The front cover for one of the Neighborhood Story Project's books

I’ve learned something, talking to people who’ve lived through a tragedy—be it the death of a loved one or a tornado destroying a home or an entire town: there is something profoundly healing about the telling a story. This is a lesson the city of New Orleans offers plentiful evidence of; everywhere you turn, there’s another organization recording stories, from oral histories to anecdotes, legends of the city’s Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs to tales of Hurricane Katrina mayhem. (more…)

If you’ve heard State of the Re:Union, you’ve heard our Dear City Letters, in which we ask listeners to write a letter to the city or town they call home. We’re working on our New Orleans episode right now, so if you live in NOLA and have something you want to communicate about it, here’s your shot! Whether you want to write from a place of love, anger, humor, to express your likes or dislikes or to break misconceptions, we welcome them all.

All submissions should be 400 words or less and submitted via e-mail to me at,tina@stateofthereunion.com. Please submit your letter no later than April 7, 2010. Selected letters will be used on the program and aired with the show.

Stepping through the door of Jim Russell Records is truly a revelation for record collectors, music enthusiasts and appreciators of community culture alike. The Sounds of the Re:Union recently visited New Orleans to film our inaugural podcast. Our on-the-ground insiders and our own research consistently pointed us to this area staple. (more…)