Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery and Prima Tazza present “Drops of Wisdom,” the visual art of Jake Dement. Jake creates colorful acrylic paintings on canvas, says curator Michael G Moore. “Drops of Wisdom” features new work created in late 2004 through the first 6 months of 2005.
Jake says of his work: "The evolution of my work has strengthened since I first started painting. I feel a very strong connection with what I am doing now because I feel these pieces are created from my sole. I have been fortunate that I am able to step outside of myself and let the spirit carry me through the completion of my paintings. It is hard for me to take credit for what I do. The feeling of being guided by a higher power is so strong that I often feel I have little to do with how my work is brought forward. Continuing to do my art is a gift from God, and in creating my work I feel I have a place in this world that God has chosen for me."
Jake's work can be viewed online at NorthLouisianaArtGallery.com.
“Drops of Wisdom” will run from Monday, August 1st through Friday, September 9th.
A reception for the artist will be thrown on Friday, August 5 from 5-7 PM at Prima Tazza, 8835 Line Avenue at 3132, and is open to the various and sundry. Call Carey Johnston at Prima Tazza, 318-550-0174, for more details.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Louisiana singers and musicians: send CD's to KSCL
Sara Hebert is a Cajun lass/media maven who is station manager at Centenary College's KSCL 91.3 FM. She writes "I'm on a bit of a mission."
"We've received submissions from local bands sporadically throughout my time with KSCL; however, I'm interested in doing a show in the fall
semester highlighting local music. Local in this context, being quite a broad term, translating to all of Louisiana."
"So here's a call for all you Louisiana Bands out there! Please send me a cd/demo tape/whatever you've got your stuff recorded on / via snail-mail to:
Sara Hebert
Local Music Spotlight
C/O KSCL 91.3 FM
2911 Centenary Blvd.
Shreveport, LA 71104.
Please do not email me mp3 submissions. I need a physical copy sent from you or a representative for licensing reasons, etc. Please also
provide an email contact for your band. Also please check your music for explicit content and make a note of it. This will help me find a track that I can play on air!"
PS: Hebert says she'll return to Spt in mid August. Until then, email is the way to reach her. Try theenchantingsarahebert@gmail.com
"We've received submissions from local bands sporadically throughout my time with KSCL; however, I'm interested in doing a show in the fall
semester highlighting local music. Local in this context, being quite a broad term, translating to all of Louisiana."
"So here's a call for all you Louisiana Bands out there! Please send me a cd/demo tape/whatever you've got your stuff recorded on / via snail-mail to:
Sara Hebert
Local Music Spotlight
C/O KSCL 91.3 FM
2911 Centenary Blvd.
Shreveport, LA 71104.
Please do not email me mp3 submissions. I need a physical copy sent from you or a representative for licensing reasons, etc. Please also
provide an email contact for your band. Also please check your music for explicit content and make a note of it. This will help me find a track that I can play on air!"
PS: Hebert says she'll return to Spt in mid August. Until then, email is the way to reach her. Try theenchantingsarahebert@gmail.com
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Burning Spear gang singing at Artspace, Sun, July 17, 6 to 9 pm
The Burning Spear was a little Caribbean eatery on Wall Street, explains downtown correspondent Mimsy Borogroves. The business belonged to Gordon Nurse, a Shreveporter originally from Trinidad, who cooked up the best Jerk Chicken you ever tasted, she remembers. And played a steel drum when the moment was right. On Sundays, the Burning Spear became home to songwriters and poets waiting their turn at the open mic. Alan Dyson hosted; Gordon cooked and mixed drinks until such time he could join in on his pan.
On Sunday, July 17, artspace will host a Burning Spear “Revival.” The players from the foliant days of the defunct establishment will reunite to strum and sing.
Joining Alan Dyson and Gordon Nurse for this event are Michael Reed Barker, Amelia Blake, “Dirty Redd” Crenshaw, Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Scott Griffin, Hip & Melissa, Blue Martin, Heather Romero, Michael Westbrook, Greg Williams and others.
To recapture as much of the historic atmosphere as possible, artspace is remaining open later than their regular Sunday schedule for this show. The show begins early, at 6 p.m. and will go until 9 p.m. Unfortunately, the Jerk Chicken won’t be available, but there is a café on premises. Admission for the show is $5. artspace is located at 710 Texas Street in the West Edge Arts District of downtown Shreveport. For more information, call 673-6535.
On Sunday, July 17, artspace will host a Burning Spear “Revival.” The players from the foliant days of the defunct establishment will reunite to strum and sing.
Joining Alan Dyson and Gordon Nurse for this event are Michael Reed Barker, Amelia Blake, “Dirty Redd” Crenshaw, Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Scott Griffin, Hip & Melissa, Blue Martin, Heather Romero, Michael Westbrook, Greg Williams and others.
To recapture as much of the historic atmosphere as possible, artspace is remaining open later than their regular Sunday schedule for this show. The show begins early, at 6 p.m. and will go until 9 p.m. Unfortunately, the Jerk Chicken won’t be available, but there is a café on premises. Admission for the show is $5. artspace is located at 710 Texas Street in the West Edge Arts District of downtown Shreveport. For more information, call 673-6535.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Online site reviving Shreveport Historic Preservation Society
"There's a new initiative to establish a Shreveport Historic Preservation Society," says Charles Smith of Agenda Video and Creative media Services.
"Right now the group is getting organized and establishing itself as a 501c. Meetings are every two weeks and there is a growing interest. One of the big things the group wants to do is to be a resource for those interested in rehabilitating older buildings, particularly in the downtown area."
Here's the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shreveporthistoricpreservation/.
"Membership to the group is FREE and there's no obligation to do anything," promises Smith. "However; we hope more people will participate on some level at some point. In the meantime, for anyone interested in local historic
preservation, this will be the site to check out."
"Right now the group is getting organized and establishing itself as a 501c. Meetings are every two weeks and there is a growing interest. One of the big things the group wants to do is to be a resource for those interested in rehabilitating older buildings, particularly in the downtown area."
Here's the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shreveporthistoricpreservation/.
"Membership to the group is FREE and there's no obligation to do anything," promises Smith. "However; we hope more people will participate on some level at some point. In the meantime, for anyone interested in local historic
preservation, this will be the site to check out."
Yeero Yeero: a temple to Greek cuisine on a Youree Drive acropolis
One of SptBlog's first posts was about inhaling the food at Yeero-Yeero. We go often, and it has not failed us.
We ate meatball pannini and chicken fajitas and Greek salad and pita with zatziki recently. The food was tender and hot, served capably and redolent of the Mediterranean. And even inexpensive.
Nine year-old Jett decided to have Greek soul food: pastichio. Though I've never been a fan of the dish, more or less a Greek lasagna, this one was creamy and sweet. And it stood the test of take-home: the next day the ingredients tasted top notch.
In a web search on Yeero Yeero I found young Heather Keys' charming site. She's an artist and talented cartoonist. In her blog she wrote " Tonight I went to Yeero Yeero for the first time, (even though I've passed the place a lot in the past, this was the first time I've actually tasted the food). It was very delicious, but more interesting was the decor on the inside. My entire family agreed that this restaurant was having an identity crisis. The outside is white plaster and bright paint, with a drive-through window. The inside is high wooden chairs and marble top tables with small tea lights to eat by. Grecian busts and urns are up on high plaster valences, and they serve your foil-wrapped food over gold-lacquered charger plates. What an oddity! Is this a fast food place, or a sit-down restaurant? Either way, I loved my gyro."
That's a fluent post from a precocious student and I think fans of Thanassos' cooking and decor will appreciate her wonderment.
Evaluate Thanassos' gyros and lots more at 4511 Youree Dr, Shreveport, 71105 - (318) 219-0027. And I will be zatzikied if you post your favorite Yeero items in the Comments section below.
We ate meatball pannini and chicken fajitas and Greek salad and pita with zatziki recently. The food was tender and hot, served capably and redolent of the Mediterranean. And even inexpensive.
Nine year-old Jett decided to have Greek soul food: pastichio. Though I've never been a fan of the dish, more or less a Greek lasagna, this one was creamy and sweet. And it stood the test of take-home: the next day the ingredients tasted top notch.
In a web search on Yeero Yeero I found young Heather Keys' charming site. She's an artist and talented cartoonist. In her blog she wrote " Tonight I went to Yeero Yeero for the first time, (even though I've passed the place a lot in the past, this was the first time I've actually tasted the food). It was very delicious, but more interesting was the decor on the inside. My entire family agreed that this restaurant was having an identity crisis. The outside is white plaster and bright paint, with a drive-through window. The inside is high wooden chairs and marble top tables with small tea lights to eat by. Grecian busts and urns are up on high plaster valences, and they serve your foil-wrapped food over gold-lacquered charger plates. What an oddity! Is this a fast food place, or a sit-down restaurant? Either way, I loved my gyro."
That's a fluent post from a precocious student and I think fans of Thanassos' cooking and decor will appreciate her wonderment.
Evaluate Thanassos' gyros and lots more at 4511 Youree Dr, Shreveport, 71105 - (318) 219-0027. And I will be zatzikied if you post your favorite Yeero items in the Comments section below.
Honk Tonk Angels rockin at Shreveport Little Theater
Honky Tonk Angels is a Shreveport Little Theater country music-based evening currently packing them in at the Margaret Place theater, says guest director Janice Nelson.
The musical review features Shae Carson as Angela-a wife and mother of two from Texas, Jennifer Jackson as Darlene-a young woman from the hills of West Virginia and Mandy Perdue as Sue Ellen-a divorcee and career woman from Los Angeles. Guest director is Janice Nelson. D.J. Harman is musical director/piano. Band members are Chris Allen, bass guitar, Mark Eubanks, drums, Darren Thorne, lead guitar, Tim Nicholson, fiddle and Pat Smith, steel guitar. Others in the production crew include Mike Jarrett, set construction, David White, light design, Jenifer Akers, stage manager, Jack Shields, sound engineer, Laura Wolfe, light board operator, Briggs Mobley and Alex Akers, spotlight operators.
SLT has added one additional performance date to Honky Tonk, which is a musical comedy by Ted Swindley, the author of Always…Patsy Cline. The additional performance date is Thursday July 21, 2005 at 8:00 PM. Remaining previously announced dates are July 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 2005 at 8:00 PM and July 10, 17, 24, 2005 at 2:00 PM.
All tickets are $20 and are on sale now. For reservations call the box office at 318-424-4439. The box office is open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekdays. Box office reopens one hour prior to curtain on performance days.
The musical review features Shae Carson as Angela-a wife and mother of two from Texas, Jennifer Jackson as Darlene-a young woman from the hills of West Virginia and Mandy Perdue as Sue Ellen-a divorcee and career woman from Los Angeles. Guest director is Janice Nelson. D.J. Harman is musical director/piano. Band members are Chris Allen, bass guitar, Mark Eubanks, drums, Darren Thorne, lead guitar, Tim Nicholson, fiddle and Pat Smith, steel guitar. Others in the production crew include Mike Jarrett, set construction, David White, light design, Jenifer Akers, stage manager, Jack Shields, sound engineer, Laura Wolfe, light board operator, Briggs Mobley and Alex Akers, spotlight operators.
SLT has added one additional performance date to Honky Tonk, which is a musical comedy by Ted Swindley, the author of Always…Patsy Cline. The additional performance date is Thursday July 21, 2005 at 8:00 PM. Remaining previously announced dates are July 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 2005 at 8:00 PM and July 10, 17, 24, 2005 at 2:00 PM.
All tickets are $20 and are on sale now. For reservations call the box office at 318-424-4439. The box office is open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekdays. Box office reopens one hour prior to curtain on performance days.
Singin in the Rain dress rehearsal at First United Methodist Performing Arts Center: "It's a great production"
"Loren Demerath can dance, sing, act; he can do it all," said local theater enthusiast Talbot Hopkins Trudeau after watching the dress rehearsal of Singin in the Rain at Performing Arts Center. "And Anna Maria Sparke Keel is really, really good at musicals," she observed. "So is Trey Jackson!"
The PAC production of Singin in the Rain is based on the MGM film. This version, with a cast of over 30 players, is directed by Ryan Williams. Choreography is by Ginger Folmer. The musical conductor is Will Andress. There's a 16-piece orchestra in the pit and many of the players are members of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
The Singin producer is Will Andress. Technical design - it's Hollywood, 1927 - is by Josh Porter. Stage managers are Leia Robichaux and Laura Beeman.
Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm, says Kass Gray.
At this point in the summer, local theater is popping. The PAC program was generous in printing the box office numbers of what you might call their competition, MLP and SLT. Yet it's apparent that each production has its own niche.
Comedy of Errors and Macbeth are unfolding at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse: 869-5242. And Honky Tonk Angels is rocking at Shreveport Little Theater:
424-4439.
The PAC production of Singin in the Rain is based on the MGM film. This version, with a cast of over 30 players, is directed by Ryan Williams. Choreography is by Ginger Folmer. The musical conductor is Will Andress. There's a 16-piece orchestra in the pit and many of the players are members of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
The Singin producer is Will Andress. Technical design - it's Hollywood, 1927 - is by Josh Porter. Stage managers are Leia Robichaux and Laura Beeman.
Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm, says Kass Gray.
At this point in the summer, local theater is popping. The PAC program was generous in printing the box office numbers of what you might call their competition, MLP and SLT. Yet it's apparent that each production has its own niche.
Comedy of Errors and Macbeth are unfolding at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse: 869-5242. And Honky Tonk Angels is rocking at Shreveport Little Theater:
424-4439.
Scan the city for incidents: Brodsky's IncidentLog.com combines police and fire dept feeds with Google maps
Scott Brodsky has delivered one killer app, as we say, in an online service. It's called Incidentlog.com.
He has combined data from Shreveport's police department and fire department with Google maps to give viewers a fascinating look at what's happening across town.
"The Shreveport feeds are refreshed hourly," says Brodsky. " Users can also search by street and setup alerts to be notified when events happen on streets they wish to monitor."
What's the origin of this astouding service? Brodsky says "Incidentlog.com was formed in February '05 as a hobby and currently has a database of over one million incidents and has over 50 national feeds continuously updated to a central database. Future additions will include city-based RSS police/fire/911 feeds, and radius-searching. Thanks!"
He has combined data from Shreveport's police department and fire department with Google maps to give viewers a fascinating look at what's happening across town.
"The Shreveport feeds are refreshed hourly," says Brodsky. " Users can also search by street and setup alerts to be notified when events happen on streets they wish to monitor."
What's the origin of this astouding service? Brodsky says "Incidentlog.com was formed in February '05 as a hobby and currently has a database of over one million incidents and has over 50 national feeds continuously updated to a central database. Future additions will include city-based RSS police/fire/911 feeds, and radius-searching. Thanks!"
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Burning Spear revival at Artspace, Sun, July 17, 6 to 9 pm; features a 50-gallon drumful of performers
The Burning Spear Revival is to be a celebration of the original poetry, song, food and fellowship of The Burning Spear Cafe, once located at 205 Wall Street near Stoner and Marshall streets, says Artspace.
Hosted by Gordon Nurse and Alan Dyson, it will take place Sunday, July 17th, from 6-9 pm, at
Artspace, 710 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.
Dyson notes, "The Spear became, for a time, a pregnant environment for emerging songwriters, poets, and performance artists. Many moved from cutting their artistic teeth to become some of the area's strongest and most prolific artists."
Dyson continues, impassionedly, "It was a time of artistic experimentation, great Caribbean cuisine, and good clean fun! It was marked by multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-disciplinary harmony. Just what the world should be."
Featuring:
Amelia Blake
Michael Barker
Michael Reed Barker
Greg Williams
Dirty Red
Pat McCoy
Noma Fowler-Sandlin
Hip
Melissa
Karl Leach
Heather Romero
Blue Martin
Michael Westbrook
Scott Griffin
Gordon Nurse
Alan Dyson
and more.
$5.00 admission
Hosted by Gordon Nurse and Alan Dyson, it will take place Sunday, July 17th, from 6-9 pm, at
Artspace, 710 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.
Dyson notes, "The Spear became, for a time, a pregnant environment for emerging songwriters, poets, and performance artists. Many moved from cutting their artistic teeth to become some of the area's strongest and most prolific artists."
Dyson continues, impassionedly, "It was a time of artistic experimentation, great Caribbean cuisine, and good clean fun! It was marked by multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-disciplinary harmony. Just what the world should be."
Featuring:
Amelia Blake
Michael Barker
Michael Reed Barker
Greg Williams
Dirty Red
Pat McCoy
Noma Fowler-Sandlin
Hip
Melissa
Karl Leach
Heather Romero
Blue Martin
Michael Westbrook
Scott Griffin
Gordon Nurse
Alan Dyson
and more.
$5.00 admission
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Synthesis at Artspace: the Dia de Los Muertos Robot by Michael Neal Phillips
If you take your kids to Artspace to enjoy art projects, one of the professionals you'll encounter is the painter-sculptor Michael Neal Phillips. He seems to be making the transition between the Robots exhibit and the coming Dia de Los Muertos show with this piece.
Like the kids, he sat on the floor with colored chalk and brown paper to fashion this graceful piece. SRAC's Sharon Bennett told me that "Michael had one of the 'cadets' pose for the outline of the figure. It is a model for one of the projects that will be done during DIA."
Like the kids, he sat on the floor with colored chalk and brown paper to fashion this graceful piece. SRAC's Sharon Bennett told me that "Michael had one of the 'cadets' pose for the outline of the figure. It is a model for one of the projects that will be done during DIA."
New fountain and food review for Matthew Linn's Columbia Cafe
Columbia Cafe owner Matthew Linn is happy about two things this month: the completion of the fountain designed and fabricated by Leonard Service, and a positive food review by New Orleans food writer Robert D Peyton. The Crescent City blogger compares Columbia to Upperline and Clancy's, at least in its appearance. He loved the haddock and beers, among several items.
Linn is flagging his live Brazilian flamenco music on Tuesdays, pianist Lisa Daye Wednesdays, Christian Simeon on guitar Thursdays and piano player Drew Ley on the weekend. There is a lengthy happy hour - 2 pm to 7 pm - that I've recently heard recommended by an architect and a Centenary professor.
Linn is flagging his live Brazilian flamenco music on Tuesdays, pianist Lisa Daye Wednesdays, Christian Simeon on guitar Thursdays and piano player Drew Ley on the weekend. There is a lengthy happy hour - 2 pm to 7 pm - that I've recently heard recommended by an architect and a Centenary professor.
Cooking as art: Pan de Muerto to be part of Artspace show, Dia de Los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos, the Artspace celebration being planned by a multi-cultural SRAC panel, will send the bakers to their ovens to make Pan de Muerto. It is a frosted bread and a classic element of Dia partying.
The panel was treated to a taste of pan from the oven of Maria Montano Murphy, a woman born in Guadalahara, in Mexico's state of Jalisco. About her heritage she said, "My cooking pans and even my mom's coffee cup have become part of the Mexican display at the Multi-Cultural center of the South.
The Times has a helpful article about the Multi-Cultural Center of the South, on Travis Street."
More M-CCS info: 424-1380.
The panel was treated to a taste of pan from the oven of Maria Montano Murphy, a woman born in Guadalahara, in Mexico's state of Jalisco. About her heritage she said, "My cooking pans and even my mom's coffee cup have become part of the Mexican display at the Multi-Cultural center of the South.
The Times has a helpful article about the Multi-Cultural Center of the South, on Travis Street."
More M-CCS info: 424-1380.
Longview Museum of Art includes Dennis O Bryant in Juror's Choice Show
Dennis O Bryant's painting, Sacrifice With Yellow, and his sculpture, Delicate I, have been accepted by the Longview Musuem of Art for their Juror's Choice show.
O Bryant, once a Shreveporter, lives and works in a historic Marshall, TX, house. He will show work at Columbia Cafe in September and is, he says, rather looking forward to it.
O Bryant, once a Shreveporter, lives and works in a historic Marshall, TX, house. He will show work at Columbia Cafe in September and is, he says, rather looking forward to it.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Janet Wolfe: ofrendas to be painted and decorated for Dia de Los Muertos
Janet and husband Sir Kevin Wolfe are SRAC's production leaders for the transformation of Artspace into a center for celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. She is holding the small model of a monument ofrendas, one type of shrine appropriate to the display. The framework will be painted brightly and decorated with flowers and items symbolic of a beloved relative or friend.
Artists are at work on ofrendas for the Artspace show, which will run from Sept. 9 to Nov. 5, says Pam Atchison, chief of the offenders.
Would you like to participate? Please see more at SptBlog.
Artists are at work on ofrendas for the Artspace show, which will run from Sept. 9 to Nov. 5, says Pam Atchison, chief of the offenders.
Would you like to participate? Please see more at SptBlog.
New book, local author: Doormats and Control Freaks by Rebekah Lewis
Doormats & Control Freaks / How to Recognize, Heal or End Codependent Relationships is a new book by Shreveport teacher and writer Rebekah Lewis.
Having taught one of her sons, Corey, this past year, I can vouch for the personal quality of this young author and for the product of her work, her 14 year-old. Lewis holds Master’s degrees in Psychology and Education and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Psychology at Centenary College of Louisiana, says New Horizon Press.
She is currently working on her second book, a chronicle of her experiences teaching in a troubled school.
Informally, she admits that pushing her first book will not be entirely easy. " I am somewhat shy, so getting out there to promote myself and make new friends is difficult for me, but I'm learning."
Having taught one of her sons, Corey, this past year, I can vouch for the personal quality of this young author and for the product of her work, her 14 year-old. Lewis holds Master’s degrees in Psychology and Education and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Psychology at Centenary College of Louisiana, says New Horizon Press.
She is currently working on her second book, a chronicle of her experiences teaching in a troubled school.
Informally, she admits that pushing her first book will not be entirely easy. " I am somewhat shy, so getting out there to promote myself and make new friends is difficult for me, but I'm learning."
Monday, July 11, 2005
How dangerous is the practice of blogging?
20,000 new blogs are created daily, according to Gannett News Service. By the end of the year the blog trackers expect that there will be some 10 million US blogs.
The classic question is, "If everyone's busy posting, then who's reading?" The Pew Internet & Family Life Project - is that an oxymoron? - estimates that some 32 million Americans read blogs, "a 58% jump in 2004."
Warning: Your Blog Could Get You Fired is a Times story from the wire about people getting into inadvertent trouble with their personal blogs vis-a-vis their employers. Sadly enough, I know of 3 local brouhahas of that type in the past 6 months.
SptBlog would like to hear about your blogosphere. Use the Comments or email to tell me about your blogs or your blog consumption.
The classic question is, "If everyone's busy posting, then who's reading?" The Pew Internet & Family Life Project - is that an oxymoron? - estimates that some 32 million Americans read blogs, "a 58% jump in 2004."
Warning: Your Blog Could Get You Fired is a Times story from the wire about people getting into inadvertent trouble with their personal blogs vis-a-vis their employers. Sadly enough, I know of 3 local brouhahas of that type in the past 6 months.
SptBlog would like to hear about your blogosphere. Use the Comments or email to tell me about your blogs or your blog consumption.
Chris Alexander opens for Ezeetiger and Le Flange du Mal at Tipitina's Foundation Mon, July 11, 9 pmish
Chris Alexander is a singer and recording maven who has entertained the local troops as St Marvin Cristomas and as singer for SpiderMidgetBitchFrog. He is also a fluent visual artist, as you will see at his whythehellnot.org site.
Soon to release a solo CD called Tracking in Mud, Alexander will play alongside West coast acts Ezeetiger and Le Flange du Mal at the Bat Cave, Tipitina's Foundation, says David Nelson. Read more about the Bay Area artists at KimoSciotic Records. More info: 934-0000.
Soon to release a solo CD called Tracking in Mud, Alexander will play alongside West coast acts Ezeetiger and Le Flange du Mal at the Bat Cave, Tipitina's Foundation, says David Nelson. Read more about the Bay Area artists at KimoSciotic Records. More info: 934-0000.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Black Arts Fest, Milam St side of the Municipal Auditorium: African clothing from Amadou Diallo
Bags, dresses, jackets, African fabrics, dance costumes: some of the above you will find in the ebullient Amadou Diallo's street boutique at the NW la Black Arts Fest.
What you don't find you may have designed and produced by the Senegalese tailor. His card reads "Master tailor: dialloafricanwf@hotmail.com." This is not the Diallo who caught 41 bullets from NYC police when he reached for his wallet, but the one alive and well in Dallas at 214-202-3738.
For more faces from the 2005 NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest, please see ShreveportTwo.
What you don't find you may have designed and produced by the Senegalese tailor. His card reads "Master tailor: dialloafricanwf@hotmail.com." This is not the Diallo who caught 41 bullets from NYC police when he reached for his wallet, but the one alive and well in Dallas at 214-202-3738.
For more faces from the 2005 NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest, please see ShreveportTwo.
NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest: singer Neverlyn Townsel and Fellowship Ensemble at 4 pm
Neverlyn Townsel is a gracious and graceful poet, storyteller and singer. Today at 4 pm she will join Fellowship Ensemble at the Black Arts Fest, Milam St at the Municipal Auditorium, to sing and testify.
The Black Arts Fest is also a place to eat, to enjoy kid entertainment and to stroll among artists' displays. Please see the schedule here.
Numerous names and stories of the fest were captured by writer Mary Jiminez in the Times.
The Black Arts Fest is also a place to eat, to enjoy kid entertainment and to stroll among artists' displays. Please see the schedule here.
Numerous names and stories of the fest were captured by writer Mary Jiminez in the Times.
Black Arts Fest continues Sunday, July 10, 1:30 to 8 pm at Municipal Auditorium
Kumaasi African Ensemble from Dallas enlivened the first day of the NW Louisiana Black Arts Festival. Above, a dancer wipes the head of the kora player, the griot. The fest continues today . . .
1:30 p.m.: Invasion, gospel music.
2:30 p.m.: Inter City Row Cultural Arts Institute, dance.
3 p.m.: New Dimension Brass Quartet, music.
4 p.m.: singer Neverlyn Townsel and the Fellowship Ensemble, music.
5 p.m.: Ena/Meschellaneous, poetry.
5:30 p.m.: G.C.R. Showband, variety music.
Inside the Municipal Auditorium:
8 p.m.: Bobby “Blue” Bland concert, with Freddie Pierson and Intimate Moments and local blues singer Jimmy Lynch. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Mainstage is aside the parking lot between Oakland Cemetary and the Municipal. I highly recommend visits to the fest because Saturday attendance was low and the pace was slow and conversations lovely; it was intimate.
1:30 p.m.: Invasion, gospel music.
2:30 p.m.: Inter City Row Cultural Arts Institute, dance.
3 p.m.: New Dimension Brass Quartet, music.
4 p.m.: singer Neverlyn Townsel and the Fellowship Ensemble, music.
5 p.m.: Ena/Meschellaneous, poetry.
5:30 p.m.: G.C.R. Showband, variety music.
Inside the Municipal Auditorium:
8 p.m.: Bobby “Blue” Bland concert, with Freddie Pierson and Intimate Moments and local blues singer Jimmy Lynch. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Mainstage is aside the parking lot between Oakland Cemetary and the Municipal. I highly recommend visits to the fest because Saturday attendance was low and the pace was slow and conversations lovely; it was intimate.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Michael A. Smith, Toothpickman, exhibits at NW La Black Arts Fest Sat & Sun, July 9 & 10
New Orleanian Michael A. Smith, aka Toothpickman, will present his toothpick-based art at the NW La Black Arts Fest, says producer Bill Scott. Find him in the Municipal Auditorium both Sat and Sun.
Michael and companion are both wearing toothpickman jewelry creations. Please see more at Toothpickman.com.
Michael and companion are both wearing toothpickman jewelry creations. Please see more at Toothpickman.com.
The witches of Macbeth wail at MLP Sat, July 9, as well as July 21, 23
The witches emerge as seers and taunters and as estimable forces in Macbeth. In the current MLP production the supernatural trio is led by the tall, articulate and gymnastic Charity Schubert. Her partners are effective, too. They are Joy Guttierez and Christine Fortson.
This modern Macbeth is capably directed by Heather Peak, with light and scenic design by Don Hooper. Fight choregographer is Andy Shaw and vocal coach is Jodie Glorioso.
Tickets: 869-5242. See more info at Centenary.edu/news.
Also, see Times writer Alex Kent's review. In it he asks for readers' comments on the production, which is a precedent-breaking bit of progress at the daily.
At SptBlog we do not allow comments to be made on any artistic matters at any time by anyone. Sorry!
This modern Macbeth is capably directed by Heather Peak, with light and scenic design by Don Hooper. Fight choregographer is Andy Shaw and vocal coach is Jodie Glorioso.
Tickets: 869-5242. See more info at Centenary.edu/news.
Also, see Times writer Alex Kent's review. In it he asks for readers' comments on the production, which is a precedent-breaking bit of progress at the daily.
At SptBlog we do not allow comments to be made on any artistic matters at any time by anyone. Sorry!
NW La Black Arts Fest Sat and Sun, July 9 & 10; mainstage at corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd
Chief Jimo Buraimoh and Rosie James chatted at a reception for the Nigerian artist on the eve of the NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest. Buraimoh's corful paintings fill Bill Scott's Kuumba Gallery on Texas Street, adjacent to the courthouse.
The fest's musical, dancical mainstage is at the corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. A number of art exhibits and performances will take place in the Municipal Auditorium, says Scott, who is producer - via Achievement Through Art, Inc - of this inaugural event.
Please see more on SptBlog.
The fest's musical, dancical mainstage is at the corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. A number of art exhibits and performances will take place in the Municipal Auditorium, says Scott, who is producer - via Achievement Through Art, Inc - of this inaugural event.
Please see more on SptBlog.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Modern Macbeth at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College, July 7 - 9, 21 and 23
On opening night of MLP's Macbeth, Patrick Kirton, tall and clear of voice, traveled from the place where a man has a conscience to the murderous land that inspires the "sound and fury" soliloquy. It was a convincing journey.
This contemporary production of Macbeth picked up energy by discarding historic accents (admittedly, the lesser players could not hide their Arklatexan accents) and by its contemporary garb (though the use of the Twister game seemed a misstep).
Lady Macbeth is played by the fluent Susan Kirton. The Kirtons are capably aided by Charity Schubert, the most athletic and vivid of the 3 hags.
Director Heather Peak's Macbeth is a study of power mongers and the thrilling, nasty possibilities that lie within their grasp. In her hands Macbeth seems a worthy modern tale. That mood is reinforced by Don Hooper's smartly skeletal set.
Alas that she uses recorded music instead of music made by breathing humans present in the building.
Alas that the uneven quality of the company has to be negotiated by the audience. Happily, a number of the lesser roles are strengthened by yeoman players such as Richard Folmer, Dick King and Haley Young.
This company's Macbeth may not be proclaimed a stellar moment for MLP. Nevertheless I recommend this evening of entertainment. The bracing nature of Shakespeare and the steely risk of live theater presented by competent players is a foil to the petty pace of our lives.
Tickets: 869-5242. And more detail on the production: writer Jennifer Flowers.
This contemporary production of Macbeth picked up energy by discarding historic accents (admittedly, the lesser players could not hide their Arklatexan accents) and by its contemporary garb (though the use of the Twister game seemed a misstep).
Lady Macbeth is played by the fluent Susan Kirton. The Kirtons are capably aided by Charity Schubert, the most athletic and vivid of the 3 hags.
Director Heather Peak's Macbeth is a study of power mongers and the thrilling, nasty possibilities that lie within their grasp. In her hands Macbeth seems a worthy modern tale. That mood is reinforced by Don Hooper's smartly skeletal set.
Alas that she uses recorded music instead of music made by breathing humans present in the building.
Alas that the uneven quality of the company has to be negotiated by the audience. Happily, a number of the lesser roles are strengthened by yeoman players such as Richard Folmer, Dick King and Haley Young.
This company's Macbeth may not be proclaimed a stellar moment for MLP. Nevertheless I recommend this evening of entertainment. The bracing nature of Shakespeare and the steely risk of live theater presented by competent players is a foil to the petty pace of our lives.
Tickets: 869-5242. And more detail on the production: writer Jennifer Flowers.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Christian Simeon, solo: Columbia Cafe, Th, July 7
Contending for the regional title of Hardest Working Man In Show Business is Christian Simeon, singer for the band Outlaw Nation as well as a solo act. Catch him on his own Thursday, July 7, at Columbia Cafe, 3030 Creswell, 425-3862. Friday he will return to Moxie Java in Bossier City, 2001 Airline Drive, 752-0560.
See more at Outlawnationmusic.net.
See more at Outlawnationmusic.net.
Singin in the Rain opens July 15 at Performing Arts Center / tickets 429-6885
Kass Gray, of the Performing Arts Center, First United Methodist Church, says of Singin in the Rain, " This is the first time this production has appeared in the Shreveport/Bossier area. We expect a sellout."
Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm.
Thanks to director Ryan Williams for the Jackson/Keele/Demerath photo.
Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm.
Thanks to director Ryan Williams for the Jackson/Keele/Demerath photo.
SRAC call to artists: Dia de Los Muertos exhibit proposals due August 5
Dia de Los Muertos is the fantastical Mexican celebration of All Saints and All Souls called Day of the Dead. Form September 9 to November 5, says Pam Atchison, head of Shreveport regional Arts Council, Artspace will be filled with the art of Dia: ofrendas and happy skeletons made by regional artists.
"Artists should make a quick response to us," says Atchison about the Dia proposals. See the apps at Shrevearts.org. More info: 673-6500.
The illustration comes from Nancy Walkup's (formerly Nancy Reynolds) extensive collection. See one of her Dia summaries and lessons at the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts.
"Artists should make a quick response to us," says Atchison about the Dia proposals. See the apps at Shrevearts.org. More info: 673-6500.
The illustration comes from Nancy Walkup's (formerly Nancy Reynolds) extensive collection. See one of her Dia summaries and lessons at the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts.
Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport; site of Louisiana Hayride / NW la Black Arts Fest July 9 and 10 / photo Neil Johnson
Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, the NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest will use parts of the venerable Municipal Auditorium.
The panoramic photo comes from Neil Johnson with the notation that the dressing room on the left was used by Elvis.
The Memphian appeared on the Louisiana Hayride on 52 occasions between 16 October, 1954 and 15 December, 1956, according to ElvisInfoNet.com. .
The panoramic photo comes from Neil Johnson with the notation that the dressing room on the left was used by Elvis.
The Memphian appeared on the Louisiana Hayride on 52 occasions between 16 October, 1954 and 15 December, 1956, according to ElvisInfoNet.com. .
Chris Jay, dba King Hippo: final Hippo show at 516 Soundstage Friday, July 8
Media maven Chris Jay makes music both on record - as part of the Pillage People - and in live, rappin' shows. Calls himself King Hippo. But his Friday night show at 516 Soundstage may be his last, if press wrangler Brett Roman has it right.
Having sniffed the possibility of a Farewell Tour, artspace poetry coordinator Mimsy Borogroves has issued Monsieur Hippo an invitation: "I think King Hippo shouuld come do a reading, sans funky beats." That's an invite to the poetry reading at artspace Thursday, July 7.
Wht'up, Hip, wit' yo' media manipulation tha'ng.
Having sniffed the possibility of a Farewell Tour, artspace poetry coordinator Mimsy Borogroves has issued Monsieur Hippo an invitation: "I think King Hippo shouuld come do a reading, sans funky beats." That's an invite to the poetry reading at artspace Thursday, July 7.
Wht'up, Hip, wit' yo' media manipulation tha'ng.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
2005 NW Louisiana Black Arts Festival July 9 & 10, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport
Nigerian artist Jimo Buraimoh, says the October Gallery, is a "highly influential artist whose work developed out of the so-called 'Oshogbo School' and who is important as the first artist to begin to use beads to compose the vibrant colour blocks of his work." Catch Buraimoh at the first NW La Black Arts Fest Saturday and Sunday.
See also dance, poetry, art demonstrations, music ranging from the New Dimensions Brass Quartet (Sun, 3 pm) to a Bobby Blue Bland concert (Sun, 8 pm) at the free festival. Most entertainment will take place at Mainstage, corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. Displays and artists will be inside the Municipal Auditorium, says producer Bill Scott. There will be a Buraimoh installation at Scott's Kuumba Gallery on Texas St near the courthouse.
The 2-day event is produced by Achievement Through Art, Inc.
See also dance, poetry, art demonstrations, music ranging from the New Dimensions Brass Quartet (Sun, 3 pm) to a Bobby Blue Bland concert (Sun, 8 pm) at the free festival. Most entertainment will take place at Mainstage, corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. Displays and artists will be inside the Municipal Auditorium, says producer Bill Scott. There will be a Buraimoh installation at Scott's Kuumba Gallery on Texas St near the courthouse.
The 2-day event is produced by Achievement Through Art, Inc.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
516 Soundstage presents: the absurd Vidrines along with ironic King Hippo, sarcastic Mars Vegas and inscrutable Red Shift, Friday, July 8 / all ages
These unutterably utopian musicians are strapping themselves into wired chairs each evening this week, I'm told by 516 Soundstage owner Mark Goff, getting ready for this show. They are, says the bearish host, charging their credit cards, amping their bivalves and electrolytically primping for the big night.
Please stay tuned for a review of the Vidrines album and more on this show from SptBlog. The poster, by the way, is by Brett Roman, bassist and assistant principal for Mars Vegas.
Please stay tuned for a review of the Vidrines album and more on this show from SptBlog. The poster, by the way, is by Brett Roman, bassist and assistant principal for Mars Vegas.
Artspace/Coolspace show Saturday, July 9, at 8 pm: Dossett, Joseph and Stutes as Jr III
Jr. III will play coolspace, the performance and gallery space in artspace, on Saturday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. Admission to the all-ages show is $5.00.
Playing together for the last three years, what Jr. III does is improvisational in nature, creating a blues-driven North Louisiana sound with literate, poetic lyrics, according to artspace.
Jr. III is Curtis Joseph, Jr. on drums, Weldon Stutes, Jr. on upright bass and Stanton Dossett III on guitar and vocals.
Curtis is a native Shreveporter who played, recorded and toured with a New Orleanian jazz quartet called Idletime for a couple of years before moving back to Shreveport to start a family. He brings a strong jazz influence to the music of Jr. III.
Weldon was a part of the Austin music scene before moving to Marshall, TX with his wife and kids four years ago. He’s a classically trained bassist who also recorded and toured with bands playing everything from Texas swing to Sex Pistols covers.
Stanton, also a native Shreveporter (who was gone for 16 years), played old acoustic solo blues for 20 years while also studying and then making poetry and experimental theater pieces.
Artspace is located at 710 Texas Street in the West Edge Arts District of downtown Shreveport. For more information about Jr. III in concert, or the continuing Art of Robots Exhibit, please call 673-6535.
Playing together for the last three years, what Jr. III does is improvisational in nature, creating a blues-driven North Louisiana sound with literate, poetic lyrics, according to artspace.
Jr. III is Curtis Joseph, Jr. on drums, Weldon Stutes, Jr. on upright bass and Stanton Dossett III on guitar and vocals.
Curtis is a native Shreveporter who played, recorded and toured with a New Orleanian jazz quartet called Idletime for a couple of years before moving back to Shreveport to start a family. He brings a strong jazz influence to the music of Jr. III.
Weldon was a part of the Austin music scene before moving to Marshall, TX with his wife and kids four years ago. He’s a classically trained bassist who also recorded and toured with bands playing everything from Texas swing to Sex Pistols covers.
Stanton, also a native Shreveporter (who was gone for 16 years), played old acoustic solo blues for 20 years while also studying and then making poetry and experimental theater pieces.
Artspace is located at 710 Texas Street in the West Edge Arts District of downtown Shreveport. For more information about Jr. III in concert, or the continuing Art of Robots Exhibit, please call 673-6535.
Cruise historic Cross Bayou / 12 Mile Bayou via Spirit of the Red Cruise boat, docked below SciPort
A riverine journey on the Red this weekend reminded us of the importance of enjoying a historic tour of our downtown waterways. Here's a review of the cruise that I found under Yahoo.com Travel: "The Spirit of the Red River Cruise on Shreveport, Louisiana's riverfront is well worth a trip to the port city.
The operator, Sam Flood, is funny and interesting. I learned the first floating sea vessel was a turtle. Go figure.
For the small fee of $12, the hour-long cruise kept my attention and that of my fellow guests. On the scenic tour down the Red River, we saw blue heron birds, alligators sunning themselves, snakes, and lots of wildlife.
We also learned about Shreveport and Bossier City's colorful history. I highly recommend the cruise."
Call Sam at 318-424-3576. The Spirit of the Red, air conditioned and comfortable regardless of the day, is docked at 821 Clyde Fant Pkwy, across from Sci-Port Discovery Center.
We found Flood's excursion through Cross Bayou a fascinating addition to the river gambit. Friday, Saturday and Sunday there are one-hour tours at 10 am, noon and 2 pm and 4 pm, according to Sam. The fee is $10 for adults, $4 for kinder. There are charters, too: SciPort.org. says the cost is $6 for teachers, chaperones and students who are above the age of 13.
The operator, Sam Flood, is funny and interesting. I learned the first floating sea vessel was a turtle. Go figure.
For the small fee of $12, the hour-long cruise kept my attention and that of my fellow guests. On the scenic tour down the Red River, we saw blue heron birds, alligators sunning themselves, snakes, and lots of wildlife.
We also learned about Shreveport and Bossier City's colorful history. I highly recommend the cruise."
Call Sam at 318-424-3576. The Spirit of the Red, air conditioned and comfortable regardless of the day, is docked at 821 Clyde Fant Pkwy, across from Sci-Port Discovery Center.
We found Flood's excursion through Cross Bayou a fascinating addition to the river gambit. Friday, Saturday and Sunday there are one-hour tours at 10 am, noon and 2 pm and 4 pm, according to Sam. The fee is $10 for adults, $4 for kinder. There are charters, too: SciPort.org. says the cost is $6 for teachers, chaperones and students who are above the age of 13.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Visit the lithosphere in the Red River District 1 pm to 11 pm, Monday, July 4
America in the summer of 2005. Graphic artist Amber Thrasher grabs us with a snapshot of a summer show-off chick: streaked hair, bared belly, micro miniskirt, spaghetti strap top. On July 4 the grrls want to rock, right?
Thrasher's independent graphic work is in logos, posters and flyers, and she's soon to finish a degree from Westwood College Online. She told me, "I love art and have since I was a kid. I decided to go into graphic design because I knew that it would be something that I would look forward to waking up and doing everyday! Loving what I do is important to me for myself and my customers."
The Rock the District event was organized by Tanya Shelton, says the Times, and features a picnic tableful of fried music: there's country, metal, blues, hard and even southern rock.
Another design note: I like the Jessica Leigh photo of Reflections Burn in the Times link. It tries to answer the question How do you capture the kineticism of a young rock band?
Thrasher's independent graphic work is in logos, posters and flyers, and she's soon to finish a degree from Westwood College Online. She told me, "I love art and have since I was a kid. I decided to go into graphic design because I knew that it would be something that I would look forward to waking up and doing everyday! Loving what I do is important to me for myself and my customers."
The Rock the District event was organized by Tanya Shelton, says the Times, and features a picnic tableful of fried music: there's country, metal, blues, hard and even southern rock.
Another design note: I like the Jessica Leigh photo of Reflections Burn in the Times link. It tries to answer the question How do you capture the kineticism of a young rock band?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)