Dennis' Barbershop

Dennis Sigur, owner of Dennis' Barbershop in New Orleans, talks about starting his business back up after Hurricane Katrina. It's a place where the community gets together and reconnects. "Any customer that comes in, it's just like a family member."

Directed by Luisa Dantas
Cinematography by Micheal Boedigheimer

Tags: Back to Business , Barbershop , Community , Dennis Sigur

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7 Comments

Toni Elka said:

Beautiful little piece, thank you. The interaction between the barber and customer communicated so much, but so economically. It just wrung my heart to see the contained way these men speak about such great loss and upheaval, you feel that you hear what isn't being said. And it enlarges the picture we have, post Katrina, of the people most affeccted, showing their empowerment and realistic optimism. Very strong.

Permalink | Posted: August 24, 2007 9:24 AM

Maura said:

thank you for making these videos.

i enjoyed having a peek in and the words from the barbershop guy. It gives me hope that New Orleans will still have its real residents. I thought/think that the "rebuilding" will/would be for a high income folks. Its good to hear him say that he is there to stay in New Orleans despite his 9th ward home ruined.

I live to far away to visit New Orleans, so I appreciate these real glimpses.

Permalink | Posted: August 24, 2007 11:26 PM

daneen said:

barber shops have always been a cornerstone for our community. i'm glad to see that this one is up and running again and that black men in new orleans have a place to find each other and reconnect.

Permalink | Posted: August 27, 2007 3:46 PM

Joyce Goodlatte said:

This morning on the radio I heard a commentary by a guy who is living in New Orleans. He said basically that a lot of people feel sorry for him (who aren't from New Orleans), and he says don't after all he could have it worse - he could NOT be living in New Orleans.

And in someways that is what I got from this video. Dennis had a lot of courage to go back and start up his business again. I know people there are not getting the help they need; what he did is not easy. He did it anyway.

And one of the rewards he gets is that everyone who comes in now is like family. Everyone feels a special connection with each other. They have a really strong feeling of community in that barbershop; that is an awesome thing!

I want more community in my life too.

Thanks for showing that to me.

Permalink | Posted: August 27, 2007 4:38 PM

DoSomething said:

Great video. It is so much better to hear what is going on from the actual people instead of a reporter doing a voice over wrecked houses.

http://www.dosomething.org

Permalink | Posted: August 29, 2007 7:15 AM

Dan Wile said:

A lovely piece that shows, not only the recovery from Katrina, but the universal friendliness among people. A barber shop is the perfect place to show this.

Permalink | Posted: August 29, 2007 9:52 AM

Jamiah said:

Loved the video and I am in full support of Color of Change. Congratulations Luisa-- wonderful job. The barber mentioned that he stayed in Houma prior to his return to New Orleans. Houma is my mother's hometown and really the first town I ever visited in LA back in '82. Keep the stories coming.

And let's rebuild New Orleans and retain our rich culture-- don't let it be gentrified!

Permalink | Posted: August 30, 2007 6:02 PM

Two years after Katrina, the Gulf Coast is still recovering, and thousands of personal stories remain unheard. Experience them here. Tell us yours.