“Reunited” Film Screening

What would you do if the love of your life was HIV positive? Reunited an award winning film by Priscilla A Productionz dares to ask that question. Reunited is a “movie with a mission” to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS in an entertaining, thought provoking way. The film Reunited is a very dramatic emotional piece, that’s sure to make you feel, make you Think, and make you Laugh; all at the same time. It gives you a look at what life is like for an HIV positive individual, who wants what everyone wants, love and happiness. Even though it’s just hitting the festival and film competition circuit, Reunited has already won an ‘Award of Merit’ for it’s message and content, and an ‘Award of Excellence’ for it’s dramatic impact. Priscilla A also won the Best New Filmmaker award at Atlanta’s 2012 Peachtree Village Int’l Film Festival.

Reunited was written and directed by Priscilla A with music by Ceddy Boi and stars talent consisting of Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def recording artist Dondria, celebrity gospel artist Simply Gayla, Thundersoul’s (Exec Producer Jaime Fox) Stan Sanders, Ken
McDonald, Donny Boaz, and Michelle Smith, among others.

The film is currently seeking sponsorship to continue to participate in the film festival
circuit where the film will be seen at theaters across the nation and internationally. We
are also seeking help from organizations that can help spread this important message of
HIV/AIDS awareness. If your organization is interested in supporting a worthy cause
and the opportunity for promotion, please send an email to info@paproductionz.com or
visit www.reunitedthemovie.com.

Saturday, March 9, 2013
$ 5 donation
Purchase at priscillaa.eventbrite.com
Proceeds benefiting the Philadelphia Center

Bossier Instructional Center
2719 Airline Dr.
Bossier City, LA 7111

Sponsored by Pastor Donald Rushing

Van Cliburn passes at age 78 in Ft Worth

van cliburn, a photo by More TCI images on Flickr.

Van Cliburn, the internationally celebrated pianist whose triumph at a 1958 Moscow competition helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular career, has died. He was 78, said the AP.

Cliburn died early Wednesday at his Fort Worth home following a battle with bone cancer, said his longtime friend Mary Lou Falcone.

Award-winning LGBT activist Robyn Ochs speaking at Centenary College Wed, Th, Feb 27, 28

Dinner with Robyn Ochs, a photo by colgateuniversity on Flickr.

Robyn Ochs, speaker and award-winning activist, will visit the Centenary campus February 27-28 as an Attaway Fellow.

Ochs's work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities, and mobilizing people to be powerful allies to one another within and across identities and social movements. Her arrival was a coordinated effort between students and faculty.

Two open, free sessions:

Loosening the Gender Girdle: How Gender Affects You
Wed, Feb 27, 5:30 p.m.
Whited Room, Bynum Commons

What makes a man a man? What makes a woman a woman?

Embracing An All/And Identity in an Either/Or World
Thurs, Feb 28, 11:00 a.m.
Carlile Auditorium, Mickle Hall of Science

Any sexual orientation or gender identity comes with its own challenges.

From Super Water Sympathy's soon-to-be-released "Hydrogen Child:" the tune "Anthem," Live @ Blade Studios

Highly recommended. Thumpy and slinging a smart pop hook is a tune called simply, "Anthem." This could be the second single - after "Uh oh" -  from "Hydrogen Child." The band roars. 

Kickstart the costume costs for Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's production of "Tales from Beatrix Potter," April 21, 2013

The Wizard of Oz / SMB Ballet, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"The Tales of Beatrix Potter," originally created for England's Royal Ballet, will be performed by Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet on April 21," says Kendra Meiki.

"A cast of over 100 talented local dancers will grace the stage as Ducks, Mice, Hedgehogs, Flowers, Butterflies, Bunnies, Pigs, and Frogs. Transforming our dancers into these beloved childhood characters will require us to purchase and create dozens of brand-new costumes, masks, and props that are not currently a part of SMB's costume inventory. Luckily, we have an AMAZING team of volunteer seamstresses who work tirelessly to create visual magic on stage. We have also located a great online source for custom masks that will help to bring our vision to life," says Meiki.

Contributions to offset the costs of the costumes would be terribly helpful to the SMB board and parents. Thus they have turned to Kickstarter.com to solicit $$ and offer incentives to their supporters.

There's a charming film as well as a gentle pitch awaiting viewers at the Kickstarter/SMB site.

Award-winning AIDS documentary, How To Survive A Plague, at Robinson Film Center one night: Tues, Feb 26. 7:30 pm

Theatrical poster, HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, a photo by Sam's Myth on Flickr.

How To Survive A Plague is the untold story, says the movie tag, of the efforts that turned AIDS into a mostly manageable condition – and the improbable group of young men and women who, with no scientific training, infiltrated government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, and helped identify promising new compounds, moving them through trials and into drugstores in record time.

Presented by the Centenary Film Society.

Aggregated critics at Rottentomatoes.com give it 100%. Audiences rate it at 80%.

Robinsonfilmcenter.org
617 Texas Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 459-4122

Texas Ave Maker's Fair: Sat, Ap 27, 10 am to 4 pm; vendor's spaces sold out already

Fred Burks, Maker's Fair / Shreveport / Nov '11, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Texas Ave Maker's Fair Vendor's spots have sold out, says Kelly McSwain. "In fact," she said on Feb 26, "there are already 28 people on the waiting list!" They were listed at eventbrite.com Fair day is Sat, Ap 27, 10 to 4.

What to expect -
All items will be handmade, handcrafted, reconstructed or creatively re-purposed.

Singer-guitarist-songwriter Papa Mali returns to Shreveport via Tipitina's Foundation

7 Walkers - Papa Mali, a photo by Andrew Bender Photography on Flickr.

Papa Mali, nee Mal Welbourne, first rose to prominence as founder of the reggae monsters the Killer Bees. Welbourne was raised in Shreveport – with many sojourns in New Orleans – and it was in Shreve Square – in the 80′s – that he and the late Michael E Johnson debuted the Killer Bees. The Bees – which included keyboards and vocals from Stanton Hoffman, then known as “Blondie” – moved to Austin, cut albums, toured widely and left a lovely presence
on youtube and in the world’s vinyl bins.

Today Papa Mali has 3 well-recognized solo albums to his credit. He tours the world with former Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzman in a band they call 7 Walkers.

A popular resident of Austin for years, he has relocated to his spiritual home, New Orleans. But for the forseeable future he's working in Shreveport.

At 700 Texas St, corner of Louisiana Ave, he is the new chef at Tipitina’s Foundation. He says, “My first order of business is giving the Shreveport location of Tip's a major overhaul/facelift. This means that I will be in town much of the next year and possibly beyond. I will continue to tour and perform and I still reside in New Orleans, but I am also getting an apartment here and look forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones in the music and arts community.”

The arrival of this internationally-recognized singer-guitarist-writer-producer represents an unexpected bottle of champagne for Shreveport. If anyone in town rivals Brady Blade’s chops and list of friends it would be Welbourne.

Drop by Tip’s, 700 Texas Street, to welcome him and introduce yourself to a long-traveled Shreveporter, Papa Mali.

Tipitina's: 318.934.0000

Wicked Divas with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra on Sat, Feb 23,7:30 pm, Riverview Theater

Wicked Divas, a photo by 17 Days Greensboro on Flickr.

"The Wicked Divas with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra have packed the house," says Lois Robinson of the SSO.

"There are about 100 tickets left for walk-ups."

More at shreveportsymphony.com/tickets.

See a slideshow of moments from the Wicked Divas show.

Acclaimed novelist Richard Bausch to read at Centenary College on Mon, Feb 25, 7 pm

Lit 11587, a photo by Arts & Education Council of Chattanooga on Flickr.

Acknowledged master of the short story Richard Bausch has been selected to receive the 2013 John William Corrington Award for Literary Excellence, says Centenary College prof David Havird.

The award ceremony is Mon, Feb 25, 7 pm, in the Whited Room, Bynum Commons. It will include a reading by the author.It is free and open to the public.

Bausch is the author of eleven novels and eight collections of stories. His novel Almighty Me was made into the movie Bruce Almighty, says Wikipedia.

He has won two National Magazine Awards, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Lila-Wallace Reader's Digest Fund Writer's Award, the Award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and The 2004 PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story.

Bausch is currently a professor at Chapman University in Orange, California, and the editor of the Norton Anthology of Short Fiction.

In preparation for Bausch’s visit, Centenary first-year students are reading The Stories of Richard Bausch.

Shreveport Little Theater: Neil Simon's coming of age tale, Lost InYonkers

yonkers, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The cast, according to Robert Darrow: Mary Joris, Grandma; Cara Johnston, Bella; Mark Rogers, Eddie; Eric Lincoln, Louie; John Boston, Jay; Jackson Driggers, Arty and Jennifer Adams, Gert.

Mixed-media artist Drek Davis brings Idle Warship to Meadows Museum,Centenary College, Sat, Feb 23

Idle Warship {Installation Shots} suite billy fauxlterpiece, a photo by rahdreekus on Flickr.

In a collection called Idle Warship, Rodrecas "Drek" Davis’ places Christian and Yoruba language and images against those of Pop/Hip Hop culture and Western Art History, says Diane DuFilho.

Davis allows that, “Idle Warship considers the topics of politics, religion, violence, race, representation, and the places where these things intersect. It is the fluidity of history and the pervasiveness of appropriation (aka sampling) that binds much of this work. And it is the possibility that the ubiquitous hand fan (church or otherwise) will be used as an instrument of education, while aiding in meditation and supplication, which has most intrigued me.”

Expect saucy, challenging images from this U of Georgia grad who is a faculty member at Grambling State U.

Friends of the Algur Meadows Museum Preview: Sat, Feb 23, 5:30–7:30 pm
(5:30 – 6:15 Gallery Talk, 6:15 – 7:30 pm Reception)

Noon to 4 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Noon to 5 PM on Thursday.
1:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Monday. Free admission.
318.869.5040.

Please see snaps from the well-attended Drek Davis gallery talk. Also, check this excellent audio recording of Drek's gallery talk.

Critical Mass art exhibit, 5:45 to 8 pm, Th, Feb 28, Shreveport

Critical Mass art exhibit, Feb 28, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Following the Central Artstation opening, which begins at 4:30 pm, artists and art patrons will nip over to Artspace - 5:45 to 8 pm - to hear San Diego critic Laura Buscemi. She will bestow honors and cash awards.

SRAC says some 200 artists will be represented in Critical Mass.

More at Shrevearts.org

Moonbot Studios-designed play space debuts in The Learning Express, Shreveport, 10 am, Sat, Feb 16

The Learning Express, Shreveport: Moonbot design, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Who wants to come play with Zoë and Riley tomorrow at Learning Express?" asks Moonbot leader Brandon Oldenburg.

"At 10am we will unveil the new play space. Fyi: Moonbot Studios was asked to design a play space in the back of the store. I am so happy with how Jim Hayes and team pulled off our design. Now let's see if the kids like it."

Oldenburg continues, "There will also be a story time reading of Morris Lessmore with Mike Martindale, the Narrator on all of our Moonbot Apps! Moonbot kid T-shirts and books will be on sale!"

Learning Express Toys of Shreveport
5733 Youree Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105
(318) 865-8697
Hours:
M10 am – 6 pm
T10 am – 6 pm
W10 am – 6 pm
Th10 am – 6 pm
F10 am – 6 pm
Sat10 am – 6 pm
Sun Closed

"8" at River City Repertory

"8" premiered in L.A. with a star-studded cast that included supporters of marriage equality like Brad Pitt and George Clooney.  The Shreveport performance will feature local celebrities.On February 17th at 7:30 pm at the Karpeles Museum, River City Repertory Theatre will do a 1-night only performance of "8", the play based on the Prop 8 trial.  

Tickets can be purchased by calling 318-868-5888 daily from 11-4. All seats are $30. Profits go to the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

AFER is the nonprofit that spearheaded the court challenge to Prop 8, which took away the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. This court challenge drew lots of attention because our side (proponents of marriage equality) had as its legal representation the dream team of liberal icon David Boies and conservative icon Ted Olson, who were on opposing sides in the landmark Bush v. Gore which decided the 2000 election. Boies and Olson were successful and Prop 8 was overturned. This court decision has been appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court which has agreed to hear the appeal.

Why "8"

Uncover the truth about marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. "8"-a new play by Academy-award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar)-demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Hollingsworth v. Perry). Learn about the historical context of marriage from expert testimony. See the human cost of discrimination. Uncover the arguments used to justify bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Using the actual court transcripts from the landmark federal trial of California's Prop. 8 and first-hand interviews, "8" shows both sides of the debate in a moving 90-minute play.

See video from the original play at AFER's web site:   http://www.8theplay.com/  and at River City Repertory Theatre's web site:  http://www.rivercityrep.org

The Rep is being supported by P.A.C.E. and the ACLU of Louisiana

RSVP for "8" on Facebook, and get more information.

Villaggio, Bossier City: Spring Art Walk welcomes adult and teen artists and musicians for March 30 event

Villaggio Main Street, a photo by Villaggio on Flickr.

In a partnership with The Villago community the Bossier Arts Council will coordinate a Spring Art Walk on Sat, March 30, says Leigh Anne Chambers.

This is an opportunity for area artists and artisans to sell their work in an outdoor venue. Each artist will be provided a table and two chairs and given one hour for set up. The event will be from 10-4pm. Any artists wishing to participate should visit www.bossierarts.org for an entry form and email the application to bossierarts@bossierarts.org. A $15 dollar fee will apply to assist for rental of equipment and promotion (BAC will NOT be taking a commission on works sold). All applications must be submitted by February 28.

We are presently searching for local bands and/or solo acts for the musical portion of the Art Show. All entries must be “radio appropriate”. If you wish to participate, please visit www.bossierarts.org to download an entry form. Entry forms must be submitted via e-mail to the address listed below by March 1.

If you have any questions, contact Shaundarius Hardman, Budding Artists Association member, by email (bossierarts@bossierarts.org) or phone (318-741-8310). Also, check out our Facebook page (Budding Artist Association) for more information.

Generation XY Exhibit- Demaree-Hazelton-Harold

John Bentrup and Ashley Hazelton 

“We named the show Generation XY because we wanted to display our work with family influences spanning two generations as well as make a distinction as individuals,” said  Deborah Allen Demaree. 

Deborah Allen Demaree began showing her work at the Artist Transit in the 1980s. It from this point she went on show in shows such as the Shreveport National Exhibit, curated by Harry Rand of the Smithsonian Institute, creating her own clothing label, “Demaree” and sold hand painted clothing to stores all over the South. “I raised my children to question authority and live by their own convictions. Collectively, this show will resonate that ideal.”

Ashley Hazelton is showing 18 pieces of photography consisting of 9 different artists that are displaying hand painted artwork from 9 different local artists. She was inspired to take on the task of proving that photography is art after being told unless someone is holding a paint brush or pencil then what you’re creating is not real art. Ashley’s work will prove this concept as false by collaborating with various local artists and models for a strong “in your face” collection.

Micah Harold is a painter, musician, magician and tattoo artist. His graphic art has been featured in the Made-for-TV movie Not Like Everyone Else and his paintings have been exhibited in universities, galleries and museums. “I consider myself the medium for the individual to experience my world and what I see,” said Harold, tattoo artist at Fortune & Glory Tattoo Parlor.

Voodoo Café: an Art Bar

622 Commerce St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101

Saturday Febuary 16, 2013- Doors open at 8pm

Music by Beggin for its and Engine

$5 cover

Charles Madden mixed media art exhibit: talented student's work on display Feb 17 - Mar 2, Turner Art Center, Centenary College

Charles Madden exhibit: Feb 17 - Mar 2, Turner Art Center, Centenary College; party Feb 23, 2 to 4 pm, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

A gifted sketcher and imagineer, Charles Madden got his early instruction at Renzi Center and at Caddo Magnet High.

As he graduates from Centenary College, he celebrates a culmination of art development in a show at Turner Art Center.

Madden is also celebrating acceptance to LSU Med School.

Meet New Orleans mixed media artists Leslie Addison and George Yerger at an Artspace Shreveport party Fri, Feb 8, 5 to 8 pm

Leslie Addison, George Yerger, New Orleans artists, Artspace Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Yerger & Addison capture “offhand moments and everyday iconography that is the essence of a culturally rich and immensely layered Southern existence.”

The opening reception for their show at Artspace Shreveport, Southern Dialogues, is Fri, Feb 8, 5:00 - 8:00 pm, says Julia Foley.

Admission is $10.

New classical compositions from violist Todd Gabriel to be premiered at Centenary College, Anderson Auditorium, Thurs, Feb 7, 7:30 pm

violists Adrienne and Todd Gabriel, a photo by SJW Rogers on Flickr.

A premiere of composer Todd Gabriel's works will be performed Thurs, Feb 7, at 7:30 at Centenary's Anderson Auditorium, Hurley Music Bldg. Gabriel is a long-time composer as well as violist for the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. He is also a Centenary music prof.

Gabriel's works:

Idyll Time for string quintet (2012) and Three Values for violin and piano (2010).

Performers are Christopher Allen, bass; Jennifer Carsillo, violin; Ruth Drummond, cello; Adrienne Gabriel, viola; Gay Grosz, piano, Dan Santelices, violin.

Free and open to the public.

Photo by Susan Rogers.

Shreveport Songs: PETE MCKINLEY & COUNTRY JIM - Shreveport Blues (Specialty, 1952)

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

Though recorded in 1952, it took twenty-one years for Pete McKinley and Country Jim's "Shreveport Blues" to reach the record-buying public.  However, having only appeared on one compilation album released in England in 1973, I suspect few people have been able to enjoy this song that name-checks a local intersection (McNeil and 4th Street) and mentions a "cold chill" inducing woman.

For the rest of story on Pete McKinley and Country Jim and audio from “Shreveport Blues,” visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2013/02/pete-mckinley-country-jim-shreveport.html

Golem, a game being created by Moonbot Studios via Kickstarter donations

Golem, a game being created by Moonbot Studios; see http://moonbotstudios.com, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

To create a world-class game that is independent of big studios, the Moonbots – Bill Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg, Lampton Enochs – today asked the world for a budget of $750,000.

Paying the engineers, animators and designers for the game called Golem, set in Prague and dreamed up by Joyce and Brandenburg, is a big ticket item.

They propose to raise the money from you and me and our cooler neighbors via the donation aggregator site called Kickstarter.com.

Keeping the animation studio going, some 50 employees at the moment, is certainly in the best interests of Shreveporters, Louisianians and many others. There are numerous incentives to give money, mostly in the category of vanity sussies.

Moonbot has 50 days to raise their total. Otherwise donations are returned to the donors.

Follow their progress at MoonbotStudios.com.