Succor has performed miracles on behalf of New Orleans and has allegedly saved us from fires and hurricanes...


...I feel that in this post-Katrina era, we need a soldier...and Joan of Arc is just that soldier saint! Throughout the past centuries she has been used to unify not only the French, but any group in need of a fierce savior (see propaganda poster above from the First World War).

Her singularity of vision, defiance, and tenacity is an antidote to the apathy of New Orleans.

While we are getting together on January 6th to celebrate her birthday, recognized Twelfth Night and the Feast of the Epiphany and enjoy another beautiful excuse for a parade in the French Quarter, we cannot ignore the inspiration Joan can provide us.

She heard Voices and told them she didn't even know how to ride and had never been in war...but they told her to crown the Dauphin and save France, and she did! She was confident God would help her, and she fully believed in herself and her Voices...whatever you assume those to be.

While Katrina created many individual heroes and heroines who helped to save lives, homes, and spirits, and continue to do so...no one has stepped forward with their (metaphorical) banner and sword to fight and unify us.

We have no true leader in New Orleans right now. May Joan of Arc bless and encourage us to find our own inner voice and unify our vision to conquer our "enemies" of crime, corruption, poverty, and indifference.

"Act, and God will act." St. Joan of Arc

Friday, December 26, 2008

Happy Birthday Joan of Arc!


January 6th is Joan of Arc's 597th birthday. Bring a cake, flowers, or some other (edible/organic) present to carry with you on our short procession and leave at her statue. Cake will not be left...we'll eat that! But feel free to leave flowers or anything else that is respectful and won't be considered litter...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

We need a King!

I just finished reading Jean Anouilh's play The Lark and was reminded of Joan's primary mission: to make Charles VII the King of France. She was there at his coronation, and it was her most triumphant moment in her short life (inspiring Ingres, among others, to paint her at this proud moment: https://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/work/2144580200).

Once crowned, Charles abandoned her and did not come to her aid during her trial...he had no more use for her.

It would be great to have someone play Charles VII for our parade, to walk in between Joan the soldier and Joan the prisoner as a symbol of how she got from "there" to "here" and also to show her success...she did after all, do just what her Voices told her...here's an excerpt from her trial:

Q: What sign did you give to your King that you came from God?
A: The sign was that an Angel assured my King, in bringing him the crown, that he should have the whole realm of France, by the means of God's help and my labors, that he was to set me to work ... that is to say, to give me soldiers; and that otherwise he would not be so soon crowned and consecrated.
Q: Of what material was the said crown?
A: It is well to know it was of fine gold, it was so rich that I do not know how to count its riches or to appreciate its beauty. The crown signified that my King should possess the Kingdom of France.

http://www.re-quest.net/g2g/historical/trials/joan-of-arc/ Transcripts of Joan's trial

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_VII_of_France More about Charles VII

Where we are Meeting January 6th at 5:00 p.m.

All participants dressed in medieval/Renaissance costumes, please meet at the John Scott sculpture "Ocean Song" at 5:00 p.m. (pictured above) at Woldenberg Park, not far from the Audubon Aquarium. (Those playing Joan and other key roles must arrive at 4:00 p.m.)
We will have music and a prayer before the parade...and possibly some jugglers and flame-throwers...depending on who shows up with their Renaissance talents....(yes, YOU!)...
The parade rolls at 6:00 p.m. up Conti Street, then down Decatur to the Joan of Arc statue. We expect to be at the statue around 6:40 p.m. to toast Joan for her birthday.

The sculpture, seen through my Joan of Arc parade coordinator eyes, looks like flames, with spirits rising above...read more about its jazz origins and the artist John Scott, who passed away in 2007, below:


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Remember Jeanne d'Arc video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEeg7gZbaTA

This is a gorgeous video--a montage of Joan images--with lovely French music that was recommended by Rev. West of the St. Joan of Arc Reformed Catholic Church in New Orleans. Note the Japanese cartoon image of her and the other YouTube links to Joan of Arc Japanese cartoons...who knew? It never fails to surprise me how many people around the world are inspired to create art about her. She's a muse for all ages and cultures, beyond time and space.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy A. Kirk
Phone: (504) 251-5046
Email: http://us.mc343.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stjoankrewe@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.stjoankrewe.blogspot.com/

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL SAINT JOAN OF ARC PARADE
TWELFTH NIGHT JANUARY 6, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE FRENCH QUARTER


December 16, 2008---On Tuesday, January 6, 2009, a.k.a. Twelfth Night and Joan of Arc’s birthday, admirers of the Maid of New Orleans will gather at Woldenberg Park at 5:30 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. walk up Conti Street , then down Decatur Street to the St. Joan statue at St. Phillip Street in the New Place de France. The parade will honor of the life and death of Jeanne D’Arc, born January 6, 1412, in Domremy , France , who was burned at the stake at age nineteen, two years after her success at the Battle of Orléans, France.

This first annual parade will feature three Joan of Arcs, in addition to artists, musicians, and revelers of all ages in medieval/Renaissance costumes. The parade will be lit by processional candles carried by 50 participants, and parade participants will sing a Joan of Arc marching song, put to an ancient French melody.

Caye Mitchell of the New Orleans Posse, a riding club whose members participate in many New Orleans parades, including the Lady Godivas in Muses, will play Joan as a soldier, riding on a white horse carrying a replica of Joan’s standard (created by local artist Susan Gisleson*) and will be flanked by two knights in armor on horseback bearing torches. One of these knights will be her husband Fred Mitchell, portraying the Bastard of Orléans, one of Joan’s most loyal comrades.

Kelly Faucheux, one of the owners of Renaissance Publishing—whose company logo happens to be the image of the Joan of Arc statue in the French Quarter—will ride on a horse as the beatified Joan, wearing a halo and covered in gold as a symbol of Joan’s redemption and immortality. Kelley shares a birthday with Joan of Arc, and is particularly excited to celebrate her 40th in this truly New Orleans fashion, surrounded by members of Renaissance Publishing Company dressed as angels.

Australia James, an honors student at Helen Cox High School and a NOCCA theatre student, will portray Joan as prisoner. She will perform a monologue from George Bernard Shaw’s play Saint Joan at the statue at St. Phillip Street , giving voice to Joan just before her execution. Before the parade, she will stand at the John Scott sculpture Ocean Song at Woldenberg Park , which with its mirrored shapes resembling flames foreshadows her fate.

COMMEMORATIVE THROWS
A highlight of the parade will be the limited edition gift boxed commemorative imported Italian Saint Joan of Arc medallions and necklaces that Rob Clemenz, owner of SaintsforSinners.com, will offer fortunate parade-goers. Additional throws include more reverent and unique items such as Joan of Arc prayer cards, as well as somewhat irreverent items like Atomic Fireball candies. Parade participants will toast Joan below her statue with Goldschläger, a cinnamon schnapps containing tiny flakes of gold, generously provided by Glazer’s of Louisiana.

SAINT JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Additional key participants include: Rev. Fr. James M. West of Saint Joan of Arc Reformed Catholic Church in New Orleans, who will say a prayer before and after the parade in Joan’s honor; Julie Wallace, a local artist and art teacher who is creating various large-scale art pieces for parade members to carry, including puppets of Joan’s “voices”; cardboard flames; and butterflies, rumored to have surrounded Joan’s horse when she entered Orléans; Susan Gisleson, arts educator, costume designer and the events coordinator for Press Street-a literary and visual arts collective located in the Bywater, will create Joan’s standard and St. Joan of Arc Krewe parade banner; and Helen Gillet, a classically trained cellist who performs French chansons and musettes, original compositions and jazz with her band Wazozo and is a member of Musica de Camera (medieval music), will play French period music at the St. Joan of Arc statue at New Place de France.

WHY A JOAN OF ARC PARADE?
Considered the Patron Saint of New Orleans, Joan of Arc represents many things to many people, among them: female warrior, faithful servant of God, follower of her voices (St. Michael, St. Margaret, St. Catherine), and rescuer of France. Although not its original intention, the parade has come to represent to some a call to Joan to help “save New Orleans ”. As one participant said, Since she saved the old, why not the new? She is a courageous figure that inspires hope, faith, awe and conviction in all who learn about her short but remarkable life.
The fact that Joan was born on Twelfth Night, the night that kicks off Mardi Gras season, gives us yet another reason to create an event celebrating The Maid of Orleans and all things unique to our sacred--and sacreligious--city.

OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

Followers and fans of Saint Joan from around the New Orleans area and around the country have come forward to offer their support and talent to this first annual event. Given the enthusiastic reply, we expect to have additional musicians, actors, jugglers, jesters, knights and fair maidens joining us. All interested in walking with us may participate as long as they are dressed in some interpretation of medieval/Renaissance garb and are willing to carry an instrument, candle, sign, or art piece.

In future years we look forward to growing this into a Joan of Arc festival, complete with film, theater, musical performances, costume contests, and Renaissance Fair style events reflecting the times in which Joan lived.

Please visit http://www.stjoankrewe.blogspot.com/ for additional information.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Patroness of New Orleans: Commemorative Throws


I mentioned in an earlier post that Rob Clemenz, founder of SaintsforSinners.com (http://saintsforsinners.com/) will be throwing limited edition gift boxed commemorative imported Italian Saint Joan of Arc medallions and necklaces at the Joan of Arc parade. These are collectors' items, and will be a highlight of this first annual parade, making it particularly special and reminiscent of Mardi Gras parades of yore...

As he puts it, "The Saint Joan medallions will not be be giant, gaudy or bawdy but they will be Treasures from 12th Night and the Feast of Saint Joan of Arc, our dear patroness of Orleans and all things courageous. "

Here is Rob's description of our Patroness of New Orleans:

Rob and I met when he came on a local radio show I produced. As a thank you, he asked me who my favorite saint was. He not only sent me one of the medallions described above, but he also sent me some limited edition books about Joan that he had collected "over the years"...needless to say, he was one of the first people I contacted when I conceived the J of A Parade!
Thank you Rob for being so dedicated to Saints, sinners, and New Orleans!

The Maid of Orleans aka The Maid of Heaven


This event is coming together in magical ways because Joan means so much to so many people--from those who know have studied her for decades to those who know little more about her than the golden statue of her that they've passed in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

One person who has been a generous source of information, encouragement, and someone who has put me in touch with Joan admirers around the country is Ben Kennedy, who wrote a book about Joan called Maid of Heaven. He has an incredible website about Joan that I encourage you to visit:

Beyond the scholarship and dedication he has for Joan, he as connected me with a community of people like me who are fascinated, inspired, and uplifted by Joan of Arc.

It all makes me all the more excited and determined to make this into a Joan of Arc festival that can bring people like Ben here to New Orleans to celebrate and honor Joan!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Confirmed Participants! Cool people! Join us!

These are a handful of the people playing a key role in our parade...

1. Caye Mitchell, a member of the New Orleans Posse, will be playing Joan of Arc as soldier on horseback, joined by her husband Fred Mitchell, who will be Joan's knight in shining armor on horseback (I haven't decided yet if he's "playing" Dunois, a.k.a. the Bastard of Orleans, or Guy de Laval, both respectful comrades to her and ideal knights)...

http://www.neworleansposse.com/pictures.html

2. Australia James, a NOCCA drama student, will play Joan as prisoner, walking with us and performing a monologue from George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan at the end of the parade.

www.myspace.com/strai

3. SaintsforSinners.com founder Rob Clemenz has confirmed that SaintsforSinners.com will indeed be throwing limited edition gift boxed commemorative imported Italian Saint Joan of Arc medallions and necklaces, all hand-painted in New Orleans. The Saint Joan medallions will not be be giant, gaudy or bawdy but they will be Treasures from 12th Night and the Feast of Saint Joan of Arc, our dear patroness of Orleans and all things courageous.


4. Deb McDonald, manager of Garden District Bookshop, has been invaluable as our resident Joan of Arc scholar...including finding a Joan of Arc march that we will be using as our main music.

http://www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

5. Local cellist Helen Gillet will play for us! I'm so thrilled because she plays period music and I've been trying to get her to say "yes" for months...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKqRMv_-QTQ
6. Frank Stansbury, editor of La Fete News, will be our photographer that evening.
http://www.lafetenews.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/archive/news/20081123202706/

7. Julie Wallace, artist and art teacher extraordinaire, will create large-scale puppets of Joan's voices (St. Catherine, St. Margaret, and St. Michael) as well as flickering flames for us to carry...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1516114553&ref=nf

8. Susan Gisleson, one of the founders of Press Street, writer, artist, costume designer, and much more! was one of the first people to encourage me about this parade because she LOVES Twelfth Night and feels, like me, there oughta be more "to do" about it! She will be creating Joan's famous banner (that Joan commissioned an artist to make, and that she carried into all battles and processions!) as well as the St. Joan of Arc Krewe banner.

http://press-street.blogspot.com/

9. Rev. Fr. James M. West, Pastor, St. Joan of Arc Reformed Catholic Church, says he would be "honored to be a part of your celebration of our patron saint." Details on his role TBD...I'm asking him to say a prayer for us before we begin and a few words about Joan.

http://www.stjoanrcc.com/ and http://www.reformedcatholicchurch.org/

Friday, December 5, 2008

Roles YOU can play in the Joan procession

As this parade/procession/event/moving theatrical performance continues to take shape, we encourage you to find a specific role to play. While we welcome anyone wearing Medieval/Renaissance costumes, here are some ideas:

NOTE: We will have a woman playing Joan on horseback and another playing Joan as prisoner and there will be someone playing Joan as a peasant girl when she first hears her Voices. We welcome others to come as Joan or one of the following characters:


1. Saint Catherine (one of Joan's voices)

2. Saint Margaret (one of Joan's voices)

3. Saint Michael (one of Joan's voices)

4. The Archbishop of Reims

5. A court page

6. The Dauphin (later Charles VII)

7. An executioner

8. English soldiers

9. Chaplains

10. Bishops

11. Earls

12. Captains

13. Knights

14. Peasants

15. Angels

16. The Virgin Mary

Monday, December 1, 2008

Twelfth Night, or Joan's Birthday

No one is positive when Joan was born, but it's assumed to be on Ephiphany, or January 6th.

Twelfth Night is technically January 5th, the eve of Epiphany, although many in the modern world (like me and others in New Orleans) celebrate Twelfth Night on the evening of the twelfth day of Christmas, rather than on the eve of it, i.e. the evening before.

Soooo, while all of my information states that Joan's birthday is Twelfth Night...technically her birthday is the Ephiphany...but blame the modern world....
For additional info about Twelfth Night, Epiphany, and all things related, visit the links below.

Twelfth Night is a holiday in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas, and is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking".[1]

The celebration of Epiphany, the adoration of the Magi, is marked in some cultures by the exchange of gifts, and Twelfth Night, as the eve or vigil of Epiphany, takes on a similar significance to Christmas Eve.

In some traditions it is taken to mean the evening of the Twelfth Day itself, the sixth of January. This apparent difference has arisen probably because in modern times people are less aware of the old custom of treating sunset as the beginning of the following day, and perceive Twelfth Night to mean the night of the Twelfth Day