Video Podcasts and Natchitoches Folklife: Early Community Heritage Media

Ever heard of a vodcast? Even if you haven’t, you might have guessed it’s a cross between the words video and podcast. The “vod” can also stand for video on demand. In any case, the Natchitoches Preservation Network has already created several of these productions that are taking the message of heritage values in Natchitoches to the online world. Here’s what we’ve been up to.

The First Community Video Podcasts

Our first vodcast features the Beneath the Bricks Committee’s heritage education activity held recently on the riverbank downtown. The group had a good turnout for this activity that explored how archaeologists do their job and what they are looking for in all that dirt.

This production follows a group of young people, ranging in age from three to 16 as they witness traditional toolmaking, learn about dating artifacts, and get their hands dirty learning about soil types. The group also embarks on a scavenger hunt to archaeological information at downtown businesses. The scavenger hunt is still on, by the way, and young people can begin their quest for knowledge (and a prize) at Georgia’s Gift Shop.

Folklife Interviews and Performances

I also recently recorded a few vodcasts from the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. The theme this year was British Isles influence in Louisiana, so the stories were limitless.

If you go to the Louisiana Folklife Center group on NPN, you can view a video interview I did with Jane McDaniel, traditional dollmaker, storyteller and all-around fascinating Irishwoman. You’ll also get the chance to hear her comically tragic tale of Huddon, Duddon and Donald O’Leary.

Other productions coming out of the Folk Fest include noted celtic musician Danny O’Flaherty singing traditional favorite “Star of the County Down”; a presentation by members of the American Rose Center on growing English gardens; and an interview with Charlene Quinilty, an expert in traditional spinning and weaving methods.

And don’t forget about the This Place Matters project! I’m still getting requests to video Natchitoches’ special sites and am adding them to our channel on YouTube, where they are becoming very popular. Among the sites already featured are Jewish Cemetery, Front Street, Nelson Hall at NSU, and numerous downtown homes.

You can view any of our video podcasts by going to the Natchitoches Preservation Network at www.natchitochespreservation.ning.com. While you’re there, please feel free to contact me with your ideas for future vodcasts.