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‘An Oral History of the N.O. Ninth Ward’ In The News

My book “An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward” has been in the news lately. To learn more about the book and my inspiration to write it, check out the following write-ups and interviews:

“The Whole Ninth Ward,” Country Roads magazine, April 2017 issue

“Tigers in Print,” LSU Alumni Magazine, Spring 2017 issue, p. 58

“Caroline Gerdes’ New Ninth Ward Book,” Coffee With Kevin, May 8, 2017

“Capitol Hill author shares oral history from New Orleans’ Ninth Ward,” The Capitol Hill Times, Aug. 21, 2017

“Literary talks this week: from mysteries to ‘Murder in Seattle,’” The Seattle Times, Aug. 24, 2017

“Caroline Gerdes: An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward,” Seattle Met, Aug. 30, 2017

“Bumbershoot, an Indie Game Expo, Cats in the Park, and More of the Week’s Best Events,” Seattle Weekly, Aug. 30, 2017

“Caroline Gerdes at Elliott Bay,” The Stranger, Aug. 30, 2017

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Book Signings

My first book signing was at National Geographic Headquarters in Washington DC, after I gave a talk at their Nat Geo Nights event in February 2017.

I signed copies of my book “An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward” at the Mandeville and Metairie Barnes & Noble locations — and actually sold-out at the Metairie event — in May 2017. I also had a signing at the 2017 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where my book was selected to be sold in the Book Tent.

In August 2017, I had a book reading and signing at The Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle. And, in November 2017, I attended the National Council for the Social Studies Conference in San Francisco, where I had a book signing at the National Geographic Learning booth.

 

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Upcoming Book Signings

Now that “An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward” has been released, I will be signing books at the Mandeville Barnes & Noble, the Metairie Barnes & Noble and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival! Information for the signings are included below:

Barnes and Noble: Sunday, April 23, 2017, 12 PM – 2 PM, The Village Shopping Center, 3414 Highway 190 Suite 10, Premier Center II, Mandeville, LA 70471

Barnes and Noble: Saturday, April 29, 2017, 2 PM – 4 PM, Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA 70002

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Thursday, May 4, 2017, 12 PM – 1 PM, New Orleans Fair Grounds: 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70119

I hope to see you there!

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Nat Geo Nights: New Orleans

Every month National Geographic headquarters in Washington, DC hosts Nat Geo Nights, a special happy hour event featuring Nat Geo explorers, live music, food and drink specials. I had the honor of being a featured explorer and speaker at the inaugural Nat Geo Nights event, Field Notes: New Orleans. 

The evening celebrated all things New Orleans with king cake, Abita Beer and talks by photographers Kris Davidson and Tyrone Turner, climate scientist Victoria Herrmann, and me. I was/am so honored to be included in such an impressive lineup.

My talk walked the audience through the Ninth Ward’s history while including inspiring stories from residents and fun tales about New Orleans culture and nostalgia from my upcoming book, An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward.

After my talk, I did my first book signing. Though advance copies were available at the event (and in the National Geographic store on campus), the book will not be officially released until April.

A huge thanks to National Geographic for including me in this fabulous event celebrating the Crescent City.

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Celebrity Interview With Ty Burrell

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ty Burrell from Modern Family to discuss the show’s season 8 premiere and season 7 DVD release.

Check out the two articles I wrote after my interview with Ty, “‘Modern Family’ Actor Ty Burrell Joins ‘Kids In The Spotlight’ To Help Young Filmmakers Reach Their Full Potential” and “Will Andy & Haley Get Back Together On ‘Modern Family’? Ty Burrell Doesn’t Think They’re Done For Good.” Phil Dunphy would!

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Cat’s Out Of The Bag …

It’s official my book — that’s right, my book — is available for pre-order on Amazon! An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward is due out spring 2017 from Pelican Publishing.

The Amazon synopsis states:

Steeped in musical influence, racial dynamics, and culinary significance, the Ninth Ward has distinguished itself as one of New Orleans’ most influential communities—so why is its history so often overlooked?

While many have heard of Ruby Bridges, most don’t know about the McDonogh Three, who desegregated another Ninth Ward school on the same day. And when Hurricane Katrina threatened to displace its notable musicians, the Ninth Ward provided sanctuary with its modern Musicians’ Village.

Extensively researched and carefully recorded, An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward features substantial, unique interviews with generations of residents to preserve the history of the district. Each source honestly evaluates discrimination, neighbors, poverty, and faith, delivering heartfelt and often harrowing insight into what it means to be from the Ninth Ward.

Readers will explore the community’s changing population, from its inception as an immigrant borough that welcomed a majority African American community—and the stigmas it faced for doing so—to the encroaching gentrification by the hipster population. With each chapter chronicling one of the metaphorical and actual storms the area has weathered, this volume is a comprehensive record of history and folklore from the people who know the Ninth Ward best.

I am so, so excited to share this development. Please stay tuned for more information about my upcoming work as it becomes available.

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