Monday, June 25, 2012

AJ Haynes to sing at Haiti-Ghana Benefit @ minicine Shreveport, Sat, June 30, 7 pm, to support Tia Landrum's medical internships

"Benefit show at Minicine this Saturday, June 30 from 7-10 pm $3-$10 flexible cover at the door, AJ Haynes (and hopefully other unconfirmed musicians) performing," says Erik Rasmussen.

Psychic readings, hemp jewelry and art displays with pieces for sale, chair massages, many items and services from local businesses for raffle, video presentation, and nonalcoholic drinks & West African food for sale".

"All raising funds and awareness for my Ghana internship," says Tia Landrum, "and our long term goals for healthcare in Haiti!"

More at https://www.facebook.com/tlandrum19

Friday, June 22, 2012

Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn to Mayor Cedric Glover: "Let's continue the dog park progress; we're really on the same page."

In an interview with Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn today an olive branch was extended to the mayor in regards accepting the Red River Waterway Comm funds for a city dog park.

"This represents an ideal joint venture between the parish, the city and the RRWC," explained Linn. "We're really on the same page."

"The Red River Waterway Commission committed money to a dog park. But that does not mean that the city's requests won't be fulfilled," said Linn.

Linn believes that the Caddo Commission request for a dog park got priority "because we made a persuasive presentation. We see the dog park as a very positive presence on the river." Also, the Caddo Commission has made only 2 requests for funds over the 14 years that the fund has been available.

The RRWC funds come from a millage on property tax voted 14 yrs ago. Every parish touched by the Red River pays the millage. "The bulk of the money goes toward maintenance of locks and dams, insurance and dredging. It is also designated to increase safety and recreation on the Red. The monies can be applied if the improvement is on the water or within some 250 ft of the banks."

LEON'S LONE STAR COWBOYS – I'm Serving Days (Decca, 1937)



Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

A resident of Shreveport from the 1910s to the 1960s, the life of Leon Chappelear included both dismal tragedies as well as fortuitous connections   The high points involve playing in popular band responsible for sizable hits in the 1930s (“Deep Elm Blues” and “Just Because” -- the latter covered by other musicians including Elvis Presley in 1954) and playing guitar on Jimmie Davis’s first recording of “You Are My Sunshine.”  The low points include a debilitating car wreck and suicide.

For the rest of the story about musician Leon Chappelear and audio from "I'm Serving Days" see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/06/leons-lone-star-cowboys-im-serving-days.html

Thursday, June 21, 2012

After 75 years on Texas St, CC Hardman Co Art Supplies & Framing moves to site vacated by Earthereal Restaurant, 3309 Line Ave, Shreveport

"We were way overdue to move," admitted Ralph Hardman, 4th-generation owner of CC Hardman Co. Having been on Texas St for some 75 years, the building in which Hardman has been located was purchased by architect Kevin Bryan, said Cynthia Hardman.

The new Hardman Co location is the former site of Earthereal Restaurant. Chef John and Katie Koellen recently retired and closed the landmark eatery.

Hours are 9 to 5:30, M - Fri. Sat is 9 to noon. Telephone remains the same: 318 221 5189.

Let it be noted that the safest and most capacious parking area is at the back of the shop.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Artist call: 3 artists to create recycled materials sculpture with NYC artists Chris & Doug Fitch at Artspace Shreveport Aug 10 - 17

The Shreveport Regional Arts Council and artspace invite local artists to apply for an opportunity to work alongside renowned artists Chris Fitch and Doug Fitch in the creation of a large-scale, 3-dimensional art
installation in the mainspace gallery of artspace at 710 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, says Megan Porter.

This installation is to express the nature of waste. It is called La Plus Belle Poubelle, or
“Economy of Means in a Mean Economy.”

The result will be conceived as an improvisatory sculptural environment, creating a landscape built from found and/or
discarded materials and objects around Shreveport.

See more about the intent and modus operandi of the Fitch brothers and artist application at http://artspaceshreveport.com/artists/

Thursday, June 14, 2012

See downtown Shreveport as crafted in paper by Ilia Shvetsov, aka Russian Sam, professional scale model builder in Priladozhskiy, Leningradskaya Oblast, Russia

Downtown Shreveport by Russian Sam
Downtown Shreveport, a photo by Russian Sam on Flickr.

A most delightful scale model of downtown Shreveport has been built and photographed - some 50 photos are on flickr.com - by a professional model maker in Russia.

Ilia Shvetsov is a scale model maker in Priladozhskiy, Leningradskaya Oblast', Russia (a suburb of St Petersburg), according to his Facebook info, and works for Amadeo Studio.

In addition to his Paper Shreveport he has created Paper Tulsa, Paper Midland and Paper Oklahoma City, according to his flickr photos. Additionally, in 2010 he enjoyed an extensive visit to Oklahoma City.

Liz Swaine and Chris Jay have declared that they are making additional inquiries into the background of his fascinating work.

Dirtfoot drummer Lane Bayliss retires from the road after 8 years of syncopation; see him at Dirtfoot show at El Dorado Casino 9 pm Fri, June 15

Lane Bayliss by trudeau
Lane Bayliss, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"After 8+ fruitful years with Dirtfoot, our drummer, Lane, has decided to retire from the road," says J Bratlie.

"He will still be performing with the band for upcoming shows and festivals as we train a new member. Of course Lane's involvement with music and drums will not cease. It has been a remarkable journey together and we wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Come join us this Friday night at the El Dorado Casino and help celebrate Lane's final home show with Dirtfoot. This will be a historic night so get there early and help wish our boy the best.

It's an early show - 9:00pm - 10:30pm and there's no cover, so get there early!"

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Gameplan: Thurs morning web show by Derick Jones, Times entertainment, Shreveport

The Times in Shreveport is now offering a new way for online readers to get entertainment news, says Derick Jones. It's his show The Gameplan, airing weekly
on Thursday mornings.

The Gameplan is a web show hosted by Preview editor Derick Jones and serves
as a supplement to Preview, a 20-page entertainment guide to the week ahead.

Each week Jones travels to a different location within the city and highlights
entertainment offerings, along with his top weekend picks including festivals, music, arts and entertainment.

The Gameplan includes exclusive online
interviews with artists and musicians, as well as offering a look at new releases in
music, movies and television for the Tuesday ahead.

For information regarding The Gameplan or how to be included, call Preview
editor Derick Jones at 459 3435 or email jdjones@gannett.com.

Cycling around Shreveport streets with your hair flying in the breeze? Check a TED talk by Mikael-Colville Andersen: "Why we shouldn't wear bike helmets"

Velo Dendro Shreveport, 2010 by trudeau
Velo Dendro Shreveport, 2010, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

In a clever TED talk called "Why we shouldn't wear bike helmets," Mikael-Colville Andersen says, among many things, that helmets are part of the culture of fear and commerce. His ultimate goal, btw, is to get more people on bikes.

Thanks to bicycle commuter Maurice Loridans for the citation. He also recommends the colorful site copenhagencyclechic.com.

Love it.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Shreveport artist Clyde Connell (1901 - 1998) in 3-woman exhibit at the Hilliard Museum, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Sept, 2012

Clyde Connell: Meadows by trudeau
Clyde Connell: Meadows, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Three Women from Louisiana" is the working title for a 3-woman show slated for Sept 15 - Dec 22, at the Hilliard Museum, Univ of La at Lafayette.

The artists are Harriet Coulter Joor, Cora Kelley Ward, & Clyde Connell, says the Hilliard web site.

At the moment it is simply billed as an exhibit featuring "three women who lived their dream of becoming an artist."

But museum director Mark A Tullos, Jr, has written that "In the late 1980s I had an opportunity to spend an afternoon with celebrated Louisiana artist, Clyde Connell (1901 - 1998). Little would I have known then that her family would approach a museum I serve and offer to donate nearly 50 original works by Connell. The gift of artwork also came with a most generous cash gift to support care of the collection.

Our museum also received a tremendous gift of work, nearly 800 objects, by Eunice, Louisiana, native and mid-century New York abstract expressionist, Cora Kelley Ward (1920-1989), who worked within a circle of friends including renowned art critic and historian Clement Greenberg."

Joor (1875 - 1965) learned the art of pottery at Newcomb College, New Orleans, at the turn of the century. She spent a long career making and teaching pottery in places such as the Univ of Chicago and at ULL - then called USL.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Louisiana Hayride Bicentennial Jam at Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, on Wed, June 20, 7:30 pm: Maggie Koerner, Terrance Simien, Shamarr Allen, Chris Thomas King and more

Louisiana Hayride Bicentennial Jam on Wed, June 20, begins at 7:30 pm in the Municipal Auditorium, says The Shreveport Louisiana Hayride Company, LLC.

Terrance Simien(Lafayette), Chris Thomas King (Baton Rouge), Doug Kershaw (Shreveport)....NOLA sensation Shamarr Allen....Nashville singer songwriter Tony Ramey w/ Brad Davis....Shreveport's own Maggie Koerner and many more. Special guests include Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Gov. Edwin Edwards.

Tickets are free at 318.227.9110.

ACT's Legally Blonde continues at MLP, Centenary College, Shreveport,Fri, June 15, Sat, 16 @ 7 pm and @ 2 pm, Sun, June 17

Chemistry and harmony between Maddison Gilcrease and Christian Dantes was part of the success of the Academy of Children's Theater production of Legally Blonde on Fri night.

Directed by Cynthia Whitaker and Lauren Ross, the singing was guided by a 6-piece rock orchestra - featuring first-rank musicians - under the direction of Daniel Ley.

Courtney Van Eaton blew up the show with voice and character at the midpoint. She and a comic Bryan Wooley made an effective team.

Recommended as a feel-good entertainment from a well-trained and hard-working gang of handsome teens.

ACT's Legally Blonde at MLP, Centenary College, Shreveport, Fri, June 15, Sat, 16 @ 7 pm and @ 2 pm, Sun, June 17
$15 / 20
Tickets, Tues - Fri, 11 to 6 pm, 318-741-8310.

The cast includes Caroline Laborde, Meagan Crews, Cara Watson, Carrie Anderson, Alyssa Farmer, Alex Wallace, Kera Shaul, Jori Jackson, Maddison Gilcrease, Brett Stephenson, Denny Reedy, Catherine Laborde, Trey Jones, Steven Belk, Thomas Woodruff, Blake Jones, Kolby Lebetter, Isaiah Jones,
Elizabeth Ross, Madeline Wagnon, Rachel Van Doren, Chris Cole, Christian Dantes,
Courtney VanEaton, Kevin Jones, Meagan Tinsley, McKay Crews, Blake Jones, Brooke Reedy, Megan Jones, Bryan Wooley, Bailey Fielder, .Zoey Lex and Mallory Johnson.

Musicians: Daniel Ley, Mark Griffith, Mark Drews, Dan Santelices, Mike Scarlato and Chris Robinson.

"Louisiana Jive:" songwriter Alan Dyson and group plus Lip Service Trio @ the Shreveport House Concert Series, Fairfield Studios, Saturday, June 16, 7 pm

Alan Dyson, Shreveport by trudeau
Alan Dyson, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

With the recent video of his tune "Louisiana Jive," singer-songwriter Alan Dyson proves that he's topical and feisty as well as introspective and lyrical.

Many of his tunes feature lyrics by Shreveport poet David Love Lewis; several recent tunes feature work between Dyson and Debbie Engle, his wife.

Dyson will have the support of journeyman musicians Greg Williams, Gary Buchanan and Tim Brogan.

Lip Service Trio cooks the talents of veteran solo performer Barbara Jarrell with the singing and keyboards of music teacher Sandra Odom with the singing and percussion of artist/teacher Cookie Garner.

Saturday, June 16, 7 pm at Fairfield Studios, 1510 Fairfield Avenue, $20, cash only, please.
> Reservations highly recommended -
www.shreveporthouseconcerts.org reservations@fairfieldstudios.com
318 219-7688.

Saturday, June 09, 2012

American Wilderness, Romulus Remus, chairs, Riverwolves @ minicine? Shreveport on Sat, June 16, 7 pm

Four cool bands plus visual work from young artists Julie Jobe, Jack Joyce, Reily Cook, Connor Dunlap and Zak Strezo.


- Romulus Remus http://romulusremusmusic.com/fr_home.cfm
- American Wilderness http://soundcloud.com/theamericanwilderness
- chairs (Houston, TX) http://blekblekk.net/?p=728
- RiverWolves http://riverwolves.bandcamp.com/

minicine? / 846 Texas Avenue / Shreveport / 7pm / $5 suggested donation

Academy of Children's Theater: Legally Blonde, June 8, 9 and 15 ,16 @ 7pm, Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College, Shreveport

ACT, led by Cynthia Whitaker and Lauren Ross, is one of the region's hottest incubators of young talent.

See a large teen cast strut their singing and dancing chops in Legally Blonde at MLP June 8 & 9, 15 & 16,

The show is selling out, so please call 869-5242 to reserve tickets ($15 / 20), says Ross.

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Elegant work by Shreveport-based sculptor Kevin S Kennedy on view by appointment at minicine, 846 Texas Ave, through Wed, June 13

Kevin S Kennedy, Shreveport  by trudeau
Kevin S Kennedy, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Kevin Kennedy lives in Shreveport and is on the faculty at Louisiana Tech. But he sells most of his sculpture through the Hodges Taylor Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

For the next week his refined, profound work can be seen at minicine? shreveport, 846 Texas Ave.

View his work and bio at his kevin s kennedy sculpture site and see the work at minicine via my flickr.com photos. If interested, call him at 318-280-0732.

Monday, June 04, 2012

Playing eleven holes of JuxtAPutt @ Artspace Shreveport: cool, humidity-free, silly fun, yet challenging

Samantha Brown, Shreveport  by trudeau
Samantha Brown, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Playing the 11 holes of artist-created miniature golf at Artspace Shreveport is a challenging form of silly fun, I can attest after a couple of sessions.

Designed by artists, designers and architects, the courses have various ins and outs that players will learn as they go.

There are a few janky spots and numerous fairway puzzles to be solved. Overall, the fun far outweighs the imperfections.


Play JUXTAPUTT-PUTT on Tuesday through Sunday:
Tuesday 2:00 – 5:00 pm • Wednesday 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Thursday 2:00 – 5:00 pm and Golf Happy Hour for Adults from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm • Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Last round starts 30 minutes before closing!!
COST: $7 per player/game - children under 3 Free
Group Rate: 8 or more players for $6 player/game

Student field trips and parties for kids and for adults are happening, too.

Artspace, 710 Texas St, Shreveport.

Sunday, June 03, 2012

The Avett Brothers to boogie the Strand Theater, downtown Shreveport,on Tues, June 5, 7:30 pm

Avett Brothers by dave_hensley
Avett Brothers, a photo by dave_hensley on Flickr.

The Avett Brothers' reputation for high-energy shows seems unassailable. Show after show their mission seems to be to rock the house despite playing tunes that are a blend of country and folk.

Tuesday night at the Strand, therefore, we expect the vintage building to have its floorboards rearranged.

Tuesday, June 5, $38.50
Buy tickets
318-226-8555

Friday, June 01, 2012

Sculptor Kevin Kennedy, trio Twang Darkly, British sax experimentalist John Butcher, GoGreenly at minicine, 846 Tex Ave, Shreveport, on Sat, June 2, 8 to 11 pm

Performances at minicine?, 846 Texas Ave, on Sat, June 2:

- Sculpture by Kevin Kennedy, who is a prof at La Tech and lives in Shreveport.
- Twang Darkly, the folk rock trio with a sparkling new CD.
- Sax and percussion by UK tenor saxophonist John Butcher with Gino Robair, percussionist, and Thomas Lehn, synthesist.
- Tastes from GoGreenly, the catering name used by Libby Patterson Smith.

"Doors open at 7:30. A suggested donation of $8 would be n-i-c-e!! And a cash bar," says David Nelson.

Bailey Anglin, Luis Delcid, Calvin Alexander among performers at Louisiana Dance Theater concert at Strand Theater, Shreveport, on Sat, June 2, 6 pm

Louisiana Dance Foundation will present Stars of Tomorrow on Sat, June 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm at the Strand Theatre, says Carol Anglin.

The performance is part of the Annual Summer Dance Festival. A silent auction will be available in the Strand Theatre lobby; proceeds benefit all students who attend the Summer Dance Festival.

Louisiana Dance Theatre and students of Carol Anglin Dancenter will perform classical ballet, modern, and jazz repertoire choreographed by internationally recognized artists.

Highlights include Dianne Maroney-Grigsby’s "August Ascending," recently performed by Louisiana Dance Theatre at Regional Dance America’s National Festival at Place des Arts Theatre in Montreal, Quebec in Canada. The dancers received a standing ovation for their performance.

Guest dancers will be Luis Delcid (Los Angeles) and Bailey Anglin, 2012 graduate of the Kirov Russian Ballet Academy of Washington, D.C.

Also featured is Calvin Alexander, age 8, who is leaving for New York City immediately following the performance where he will join the cast of Broadway’s Billy Elliot in the company’s final National Tour. Cal will perform the role of the small boy.

Tickets are $25/ $20/ $15 and are available at the Strand Theatre Box Office (318) 226-8555.

Kacenjar, Poling, Saslav, Greive, Allen, Hall: Shreveport Summer Music Festival at Holy Cross on Sun at 3 pm

The 36th season of the Shreveport Summer Music Festival, the Wayne Edward Hall Memorial Concert, will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday at Church of the Holy Cross, 875 Cotton St., Shreveport.

The concert will feature Leonard Kacenjar, violinist/conductor; Kermit Poling, violinist/conductor; Isidor Saslav, violinist; Tyrone Greive, violinist; and Chris Allen, bassist. Special guest will be harpist Marcie Hall.