especially young black children here. why is that so important to you? because we find that they need something to do. all kids need something to do to be the best kids you could possibly see. look at these kids here. they come half of these kids never picked up an instrument a day in their life and now they re producing music. that s what it is all about, teaching them how to survive, how to make it out of life. how long have you been doing this? 15 years. this is the 15th year. and you have success stories? i have a bunch of success stories. i have friends that could have been all the way to berkeley and spain. berkeley in music. weren t you a runner-up for cnn heroes? yes. talk to me about that. it was a great experience. in 2009 i was a top ten cnn hero. man, it was a great experience, to be around others. i love you, brother. i love what you do. thank you so much. don t go anywhere. we have some more people to talk to. come here. get over here. this is howie
we are standing outside now of howling wolf, which is a venue right in new orleans, right on the corner here. how many people you got here tonight? got about 500, 600 people standing on the street tonight. howie, you have a very special position here. tell us what your position is here. so i m the director of nighttime economy for the city of new orleans. they call me the night mayor. not nightmare like scary dream, but night mayor. how did it happen? i get to represent the cultural city of new orleans, i get to represent the fantastic musicians and the people that do the work to make the city a special place. i m proud i get to be here every day representing my city. who are these dolls you have behind you? look at these ladies. aren t they gorgeous? they represent a particular part of our culture. they re part of some of the mardi gras people that make it so special in our city and they
Today on Louisiana Considered, we speak with Howie Kaplan about his new government role that focuses on the city’s nightlife economy. And, in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we hear about the fight to end the disease across the country.
Meet the New Orleans 'Night Mayor,' the new leader of the city's Office of Nighttime Economy wrkf.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wrkf.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.