The Wizard of Jackson Square

Sometimes a city is defined by the architecture, the history, or the food. New Orleans is defined by all those things with the addition of some of the most interesting people you are likely to come upon while traveling anywhere. The uniqueness of this American gem is owed in large part to the amazing cooks, artists, and musicians that flock here. As MO and her family have been traveling there for over 2 decades they have come to expect to see particular favorites, people who make the city come alive for them. One such character is the Wizard of Jackson Square, who plays an instrument called the glass harp while doling out sidewalk philosophy accompanied by weak jokes:

"Give me the finger...not THAT finger..."

While he looks like he could be a homeless extra from a Harry Potter movie he speaks like a Shakespearean actor and talks physics like a retired professor. 

MO and her clan saw him often before Katrina but not a single time in the years since though they had looked for him frequently. They had just been discussing on the train that day how much they use to enjoy his little street show and wondered what might have happened to him. Someone had told Mr. MO that he had passed away.

So you can imagine their excitement on New Years Day after dinner at Acme Oyster House and coffee at Cafe DuMonde when they saw him, near the cathedral. A small group surrounded his little table with a variety of glasses strapped to it and lit by tiny twinkly lights. He was, as always taking requests.

Why is it that the moment someone asks you what song you want to hear you can never think of one? MO's husband requested Dixie. He always does.

Next he wipes the oil off the finger...not THAT finger, of a volunteer. He bids them run their finger around the edge of the glass...not much happens. Then he does it. The glass sings and water sprays out of it due to the violent vibration on the surface of the water. He gives a little physics lesson as to why this happens and then gives a little history lesson about the first man to play the glass harp. MO, having heard this many times cannot recall the name of the man (she really has no mind for details of that sort). He takes a few more requests and then as new people gather he starts his schtick over again. 

MO and her family put some cash in his tip glass (what else?) and exchange smiles as they passed between the park and the cathedral, and heard him say
"Give me the finger...not THAT finger."