Helping package and sell Louisiana's culture: how far-reaching is Lt Gov Landrieu's plan? Check his spiel at Artspace, 4:30 pm, Wed, Aug 15

Paul P, Bignek Simon and Calvin Mayes ready to cut beats at Tipitina's Music Co-op
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Lt Gov Mitch Landrieu has state revitalization plans that sound pretty good: "In Louisiana, culture means business. To leverage the state's unique heritage and to ensure that it remains the driving force and embodiment of a global cultural economy, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, together with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, is developing a new initiative, the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF), to be unveiled in its demonstration year, August 16-26, 2007."

At the Forum he plans to sell Louisiana's best acts to "cultural ambassadors, educators, and arts and cultural leaders from around the world."

Landrieu wants to "position the state, along with international colleague nations, as leaders of an emerging cultural economy movement. The program is designed to expand and to highlight cultural events and celebrations worldwide, with hopes of building cooperation and economic development in Louisiana and throughout the world."

Is Landrieu simply trying to take a ride on the backs of Bayou State entertainers? Is there any way for him bring artists new offers and open new doors?

Certainly I plan to be there to listen to his pitch, 4:30 pm at Artspace. He will take the SRAC Trolley Tour and also stop at Tipitina's Music Co-op, says the press release.

But I see the marketplace continuing to be the portal through which Louisiana performers and artists will say hello to the world.