The Big Nine Social & Pleasure Club
New Orleans, Louisiana March 22, 2007 ..... ( Lower Ninth Ward) The lower ninth ward of the city is still pretty much in deep trouble as the residents struggle to return from the four far corners of these United States, where F.E.M.A., sent them with a one way ticket. The ninth ward was part of the three valve heart, of the Main Line culture of the crescent city, that is struggling along on a two valve heart at the moment. If the ninth ward fails to recover at least partially the culture may suffer damage beyond its ability to repair. During its heyday, before Katrina, there were many clubs, and brass bands that called the ninth ward home. Most were the vangaurd of the main line organizations that still exist today. Even though not all the members have returned to the city, one club bears mention in the annals of history of the more historic clubs. Founded in 1995, the Big Nine Social & Pleasure Club, already has evolved from the earlier organization known as the, "Double Nine", which managed to add some seriously dressed men to the Sunday lineup of main lines that graced the lower nine. Robert Stark, the current business manager of the Big Nine, was also a member of the Double Nine High Steppers, back in 1992, as they were more properly known then. Mr. Stark recalls some of the times the club would make some decisions on the color, material and even who would produce the outfits that they planned out!
"Some arguments were really loud", he said. "It was because we really wanted to be the best and make an impression, and a difference in the community. Our dress during our parades in the nine, were almost legendary." The wardrobe wasn't the only part. Some of the fans of the club, were quick to point out that the accessories were the stuff of legends around. Those fans, we talked too, hoped that in addition to the wardrobe, the real source of pride also managed to be carried forward. Stark did manage to bring all the enthusiasm, felt for so very long by those fans, with him to these later times. "As a member of the Double Nine High Steppers, we carried it as far as we could under the old name. However, we lost some members that were essential under that name and we could not replace them in time to do more at the time. I was the business manager, at the end of the club's time, so we had to start again to totally regroup and save the work we had done," said Stark. "It was during this time, 1995, that it was decided that the time we would form, the "Big Nine Social and Pleasure Club", to take up the work we had started, and advance that work, our goals, and innovations, to new levels." That work was the involvement of the club, into the community, some of which, "Double nine", had pioneered. Even though it was not the first of such forays, by these clubs, into such areas of volunteering, raising funds for badly needed school projects, or forming groups to take on such problems, this was the first time it had truly been attempted in the lower ninth.
Stark, however, was not alone during this restructure. "On October 10, 1995, the Big Nine was founded by Ronald Lewis, its current president, Edgar Jacobs, Ricky Gettridge, and Agnes Anderson. Though these people the organization was able to become more active in the community." Stark , and the club claim it was at this point in time, the true New Orleanian culture was brought into the lower ninth ward which had until then never existed before. The storm's evacuation spread the club around, but it will be very soon now that enough will have return to resume club operations and commence planning of the next processional.
Call Us to arrange to be interviewed for your Club, Krewe or Org.! We want your story! Call us @ 504-756-9456, ask for the news desk.....
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