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NOLArts learning center

Week 9

1/20/2017

Parade night!

We convened early in the evening at the home of Kerrie Ramsdell, who lives just a few blocks from the start of the parade. While the majority of Chewbacchus krewe members relish the all-day lining up process (which unfolds as a sort of a prolonged block party/costume ball), the STOMP Troopers are, generally, not fond of waiting or milling around in a crowded area with limited bathroom access. We are eternally grateful to Kerrie for providing us with a quiet space to eat pizza, play Minecraft, change clothing, nap, use the bathroom and generally relax before the start of the parade.

Ashley, our liaison with the Preservation Hall Foundation, gallantly stood in our place in the lineup along with the band itself until it was time to start. As the parade officially began rolling at 7:30, she gave us the signal, and the STOMP Troopers, parent escorts and NOLArts staff and volunteers made our way to the parade lineup, with drums, drumsticks, parasols, water bottles, doublooons and headphones in tow.

The parade itself was a blur of cheering, drumming, doubloon tossing, photos and high-fives. The STOMP Troopers themselves stayed in tight formation at first, but were soon running up to people in the crowd to hand out doubloons, shake hands and pose in their selfies like true celebrities. Many people in the crowd seemed to recognize the krewe from our media coverage, and called out "STOOOOOMP TROOOOPERS!"

The Preservation Hall Band put on a spectacular show, with musical selections from the New Orleans cannon, as well as a handful of songs from the Star Wars soundtrack. The krewe members occasionally forgot to keep the beat in their excitement, then fell back into the rhythm as they hear a tune they recognized. While the route seemed to tire the parents out entirely, the STOMP Troopers themselves kept up their energy, tirelessly marching and dancing the whole three mile route. The whole experience was, in the words the STOMP Troopers "epic", "awesome" and "fun".

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

Next week, we will convene for our final wrap-up celebration, and reflect on our accomplishments with a highlights slideshow and potluck party.

Week 8

1/20/2017

This week saw the finalization of our preparations, as we met for a final dress rehearsal. The group convened at Castillo Blanco Studios on a Tuesday evening, where we were met by Ryan Ballard, the founder and Grand Pooh-Bah of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, as well as Shannon, representing the Red Shirt Rebellion, the talented organizer and disability advocate who will be leading our team of dedicated parade volunteers, keeping a buffer between the krewe, and the crowd and facilitating throughout the evening.

With the greatest of care, we changed into our costumes and fitted on our drums, adjusting harnesses and cuffing pants as needed. Some STOMP Troopers donned noise cancelling headphones, others opted not to. The krewe was delighted with their first look at themselves in their full regalia. Parents stood by, admiring and assisting, and holding extra props.

Kevin and other members of Preservation Hall were on hand to help the group warm up run through their drumming routine. When everyone was dressed, ready and assembled, the STOMP Troopers marched around the block, accompanied by Preservation Hall, parent escorts, Red Shirt Rebellion volunteers, and NOLArts staff and volunteers.

Our goal was to simulate parade night in order to prepare the STOMP Troopers for what to expect on parade night. Outside, a small crowd of Chewbacchus krewe members completed the experience by creating a rowdy and enthusiastic scene, cheering, clapping and waving. The STOMP Troopers, unfazed by the noise, marched proudly past, managing to stay in formation and on the beat.

This Saturday, we will take a well-deserved rest. The next time we meet will be parade night!

Week 7

1/20/2017

This week, we were joined by the talented and spirited Kevin Lewis, an accomplished musician who performs regularly at Preservation Hall and us an active teaching artist with the Preservation Hall foundation. Kevin performed with the group at our recent Battle of the Bands, and marched with the STOMP Troopers in last year's parade. In addition, he regularly teaches musical skills like theory, brass and percussion to clients at NOLArts Learning Center.

Kerrie Ramsdell, our accomplished LSU occupational therapist, and her team of occupational therapy students brought their expertise to bear on the problem of carrying the drums while marching and playing. Their solution? Harnesses constructed from soft rubber and waist bands made from clothesline secured with an-easy-to-open metal clasp. Each harness and waist band was custom fitted to the wearer by staff and volunteers, ensuring comfort during the long march on parade night.

Next, Sammi Foti, a music teacher with NOLArts Learning Center, assisted Kevin in teaching some basic principles of rhythm in drumming. Half the group created the foundation and led the group by setting the beat, others improvised with complementary rhythms. We experimented with mimicry and call-and-response, as well as listening to others.

With its immediacy and excitement, drumming turned out to be our most popular activity yet. The group was thrilled to try different ways of using their sticks, different places to strike the instrument and different tempos and volumes.

Next week we will get the chance to put it all together at our on-site dress rehearsal!

Week 6

1/20/2017

This week, we were joined back in the NOLArts space by the beautiful and talented Jakki Kalogridis, the founder and lead instructor of NOLA ColorGuard Arts. Jakki had previously led a performance and second line at the Louisiana Children's Museum's Sensory Friendly Family Night, and has the familiarity with our population, flexibility and enthusiasm to deliver an entertaining and accessible learning experience to our group.

We kicked off with a series of slides videos introducing the concept of a Color Guard, followed by clips of performances with parasols and ribbons as dance props. After a brief break, the group learned from Jakki about the history of the art form and the story behind NOLA ColorGuard Arts, which provides instruction in flag and rifle twirling, yoga, hooping, dance and more.

Jakki treated the group to a stunning flag twirling performance, followed by some slick moves with a parasol. The group was excited to try it out for themselves, and parasols were used to replicate some of the more basic dance moves: spinning, twirling, tilting and popping them open and closed. With the music turned high and the lights turned low, the illuminated parasols made for an impressive display.

Finally, we decorated ribbons with our logs and designs, affixed them to drum sticks and cursed these as simple dance-ribbons, experimenting with swirls, arcs and spirals. While these may not be used on parade night, it gave the group a chance to experience new dance moves that they can incorporate into their parade routine.

Next week will be a special highlight- drumming practice with Kevin Lewis of Preservation Hall!

Week 5

1/20/2017

This week we went off-site to visit Castillo Blanco Studios, the headquarters of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus.

We kicked off the session with a tour of the strange and wonderful space, which the impressed STOMP Troopers. The giant warehouse-sized venue features an art gallery, stage, bar and lounge in the front of the building, a fabrication space, float collection, wood shop, meditation room and backyard in the rear.

We also viewed the laser cutter, recently relocated from IDIYA's former space, which will be used to etch the doubloons, and learned a bit about how it works.

Next, we visited the wood shop. With the greatest of care, and plenty of assistance, the group took turns drilling holes through the handles of their drumsticks using a hand drill. The holes allowed us to add wrist straps, which will keep hands free during the parade when the krewe members are not actively drumming.

Sparkly and shimmery tape was used to embellish our sticks, along with a few Sharpies and paint pens. On parade night, long, thin, glow sticks will be taped on to illuminate them, enhancing our dazzle.

Next week: parasol performance with guest artist Jakki from New Orleans Colorguard Arts!

Week 4

1/16/2017

With the arrival of week 4, we were finally ready to start on our instruments. We reviewed our theme, (STOMP + stormtroopers = "STOMP Troopers") and then watched a video clip of a performance by STOMP, the dance/percussion troupe, in which the performers beat on trash cans, buckets and tin pail lids to make beats, all while dancing around the stage.

Taking this as our inspiration, we began working on our trash can "drums" and "cymbals". I had prepped the materials by spray painting the items white and adding thin outlines for the participants to fill in with oversize permanent paint markers.

Incredibly, the group was able to restrain themselves from actually drumming on their cans and lids while working, remaining focused on the task at hand. From 25 identical templates, a variety of unique and embellished designs emerged, reflecting the personality of each artist.

Incredibly, the group was able to restrain themselves from actually drumming on their cans and lids while working, remaining focused on the task at hand. From 25 identical templates, a variety of unique and embellished designs emerged, reflecting the personality of each artist.

When everyone was finished drumming, we donned noise-canceling headphones and indulged in a cacophonous one-minute drumroll. Almost everyone in the group then elected to join in a brief march up and down the corridor, banging on our drums and cymbals.

Next week will be our introduction to the Chewbacchus krewe at their headquarters in Castillo Blanco studios, and will see the creation of our incredible, embellished drumsticks.

Week 3

1/9/2017

With our costumes prepared, the STOMP Troopers were ready this week to t0 focus on props and throws. Doubloons came first. IDIYA maker-space generously offered to laser-cut logos into wooden doubloons for each group member. All that remained was for us to furnish the designs.

The group thoroughly enjoyed a slideshow which introduced the concept of a logo, and included many examples for them to name ("That's McDonald's!" "Disney!" "That's Batman!"). The question was then put to them: "What is something important to YOU that you can show in a simple drawing?"

After creating doubloon logos, we had enough time to embellish our light-up parasols, which will serve as additional performance props for the parade. Sharpies and silver paint pens were used to add doodles, designs and decorations of all kinds, with many kids choosing to repeat their logo. "My parasol looks fancy!" observed Catherine, who had drawn silver pizza slices all over hers. We are looking forward to receiving dance and twirling instruction from upcoming guest teacher, Jakki with New Orleans Colorguard Arts.

We are looking forward to receiving dance and parasol twirling instruction from upcoming guest teacher, Jakki Kalogridis, of New Orleans Colorguard Arts.

Week 2

12/21/2016

Our second week saw the completion of our costumes, which looked convincingly like Storm Troopers, but lacked a certain pizazz. We watched a video of a previous years' parade, and a couple of participants identified that many floats and costumes were illuminated or flashed in order to be better seen at night. We wanted our suits to do the same, and turned to "electroluminescent wire" (AKA "EL wire") to acheive the same effect in our suits.

Attaching the EL wire meant sewing, a new skill for ost of the participants. We wacthed a step-by-step instructional slideshow and live demnstration before tacking the sewing task.

Since fine motor skills can be a bit difficult for many people with autism and other special needs, we were grateful to have the assistace of Kerrie Ramsdell, a professor of occupational therapy at LSU and her OT student volunteers, who were able to offer expert support during this activity.

The krewe far exceeded our expectations- they speedily completed the task (without a single finger being pricked!) and were soon ready to try on their suits- and see how they looked with the lights turned down low.

Click below to see full sized images from our costume fashion show!

Week 1

12/16/2016

The first week is our opportunity to meet one another, learn the routine and expectations and to dive in to the STOMP Troopers project.

The participants learned names, rules, roles and schedule in an introductory slideshow. We wanted to really sell them on the idea of the parade and get them excited about the project, so next we watched some videos of the parade. One of the teachers, Taylor Cheek, even modeled a STOMP Trooper costume and demonstrated some drumming.

After a break, we doove in with costume creation. Participants traced dark lines to represent the joints and details on a Storm Trooper body armor suit, using permanent marker on a hooded Tyvek jumpsuit. Volunteers from Tulane United for Autism, Loyola's Department of Music Therapy and LSU's School of Occupational Therapy assisted the NOLArts staff in facilitating.

"Don't sniff the markers- they have a strong scent which could make you nauseous," observed STOMP Trooper, Simon Brickman in his always-articulate manner. "Yeah. And don't eat them- yuck!" added his peer, Miklosh. Great tips!

Next week: electroluminescant wire!

Parade Day

2/1/2016

Jan 30th was warm and clear, perfect parade weather. A couple of parents had last-minute jitters. "I am worried he's going to get too tired," texted one. "I sure hope he's up for this," said another. Would their anxieties come true? Could the kids rise to the occasion?

Fortunately, Kerrie graciously opening her home to the group, allowing the families to gather there before the start of the parade. Kids snacked, dressed, chatted and petted her enormous therapy dog while volunteers held the group's place in the parade lineup.

Minimizing the time the kids would spend waiting in line was essential- standing around idly while anticipating a new experience is incredibly stressful for most people with autism. Having a quiet place to munch on pizza and chips instead of standing around in line was a true saving grace.

The kids suited up, turned on their light-up EL wire, strapped on their drums, grabbed their drumsticks and walked just five blocks to the parade route, arriving in the lineup just before the parade began rolling.

Chaperones and volunteers wore Darth Vader costumes. Preservation Hall's legendary jazz band was on hand, and decked out in costumes created by NOLArts Learning Center to compliment the kids' suits. Two volunteers held the group's banner in front of the kids, while the band marched behind. Casey, with Domenic and Nick from IDIYA, marched alongside the kids. They had created drums that lit up when hit with drumsticks, and wore EL wire to match the kids. They showed off their drums to the kids and tried out a few beats while they found their places in line.

And before we knew it, it was time to roll.

Crowds of revelers crowded every block. They cheered. They waver. They clapped. They pointed. They took pictures. They called out "STOMP Troopers!" and "Dark Side!" and (mostly) "Wooooooo!"

Every STOMP Trooper's face lit up with a huge grin. They banged their drums just as they'd rehearsed. They waved. They high-fived. They pressed doubloons into the many outstretched hands.

Parents helped kids keep the pace with gentle ushering, passed them doubloons, retrieved dropped sticks and handed out bottled water.

Preservation Hall played old standards like "Ain't my Fault" and "Liza Jane", plus the Star Wars theme song and the theme for the Dark Side. Casey and the IDIYA drummers helped the kids find their own beat within the overarching melody.

Halfway through the parade, Win Butler, lead singer of the indie band Arcade Fire, joined the band lineup. Proving that he's an awesome guy, he switched instruments with Simon, taking Simon's trash can lid in exchange for his cowbell, which Simon played ferociously but with a perfectly steady beat, not unlike Animal from the Muppet Show.

In fact, the event brought out some

In fact, on the day of the parade, talents we had never seen before emerged unexpectedly. Simon spontaneously emitted bursts of rapid and perfectly timed drumming, Sami handed out doubloons perfectly, making eye contact, smiling and moving on with no attempts to sneak in an extra high-five or handshake (a habit he's been working to break). Miklos kept up a steady beat in time with the music. Jhett showed off for the crowd like a perfect rock star, waving his trash can lid cymbals over his head and egging on the crowd. When the parade dragged on for a (very) unexpected THREE hours, Susan trooped along without complaining, even removing her headphones to take it all in.

When they reached the end of the route, the kids were exhausted but elated. "He could keep going," marveled the mother who had worried that her child would be too tired as she watched her son continue to twirl his drumsticks.

"We did it!" crowed Oliver. The whole crew cheered.

A perfect WIN for the Dark Side!

Expect STOMP Troopers re-invade again in 2017....