Question for Native New Orleanians: What is the Second Line?

PortCityProphet

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Second line is a brass band (or brass band music) playing with a trail of people behind them dancing as they walk following the band. Now you see all types of variations of footwork and moves, and props. The jist of it is you walk (bounce to the beat) for 4-6 steps, hit a lil 4 square with your feet, take another 4-6 steps and hit it again. Some folks get fancy with it hitting spins, dips, extravagant footwork. There's props folks bounce an umbrella in the air to the beat. Some folks wave a handkerchief.
But in the tune to one of my favorite second line songs Do Whatcha Wanna
 

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“Established in 1917 during the Jim Crow Laws, the Bunch Club is one of New Orleans oldest clubs. The most of his members are descendants of the Free People of color, or Creole of color, a powerful middle-class over the Antebellum period. While primarily a fraternal organization, it is best known for the Bunch Club Carnival Dance. On the Friday before Mardi Gras, the members of the Bunch Club and their 1500 guests celebrate the carnival season. At the stroke of midnight, they escort their wives or special guests in a Grand March. Clad in tuxedos, crimson capes, plumed hats, white gloves, and club medallions, the Bunch Club’s members reenact a Mardi Gras tradition that has lasted nearly a century. This year’s dance was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
 

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Second line is a brass band (or brass band music) playing with a trail of people behind them dancing as they walk following the band. Now you see all types of variations of footwork and moves, and props. The jist of it is you walk (bounce to the beat) for 4-6 steps, hit a lil 4 square with your feet, take another 4-6 steps and hit it again. Some folks get fancy with it hitting spins, dips, extravagant footwork. There's props folks bounce an umbrella in the air to the beat. Some folks wave a handkerchief.
But in the tune to one of my favorite second line songs Do Whatcha Wanna


Yeah.

Relevant to that Twitter thread in the first post:

Many say that the Second Line has religious undertones.

For example, it’s a custom for funeral processions to have a Second Line because the idea
is the band is playing The Deceased onto the next world/realm.
That is why there are many who have lived in NOLA for a long time and may have never attended one.
 

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Yeah.

Relevant to that Twitter thread in the first post:

Many say that the Second Line has religious undertones.

For example, it’s a custom for funeral processions to have a Second Line because the idea
is the band is playing The Deceased onto the next world/realm.
That is why there are many who have lived in NOLA for a long time and may have never attended one.
I was always told it's for funerals or to speak to the ancestors
 

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Second line is a brass band (or brass band music) playing with a trail of people behind them dancing as they walk following the band. Now you see all types of variations of footwork and moves, and props. The jist of it is you walk (bounce to the beat) for 4-6 steps, hit a lil 4 square with your feet, take another 4-6 steps and hit it again. Some folks get fancy with it hitting spins, dips, extravagant footwork. There's props folks bounce an umbrella in the air to the beat. Some folks wave a handkerchief.
But in the tune to one of my favorite second line songs Do Whatcha Wanna


Yeah, this is an iconic brass band tune.

So when they say they've never been to the Second Line it just means they never been to see a brass band play? Do most black New Orleans residents go see brass bands?
 

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Yeah, this is an iconic brass band tune.

So when they say they've never been to the Second Line it just means they never been to see a brass band play? Do most black New Orleans residents go see brass bands?
There's super Sunday among other events you can go to. But yes, if you've been here long enough you've seen a brass band. Especially in Louis Armstrong park
 
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I wish I could have a second line procession for my funeral :wow:. It's sad because from what I've seen, some bands have said that they don't see that tradition lasting too much longer because the youth aren't picking it up, and a lot of members are getting older.
The schools aren't being funded like they used to, the elders aren't healthy enough to teach, there's so many factors
 

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Yeah, this is an iconic brass band tune.

So when they say they've never been to the Second Line it just means they never been to see a brass band play? Do most black New Orleans residents go see brass bands?

Its a brass band on every corner.
You from Nola you've seen a brass band.
If you hit adulthood and never actually second lined its on you and yo peoples really.
Im not even from New orleans but I know they're easy to find
 

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Its a brass band on every corner.
You from Nola you've seen a brass band.
If you hit adulthood and never actually second lined its on you and yo peoples really.
Im not even from New orleans but I know they're easy to find
If I may,

This above is straight facts. In fact, marching bands in the area, over to Baton Rouge, and up to Mississippi, do second line stuff at parades. Most notably, and famously, the Human Jukebox

 
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