Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Cameron Meshell, David Deaton, Dirtfoot, Julieann Banks, etc: Mass Acoustication 05 on Oct 15, 516 Texas

Organizer and drummer Chad Morgan says of this acoustic music fest and art site: "Ok, it's shaping up to be a pretty d*** good show. The artwork is being processed for the t-shirts, we've got a great line-up, and I'm about to start tossing out flyers."

If you'd like to be involved, whistle CDMorgan@gmail.com.

It is a benefit for NW La Food Bank.

Monday, September 26, 2005

3-story Santana being aired at SciPort in conjunction with the Red River Revel


Santana
Originally uploaded by RazingCulture.
A huge downtown, indoor pop concert will air Revel week, employing a 15,000 watt sound system, says Eric Gipson. The show, All Access, is a tribute to the 70 mm film experience.

NYTimes reviewer Stephen Holder said it "has the feel of an illustrious all-star benefit concert as experienced from the godlike perspective of being able to float a few feet above a prime seat near the front of the orchestra. The deep surround-sound acoustics and panoramic visuals match or surpass anything you could experience in a concert hall, even when equipped with high-powered binoculars."

All Access is to be presented in the 3-story dome-screened IMax Theater at SciPort.

The concert will be shown to the public throughout Revel Week, Oct. 1 - 8, says Gipson, Sci-Port Public Relations Manager. Find him at (318) 424-8678 or egipson@sciport.org.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Centenary Film Society: Charlotte Rampling and other exotic beings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm


Charlotte Rampling publicity shot
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
Charlotte Rampling might well be the poster girl of the Centenary Film Society (CFS). She has made her name via dark roles, time-burnished beauty and career longevity. She's successful without being a household name in the US.

Guided by profs Bruce Allen and Jeff Hendrix, the CFS presents foreign and independent films for students and the entire city. The movies are free and fit neatly into the week's open pockets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm. But there are variables in the schedule, so check the web site.

More info: Humanities Department, 869-5254 between 8:30 - 3:00 M-F. Or email
Ashley Moss, Student Director, Centenary Film Society, at amoss@centenary.edu.

The college was scheduled to reopen Tues, Sept 27, following the storm break.

Dance aid for evacuees at Missy Hornbeak's Danceworx Studio


Flying (& Kicking)
Originally uploaded by Janusfinder.
Missy Hornbeak is a successful and vibrant dance teacher whose Bossier studio is called Danceworx. She writes "I am offering 2 months of free classes to hurricane victims to keep up their dance technique." She adds, " They can also enroll in something new. And I will take beginners, too." No shoes or tights? Worry not; she says simply wear something comfortable.

Call Missy at Danceworx Dance Studio, Bossier City, at 747-3950. She's at 2387 Airline Drive. Or email her at danceworx_missy@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Lysistrata at MLP: Peak and Hooper production Sept 22 to Sept 24, 8 pm / photo Don Echols

Marjorie Lyons Playhouse opens a new season, indeed, a new post-Busieck (the retired veteran director) era, with a comedy filled with double-entendres.

Aristophanes' anti-war, pro-feminist satire, Lysistrata, presents women who speak out. They have the wherewithal to challenge men and their inexorable wars. The story's gambit is that the women organize a sex strike to get the attention of the warmongers.

See Lysistrata, directed by Heather Peak and with set design by Don Hooper, at MLP, Centenary College, Sept 22 to Sept 24 at 8 pm and Sept 25 at 2 pm. The run will resume Sept 29 to Oct 1 at 8 pm.

Box office: 869-5242.

Hippo King hip-hop freestyle grip at Lil Joes Sat, Sept 24, with Lumenz, T-Swft, RR, Saratoga

Chris Jay, whose hip-hop persona is King Hippo, says that Sat the 24th at Lil Joes "we're going to have five 25 minute sets of live, original hip-hop created by Louisianians, followed by a freestyle cipher (an improvisational rhyme session) involving every MC in the place. My set will be introduced by a little movie I made about Pam Grier. I hope some people will come check this unique show out."

The line-up:
King Hippo, representing Spt.
Lumenz, from everywhere.
Davenport from Barksdale, LA.
T-Swift, up from Alexandria, LA.
Revelation Rebellion representing Alexandria, LA
and an entire grip (enchilada) of freestyle DJ's.
Also, a mash-up and grime MP3 set by Saratoga.
And a video tribute to the career of Pam Grier by Hippo itself.
9 pm / $5

Harpists to blow reedy blues in the Red River District Sat, Sept 24, 8 to 12 pm


Harmonica Man
Originally uploaded by oogali.
Wet Willie's and the Red River District presents
the Shreveport Harmonica Summit, says Dan Sanchez.

The harpists:
Scotty Boy Daniel from Liberty City Missouri
Les "Boogieman" Skinner from Daphne. Alabama
Ryan Ramos from Orange County, CA

and Shreveport's own A.J. Casico

Accompanying all will be Dan Sanchez & The Kings of Pleasure and their guests, the Two Tone Blues Band.

Saturday September 24th
Red River District, Shreveport LA
8 pm - 12 pm

Your admission has been taken care of by Fatty Arbuckle's and the Body Electric, says Dan Dapper Blue Sanchez.

Movies, blues, poetry, prose and visual art at Artspace for Evacuee Artist Relief

Artists for Arts Relief at Artspace

Your presence is requested during three evenings of arts variety shows to benefit Arts Relief for Hurricane Katrina victims, says artspace host and manager Chris Fowler-Sandlin.


Thursday, September 22, 2005 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM $5.00
Nan Dozier, Poetry
Chris Alexander, Music
John F. Daniel, Theatre
Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center, Film
The Café Cats, Music
Ashley Wood, Poetry
Lip Service, Music

Friday, September 23, 2005 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM $5.00
Wendy Babiak, Poetry
The Big Positive, Music
Michael Parker, Prose
Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center, Film
Chris Alexander, Music
Ashley Mace Havird, Poetry
Buddy Flett, Music

Saturday, September 24, 2005 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM $5.00
Heather Romero, Music
Skye Creswell, Poetry
Martha Hollier, Music
Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center, Film
Jr. III, Music
Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Poetry
Alan Dyson, Music


A silent art auction will be presented on the second floor, the proceeds of which will also go to Arts Relief.

More info: SRAC at 673-6500 or Chris Fowler-Sandlin at 349-1541.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

SRACNetworkingPartyArtspace


SRACNetworking.JPG
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
Evacuees from South Louisiana and artists and organizations from across North Louisiana were greeted by locals Monday at Artspace. The room was crowded. There was a hopeful vibe in the air as artists and producers were introduced to each other.

Jennifer Akers and Scott Green of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra were among the arts groups who set up info booths. "The SSO concert this weekend was marvelous," said Akers. "Michael Butterman is so All-American, such an effective conductor and a neat guy."

Pam Atchison and the SRAC staff, including Duane Rousseau, Alicia Smith, Jennifer Azel, Ariej Alexander and more, turned Artspace into an arts wholesale center.

The Pamoja Society drum circle energized the crowd. Beats tapped out by Saladin El-Amin, Spencer Stephens, Ron Hardy and friends sparked a crew of dancers. Said one of the dancers, North Central Louisiana Arts Council's Genevieve Ress, "I've always been a dancer. This was a terrific moment in the meeting!"

Please see photos from the event at Shreveportfaces.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Minicine upstairs at 848 Texas Avenue: film, photos, solo guitar, Mon, Sept 19, 8 pm

minicine? / david nelson announces:

Four More Years 2001-2005
Roger Warren Beebe
Film & Media Studies Professor, University of Florida
Screening a selection of his personal DIY 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm films...
These films take a look at America's post modern culture and landscape, finding hidden art and humor.
rogerbeebe.

On the Walls... New Photography by New Orleans artist and evacuee Shadow Angelina.
drowningwoman.com

For your ears: solo acoustic guitar by Portland musician Adrian Orange as Thanksgiving.
http://www.marriagerecs.com/thanksgiving

848 Texas Avenue
2nd Floor (Air Conditioning & Bathrooms)*

Monday September 19
Doors Open at 8PM
Admission: $5

*This program will occur on the 2nd floor above minicine's future new space.
minicine's new space is scheduled to open in November 2005.

SRAC invites artists to Artspace for refrescos Mon. Sept 19, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

"A fun and informative evening of networking" is what Shreveport Regional Arts Council is calling their happening at Artspace Monday, Sept 19, at 5:30.

Along with local imagists SRAC is sending out a special invitation to evacuee artists and arts managers.

With the Dia de los Muertos exhibit on hold until next year, Artspace has been in limbo. This talkfest might help artists take stock and begin imagining the next chapter of the story.

More: 673-6500.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Sweet Nadines, Symphonic Jazz Summit and Danny Wilder and the New Orleanians at Java Junction

Lee Bamberg, chef and host at Java Junction announces:

All ages
Live music from Danny Wilder with musical guests from
New Orleans
Friday, September 16
7 - 10 p.m.
$5 cover

Saturday, September 17
Jazz Brunch
Featuring Symphonic Jazz Summit
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
$18/person
Includes Breakfast buffet with crepes, omelets,
beignets, fresh fruit and more. Free mimosas, says the chef.

All ages:
Saturday, September 17
Sweet Nadines (photo by Janet Maines)
7 - 10 p.m.
$5 cover.

For more info, call them at 865-9313.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Michael Butterman and the SSO embark on "artistic journey" Sat, Sept 17, 7:30 pm

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra has a new music director, Michael Butterman. The lean, young conductor is already a favorite of the SSO musicians, I'm told.

Saturday night at the Civic Theater he will inaugurate the cultural season by leading the orchestra on what he called an "artistic journey" in an interview with Times writer Jennifer Flowers.

Tickets: say hello to Daphne or Jennifer at the SSO Box Office, 227-8863, or see the ticket plan online.

My favorite new ticket feature is designed for those who don't like venturing downtown on a traffic-filled Saturday night. It's a subscription to the Saturday morning rehearsals for only $56.

Otherwise, I highly recommend the Anytime Ticket package for flexibility.

Scott Green, marketing director, says "Don't put off buying your Symphony tickets because of scheduling difficulty. Our Anytime Ticket Package provides you with six vouchers you can redeem for tickets to any concert except special events concerts. You can use all the vouchers at once, or spread them out over several concerts. To redeem them for tickets, just call in advance. We'll reserve the best seats available. Cost for the six-vouchers Anytime Tickets Package is $193.36. You get all the privileges of a season subscriber plus up to 20% off the cost of single tickets."

Dance lovers crowd festival plaza for Ballet Under the Stars, produced by Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet

Dance fans of every age and type filled the vast space under Festival Plaza's big stage canopy Saturday night.

Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, under the artistic direction of Adrienne Brooks and Kendra Feazel Meiki, brought together selected dance troupes and brought out a big slice of the art-loving public. This was the 10th annual open, free event, and SMB concessions were to be donated to Katrina evacuees, said Susan Gross.

SMB shared the stage with Louisiana Dance Theater, Cydni's School of Dance and Power and Grace.

What was the message behind such a big downtown crowd?
a) Shreveport Metro Ballet is a first-rate company. b) The city loves to watch dance.
c) Locals are ready to meet and greet after indirectly suffering through the Katrina disaster.
d) Festival Plaza is one of the city's most effective sites.


Somehow this successful event makes me think of the column on rebuilding our community by author Suzanne W. Morse in Sunday's Times. With New Orleans covered in toxic muck it behooves Shreveport and region to re-assess the quality of our survival.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

One person's storm chronicle from the French Quarter: a 5-day photo essay

Madeline Trudeau, Athens, Ohio, wrote to say "I found this link to a fotolog of a young person who lives in the French Quarter. It chronicles the experience of being in the city during the storm and the flooding afterwards. I appreciate this personal point of view. You'll see a lot of the places you've been to so many times there."

Alvaro R. Morales Villa's site has collected over 200 comments. The story is a compelling adventure and is superbly photographed. See AlvaroKodakGallery.



More readable Crescent City updates from restaurant critic / social commentator Todd Price at his A Frolic of My Own.

Shreveport Little Theater: The Nerd / photo Don Echols

The Nerd is a comedy by Larry Shue, says the Shreveport Little Theater.

The action centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a man he's never met but who saved his life on the battlefield--the visitor turning out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid "nerd" who outstays his welcome with a vengeance. One of the funniest plays ever written, an extraordinarily inventive, sidesplitting comedy, says the theater and its earnest director, Robert Darrow.

September 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.

More: 424-4439, noon to 4 pm.

Folmer and East Bank Theater: Last of the Red Hot Lovers / photo Don Echols

East Bank Theater presents Last of the Red Hot Lovers from Sept 16 to the 18th, with Sunday's performance at 2 pm.

Delighfully hilarious, witty, charming, and filled with wisdom about human nature, says the monstrously talented Richard Folmer and Richard King, who lead the cast.

There are more performances on Sept 23 and 24th.

East bank is at 630 Barksdale Boulevard
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111.
More info? (318) 741-8310

Bluesman Brian Martin opens for bluesyjazzy Dirtfoot at Noble Savage, Sat, Sept 10, 10 pm


GrisGris05
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
Matt Hazelton, singer-songwriter and meterman with Dirtfoot writes,

"Get up for some damn fine porchstompin, junkjammin, jug sippin,
jank riffin dirty groovin, growlin with DIRTFOOT!!! www.dirtfoot.com

PLUS:

Brian Martin brings his own dirty Arkansas flavor to start out the night! He's a bad man!!! Be sure to get there on time to see this guy play!

http://www.myspace.com/brianmartinmusic

Saturday September 10, 2005 - 10:00 PM
noble savage tavern, across from the Leadbelly statue on texas st
$3.00


hazelton!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Barbara Earl Thomas exhibit at Meadows Museum; Thomas to speak Sun, Sept 11, 2 pm

At Meadows Museum through Oct. 23 is an exhibit by Seattle painter Barbara Earl Thomas. Sunday afternoon at 2 pm she will give a lecture at the museum.

She was born in Seattle in 1948; she grew up in the city and attended the University of Washington where she studied with Jacob Lawrence. Her work has been included in area solo and group exhibitions for twenty-five years and has been collected by regional arts commissions, the Seattle Art Museum, and local corporations.

Thomas's paintings combine discipline with passion, says the Francine Seder Gallery of Seattle. They are carefully composed and painted egg temperas on paper. While small in scale and subdued in color, they are full of human drama with figures tossed in tumultuous seas or skies as Thomas reflects on the precarious state of a world approaching the millennium.

More: 869-5169.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Nancy Cheryll Davis, Los Angeles actress, leads cast in LSUS production of Passing, Fri, Sept 9 - Sun, Sept 11

Passing is a play by Sheri Bailey and Nancy Cheryll Davis based on the acclaimed novel by Harlem Renaissance author Nella Larsen. Passing will be presented at the LSUS University Center Theater by the Dept of Communications, says Robert Alford.

Professional Guest Artist Nancy Cheryll Davis will perform the role of Clare Kendry Bellew. Ms. Davis is the Founding Artistic Director and Producing Director of Towne Street Theatre, Los Angeles’ Premier African-American Theatre. An alumnus of the American Conservatory Theatre Professional Training Program, she received the 1997 Hollywood Naacp Best Actress Image Award For Theatre and was a Woodies Best Actress Nominee for her work at the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre.

The cast also includes Tiffany Bates, LaKeesha T. Bishop-Darty, Gordon Christy, Hope Gutierrez, Charles Montgomery, Sam Ortiz, Atonus Perry, Patti Reeves and Alan Trichell.

This production, directed by Robert Alford, will take place Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the LSUS University Center Theatre. Mature themes make the production recommendable only for ages 15 and up, says Alford.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door; $5 for groups of 5 or more, seniors, students, educators and military. Advance tickets are available at the LSUS Department of Communications, Bronson Hall, Room 309, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (797-5375). Tickets will also available at the door one hour before performance. For more information, please call 797-5283.

Blackfriars Stage Company, formerly Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, at Centenary College Sept 20 - 24

Shakespeare's Blackfriars Stage Company (formerly the Shenandaoh Shakespeare Express) will visit Centenary College Sept. 20-24 on its 2005-06 "Atomic Fission" tour, says the college.

The Company will present multiple performances of three plays: Return to the Forbidden Planet, Richard III and Much Ado About Nothing.

Tickets go on sale Sept. 6. Call Centenary’s ticket line at 318-841-7289. Prices for adults are $15; seniors, $10; and students, $8.

Audiences for these performances are composed of students who've read the play as well as teachers and adults who enjoy Shakespeare. Packed into Kilpatrick Hall, the crowd is hyper-aware of the humor in each play. Expect the Blackfriars to offer fast and lighthearted productions.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Lipservice now a trio and playing Noble Savage as well as Java Junction

Sandra Odom writes that "Lipservice, our band of women that used to be 9, has re-grouped again, this time in the form of a trio. Barbara Jarrell, Cookie Garner and I, Sandra Odom, are going to be playing at:

the Noble Savage, downtown, this Wed., Sept 7th, from 8-11 pm,

at Java Junction, across from Centenary College, this Sat., Sept. 10th,

and at Java Junction again Sat., Oct. 1st, from 7-10 pm.

There's no cover at the Savage and a $3 cover at Java Junction.

If you haven't checked out the new Java Junction lately, they're starting to stay open later on weekends to give our fair city a new place to hear some great local acoustic entertainment. They are starting a Jazz Brunch on Sundays.

It's a "no smoking" establishment. I don't think they've got their beer/wine license yet but are working on it. Sarah & Lee Bamburg are the new owners and they're doing a bang-up job of serving fresh, yummy lunch-type foods besides coffees & pastries and are planning to expand the menu on weekends to include a limited (albeit delicious) dinner selection when they have live entertainment.

So please come hear us! I don't think you'll be disappointed."

Robinson Film Society shelter movie screening volunteers needed

The Robinson Film Center is showing 2 films daily for children at the LSUS Shelter, says Chris Jay. They need volunteers desperately to help serve popcorn, drinks and candy.

Showings are at 1:00 and 3:30 PM daily; volunteers are needed 30 minutes prior to screening.
Please call Sylvia Goodman or Dustin Green (424-9090) to volunteer.

Bibliophiles: Centenary Book Bazaar & Record Souk Friday, Sept 9 and Sat, Sept 10


bookshelf spectrum
Originally uploaded by chotda.
The 19th annual Centenary Book Bazaar -- with thousands of used books, records, CDs and tapes -- will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 9) and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 10), says Amy Giglio.

See over 30 categories of books, including bestsellers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, literary classics, novels, textbooks, first editions, rare books and special interest categories. Peruse 3,700 children's books, 1,600 cookbooks and 700 science fiction flights. Not to mention new-age literature, books on tape and CD, and large-print books. Also, all items are in good condition.

There's the Treasure Chest: books published within the past three years. Find coffee table books in the Jewel Box.

A silent auction will feature 15 rare books. While books will be sold on the main floor of the Gold Dome, over 3,000 vinyl records, including many Hollywood, Broadway and television soundtracks, will be sold by the Centenary music sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota, on the upper level.

The annual sale is sponsored by the Centenary Muses, an organization of ethereal beings.

Admission is free and book prices start at 25 cents. For further information, contact Book Bazaar HQ at 318-219-3409 or Ms. Giglio at 318-869-5136.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Sculpture by Jay Marks flies at Columbia Cafe this month

Sculpture by Jay Marks will fly from the walls of Columbia Cafe this month, says owner Matthew Linn.
Marks, primarily a wire sculptor, has created a new series of large figures that are gleaming and sinuous of line. "I've found my idiom," exulted Marks at the reception Sunday, Sept 4.

New Orleans cycle design firm, Confederate Motor Co, in exile in Shreveport

JT Nesbitt, motorcycle designer and former Shreveporter, is fifth from the left in this meeting in exile of the New Orleans cycle firm Confederate Motor Co. "The building collapsed," said Dave Hargreaves, "because the people who remodeled the building next to us - skylights, atrium, etc - weakened both structures." The company was located in a historic building at 845 Carondelet St. Matt Chambers (back to camera), Confederate Motorcycles CEO, hosted the meeting at Shreveport's Columbia Cafe.

Web site called "Katrina-I'm OK" / Collecting talent inventory of evacuees in Shreveport area


Learning painting at ATA
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
Perhaps a useful site for the evacuees out there: katrina.im-ok.org

Picked it up from New Orleans writer Todd Price whose A Frolic of my Own (see my blogroll) is oriented towards people in the restaurant, tourism, music and arts. Price is restaurant critic for Figaro.

Those with knowledge of people who've landed in the Spt-Bossier area who are artists, arts administrators and arts-related talent, such as drama, music and singing: ask them to please send me a photo and brief background. That's trudeau@earthlink.net

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Katrina Relief efforts move swiftly downtown; music and art Sunday, Sept 4, 11 am to midnight at 516 Texas


Hurricane Katrina Relief
Originally uploaded by slight clutter.
Katrina Relief
Sunday Sept. 4
Benefit @ Soundstage, 516 Texas Street

11:00 am-12:00 midnight

12 bands, art auction, silent auction of other goods and services


Chris Fowler-Sandlin writes, "Without meaning to solicit donations, I spoke to a couple of people and within hours of finding out about this good intention, I was the recipient of seven different auction items that people wanted me to get to them. Toward that end, I want to offer my services to acquire, catalogue, display, and sell the art on behalf of the fundraiser.

Shreveport Regional Arts Council, upon my telling the Board about the relief concert, instantly donated a framed Meg Seligman "Once Upon a Millennium Moon" poster (a $75.00 value), a signed and numbered William Joyce "Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs" print (a $150.00 value), and a party for 50 in coolspace at artspace (a $500.00 value). Later in the day, Mary Bigelow called me from Chicago to tell me to take her art out of the artspace gift shop (it was for the Robots exhibit, which is over) and donate it to the auction. She has four 3-D collages: three built inside cigar boxes, and one man made out of a lightbulb and other electrical detritus. (Each of the four is a $100.00 value.)

If you would like to donate an art work or art works to this noble cause, you can contact me and/or drop them off at artspace, 710 Texas Street, between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm on Saturday. I will be there all of those hours (I'm training a new staff), and I will receive them and ensure their delivery to the event on Sunday.

Likewise, if you have another auction item to offer, I will gladly accept them or get you in touch with the proper person (I believe Monica Fayad, but I don't have her contact information at this moment). For instance, a gift certificate for a massage or a tattoo? dinner for 2? autographed book? a private concert? t'ai chi lesson? dance lesson? yoga lesson? sign language class? photo shoot? a cookie basket? collectible books? You name it, and if we can get the right audience there for the benefit, it'll for sure make some money for the relief effort.

The third way you can help is to get people there. Send the invitation to everyone on your list and ask them to do the same. The more people that come, the more that is collected at the door, the more opportunities for art sales and other auction item sales. Plus, the more people that are there, the more people will be bidding against each other to drive the prices of the art, etc., up; thus, making more money for the relief effort.

Lastly, help by coming yourself and spending some money to hear some great local bands and buy some great local art.

(By the way, the collection of art for the silent auction is growing. I've received about 35 pieces at this point with promises of more being delivered tomorrow.)"

Thanks in advance,
Chris Fowler-Sandlin
673-6535 (artspace)
349-1541
chris@shrevearts.org (artspace)


Debbie Engle writes about the efforts of First United Methodist Church downtown: "Just learned last night that we've opened our gym to house 30-50 staff & family from the VA Hospital in N.O. We need volunteers to be there at the church with evacuees. Contact for church evacuee shelter is Tom Howe: 469-1526; all other efforts are coordinated by me....424-7771 is my office number.

There is also a HUGE need for cash donations at the NWLA Food Bank.

Katrina Artists Relief efforts begin at Artspace with artists, administrators and donors

Katrina Artists Relief is the new undertaking by Artspace and Shreveport Regional Arts Council. "At this point it's less about art and expression at Artspace and more about art and helping people," said Artspace artistic director Bill Joyce.

Some 50 artists and administrators met at Artspace Saturday to mark the cancellation of the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit (in truth, postponed for a year) and to plan the post-Katrina arts-minded outreach.

Ideas to share? Please post them here or email Pam Atchison (pam@shrevearts.org) or me (trudeau@earthlink.net).


Among the bright spots at the meeting was a donation of the use of a riverfront building by Jodie Glorioso. Sandi Kallenberg also announced donation of $10,000 for Artists Relief efforts by her husband's company. Pam Atchison said that she would be shocked if any arts grants monies continued to flow from Baton Rouge.

Katrina / Faces of New Orleans: Reina Casimire, singer

Reina Casimire, New Orleanian, was a VP at a pain clinic before Katrina, she said. At the Katrina Artists Relief meeting at Artspace she told SptBlog she was ready to begin a career in singing. Yet any gainful employment will be appreciated, she said. You may email me for her resume.

Katrina / faces of New Orleans: Upenda Glover, Arts Administrator

New Orleanian Upenda Glover needs gainful employment, she said at the Katrina Artists Relief meeting at Artspace. She is an art events administrator ("Don't waste time; I get the job done!" she wrote) and entrepreneur. Contact her at upenda@yahoo.com.

Katrina Artists Relief Meeting, Artspace: Upenda, Angelique, Leia, Reina

Artists from the New Orleans / Gulf shore area are struggling with displacement. At Artspace in Shreveport New Orleanians Openda Glover and Reina Casimire met with local organizers Angelique Feaster, artistic director of of Mahogany Ensemble Theater, and Meadows Museum of Art education director Leia Lewis (middle, l - r). The Pamoja Arts Society will sponsor the Pamoja Family Carnival Fundraiser next week at Linwood Village, said Lewis. More details soon at SptBlog.

New Orleans-area artists in exile; please check in here


CreoleStyleMusiciansCheckIn
Originally uploaded by Col. Snarker.
Chefs, designers, musicians and artists as well as atttorneys and teachers are among the Crescent City and Gulf rim evacuees who are establishing new bases in Shreveport. Instead of watching them float like exotic ducks atop the local water we might try another type of welcome: help integrate them into the local scene.

With the fresh talent on the scene several areas of local life might take an upward turn. Would you find Columbia Cafe, for instance, worth increased patronage if it began to feature a New Orleans chef one night a week?

Live music might begin to have some real Funky Meter if we get a few Big Easy drummers into local bands. Second lining at a time other than Mardi Gras? Yes. It wouldn't hurt Shreveport to have a bit of Bourbon St on Texas St.

And Carnival planners might revamp the musical scope of krewe parties and parades if a real-deal Creole brass band hits the scene.

From Julia St. we might get seriously capable painters, sculptors and designers. If so, let us identify them and let their work raise the local standards for competence in artistic activity.

Many areas of local life might move up a notch in quality. There's going to be a new batch of skilled substitute teachers on the market. There are going to be restaurant critics, essayists and comics on the loose. Let's put them to work here. Shreveport stands to slightly reconstitute itself with this influx of people from a vibrant part of the state. The question is: how to do we make it a rebirth that is beneficial to both parties?

For my part, I welcome newly-arrived writers, photogs, designers, musicians and visual artists to email me with a link to their web sites. I will happily feature them on this blog. Refugees, please send me a photo of yourself, of work, an essay, a CD, an illustrated resume.

Welcome to Shrevetown. Fresh energy and style is welcome here.


Here's an example of what I'm talking about from New Orleans writer Todd Price's blog, A Frolic of my Own: "Everywhere I went in Shreveport I found refugees from New Orleans. A man from Metairie was at the garage, where I had to get a new starter installed on the car. While I waited at the coffee shop, I met Tony Dagradi of Astral Project."

Pam Atchison and the SRAC board have announced that the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit will not be presented at Artspace. She told the Times it would be insensitive to Louisianians struggling with chaotic lives to continue with business as usual. Artspace will attempt to provide a home for "evacuees and displaced artists and arts adminsitrators."

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Hurricane Party doesn't seem to be the right word, given the tragedy involved, but ...

On Texas St at Tipitina's Office Co-op you will find some of the region's most helpful people, among them Dan Garner and his teenage kids, Paul and Susan. In fact, Paul designed this poster.

Your contributions will be in conscientious hands and I promise you will be entertained and enlightened by nipping downtown to Shreveport's Tipitina's benefit.

See the post below for more details, please.