Report on. Setting up for a New Orleans Field School for 2016: April 9th to 14th, David Robinson, PhD

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1 Report on Setting up for a New Orleans Field School for 2016: April 9th to 14th, 2015 David Robinson, PhD Department of Recreation and Tourism Management April 15, 2015

2 Overview Stephen Burr, former faculty in Hospitality at VIU, now retired, and an excellent colleague and friend, led the 2013 New Orleans Field School. Stephen requested that I act as lead field school professor/faculty for a proposed 2016 field school to New Orleans, USA. I am very happy to take this on. The intent of the 2015 April pre-trip was to strengthen already existing VIU-New Orleans organizations/business relationships and to build new partnerships and relationships with a number of organizations to ensure a dynamic field itinerary and field activities. During the dates April 9 th to 14 th, 2015, Stephen and I completed research and preparatory activities in New Orleans to set up for a VIU New Orleans Field School in The main purpose of this trip was to help me to gain an understanding of the proposed field school schedule, itinerary and leadership requirements. Intended Purpose of the Field School 2016 The 2016 New Orleans field school will explore this city s complex community, history and cultural activities. New Orleans is recognized as an important jazz community but is also an important centre for food, festivals, and tourism. This interdisciplinary field school will involve faculty and students from three VIU departments Recreation/Tourism, Music, and Hospitality. The field school will examine what 'community' means to New Orleans. New Orleans has a rich and dynamic history. Located at the mouth of the Mississippi River, the city became a destination in the 19th century for new immigrants. This melting pot of new immigrants provided the elements, which resulted in New Orleans in becoming a birthplace and preserver of some defining American music, food and culture. New Orleans is located below sea level, which has resulted in many weather and man-made disasters. Hurricanes, the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico have provided many challenges for the community. At the completion of the field school, learners will be able to Articulate what is authentic New Orleans food, beverage, music, culture, tourism. Understand the ongoing challenges of rebuilding New Orleans after Katrina through involvement in Volunteer Tourism. Appreciate the process of creating and marketing of cultural and food products. Understand New Orleans cultural traditions and how they are past on to new generations. Appreciate the importance and challenges of tourism, hospitality and festivals to the New Orleans economy. Explore the effect of food and music as a builder and reinforce of community and culture.

3 Articulate how this field school knowledge can be applied to home communities, such as Nanaimo. Potential Partners 1. University partner to offer academic partnerships and possible accommodations for field school participants. 2. Jazz Community 3. Destination Marketing Organizations 4. Restaurant and Hotel Associations 5. New Orleans Music Festival Organizations 6. Rural community organizations to explore community tourism activities 7. David Hansen, jazz dip grad, New Orleans music production and performance The field school students would complete 2 courses (6 academic credits). One course would be from the students area of study; while the second course would be an interdisciplinary course that requires Tourism, Hospitality and Jazz studies students to collaborate in research and final project. This is an important activity as these three areas are interdependent in the New Orleans cultural and economic fabric. The field school enhances student and faculty learning; creates opportunities for the application of their program skill sets to the real world; benefits persons and communities in New Orleans through VIU student volunteer activities: this lived experience ethic of sustainability promotes VIU, International Education and our programs to a broad audience, locally, nationally and internationally. Students benefits include: intercultural studies and activities; study abroad (e.g., project based activities for course credit); contributing to the development of new models that empower community based organizations; developing tourism, hospitality and music program opportunities and projects that revolve around related community issues (e.g., youth-at-risk, developing public participation models, and creating networks between neighboring rural communities); promoting global citizenship among students; enrichment of VIU classrooms using students experiences in New Orleans. April 9 th to April 14 th Activities Thursday April 9 - Full travel day to New Orleans from Nanaimo. Friday April 10 - Breakfast meeting with Stephen Burr to rework our pre-arranged schedule for the field trip.

4 - Late morning and afternoon: French Town Music Festival: getting the feel for a possible tour route and educational additions (e.g., meeting with musicians and promoters of the festival). - Evening: A mix of work and pleasure, scoping out the jazz clubs for possible visits during the 2016 field school Saturday April 11 - Breakfast meeting with Stephen Burr and Lynda Branigan (tour promoter) to confirm schedule for today and to explore options for educational day tours for the 2016 field trip. - Late morning: visit the NO Art Museum as a possible arts and culture (one of my professional passions) component of the 2016 field school. - Afternoon: Lunch meeting with David Hansen (main contact) to review itinerary options and related costs. - Late afternoon: Meeting with Mike Brannigan (University of NO Residence Manager) and viewing accommodation options. - Evening: Music Concert and meeting with musician, actor, cultural creative John Boutte who may present to the field school in 2016 (his schedule dependent). Sunday April 1 - Breakfast meeting with Stephen Burr to review options for 2016 field school itinerary, and Jon Baurer (Music graduate of VIU, professional musician in NO) to discuss his role as a presenter during the field school. - Late morning: visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art as a possible arts and culture component of the 2016 field school. - Lunch: Meet Mike Richard Crawford (tour promoter) to identify optional educational tourism components of the field school. - Afternoon: Stephen toured me around a number of culinary destination restaurants that he used in the last field school s culinary component. Monday April 13 - Full day travel to Vancouver Tuesday April 14 - Morning travel to Nanaimo Summary This was excellent pre-trip with great learning and insights into already existing VIU-New Orleans organizations/business relationships, and opportunities to build new partnerships and relationships with a number of organizations and cultural creatives. My main goal for the pre-trip was to gain a fuller understanding of the proposed field school schedule, itinerary and leadership requirements. This goal was achieved and, moreover, the pre-trip also confirmed that Stephen and I work very well together and that we will ensure a dynamic field itinerary and field activities. Stephen and I will meet next week to further discuss our finalized itinerary and our means of advertising and promoting the tour to VIU students in the fall of 2015.

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