Arabi Wrecking Krewe Inc.
A man who works with his hands is a laborer;
a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman;
but a man who works with his hands and
his brain and his heart is an artist.
Louis Nizer
The Arabi Wrecking Krewe is a New Orleans local relief organisation, being founded by trumpeter & photographer Armand „Sheik“ Richardson and world famous trombonist Craig Klein shortly after landfall of hurricane Katrinas. Sheik's family has given such support since more than two generations.
In the tradition of 9th Ward 1938: Sheik's father and uncle
Why
AWK wants to help musicians in New Orleans to gut, clean and get a start on their houses so that the music and the musicians can live back in their homes, in Arabi, Chalmette, Lakeshore, 6th & 9th Ward, ...
Armand "Sheik" Richardson
President AWK Inc.
Craig Klein
Vice-President AWK Inc.
As there were more than two people needed to get the resurrections started these two started looking for more supporters. This is how the Arabi Wrecking Krewe came into existence.
In New Orleans parlance a krewe is a group of people who get together and put on a Mardi Gras parade. This is not an easy undertaking because there are innumerable logistical details to work out: a theme must be decided on, floats need to be designed and paid for, costumes have to be prepared.
The Arabi Wrecking Krewe faces an even more daunting task bringing back the music, which means the musicians, because music here is a living, breathing thing, like those stately live oaks that still stand to line the boulevards.
We need help
Via the many support systems all over the world we are glad to get more and more relief - volunteers to come here to work on shattered houses - there are craftmen as well as orgaizational talents, fundraisers, counselors, therapists and most of all
T H E R E A R E F R I E N D S.
Leroy Jones
AWK slogan
Help us bring the musicians and the music back, and remember it is not just for those of us who call New Orleans home, because music knows no boundaries.
In New Orleans our thoughts are wandering around wiht the sound of the trumpet, our bodies keept swinging like the saxophones - and our feet tap like drums, our hands imagine the ivory of a piano and our voices have always been connected for a song. Sheik Richardson
We may repair the dikes/levées, may restore the electrical wires - and we may rebuild the islands within the Gulf of Mexico - but if the music cannot return
my New Orleans, your & our New Orleans will be lost forever.
John Boutté, Ray Lambert & Leroy Jones on parade
Not wanting to let that happen the pioneers of resurrection have installed the Arabi Wrecking Krewe as a non-profit Incorporation in order to run an official and benevolent business.
Officers of the AWK Inc.
Armand "Sheik" Richardson, President
Craig Klein, Vice President
Carol Kolinchak, Secretary
Brian West, Treasurer
Lillian Boutté New Orleans
Board of Directors
Lillian Boutte, Dr. Klaus Lumma, Tommy Dunne, Richard Stephens, Robert Dunne, Toby Wraye, Dr. Edwin Frieberg, Vatsana Chanthala, Ray Lambert
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More information to be found at: www.arabiwreckingkrewe.org