The Music, History, and Inspiration of the Chitlin’ Circuit
jaci remondet staff A vibrant soundtrack of soulful music plays within the walls of juke joints and dance halls that make up the Chitlin Circuit. The cords play sounds of pain, joy, challenges and resilience, but these melodies are not just confined to that time and within those walls. The musical roots stem deep into […]
It Takes A Village: Hosea Hill, Frank Painia and Deacon John Moore
gabrielle chaisson staff The Chitlin’ Circuit was more than a gig or a venue—it allowed Black musicians and entrepreneurs to succeed in the Jim Crow era. “In the region, there was a pretty elaborate network of educated musical people in the Black community and the music gravitated from them.” Tommy Lyons, Musician But at the […]
The Great Depression and WWII’s Impact on The Chitlin’ Circuit
kaylie st.pierre staff On a Saturday night in South Louisiana, sounds of saxophones, laughter and dancing filled the air, regardless of the tough times and uncertain future. The local nightclubs offered the only entertainment around, promising memories and good music for just fifty cents. The Chitlin’ Circuit thrived during the Great Depression, from 1929 to […]
Podcast Series: Community Memories
jaci remondet staff Jerry Jones former Lafourche Parish Councilman Thomas Lyons raised in Houma and moved to Thibodaux for college Harvey Hill Chitlin’ Circuit venue owner Hosea Hill’s grandson
C.M. Washington: Educating the Community
jennifer marts staff In 1902, a Black woman named Cordelia Matthews Washington pioneered the Negro Corporation Training School in “back of town” Thibodaux, Louisiana. African American children traveled lengthy distances from Cut Off to Houma and even Napoleonville to attend this all-Black school. “I had to make a round trip of 70 miles a day, […]
Podcast Series: Artists From The Circuit
hannah robert podcast editor Tony Hall about being an artist on the Chitlin’ Circuit Bobby Rush about being an artist on the Chitlin’ Circuit
A Traveling Guide: The Green Book
skylar neal staff Other Green Book Travel Guides During Segregation
Guitar Slim: A Musical Legend
gabrielle chaisson staff
The Rose Club
kaylie st. pierre staff The grand opening of The Rose Club in the 1950s was the beginning of years of dancing, music and memories for the South Louisiana residents of Verdunville. The Rose Club was a dance hall that welcomed many talented Black artists, starting during the grand opening with Hosea Hill’s Serenaders. The Serenaders […]
The Secret Code of the Chitlin’ Circuit
sally-anne torres staff During segregation, Blacks came up with ways to tell each other where to go so they could be safe and enjoy activities. The “Chitlin’ Code” represents how they knew what venues to visit or where to perform. The world of Black music existed separately from the entertainment nearly everyone listened to at […]