Burning Spear Cafe Cooking Plate Lunches Fridays and Saturdays

Photo of Gordon Nurse by Robert Trudeau.

Anyone who's been a part of the Shreveport-Bossier art and culture scene for more than a decade or so will reminisce fondly, if prompted, about Gordon Nurse's Burning Spear Cafe, where patrons got live reggae music, cold Red Stripe, and (most memorable, it seems) homemade Caribbean cuisine courtesy of Mr. Nurse. Nurse and his wonderful wife Patty occasionally pop up at festivals like Highland Jazz & Blues Fest selling this amazing stuff: curried chicken, jerk pork, rice and beans, fried plantains, Caribbean-style mixed veggies.

Imagine my surprise when I got the following text from Gordon, out of the blue, earlier this week:

"Hi! D man from D Burnin Spear. This fridays lunch! Curry chicken. Jerk pork. Rice and beans. Veggies. Fry plantains. RSVP. Thursday til Friday 10 am. Text or call (318) 210-8555 before 10 am Friday. Thank U." 

I spoke to Gordon and he says he plans to do this every Friday and Saturday, if possible. I've already ordered my lunches (yeah, I ordered two, those plantains are the bomb). Lunches are $8 each and you pick them up at Gordon's house, corner of Rutherford and Gilbert, 401 Rutherford Street. You must call and place an order before 10 am on Friday!

Paging Anthony Bourdain?

Boomshishpow: fireworks all weekend at SciPort, Shreveport: Sat, July 2 through Mon, July 4

SciPort pendulum, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

To commemorate July 4, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, will host Fireworks Fun at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4 and a Pre-Fireworks Cool-Off from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

Fireworks Fun, says Karen Wissing, will allow visitors to find out what puts the color in fireworks and how fireworks make such interesting shapes in the sky. There will be demonstrations of how fireworks work and an explanation of the chemistry behind July’s big bangs.

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to make their own sparkler and launch a model rocket.

Monday, from 6 – 8:30 p.m., the Center will host the Pre-Fireworks Cool-Off. Free for Members and $4 for Non-Members, this family-friendly event will allow all to cool-off before the downtown fireworks show. From 6 – 8 p.m., there will be a buffet with hot dog and hamburgers, as well as French fries and a drink available for $9 for adults and $6 for children. The IMAX film, Dolphins, will screen at 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. with a ticket rate of $6 for both Members and Non-Members.

Reservations for the Pre-Fireworks Cool-off should be made by 3 p.m. Sunday, July 3 by calling (318) 424-8660.

Stan Carpenter's photo of confrontation on the steps of the courthouse, Shreveport, named winner in On the Shoulders of Giants exhibit at Artspace Shreveport

Stan Carpenter, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

BEST OF SHOW- Stan Carpenter, "Untitled" Photograph

JUROR'S CHOICE (juror Kelly McDade) - Amanda Roe, "Numbers Haunt Me"

JUROR'S CHOICE (juror Dorsey Summerfield)- Talbot Hopkins, "Blanchard Place 1929; Clyde Dixon Connell I and Clyde Dixon Connell II"

JUROR'S CHOICE (juror Mike McSwain)- Jeormie Journell, "Word From the Front"

The exhibit continues until July 23, says Julia Foley.

Artspace Shreveport on Sun, June 26, 2 to 5 pm,On the Shoulders ofGiants exhibit recognizes Community Foundation's fifty years of service

Artspace Shreveport / On the Shoulders of Giants exhibit: Jon Clanton, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Congratulations to the artists, says Julia Foley, selected for the On The Shoulders of Giants Exhibition at Artspace:

Stan Carpenter, Nadine Charity, Jon Clanton, Carlos Colon, Carol Connell Shafton, Clyde Connell, Elizabeth Crafts, Diana Lynn Garrison, Julie Glass, Dorothy Kristin Hanna, Randy Hedgcock, Talbot Hopkins, Jeormie Journell, Rachul McClintic, Tama Ripps Nathan, Bill Osborn, Amanda Roe, Lucienne Bond Simon, Zach Skelton, Steven Soffer, Su Stella & Curt Harville, Niketa Williams and Jerry Wray.

Fifty years ago, June 26, 1961, The Community Foundation was established to support communities in North Louisiana through the philanthropy found among its generous citizens.

To date, The Foundation has granted nearly $40,000,000 to vital nonprofit organizations, thanks to the vision of donors both past and present.

All are welcome at Artspace on Sunday, June 26 from 2-5:00 pm to celebrate the 50th birthday of The Community Foundation.

Artspace is located at 710 Texas Street Shreveport, LA 71101.

On the Shoulders of Giants exhibit at Artspace Shreveport celebrates 50th anniversary of the Community Foundation; reception 2 pm - 5 pm Sun, June 26

Clyde Connell / Talbot Hopkins, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Community Foundation is a pivotal, godly, riverine presence in this town. It bestows grant money on a wide range of projects and has a capable staff under the steady and thoughtful leadership of the estimable Paula Hickman.

Sunday at artspace, 710 Texas, from 2-5 pm, the public is invited to celebrate the 50th of the Community Foundation.

A special art exhibit, dedicated to the Foundation’s 50 years of philanthropy, has the theme of generosity to the city. It is entitled On the Shoulders of Giants.

Electric Eclectic: photo exhibit at Karpeles Museum by Malik Teseti Stewart, Shreveport; reception Sat, July 9, 1 pm

State Fair by Malik Teseti Stewart, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Karpeles Museum, 3201 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, will host an opening reception on Sat, 9 of July, between 1 and 3pm for the July artist - Malik 'Taseti' Stewart.

Malik will present "Electric Eclectic" - a selection of new photographic images, says Jean Glabus.

Free admission - although donations are always welcome!

The manuscript exhibition - "The Stereo-View Age" continues to the end of August.

Open Wed through Sat 10am to 4pm. 318 861 7615.

Thank you, Jean Glabus, Director

Love On the Links: Dorothy Kristin Hanna movie based on her grandmother's short story premieres at RFC on Tues, July 5, 7 pm

Dorothy Kristin Hanna movie, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Love on the Links," an experimental art film, premiers at the Robinson Film Center, Tuesday, July 5th at 7:00 PM, says Dorothy Kristin Hanna.

The film is directed by Dorothy Kristin Hanna in direct collaboration with a short story written by her grandmother, Mary Frances Morgan, in 1936, published by Writer's Digest.

This special presentation costs $10 and is upstairs, next to the Abby Singers Bistro.

You can make your reservations by calling Robinson Film Center at 318-424-9090 or Dorothy Kristin at 318-834-0948.

Jessica Koertge stars as Lissa Trent, Scott Gibbs as Dennis Terril, Genevieve Ress as Carla

Alan Dyson as The Piano Man, Andy Shehee as The Driver, Laura Brucia Hamm as "Mary Frances", Angela Vilanueva as Narrator

All music is from the 30's, in a mix with local band, Super Water Sympathy and solo piano by Clyde Hargrove.

Jordon Guerrin - Camera and Editing

Artists call: nudes to be featured in 2-week show at Bossier Arts Council's East Bank Gallery; deadline for submissions July 18

David Dooley / Nude, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

East Bank Gallery is presenting its first ever Nude Show titled "Look But Don't Touch," says Steven Belk.

The show is July 18 - 29 with a reception on July 22 at 6 pm.

"BAC considers this an opportunity to broaden our artistic horizons through a celebration of the human form," says Belk.

The reception will be followed by an East Bank Theatre production of "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler.

"For this show we will hang up to four pieces of art per artist as space permits and will be chosen at the discretion of Gallery Committee members. The artwork must be tasteful and appropriate for public viewing and will be screened by members of the East Bank Gallery Committee," adds Belk.

The artwork will be collected on July 18 from 12 pm - 2 pm in East Bank Gallery and picked up on July 29 by 5 pm.

If you have any questions please call Steven at 741-8310 or email steven@bossierarts.org.

Leia Lewis Henderson invites you to Sankofa Gardens Harvest Fest, Sat,June 25, 10 am to 1 pm

Shreveport Community Drum Circle: Leia Lewis, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

You're invited to the Sankofa Vision, Inc., Harvest Jubiless, says Leia Lewis Henderson.

Sankofa is a community center where kids and adults teach and learn gardening, history and an ethical life.

Saturday, June 25
10 AM to 1 PM
Sankofa Gardens
1651 Tulane Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71103
(318) 230-2892

leia@sankofavision.org
www.sankofavision.org

Sankofa: A West African (Ghana) proverb and cultural symbol that means remembering the past; building our future.

Game making, movie making: Animation & Visual Effects Program accepts high school students through June 23

John Miralles, Jeffrey Goodman, Magnet / Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Twenty apt 9th -12th grade high school students will learn the latest in digital modeling skills at LSUS, June 27-July 21,
Mon-Fri, 9:30-2:00," says Maria Scott.

"The Animation & Visual Effects Program engages participants in hands-on learning using cutting edge technology to create visual and compositing effects that are used in movie making, advertising, cyber visualization programs, and computer gaming," says John Miralles.

Academy classes include: Desktop Graphics, Film Making Theory, Film Shooting and Editing, and Visual Effects.

The program is free and includes lunch ; it takes place in the LSUS Technology Center, Room 258.

Application Deadline is June 23.

Animation & Visual Effects Program
(318)795-2480
maria.scott@lsus.edu
www.lsus.edu/ave

Developing Shreveport Common: preview the plans via temporary installations on Sat, June 18, 9 am to 2 pm; shuttle from ShreveportFarmer's Market will make downtown visit easy

Shreveport Common temp art , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shreveport Common: it's the establishment of a 9-block downtown area where music, food, artists and people-watching will return vibrancy to a historic and stylish part of Shreveport.

Pam Atchison and Shreveport regional Arts Council won a planning grant from the National Endowment for the Arts because the local vision for revitalization looked do-able.

Sat, June 18, 9 am to 2 pm, a group of artists aided by the SRAC team will show off the plans for Shreveport Common via an installation of temporary art.

The public's role is to size it up. Your impressions and questions will be recorded so that the development continues to be guided by local voices. There have already been many listening sessions with residents and other stakeholders, says Atchison.

A downtown trolley will make visiting an easy event. The trolley will shuttle to and from Shreveport Farmer's Market for the duration of the SFM. You can park in Shreveport Common and go to the market via shuttle or vice versa.

See more at Shreveport Common on Facebook.

Louisiana Dance Theater presents Summer Dance Festival Performance Fri, June 17, from 7-8 pm, at Carol Anglin Dancenter, Pierremont Mall, Shreveport

Louisiana Dance Theater, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Louisiana Dance Foundation presents its 28th Annual Summer Dance Festival Performance Fri, June 17, from 7-8 pm at Carol Anglin Dancenter, Pierremont Mall in Shreveport, says Carol Anglin.

30 dancers will perform choreography by the festival’s international faculty: Gennadi and Susan Vostrikov (Russia/Virginia), Ceyhun Ozsoy (Turkey/Dallas, TX), Dianne Maroney-Grigsby (GSU; Louisiana), Jon Lehrer (LehrerDance; Buffalo, NY)and Soili Arvola (Finland/Houston, TX).

The performance will also feature a 'farewell performance' featuring five members of Louisiana Dance Theatre who have been accepted to eight of America ’s top ten Ballet Summer Intensives.

Collin Cochran, 14, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (Full Scholarship awarded on stage at the conclusion of the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition Gala Performance; Jackson, MS; attended USA IBC International Dance School 2010)
Maisy Brocato, 14, Joffrey Ballet School – Chicago , IL (Attended USA IBC International Dance School 2010; Jackson , MS )
Alex Crevoiserat, 12, Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive, NY (Has attended Kirov Academy of Ballet 2009 – Washington, D.C.; Alonzo King’s Lines – San Francisco, CA; accepted to Pacific Northwest Ballet – Seattle, WA; American Ballet Theatre – NYC; The Rock School – Philadelphia, PA; Orlando Ballet; and North Carolina Dance Theatre – Charlotte, NC)
Gabbi Sorensen, 13, Joffrey Ballet School – Chicago, IL (Attended USA IBC International Dance School 2010 – Jackson, MS; also accepted to Summer Intensives of American Ballet Theatre – NYC and Nashville Ballet – Nashville, TN)
Bailey Anglin, 17, Kirov Academy of Ballet – Washington, D.C. and Bolshoi Ballet Academy – Lincoln Center and Julliard, NYC. Bailey has also been accepted to the Kirov Ballet’s 2011-2012 year-round program in Washington , D.C. and has been offered a two-year Trainee position with the Joffrey Ballet – Chicago.

Shreveport Music History downtown air-conditioned bus tour on Th, June16, at 5, 6 and 7 pm begins at Artspace, 710 Texas St

Huddie Ledbetter, Shreveport's Texas St, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Artspace, 710 Texas St, is the start point for musical history tours of downtown to be conducted by Shreveport music maven Robert Trudeau. That's on Th, June 16, at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm, says Bonne Summers.

If your chosen bus fills before you arrive and pick up free tickets, you can take a mini-bus tour using the same music soundtrack and script but led by 16 year-old Larsson McSwain. Chosen by Trudeau, Caddo Magnet student McSwain is sociable, articulate and a snappy dresser. The mini-bus tours depart at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30.

You are also invited to groove upon jazz music being performed in Artspace by the Christopher Allen Trio. And for a visual treat, see the Oh, Really exhibit of paintings by Talbot Hopkins Trudeau, Laura Noland-Harter and Phyliis J Pease.

Trudeau's Shreveport Musical History Tour includes -
- Stan the Record Man's former shop
- Sprague St, St Paul's Bottoms Redlight District and Leadbelly
- Freeman & Harris Restaurant
- KOKA radio on Milam St
- James Burton Music Foundation
- Municipal Auditorium and the Louisiana Hayride
- Florentine Club on Austin Place
- Calanthean Temple and Star Theater on Texas Ave
- Barnwell center for Hot Jazz on the Red
- SciPort for the Science of Music exhibit

Artspace Shreveport: 673 6535
http://artspaceshreveport.com/

Hafla: Port Belly Project presents Tribal Fusion Dance show and party; site is East Bank Theater on Sat, June 18, 7 pm

Port Belly Project, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Ornate costuming and dazzling dance performances by the areas’ finest belly dancers will mark the Fifth Annual Summer Hafla taking place at the East Bank Theater in Bossier City on Saturday, June 18 at 7:00pm.

Produced by The Port Belly Project, a local organization teaching and promoting the art of belly dance in Northwest Louisiana, this show highlights the accomplishments of the Troupe’s many students.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
A reception will be held after the show in the main gallery.

This semi annual event features both choreographed and improvisational works by The Port Belly Project, Shreveport’s premier Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Troupe.

Also performing will be the students of the PBP, The Port Belly Futures (our student troupe) and guest troupe, The Gems of Cairo.

The East Bank Theater is located at 630 Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City. Tickets are available at Lotus Studio, 444 Olive Street in Shreveport; online at www.lotusstudio444.com, or by calling
(318) 455-3152.

More information:

Kathy Fontaine, Lotus Studio

Tourism, Shreveport Common, art and the future: workshop on selling art in a cultural district offered on Fri, June 17, 3:30 pm, Artspace Shreveport

Creole riders / trudeau 09, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

‎"Selling Original Art in a Cultural District Tax-Free" Workshop for Artists! announces Julia Foley.

"Gaye Hamilton, Cultural Initiative Program Manager, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, will pitch those interested on Friday, June 17, 3:30 - 4:30," says Foley.

Artspace Shreveport, 710 Texas

Review: Cara Watson, Thomas Keyes, Sarah Kate Roblow, Trey Jones in Academy of Children's Theater production of Fame; performances June 17 - 18 at MLP

Cara Watson, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Cara Watson, Thomas Keys, Sarah Kate Roblow & Trey Jones are among those who made Fame, by Academy of Children's Theater, a fine show on Sat night. Performances are at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

Daniel Ley's 8-piece band was another electric element.

The cast, with talented players such as Brett Stephenson, Kate Lange and Kolby Ledbetter, is deeply talented in dance and voice. Cues, voices and ensemble pieces hit on time and with power.

ACT's hard-working teens offer a blast of in-your-face entertainment with this production of Fame.

Cynthia Whitaker & Lauren Ross have again taken a large cast of young players and gotten capable performances from all. Light design is by Josh Johnson, set design by Paul Stephenson, sound design by Adam Boyd.

If there was an area for continued growth in the performance Sat night it would be in the headset mics - Was Thomas Keyes blasting his mic with over-the-top vocalizing? And in articulation.

See snaps from Sat in a slideshow!

Performances for this recommended show continue Fri-Sat, June 17-18, at 7 pm. There is an additional show Sat afternoon at 2 pm.

318.869.5242 to reserve tickets; $20 for Adults and $15 for Students, Seniors, and Military.

Thomas Keyes and Sarah Kate Roblow will have an on-air chat on KSCL, 91.3 fm, on Mon at 5 pm, on Time for A Better Shreveport. Stream the interview at KSCL.FM.

And . . .

The ACT annual fundraiser, Acting Up V Summer Showcase, will be at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Tuesday, June 14, at 7:00 p.m. The production will feature vocal selections, dance, and acting from some of the most popular shows on Broadway by our area's most talented young performers, says Lauren Ross. Tickets at the door: $10.00 and $5.00.

Antique maps of the Norton Gallery collection: Gary Joiner offers overview on Sat, June 11, 2 pm

Orbis typus uniuersalis iuxta hydrographorum traditionem, a photo by Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL on Flickr.

Gary Joiner is speaking on maps at the Norton today at 2 p.m.

Says Marilyn Joiner, "The Norton has a fabulous map collection and he will be going from Amerigo Vespuci to Reconstruction in the US. We are so fortunate to have the Norton family in our community and this wonderful resource. Come out at 2 and hear Gary and see these maps. It will be cool (in both ways)."

More at Rwnaf.org.

Captain Jack gets rated along with Fair Grounds Field, Shreveport, by Stadium Journey, a site that reviews sports venues

Captain Jack, Shreveport-Bossier Captains Baseball, Shreveport, LA, a photo by sbctb on Flickr.

"I definitely have to give one point to the beer vendor guy who seemed to be having the time of his life and who the fans seem to love," wrote Paul Derrick, correspondent for Stadium Journey.com.

"He came up with some fancy nursery rhymes to belt out to get everyone's attention and I even found them quite amusing and bought a beer from him, so his antics do work," continued the scribe.

"Another extra point goes to Captain Jack the mascot. One for being completely engaging with the crowd (the kids loved him), and two for being the absolutely skinniest mascot I have ever seen in my life. There must be an 18 year-old super model in that costume."

Not all of Derrick's comments were as positive, of course. The categories of Fans, Neighborhood and Atmosphere did not reach stellar point totals on the night Derrick visited and took photos. This stadium's strenths were Access, Return on Investment and Food & Beverage.

Derrick's review closed with "My last extra point goes for a combination of things from the free parking and the friendliness of the staff who were very knowledgeable about baseball and interested in producing a great product for the fans."

Thanks to Chris Jay for an evocative capture of Capt Jack.

Live at Five Concert Series continues tonight, 5 pm-9 pm

Live at Five Concert Series, Shreveport, LA
Originally uploaded by sbctb

The Live at Five concert series continues tonight (and every Friday through July 8), 5 p.m.-9 p.m. in downtown Shreveport's Red River District with music by Jason Sepulvado. Featuring live music, happy hour drink specials and food vendors, the event is free to attend. Last Friday, Brady Blade and friends (Blade is pictured above with Nick Scallorn) played a scorching set during a scorcher of an afternoon. Despite the heat, the people-watching was fun and frozen margaritas from Nicky's helped out. Pastor Brady Blade, Sr. was in the crowd, watching his son rip it up and nodding approvingly.

It's hot outside, for sure. But if you've had a long week, and you're looking to start the Friday night revelry, Live at Five is a great way to do it. Upcoming acts include Jimmy Wooten (June 17), Maggie Koerner (June 24), New Leaves with Josh Hollis (July 1) and Daniel Smalley and Company (July 8).

Plan ahead with Little Shanty Art Gallery, 7102 Line Ave, Shreveport, for a Sat, Sept 17, food, art and music fest

Plan ahead with Little Shanty Art Gallery for a Sat, Sept 17, food, art and music fest , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

See art market mensch Robert Currie at Little Shanty Art Gallery to be part of the Sat, Sept 17 Gumbo Gala.

(318) 861-3308
7102 Line Ave, Shreveport LA 71106
Store Hrs: Wed - Sat 10a - 5p
www.littleshanty.com

Musician's Forum: Tues, June 14, 6 to 8 pm, Artspace Shreveport

Musician's Forum: Tues, June 14, 6 pm, Artspace Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Forum sponsored by Chase Boytim & Paul Roney, Tipitina's Music Co-op (new manager, Chris Alexander), Blade Studios and Dan Garner.

Memorial and tribute to the late Melvin Kidd Mims, Shreveport, at Lee's Place, Mon, June 20, 9 pm

Rest in peace Melvin Kidd Mims, Shreveport / photo Barbara Beaird, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Blue Lee-Martin and Jerry Beach will produce a Memorial and Tribute to drummer Melvin Kidd Mims at Lee's Place 639 Kings Highway, on Mon, June 20.

Says percussionist Blue: "The long running Monday Night Blues Jam Band led by Mr. Jerry Beach and Lee's Place will host a tribute to the life and music of Melvin 'Kidd' Mims, who passed away during the Monday Night Jam on May 16, 2011.

Melvin was a life long Shreveport musician who for the last several years was the host drummer for the Monday Night Jam as well a 16 year member in the band "Denial". In the late 70's and early 1980's he played in Back Fire with renown members: Frederick Allen, Larry Pannell, Malcolm Spencer and Charles Lacy.

He touched the lives of many with his unique 'back beat' fusion style of drumming and his endless support and encouragement of aspiring drummers. He was a loving husband and father whose sons carry his spirit and energy in their own many musical accomplishments.

All donations from this event will go to the family toward the funeral costs."

Info: bluezarts@bellsouth.net

Photo by Barbara Beaird.

Enjoy listening to NPR? Check the Red River Radio summer pledge drive at Redriverradio.org

Red River Radio: Michael Butterman, Kermit Poling / photo Karen Wissing, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Red River Radio, the area’s National Public Radio's affiliate, is making headway during their End of the Year Campaign, says Kermit Poling.

The pledge drive began on Thurs, June 2, and is running through Wed, June 8, says Karen Wissing. The station's goal is to raise $90,000 by the end of the month.

“We wanted to get the lion’s share in by Wednesday morning, which we'll do,” said Poling, general manager for Red River Radio. The station is the community’s source for NPR News, classical music and many programs including, “Morning Edition” and “To the Point.”


Operating as a publicly-supported station, Red River Radio depends on contributions from its listeners and conducts three pledge drives throughout the year. During the drives, volunteers from around the area help answer phones and talk on-air with the station's hosts.

To make a pledge, call 1-800-552-8502 or donate online at wwwredriverradio.org.

Teaching kids responsibility to their pets via the Pet Education Project; can they win sustaining funds via a Pepsi contest?

A Better Shreveport Candidates Bike Ride, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"We are trying to win $5,000 for PEP from the Pepsi grant," writes the very pet-centric Erica Callais-Martin.

"PEP, the Pet Education Project, is a non profit I founded to teach kids about responsible pet ownership. Can you help? We are #6, we need to stay in the top 20 for the whole month of June. Can you please vote by text AND online EVERY DAY! I really need people to do this. It would be such a huge milestone for PEP.
Please remember to vote each day. You can vote 2 times a day. Once online and once through texting."

http://www.refresheverything.com/pep
Text your vote! Text 106552 to 737-74.
"Thank you so much!" adds the passionate young activist.

"One more thing; It's really easy to vote b/c u log on through facebook! -Erica
Teach kids responsible pet ownership in a fun & memorable way." - Pepsi Refresh Project
www.refresheverything.com

Academy of Children's Theater: Fame opens Fri, June 10, 7 pm @ MLP, Centenary College

Academy of Children's Theater: Fame opens June 10 @ MLP, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"You're invited to see ACT's rocking production of FAME - The Musical!," says Kolby Ledbetter.

- June 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 7:00 pm
- June 12 and 18 at 2:00
- Marjorie Lyons Playhouse
- 318.869.5242 for tickets
- $20 Adults, $15 for Students, Seniors, and Military.

Cast:
Brett Stephenson - Nick Piazza
Kate Lange - Serena Katz
Cara Watson - Carmen Diaz
Trey Jones - Tyrone Jackson
Kolby Ledbetter - Schlomo Metzenbaum
Thomas Keys - Jose "Joe" Vegas
Sarah Kate Roblow - Iris Kelly
Brianna Richmond - Mabel Washington
Taylor Walker - Grace "Lambchops" Lamb
Josh Good - Goodman "Goody" King
Jori Jackson - Mrs. Greta Bell
Kendra Cherie Grey - Mrs. Esther Sherman

- Cynthia Hawkins-Whitaker & Lauren Ross, direction
- Daniel Ley, musical direction
- Jan Reedy, vocal coaching
- Paul Stephenson, technical direction

"LIVE AT 5" Brady Blade and Friends

Grammy-winning artist, Brady Blade and friends will be performing on June 3, at 5 pm, 500 Clyde Fant in the Red River District. There will be no cover for this event.

Brady is an accomplished producer and composer and can be heard on over 50 records to date including, most recently, on Darryl Jones of the Rolling Stones debut record. Brady’s brother is jazz drummer Brian Blade.

Brady is also owner of BLADE Studios, a full-service sound recording studio located at 2031 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103

For information about recording sessions
Phone: 318.213.0777 or
bladestudios.com

Photo by Blue Lee-martin

P.A.C.E. (People Acting for Change and Equality) sponsors Hate Crimes Forum

An area Hate Crimes Forum Sponsored by P.A.C.E. and presented by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service will be held Thurs., June 9; Co-sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Shreveport Mayor’s Office, Shreveport Police Department and Forum for Equality.

The United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) Community Relations Service will present a Hate Crimes Forum open to the public on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 9449 Ellerbe Road. This presentation is sponsored by P.A.C.E. and is co-sponsored by the Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Shreveport Mayor’s Office, and the Shreveport Police Department. Local arrangements are being coordinated by P.A.C.E., based in Northwest Louisiana, and Forum for Equality, a statewide group, supporting a just society in which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community can lead open, honest, responsible, and safe lives at home and in the workplace.

A member of the Southwest Regional Office of the US DOJ Community Relations Service will facilitate the forum, and representatives from co-sponsoring and local educational and religious organizations will be present.

At the end of 2010, the FBI released statistics on hate crimes reported during 2009. While fewer incidents were reported than in previous years in every category, when considering just violent crimes, anti-gay hate crimes had increased. In addition, anti-gay hate crimes included physical violence significantly more often than crimes against other reported groups.

This increased anti-gay violence hit home in January in Shreveport when a regular patron of a downtown bar was, without any provocation, brutally attacked, based only on his sexual orientation. The Shreveport Police Department charged the attacker with second degree attempted murder and the commission of a hate crime.

All hate crimes are reprehensible. But hate crimes that target groups are directed not just at an individual but are intended to terrorize entire communities. This forum will address what each of us can do to safeguard our community as a whole against such acts of terrorism.

Louisiana hate crimes law protects actual or perceived sexual orientation (RS 14:107.2). The 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act expanded existing U.S. federal hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or religion and dropped the prerequisite that the victim be engaging in a federally protected activity.

Contact information

Adrienne Critcher, P.A.C.E. Communications Director

318-869-3930 (home) or 318-393-6556 (cell)

critcher@earthlink.net

Odessa Sykes, Forum for Equality’s North Louisiana Field Director

318-422-5430 (cell)

Odessa.Sykes@ForumforEquality.org

Shreveport-Bossier Captains continue series against El Paso tonight at 7:05 p.m.

The Shreveport-Bossier Captains baseball season is underway, and the Captains are currently in the middle of a five-game series against El Paso, which continues tonight at 7:05 p.m at Fair Grounds Field. Here are three reasons why I'm a fan of Captains baseball:

1) Shreveport-Bossier fans love to abuse the visiting team
Once these folks learn the visiting pitcher's first name, it's all over but the crying. I saw an 80 year-old woman set down her roasted peanuts, stand up, and yell: "You suck, Juan!" at El Paso Diablos pitcher Juan Medina on Monday. It made my night.

2) Shelton "Preacher" Parsons, refreshment vendor
At 75 years old, "Preacher" Parsons has been vending ice cold beer, soft drinks, chips and peanuts from a mobile cart for 35+ years. He also knows more beer-related jokes than anyone else on the planet. He's one of a kind.

3) Captain Jack
How many cities have Captain Jack Sparrow as the mascot for their local baseball team? The undoubtedly sweaty guy inside this suit earns whatever pay he receives and then some, constantly climbing over seats to roughhouse with fans or high-five kids. Yarrrr!

General admission to a Captains game is only $5. Click here for directions to Fair Grounds Field. Visit the Captains website for lots more info.