I'll be in New Orleans June 7-15 with a group from Berkeley, CA, helping rebuild a school flooded by Katrina. The school is Warren Easton, which recently received FEMA funds, and is now classified as a charter school.

The new prez of the Berkeley Rotary club is an old friend and fellow San Francisco Scottish Fiddle Club member. He invited several Scottish fiddlers to go with him and the Rotarians to take part in this project. By day we'll be working, and then playing tunes in the evening, with whatever energy we have by then. We'll also be taking a tour of the devastation, to help put this all in perspective.

We hope to connect with Cajun musicians. Wherever the SF Scottish fiddlers go, we are always interested in musical/friendship exchanges with local musicians, and it would be nice for me to meet up with any Louisianna 'catters who might be within range. I'll check messages up unti late Tuesday night. No laptop here, but I'm sure I can find internet access when there, if anyone would like to meet up.

It'll be good to finally get there to lend a hand. There are opportunities out there for anyone to organize a group, coordinate with N.O. schools, and help out. Maybe a Mudcat contingent?

Chanteyranger