The Great River Road Museum next to Houmas House & Garden in Darrow Louisiana will be the site of a Jazz Concert presented by the ISDA St. Joseph’s Lodge and the American Italian Federation of the Southeast on March 20^th from 1-5pm.  The 2-acre amphitheater provides a social distancing site so that the regional Italian organizations do not have to go three years without a St. Joseph’s Day events.  

Music will be provided by The Assunto Dukes, a Dixieland Tribute. The orginal Assunto Brothers played in the 1940s and 1950s with their dad. Today’s band includes the granddaughter. Other activities include the Muff-a-Lottas Dance team.  

Houmas House was a Sugar Cane Plantation until the 1930s. From the 1880s to the 1930s thousands of Sicilian immigrants worked the sugar cane fields. Renown sculptor Franco Alessandrini has designed a 12’ tall piece for the rose garden in the amphitheater. The cost is $250,000.00 and fundraising has started. Donor levels are being considered which may include brick buying and receiving a miniature version of the piece. 

Franco other works in Louisiana include the Monument to the Immigrant in New Orleans, Christopher Columbus in Baton Rouge, and Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral.  

A St. Joseph’s Altar’s book signing by Sandra Scalise Juneau and Cheese Wheel demonstration by Nor-Joe’s of Metairie. 

Local organizations are invited to participate. Houmas House has a great restaurant for dining after the event. The Oscar winning movie The Green Book was filmed in the dining room. The 30,000 sq. foot museum now includes the wax figures from the Conti Wax Museum.