New Production Company Brings Original Flavor to Jazzfest
There is raw energy stirring in the deep and dirty south of New Orleans - a collective with fresh motivation and limitless vision - a new entertainment production company dedicated to turning ambitious ideas into reality.
Winter Circle Productions found its birth on the streets of New Orleans when two new acquaintances spontaneously promoted a few shows during Jazzfest. From that single collaboration grew a vision for a fresh type of production company dedicated to conceiving unique, progressive, and sustainable events that act as a platform for community development.
For its 2009 Jazzfest Concert Series, WCP teamed up with MCP Presents and Simple Play to offer a fresh, genre-blending mix different than your usual Jazzfest late-night. WCP's goal was to create a lineup that can be found nowhere else - a show that lasts all night for just one ticket.
The show at The Howlin’ Wolf on Friday, April 24th features Jazzfest gods Karl Denson, Ivan Neville, and Robert Walter. This show marks the first Tiny Universe show at Jazzfest in four years and will be Dumpstaphunk's only first weekend show.
The next night at The Howlin’ Wolf is a beast. Saturday April 25th will showcase five separate bands in a completely original festival-style event with live paintings throughout the night. Possibly the most unique and complete bill of the weekend, this 9-hour late-night extravaganza kicks off with intelligent hip-hop and will seemlessly segue into a live electronic dance party that will last through sunrise. Lotus and Pnuma PA have been killing the jamband/electronic circuit lately; Lyrics Born will feature a rare live band performance; and EOTO will be playing with Michael Kang (thus comprising half of The String Cheese Incident) and Steve Molitz (keyboardist from Phil Lesh & Friends and Particle).
Not only does WCP throw a good party, but their founders and co-promoters seem dedicated to giving back to the local community. A portion of ticket proceeds from their first weekend Jazzfest shows will benefit Sweet Home New Orleans - a local nonprofit organization that assists local musicians who were displaced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by offering them financial assistance, housing grants, and pro-bono legal advice.
After Jazzfest, WCP plans to produce a monthly concert series, both in New Orleans and New York. These monthlies are tentatively set to begin in September and will feature the freshest DJs in the electronic scene, offering an underground showcase of sight and sound. Keep up with WCP news and events at www.wintercircleproductions.com and www.myspace.com/wintercircleproductions.