No one in New Orleans needs any reminders of Hurricane Katrina--we live with its aftermath every moment of every day. Still, there are plans for many events marking the first anniversary of the storm. Here are a few of the upcoming commemorations.
Saturday August 26
The African-American Leadership Conference is sponsoring Hands Around the Dome, remembering those who died during the hurricane, and who suffered at the Superdome and Convention Center in the following days. The ceremony begins at noon at the Dome, and is followed by a march to the Convention Center.
Sunday August 27
The Kazanjian Jewels for Charity is a silent internet auction sponsored by Harrah’s Casino, and includes pieces such as the tiara Madonna wore at her wedding to Guy Ritchie. The proceeds benefit Wynton Marsalis' Rebuild the Soul of America charitable trust.
An Ecumenical Worship Service with Cyril Neville will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Congo Square and a Katrina Memorial Concert will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1235 Louisiana Ave. and features Phyllis Treigle, Thais St. Julien, flautist Louis Hackett, and the New Orleans Musica da Camera. Also being presented is the "Remembrance, Renewal and Rebirth" gospel concert sponsored by the City and featuring the One New Orleans Mass Choir at the Convention Center from 3-5:00 p.m.
Monday August 28
A Katrina lecture series will be held with speakers Dr. Alan Colon, African world studies chairman at Dillard University, on "What Happened to the People?"; Dr. Ivor Van Heerden of the LSU Hurricane Research Center, on "What Happened to the Levees?"; and Michael Eric Dyson, author of the Katrina book "Come Hell or High Water," on "What Happened to the System?" 7-9:30 p.m. Xavier University Science Building lecture hall.
There will be a Candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. at the levee at 9600 Hayne Blvd.
Tuesday August 29
Several well-known local restaurants will join thousands of others nationwide in "Share Our Strength: Restaurants for Relief," supporting Gulf Coast hurricane recovery efforts. A percentage of the Aug. 29 sales will be donated to the relief program, sponsored by American Express. For participating restaurants see www.strength.org.
"In Loving Memory" is a photographic exhibit of photos submitted by New Orleanians of family members and friends who died during Katrina, along with written memories about each. 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mississippi River Heritage Park, 1100 Convention Center Blvd.
Mayor Ray Nagin and other community leaders will ring ceremonial bells to mark the time of the first levee breach 9:38 a.m., at City Hall. Simultaneously, five City Council members will lay memorial wreaths at the St. Roch Playground at St. Roch and North Prieur streets, the 17th Street Canal breach on Bellaire Drive, the London Avenue Canal breach, atop the Claiborne Avenue bridge over the Industrial Canal, and outside Gate A at the Superdome. Councilman Oliver Thomas at the eastern New Orleans home of his deceased brother Renaldo.
A memorial ceremony and march begins at 10:00 a.m., at the 9th Ward Levee Break, Jourdan and N. Galvez Sts.
A Jazz funeral requiem march is scheduled at 11:30 a.m., from the Superdome to Congo Square.
The “One New Orleans” jazz funeral procession will begin at 2:00 p.m., from the Convention Center to the Superdome and will be led by Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré to honor first responders and all the lives lost in Katrina as well as acknowledging the rebirth of New Orleans.
The Official Interfaith Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. 12 faiths will participate in the services, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will play in Jackson Square from 8:00-8:55, and at 8:55, the Katrina bell (twin to the 9/11 bell in New York City) will be rung to commemorate the lives lost in Katrina.