Saturday, December 12, 2015

Exploring Regional Broadband for North Louisiana

Exploring Regional Broadband for North Louisiana

Date:    December 19, 2015         

Time:   10am 

Place:   CoHab, 500 Clyde Fant Pkwy #200, Shreveport, LA 71101

The Louisiana Coalition for Broadband Now, CoHab and State Representative Elect Cedric Glover will sponsor a three session event to discuss the benefits of community broadband fiber networks for north Louisiana. Communities across America have sought to attract, partner for, or develop their own fiber networks, and a rapidly growing number of public and private service providers have 
embraced gigabit connectivity as the minimum standard for next-generation 
networks.

Session 1: Focus on the enhanced education and economic potential of 
fiber communities- It’s working - There are many paths to fiber to the home 
deployment for a communities. Michael Harold and Keith Hanson will discuss the 
economic and educational potential of fiber communities and how they will effect 
potential growth in north Louisiana. 

Session 2: The current regulatory environment in Louisiana -led by Tom 
Arceneaux; providing an overview of the legal environment faced by community 
driven broadband fiber initiatives. 

Session 3: Keynote speaker Mayor Joey Durel from Lafayette Louisiana Mayor Durel of Lafayette Louisiana will be speaking on how he made broadband a reality in the heart of Cajun Country resulting in reliable and affordable broadband services to its citizens. 

Chit and Chat: Light refreshments will be provided.

Keynote Speaker Mayor Joey Durel- Elected in 2003, he became only the second Republican mayor of his city and the second person elected as "City-Parish president" of the combined City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish government. Self described as a “progressive” Republican; Mayor Durel led his city to positive impact by building an ultra-fast broadband network responsible in part to Lafayette’s growing economy. The success of the LUS Fiber system is reason businesses continue to choose Lafayette. Four high-tech companies have recently announced bringing a total of 1100 direct new jobs to their community with total new wages exceeding $65 million per year. Mayor Durel will be sharing how he led Lafayette to create their own fiber system.


Panelists include:

Tom Arceneaux- Practicing law for over 35 years, Mr. Arceneaux  has run the 
gamut of the law practice experience, from United States District Court law clerk 
to associate at a large Houston law firm (Vinson & Elkins) to small partnership 
practice to in-house counsel to solo practice. His practice is primarily commercial 
law, with emphasis on commercial transactions and commercial litigation, but he 
also has a substantial practice in state and local government law. From 1982-
1990, Tom served as a member of the Shreveport City Council, including holding
office as Chairman and Vice Chairman of that body. 

Michael Harold-Systems architect and inventor in five global markets: Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Last-mile Computing, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Information Archiving (EIA) and the Mobile Internet of Things. Founder of four technology startups. Inventor with patents and patents pending in encryption, compression, last mile computing, cloud computing and mobile computing. Michael is the founder of Little Big which uses smart phones to control and communicate with out-of-home digital signage applications.

Keith Hanson-  Cofounder, CEO and developer of Twin Engine Labs, a software engineering firm that specializes in turning “blue sky” entrepreneurial ideas into profitable products. Specialties include, Mobile Monetization, Ideation, Resource Management, Mobile API, and Scalable Server Architectures. win Engine Labs has also worked with brands large and small, working with Cisco Networks, American Songwriter Magazine, Symantec, and many others. Keith fosters a quickly growing local alliance of technology companies and has been recognized with the Rising Star of the Year award by the Governor of Louisiana. 

Moderator
Cedric Glover: - Two term former Shreveport Mayor and State Representative Elect jumped started the region's cultural economy by building in Ledbetter Heights the $14 million Millennium Studios and Worldwide FX complex, initiating the Central ArtStation, the LA Film Prize, laying out the vision for the Shreveport Common and securing city ownership and control of the previously failed Red River District.  As a staffing industry professional, Cedric understands the benefit of providing opportunity to thousands of our youth in the Mayor's Summer Jobs and Internships initiative. Representative Elect Glover is known for his technology savoir-faire, communicating with citizens over Twitter and other social media, making himself available to the public.

Media on Lafayette, Louisiana’s fiber system 
Bill Moyer – “Bringing High Speed Internet to Cajun Country


**Attendees will be eligible for a free drawing for gift cards for Star Wars- The Force Awakens**

For more information please contact:
Deborah Allen- Louisiana Coalition for Broadband Now-
lacobroadnow@gmail.com

Find us on 
Facebook
Twitter

RSVP here

Sunday, November 01, 2015

Shreveport Blog transitioning from Blogger to Facebook - after 10 years on Blogger

wrenches 3

Shreveport Blog is transitioning to a Shreveport Blog on Facebook in order to re-direct and focus. My ambition is to add more personal insight into the events at hand, write more reviews and see whether the blog can grow.

Please join me.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Shiloh Baptist Church, Mooringsport: Lead Belly's grave and annual jam at noon on Sat, Nov 7

Lead Belly's grave site, Shiloh Baptist Church, Mooringsport

The annual Lead Belly graveside memorial jam will be banged out at noon on Sat, Nov 7, about noon at the Shiloh Baptist Church graveyard in Mooringsport, Louisiana (10395 Blanchard Latex Rd, Mooringsport, LA 71060-9150), says Katy Hobgood Ray. Louisiana musicians will gather at the grave of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter to perform his songs from noon - 1 p.m. All are welcome.

The legendary Huddie Ledbetter was a larger-than-life American singer called King of the Twelve String Guitar, and, sometimes, the Father of American Folk Music. He was known for a vast repertoire of songs - ranging in style from children's ditties to political rags to waltzes to country blues. Many of his songs have become standards, including “Goodnight Irene,” “The Midnight Special,” “Rock Island Line,” “Alberta,” “Pick A Bale Of Cotton,” “The Bourgeois Blues,” and “Birmingham Jail.”

Kathryn Hobgood Ray, 504-650-1238, kathryn@bienvilleray.com or Danny Wilder, 318-751-2733.

The drive to Shiloh Baptist Church traverses some of the lovely woods of North Louisiana. The route also passes the Longwood General Store and Mobil station where drivers can fill a tank and fill numerous hungry bellies. Take I-20 Exit 3 (LA -169), North 10 miles to Caddo Parish #6. (a.k.a. Blanchard-Latex Rd.). Turn left on Caddo Parish #6, drive 2.6 miles to Shiloh Baptist Church.

Leadbelly lyrics

Voces Castellanas presents Dia de los Muertos celebration in Columbia Park on Sat, Nov 7, 1 pm to 4 pm

Dia de los Muertos Shreveport, Sat, Nov 7

Voces Castellanas and Multicultural Center of the South happily invite you to the Day of the Dead Festival, says Janine Gomezjurado Demerath.

Día de los Muertos, A Celebration of Life, takes place on Sat, Nov 7, 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Columbia Park.

"Bring your family to do hands-on crafts, enjoy music performances, folkloric dances, exhibition of ofrendas, face painting, Bread of the Dead, games and more. Admission is free," says Lee Spruell.

Columbia Park, 600 Columbia St., Shreveport

Info: 840-9701.

Dia de los Muertos, Julia Miranda Bonet

Photo Julia Miranda Bonet 2015.

Math and art in hands-on exhibit at Artspace Shreveport: interactive work by painter-designer Harriet Stone Evans opens Thurs, Nov 5, 5 pm - 8:30 pm

Harriet Dehan, Shreveport

Harriet Stone Evans loves math. She also is an accomplished designer and painter. Thus the exhibit of her work, “From Flowers to Form: Art Inspired by Mathematics,” will illuminate the mathematical elements in art. Viewers can expect to experience the power of geometry and algebra as artforms through Evans' artworks. And most of her work is interactive.

The Evans exhibition has been presented at the Museum of Science in Boston and the Louisiana Children’s Museum in New Orleans.

Tours will be led by the artist, Harriet Stone Evans - who is a dancer and yoga devotee and vibrant conversationalist - and professional leading area artists from Monday, November 9 through Thursday December, 17.(318) 673-6535

Harriet Stone Evans, Artspace Shreveport

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Cirque de la Symphonie with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra: aerialists, jugglers and surprises on Sat, Oct 31, 7:30 pm, Riverview Theater

Cirque de la Symphonie / Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

"Aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen," says Cirque de la Symphonie, are what audiences can expect on Sat, Oct 31, in Cirque's performance with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Indeed, "Each artist's performance is professionally choreographed to classical masterpieces and popular contemporary music in collaboration with the maestro."

Cirque performed to acclaim in Shreveport in 2009. The SSO audience seemed awed by the variety and high quality of the circus performers.

Tickets.

Making sure not to ignore that it is Halloween, the SSO says "Join us at 6:30 PM before the concert for some Halloween fun: face painting, Halloween-themed carnival games and treat bags for kids. We invite kids and adults alike to come in costume and join us for a costume parade."

Because you never know when parking on the riverfront is going to be a hassle, there's a free shuttle service which starts at 6:30 pm. The bus picks up at Regions Bank parking garage at the corner of Milam & Market Streets.

Cirque de la Symphonie / Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Improv in classical piano: composer Steven Termini performs in Anderson Auditorium, Centenary College, Shreveport, 7:30 pm Tues, Oct 27

Steve Termini

Pianist, composer, and improvisatory artist Steven Termini will visit Centenary College of Louisiana on Tues, Oct 27, says Gale Odom. He will perform a concert of improvisatory piano music in the Anderson Auditorium at 7:30 PM. The concert is free and open to the public.

Prior to the concert, Dr. Termini will conduct a workshop with Centenary’s new improvisatory student ensemble, Genesis Jam, at 6:00 PM. “Being able to improvise well is a rare skill, but there is an increasing need for that skill in today’s musical world,” said Dr. Odom, Dean of the Hurley School of Music.

Dr. Termini earned his Ph.D. in Performance Practice from the Royal Academy of Music in London; he also holds a Masters in Fine Arts (Jazz) from California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, said Odom. More at centenary.edu/news/.

Those who attended the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra concert featuring pianist Gabriela Montero will remember that she touted her encore as a breathless moment of improvisatory freedom. She asked for audience suggestions for her theme and stopped when she heard the crowd pleaser "You are my sunshine." I am not so sure that it was a spontaneous, unrehearsed bit. Still, she ran a lot of scales and dazzled the crowd with her knowledge of stock material. She approached the famous melody from several directions and won more applause. As a jazz buff, I was not impressed with what she played for the SSO audience. Then again, how can you play something interesting for a middle of the road audience in a tertiary city?

Surely Termini, performing in a quiet, academic setting, will set his sights high in regards his extemporaneous adventure.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Chamber music in Shreveport: Noel Foundation performance at Anderson Auditorium on Sun, Oct 25, 3 pm

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

One hates to say that a dynamic performance of classical music by professional musicians is "free." In so many ways, the word "free" is a sickly and false word. A better description of the Noel Foundation Chamber series on Sun, Oct 25, 3 PM, is no charge. The fees for the Shreveport Symphony production have been paid by the foundation.

The concert features Debussy/Schoenberg, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Schoenberg's Transfigured Night and Strauss Jr./Schoenberg, Emperor Waltz, says Lois Robinson.

In the chamber orchestra: Matt Albert, Jennifer Carsillo, Rachel Bundy, Russell Lewis, Todd Gabriel, Sherri Fleshner, Charles Regauer, Ruth Drummond, David Jankowski, Belinda Viesca, Christopher Allen, Tim Wright, Sally Hundemer, Theresa Bridges, Chan Teague and Gay Grosz.

A unusual note is that Daniel Ley will play harmonium. The last accompaniment by harmonium that I remember is when Allen Ginsberg played a portable harmonium while reciting poetry in the Shell amphitheater at Centenary College.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friendly, award-winning high school seeks students; visit on Halloween day, 10:30 - 12:30 during 8th grade preview or at JAMbalaya Music Fest, 12:30 - 4 pm

Caddo Magnet HS

Caddo Magnet High might be a good fit for you.

It is a medium-sized school with enough students (about 1100) to provide a variety of course choices (for instance, I teach African-American Studies, Fine Arts Survey and Video journalism as well as world geography) yet small enough to feel comfortable. It has a wealth of sports - lacrosse, volleyball, fencing, gymnastics, tennis, cross country, soccer and more - and the ROTC program provides a world of additional choices - such as orienteering and activities in Rangers.

Magnet is known for the academic tone of its campus as well as its friendliness and acceptance. Yet there are small worlds within the campus: among them the drama family, the theater tech group, the orchestra students, the Quiz Bowl teens, the debaters, the band musicians, the Student Council workers.

Magnet teachers give individual attention to their students before school and after school. Actually, it is a school where the average student submits their homework on time. Yet across the school students are helping each other study and cooperating to make their deadlines.

Please visit the campus and meet students Sat, Oct 31, Halloween, between 10:30 and 12:30. If you arrive later, you may check out Magnet's newest music and food fest, JAMbalaya ($8).

Regardless of the time, if you'd like to visit, we'd like to make it happen. Please call assistant principal Sheryl Thomas, 318.221.2501, to schedule a visit.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

French romance at Robinson Film Center: 2 movies En Francais Oct 23 - 29

French cinema at RFC

“French cinema, at its best, is very smart, stylish, and innovative,” said Jeff Hendricks, Film Society chair and professor of English and film studies at Centenary College. “Bringing these films to our community via Robinson Film Center helps remind us of the long-standing political, economic, and cultural relationship between France and the United States. And we couldn’t do this were it not for the support from the French embassy and Consulate General in New Orleans.”

From Oct 23-29, RFC will screen a pair of contemporary French movies that both center around unconventional romances: “The New Girlfriend” and “3 Hearts.”

And there's a French Dinner, avec les grands fromages from the Embassy.
$30 (includes dinner and two movies passes good for any movie during French Week)
Evening films: $9.50 ($7.50, RFC members) Matinee films: $7.50 ($5.50, RFC members)
318.459.4122.

Planting trees and policing the grounds around Highland Park: Shreveport Green and Highland Restoration Assoc sponsor volunteer beautification on Sat, Nov 7 , 8 am to noon

Praying Mantis Mask

Highland Restoration Association and Shreveport Green are gathering Highland neighbors for a morning of beautification, says Stephen Pederson.

"We will be picking up trash at and around Highland Park," Pederson says. Perhaps more importantly, "We're also planting 30 trees to help replenish Highland's aging trees."

Highland chef extraordinaire Andrew Parsons will serve up a delicious lunch from 11 until noon.

Illustration: mask made from Highland trash by Kathryn Usher.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Sheveport Farmers Market opens Sat, Oct 24, 8 am til noon; runs through Nov 21

Shreveport Farmers Market potatoes

Shreveport Farmers' Market will open on October 24 for its fall session, says Noma Fowler-Sandlin. It will run each Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon through November 21.

Under the East Pavilion in Festival Plaza, at 101 Crockett Street in downtown Shreveport, there will be a large selection of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, locally-raised meats, gourmet, baked and canned goods. No medical marijuana, but just about everything else.

At the Market Cafe under the Spring Street Bridge, various types of ready-to-eat foods will be available, along with tables at which to dine while listening to music performed by areated musicians.

Shreveport Farmers Market

Hydrogen Child charting with "I Know" from "The Sirens" EP; groove to Hydge in costume on Halloween at Strange Brew, Shreveport

Royal Teeth, Hydrogen Child @ Strange Brew, Shreveport

"Y'all, what the af is going on?? We're charting now?!" says Chris Rimmer of Hydrogen Child. "I Know" is listed at #12 in Spotify's US Viral 50 and is 18 in the Global Viral 50.

Little do listeners know what rich tunes they are about to discover if they follow a purchase of "I Know" with more from Hydge, masters of the pop hook.

Strange Brew is a salubrious room for a performance of the quintet's arena-sized tunes. On Halloween they will perform at Shreveport's capacious Strange Brew along with Seratones and, Ansley Rimmer says, "a wonderful group from down south - Lafayette - called Rareluth."

Royal Teeth, Hydrogen Child @ Strange Brew, Shreveport

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Voices. Costumes. Romance. Shreveport Opera performs Carmen at Riverview Theater on Sat, Oct 24, 7:30 pm

Shreveport Opera: Carmen

The 67th Season of Shreveport Opera: Bizet's Carmen on Sat, October 24, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at Riverview Theater, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway in Downtown Shreveport.

Tickets: $25-90 and $15 for students. (318) 227-9503 or shreveopera.tix.com.

Cast information.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Chris Fowler-Sandlin knows books; see his book sale on Sat, Oct 17, 8 am to 2 pm, 505 Wilkinson

Fowler-Sandlin Book Sale

Chris Fowler-Sandlin is the kind of knowledgable, passionate book seller who was more common in a recent era.

Trust his judgment on books.

Sign in for vendor space at the Texas Ave Makers Fair on Nov 14, 2015, 10 am to 4 pm

Texas Ave Makers Fair, Shreveport

Bring your own 10X10 tent and tie downs, says the Texas Ave Community Assoc. Squares are $55 and $75 at eventbrite.com.

"Vendors new to the Fair or pre-2014, please e-mail 4 or 5 representative photos and a brief description to makersfair@texasave.org We hope to make sign up a smooth & easy process, via the EventBrite link in your email, once qualified. We don't have staff to field calls or monitor Facebook messages or posts. Send the pictures if you haven't," says Dan Keele.

"It's a family event. Sociable dogs on non-retractable, short lines are welcome," says Keele.

TAMF is about original or repurposed art and handcrafted goodies, plus food trucks, music and fun.

"Stay all day. Visit, shop. See what life we bring to the Core of the City," adds Keele.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

888 Texas Avenue - Elvis Presley Blvd & Texas Ave. (maps may say Grand Ave, not EPB). Shreveport, LA 71101

Texas Ave Makers Fair, Shreveport

Monday, October 12, 2015

Plant walk, nature photography, skull maze, canoeing: all ages welcome at Red River National Wildlife Refuge annual celebration on Sat, Oct 17, 9 am to 2 pm

Spotted fawn White-tailed Deer

Canoeing, archery, hayride refuge tours, face painting, fish printing, and other nature-oriented activities. Seeing an eagle, native snakes, turtles, baby alligators and a young wood duck.

It is the annual Refuge Celebration and Open House on Saturday, Oct 17, 9 am to 2 pm, at Red River Natl Wildlife Refuge, says Terri Jacobs.

- New this year will be a skull maze. Visitors are given a mammal skull to identify by walking the maze.
- A guided native plant walk starts at 11 am.
- A nature photography program, titled "Birds, Bugs and Beasts of Red River National Wildlife Refuge" will start at 12:30 pm in the Education Center.
- The new Nature Discovery Outdoor Play Area, designed for children ages 4 through 10 years old, will be open to the public for the first time.

Fawn photo: Ronnie Maum.

Red River Natl. Wildlife Refuge

Dylanesque, Pettyesque, Flaming Lipsesque group Highway Lions on roof of the Remington, 220 Travis St, on Mon, Oct 12, 7 pm

Highway Lions, Shreveport

Stepping onto the smooth, white vastness of the Remington Suite roof recently - it was the Louisiana Film Prize awards brunch - verified this location as one of Shreveport's most urbane aeries.

And performing a set reminiscent of the Beatles on the roof of a London building on Mon at sunset will be the Highway Lions, an affable, bankable group of seasoned rock n rollers. These guys - Daniel Goodwill, Chris DeRosia, Michael Cherene and Steven Emery - consume Dylan for breakfast, Petty for lunch and spend two out of every three evenings bathing in the Flaming Lips.

7 pmish. Chill.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sharing your cash with Red River Radio / Public radio: not easy? Easy? Go away?

Kate Archer Kent, Shreveport

Sharing some of your hard earned cash with public radio is not an easy moment.

But for me KDAQ / Red River Radio is a serious quality of life aquifer.

Would you rather contribute or would you rather do without it?

Keep Kate Archer Kent busy, eh?

By the way and to be sure, there are numerous material incentives.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Underground sound at Big D's BBQ, 101 Common St, Shreveport, on Sat, Oct 10, 4 pm til midnight

Action: music by Sasha Sosin

"Free show at Big D's BBQ this weekend. I am playing and so are my friends! All kinds of music. 4 pm-12," says edm mixer, trickster Sasha Sosin, aka Action. His melodies and textures are being thrown down about 8:15, says Action.

Big D's show 10.10.15

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Free hugs: big-voiced singer Alyse Black at Shreveport House Concerts, 1508 Fairfield, Sun, Oct 11, 7 pm

Alyse Black @ SXSW 2014

"Hi! I'm crossing my fingers that you might be able to make it to my little show at Shreveport House Concerts this Sunday, Oct 11, 7 pm," writes Austin and Seattle-based singer Alyse Black.

"People frequently say that my music "sounds like falling in love!" What a sweet thing to say, right? It's something like a cross between Brandi Carlile, Billie Holiday and Adele. Things have been taking off like crazy this year, and I have to pinch myself pretty often to remind myself it's real." The multi-instrumentalist charmer ends her note, "Anyway, I hope I get to meet you and give you a big hug Sunday!"

$20
1508 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101
318-220-0400

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Spice mandalas, digital chlorophyllation. sequinned voudou: tripping meditatively in Meadows Museum, Shreveport

Meadows Museum, Shreveport

The mystic Meadows vibe began with sequined voudou flags and maps in the Haitian art display. They are dimly lit so as to preserve the fabric. Does the quiet light remind the viewer of the low lumens typical of artists' shops in the old quarter of Port au Prince?

Sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floors was what this artist found most comfortable in the 2 upstairs exhibits.

In a dark room is a digital exhibit of subtle action and form - New Orleans artist Courtney Egan has installed captures of flowers of the Crescent City and caught them in intimate action. The metamorphoses are accompanied by appealing, wee sounds.

Symmetric mandalas made of vivid plats of spices filled 2 rooms in Meadows and another room at Turner Art Center across Centenary Blvd from Meadows. It is an exhibit by artist Stephen Watson. While he is not a Tibetan Buddhist monk, Watson is most assuredly inspired by Tibetan sand sculpture. His designs present a powerful marriage of color and form, some of them reminding me of Matisse cut outs.

Highly recommended.

Meadows hours have been extended under the new directors: Tues - Fri, 11am-6pm and Sat, noon - 4pm.

Lecture by Dr David Otto on Sat, Oct 10, 1 pm: "Mandalas: Their Meaning and Use" at the Meadows - in conjunction wi the art of Stephen Watson.

Meadows Museum, Shreveport

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

PXRF, infrared camera, 3D geomorphic scanning: Archaeology Day at SciPort Shreveport on Sat, Oct 17, 10 am to 2 pm

Caddo Magnet HS pottery teacher Curtis Bias

SciPort Shreveport presents International Archaeology Day on Sat, Oct 17, 10 am to 2 pm, says Ann Fumarolo.

Tad Britt, Chief of Archaeology and Collections with the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Natchitoches, La, will give technology demonstrations involving a PXRF – a hand-held x-ray machine used to identify the elemental composition of an artifact – and other technologies including an infrared camera and microscope, under which visitors can view sections of artifacts like stone tools and ceramics.

Dr. Robert Z. Selden Jr., Stephen F. Austin University, will demonstrate 3D geomorphic scanning techniques involving ceramic Caddo artifacts like bowls, pots and bottles.

Sci-Port visitors are encouraged to bring artifacts from home for identification by archaeologist Jay Gray of Cultural Resources Analysts, Inc. Gray will analyze items such as arrowheads, kitchen tools, hardware and remains of goods left behind by pioneers.

Archaeology Day activities are free with regular Center admission.

Above: Curtis Bias pot in homage to Caddo design.

Monday, October 05, 2015

John Bogan the warden in Tennessee Williams' first play, Not About Nightingales, Oct 8 - 11, Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Shreveport

Not About Nightingales, MLP, Shreveport

Not About Nightingales is a three-act play written by Tennessee Williams in 1938, says Wikipedia. A group of inmates go on a hunger strike in attempt to survive cruel treatment.

Eva, the new secretary at the prison, is busy avoiding the Warden's advances and falling for Jim, an inmate. Williams gained inspiration for the play after reading newspaper accounts of inmates who suffocated in a steam room in a Pennsylvania prison.

Although the play was originally written in the 1930s, it wasn’t discovered until the late 1990s when Vanessa Redgrave made it her personal mission to track it down.

Directed by Assistant Professor of Theater Logan Sledge, Not About Nightingales will run at Marjorie Lyons October 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. - with a 2 p.m. matinee on October 11.

John Bogan will guest star as Warden Whalen. Says Bogan, “It’s easy to hear notes of a style that would later coalesce in memorable characters like Harold ‘Mitch’ Mitchell in A Streetcar Named Desire, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.”

On opening night, Oct 8, Centenary faculty and staff will facilitate a post-performance “talk back” exploring the 2015-2016 theater season theme “Why Unto Others…”

Above: Aiden Poling as Jim, John Bogan as Whalen. More photos.

Not About Nightingales, MLP, Shreveport

Sweaty, shakin,' kinetick freaks at the Revel: Big Sam's Funky Nation on Fri, Oct 9, 8:30 pm - 10 pm

P1300716-1

Crescent City cut-ups devoted to the art of funkily fanning the flames of flying flip-flops on Friday night at the Revel: Big Sam's Funky Nation.

Introduced to Shreveport, as far as I know, by Bears Fairfield, this quintet does everything a thumping New Orleans band must do.

Worth the tariff.

Sunday, October 04, 2015

Much of the moxie morphs here: NTT's at Artspace Shreveport on Tues, Oct 6, 6 pm to 9 pm

New Talent Tuesdays, Shrveveport

New Talent Tuesdays at Artspace Shreveport: send your best emissaries to watch talent grow like hearty weeds between the cracked walls of the Texas St buildings.

$5 for untold good.

Artist Don Edwards exhibit, Walk on the Wild Side, at Rainforest Art Foundation, 710 Travis St, Shreveport; Truffle Party on Oct 20, 5 pm to 7 pm

Painter Don Edwards, Shreveport

Rainforest Art Foundation presents work by naturalist, photographer and wildlife artist Don Edwards, says Stephanie Yu Lusk.

Edwards has traveled to Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Wyoming's Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Alaska, and been aboard three trips to Africa, including visits to the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

To celebrate the Edwards exhibit a Truffle Party will be held by the Rainforest Art Foundation on Tues, Oct. 20, from 5-7 pm. Admission is free - with a suggested $10 donation to benefit Rainforest Art Foundation. Black truffle-infused mushroom pasta and chocolate truffles will complement the photography exhibit, “Wild Mushrooms of the Rainforest.”

Voting for their favorite Don Edwards painting in the “Walk on the Wild Side with Don Edwards” exhibition (excluding the Duck Stamp painting) will put patrons in a door prize drawing. The winner will choose a 20” x 30” canvas giclée of their choice valued at $450, including frame.

See the Rainforest Art Foundation / Marlene Yu Museum hours at www.MarleneYuMuseum.org. Visit during off hours by calling (318)717-9111, says Iris McClean. 710 Travis St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101

Baroque Artists of Shreveport perform Vivaldi at St Mark's Episcopal on Sun, Oct 4, 2 pm

baroque 1

A septet of professional players awaits their audience at St Mark's Episcopal on Sun, Oct 4, 2 pm.

Sit as close to the musicians as possible to enhance the clarity of these articulate performers.

No fee. Sponsors have subsidized the series.

Baroque Artists of Shreveport

Friday, October 02, 2015

La Film Prize movie "Honey and the Hive:" all-ages, bee-related games at 516 Texas St on Fri, Oct 2 and Sat, Oct 3 , plus discounted LFP movie passes

Honey and the Hive, LaFilmPrize.com

Filmmaker Austin Alward has directed an 11-minute movie about a seven year-old adopted girl and about bees. It is called "Honey and the Hive" and is being shown this weekend as one of the 20 competitors in the La Film Prize.

He has also created a center for bee-related games - Bee Hive Corn Hole, for example - at 516 Texas St inside a decorated, winged school bus called the Bumblebus.

Those who like what Alward is doing with bees and his poetic, charming movie may want to purchase a discounted ticket to the LFP viewings - so that, if you watch all 20 movies, you can vote. Viewers' votes comprise 50% of the score in the LFP.

Honey and the Hive, LaFilmPrize.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Honey wine and duck supper at Noble Savage on Sat, Oct 3, 6 pm - 8 pm, buzzing the LFP movie "Honey and the Hive"

Honey 1

Duck in a reduced pomegranate-honey sauce and honey-glazed salmon are two of the six courses being served by the kitchen of David Stoddard at Noble Savage Tavern on Sat, Oct 3, 6 pm to 8 pm, says Lee Slack. There's a different mead, or honey wine, paired with each course. "Among them are 2 African meads and 2 Danish meads," says Slack. The dessert is the honey-soaked Mediterranean treat called baklava.

New Orleans filmmaker Austin Alward brought the honey beezness to Shreveport and to the Noble Savage with his 11-min Louisiana Film Prize top twenty film, "Honey and the Hive."

The Noble is buzzed: "You don't get to do something different like this very often," Slack notes. "We are having fun with it."

Alward landed at the Noble when he was chasing a school bus as a promotion center for his film. He has secured the bus owned by Savage waiter Peter Fetterman. The bus, being turned into a giant bee and a center for education about honey and bee-keeping, is parked at 516 Texas St. Visit the Bumblebus during the La Film Prize weekend to play Bee Hive Corn Hole and have all-ages fun.

The Noble Savage mead and game supper is six courses for $60. Slack says they already have 25 reservations. Check to see about supper openings at 221-1781.

As an LFP ambassador devoted to "Honey and the Hive," I encourage you to enjoy the honey hoopla and see all 20 films so that you can vote.

You may find yourself charmed by this poetic movie. If you are interested in "Honey and the Hive" Discount Tickets to the LFP and are committed to watching both batches of short films - 10 each - message me at 318 272 6045 or Austin Alward, director-producer, at 323 899 6154. Or see regular ticket options at LFP.

Honey and the Hive movie

Monday, September 28, 2015

Sweet, hardcore Courir de Mardi Gras from a Congolese Canadian and a Rhymin' Cajun



If you are a Mardi Gras aficionado this might put a smile on your face in advance of the early advent of Fat Tuesday, which is Feb 9.

Pierre Kwenders' (the stage name of José Louis Modabi) song is called "Mardi Gras," says Npr.org.

Born and raised in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, this singer and DJ moved to Canada as a teenager and is now based in Montreal.

This is an electronic track redolent not just of Congolese dance music, but also of distinctly Acadian flavors, between some suave fiddling and a rap from Jacobus, aka Jacques Alphonse Doucet of the band Radio Radio.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Haven for 20 Syrian refugee families? Here? Shreveport-Bossier? A proposal and discussion as published on Facebook

UNHCR News Story: Syrians, risking everything to flee war, find chilly reception in Europe

What if Shreveport demonstrated social leadership by providing haven for 20 Syrian refugee families?

By Shreveport Blog editor Robert E Trudeau

It would not be cheap. I read that the Europeans typically invest $14000 in an immigrant. Shreveport would have to invest much more to bring them here. Having a group of very specific immigrants would give Shreveport a prism through which to see our own social limitations. On one hand, it would distract us from current issues. One the other hand, the insight gained by watching and listening to the refugees would give us a new way too see ourselves.

Have other American communities stepped forward to invest in Syrian immigrants? There may be a matrix that has been developed into which we could step. Are we ready to give up a notch or two of Shreveport comfort by extending ourselves in this direction?

Posted on Facebook on 9.27.15, this modest proposal drew quick and varied reactions from friends of mine - friends with strong opinions. The responses have been edited to a small degree.

Cheryl Hagar: I would take a family in and feed and clothe them myself. There but for the grace of God goes I.
John Wesley Hampson: Refugees might even have problems with the condition of this city. Our "leaders" would never consider it, unless on our dime.
Robert E Trudeau: Agreed. I think if we did this we would find new leadership. The current gang of politicians - elected with disgust by voters like me - are going to have to be ignored.
Will Broyles: While I understand the need to help others, I feel like we should get our house in order as a city before we continue to take on the burden of others in this way. But for private means, this seems well-intentioned but possibly mis-prioritized. And you're correct about the leadership problem here. It's damning.
Robert E Trudeau: This is actually about getting our house in order. Lacking the ability to face our issues head on - I think that is painfully apparent to you - I propose an end run. Syrian immigrants may seem of dubious priority to you. I understand. So let's look at multiple priorities.
Will Broyles: Fair enough.

Robin Norman Jones: I know many immigrants that have a huge and positive impact on our local community. Personally, I don't think God's community has any boundaries.
Joe Casciola: What really should be thought of is what the benefits of this could be 30, 40, 50 years from now. It should be approached as an investment.

Valerie Loridans I'd do it.

Jeff Abney: And what if you really asked groups to put their money where their mouth is - local churches? We have at least several churches (my own included) in Shreveport-Bossier who could afford to.
Madison Britt Wynne: Theres also an islamic center in town that could provide funds/insight.
George A. Tharpe III: My issue is look what we need to do for our own homeless community. We have a serious homeless crisis in this city and it just amazes me that people want to bring others from other countries in to help them BUT wouldn't think about helping those that are already here that need our help.
Robert E Trudeau: George, with respect, I am not sure you have a fact-based point to back up " a serious homeless crisis in this city." As a person who is in touch with homeless issues by communicating with organizational leaders - donating art to fundraisers being one steady reason to communicate - and by being a steady observer of life on and around Texas Ave and Hope St, I have come to believe that needs are largely being met. Not perfectly, but in a big picture.
George A. Tharpe III: Well as a businessman that has worked in and around downtown for the last 8 years, it would 'seem' to me that just walking around the streets by the courthouse, one can come to simple conclusions....not to sound heartless but do those in other countries that are having a hard time deserve our money more than those Americans that need our help?
Robert E Trudeau: Indeed, I see where your point originates, George.

Ania Swiergiel: If we always hesitate to help someone because someone else needs help, we will never help anyone. And not to diminish the needs in this country, but there's a significant difference between poverty and imminent death.
Jeff Abney: From a purely utilitarian standpoint, many (not all) of our local homeless population suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, and other co-morbidities that will prevent them from ever fully benefitting from efforts to move them out of homelessness.
Ania Swiergiel: I admire your pragmatism Jeff. It's a logical point of view, but it worries me to go down the route of grading human utility. No life is more valuable than any other in my opinion. It's not really our business to grade them, just to help them.

Lurah Blade: I've heard some voice their opinions saying, "save the whales?... How about the babies?"... Why can't we do both? Does one thing negate another? One man may have an unction(in his spirit) to help this man,.. And one man may have an And one man may have an unction(by the spirit) to help another man... If we are one,.. Then to help one man IS to help another man and in truth, help ones own self.. We may not be able to do it all, this even more speaks to why we need each other.. We are not created to be without help..if we do good to one we have done it to all, help the homeless here, help the Syrians.. It will and never should be one or the other... One means all. Much love 'er body.

John Perkins: Our local experience with refugees from South Viet Nam in the 1970s was positive. It was led by the Catholic Church if I remember, but I have lasting friendships and positive memories from those days. Sister Margaret was very strong in that respect.
Mark Goff: The city has a system to deal with our homeless. Liz Swain of the DDA has worked hard to provide food and temp shelter for the homeless. I used to provide space for different agencies to provide food. I guess it was no longer necessary.
Madison Britt Wynne: I think what Robert was getting at is that showing leadership with this issue could serve as a catalyst for other communities to follow...this mindset could be applied to local homeless of course. The alternative? Wait on governments to do something...maybe some of the blame is with us, the citizens. What if 2 families were taken in? Suggesting we shouldn’t help because others need help is fallacy.
Steve Allen: Hey, the Syrians I've heard speak on tv have all been intelligent educated middle class professionals, family people. I see much positive in inviting them.

Chuck Fulco: HELL NO! allow the radical muslims to continue to destroy their way of life. We have enough destroyers in our government, and they don't need any help! We can observe and "learn" from those already here..

Betsy Eldridge Ebarb: Robert, I appreciate your bringing this up. We should always at least discuss and put on the table ideas to help others. This is a great point of discussion.
Tabby Lane-Michaelson: Humans of New York is, as of this week, beginning to tell refugee's stories. The first installment of Brandon's interviews has left me completely stunned and heartbroken. To think that is only one of Millions of stories that are happening right now is unfathomable. Over 2/3 of Syria's 24 million population have fled or are in the process of fleeing as we speak. If you are not following HONY, do so now. This is not a European, or middle eastern problem. This is a world problem. A human problem. We are all human, no matter where we are born, what religion we are, or what color our skin may be...we all need to remember that. To see and hear what is happening right now makes me want to do something, anything I can to help.

Phillip Messinger: We don't need a "a prism through which to see our own social limitations"! There are already too many silly academics offering up experimental interpretations of the limitations as it is. Maybe we could just open the prisons to get a better understanding of crime too, while you're at it. We can't help anyone else until we straighten out the problems we're struggling with already!
Kevin Teague: Let me be clear. No.
Jim Cade: What if Shreveport took care of its own; try the rescue mission if you are truly wanting to show social leadership.

Carrie Journell: There is a lot of screening that goes into being a refugee and requirements to maintain that status once they get here. Our last apartment in Austin housed many refugee families and was like a model UN. Every morning they went to English and American lifestyle classes before they headed to work. I think before the government moves refugees to a city, they need that infrastructure in place to provide the help and education they need to adjust to life in America.


Alida Soileau: Lobbying churches, nonprofits, city government? Count me in.

Billy Judd: Leave them where they are. Help a vet or the homeless that are here now.

Tabby Lane-Michaelson: Germany is doing this with the hundreds of thousands flooding their borders. They, as a country, have programs in place to teach refugees their language, customs, laws, etc...all to help them assimilate in to their country. Knowing what these refugees have been going through, they'd gladly take these classes in any country, I'm sure of it.
Carrie Journell: Right, but you need things like refugee resource centers that know how to help them get social security numbers and green cards and it helps to have things like grocery stores that have the foods and spices and soaps that people from other continents are used to seeing. Here's a welcome video for refugees if you have the time to watch it. It'll give you a sense of the institutional needs of refugees.

Kim Putman: It doesn't have to be help our needy or theirs; it's possible to do both. See a need, fill a need. Robert, I have an extra bedroom and bathroom and I would be glad to help.
Robert E Trudeau: Cool, Kim.
In this city are many more generous people like yourself. This chat may lead nowhere except to re-affirm the widespread resources and generosity that are part of Shreveport's backbone. As Carrie Journell pointed out above, helping refugees is a complex task.But is is do-able.

Honor Cobb: Could you set up a Go Fund Me Account for it and see.how many families we could "afford" to assist?
Robert E Trudeau: That would be a cool testing of the waters, Honor. Though I am not in a position to do that at this time.

LaShea Brittain: I think this is a wonderful idea. If I am remembering correctly, Shreveport hosted refugees from Kosovo in the 90's.

Kay Kennedy: I have an extra room and would do all I possibly can to help. What a beautiful country that has been destroyed and these individuals and families need our support.

George A. Tharpe III: St Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Phillip Messinger: Why bring these people here and take on the much larger risk of disturbing the already precarious state we have here rather than doing something about the situation(s) that have caused these people to flee their homeland? How in the world does it make sense to try to remedy problems in that part of the planet by sacrificing the shaky state at home. We have too much to repair and improve here to take on additional expense and difficulty.
What about the unfortunate people here who will resent their having to wait longer to reach the front of the line or even lose their place? How are we going to afford to accommodate refugees when we are already enduring shortages from decades of neglect of our own infrastructure. How many "volunteers" are available to tend to street, bridge and sewer repair/replacement? It's like saying, "we got wheels wobbling and about to go, nobody's getting off the wagon, maybe putting more up there will fix it. Let's take care of the people already here who need help.

Madison Britt Wynne: As we’ve already pointed out, and brushed over by you, MANY of these people are highly educated individuals, lawyers, doctors, business owners, teachers, etc. Arranging temp shelter and supplies is not the same as trying to fund a problem that can only be fixed by more funding (homeless for example). You must realize that if we followed your logic, then nothing would ever get done, because there is always a bigger problem right around the corner. What you’ve refused to see or accept, that this is not an ordinary problem...this is a government that has decided to murder its own people, resulting in HALF A NATION to flee. And you keep using this straw man argument. You said "rather than doing something about the situation(s) that have caused these people to flee.” No one has proposed trying to solve the problem that caused them to flee.... this is clearly federal matter between national governments. The proposal was to take a handful of individuals...not solve the Syrian civil war. Again...we’re not trying to solve the Syrian civil war, just trying to practice those good morals we were all taught in Sunday school.

Chase Boytim: FACT: if people don't step up, you could see 900,000+ people murdered. How many of the naysayers are Christians. This is not about money. We are talking about men, women and children. Europe is taking many more than the U.S. I would love to see Shreveport step up and at least take a minimal population of refugees.

Robert Boyd Dunlap: We did help create the problem. Where do we start? I think its time to shake this place up. If we were going to take care of the people here who need it, we'd be doing it already.
Phillip Messinger: Don't buy into blaming the US for so much when most of what is wrong has been caused by what we stopped doing. You might want to start by learning a few more languages, particularly phrases like, "no, please," "I'm sorry." and "take as much as you want, that's all I have."

Robert E Trudeau: A coalition of ministers - they have the manpower and potentially the money - and social workers - awareness of how to finesse the organizational team building - would have to take a look at my proposal. I have a colleague who's going to look into the immigration-related issues.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

LaFilmPrize 2015 publishes schedule of screenings and event schedule for Fri, Oct 2, through Sun, Oct 4

Honey 2 1

Five screening theaters will give the 2015 LaFilmPrize attendees useable options on the Oct 2 - 3 weekend, says Gregory Kallenberg.

1.Central Artstation
2.Robinson Film Center
3.Underground Theater (623 Texas St)
4.Capri Theater
5.Louisiana Boardwalk

Friday, Oct 2, at 9am the ticket/pass exchange will open at Tipitina’s Music Co-Op - 700 Texas Street. Films begin Friday morning at 10am. From that point forward, films will screen nonstop at the five venues around downtown Shreveport and one in Bossier City. "You may pick any screening you’d like to attend but remember, theaters fill up fast," says Chris Lyon. "Show up early and be ready to wait - and have some unscheduled fun in the process."

Ticketholders may vote only after they have seen all 20 films.

Saturday, Oct 3, the ticket/pass exchange opens at 8am. Screenings begin at 9 and rotate all day long. "You must have voted by the end of the festival day on Saturday night for your ballot to count," says Lyon.

Sunday, Oct 4, LFP will announce the winner in a live stream online at lafilmprize.com. 11:30am, Live stream will begin. Noon, Awards Ceremony Begins. "By 1 pm, we will know the winner of Louisiana Film Prize 2015," says Lyon.

LFP tickets.

Btw, Shreveport Blog author Robert Trudeau and partner, Talbot Hopkins Trudeau, are ambassadors for a charming, poetic 11-minute movie called Honey and the Hive. It was made by New Orleans filmmaker Austin Alward, a fellow who fell in love with Shreveport when he worked on the Hank Williams bio, I Saw the Light.

Honey and the Hive is about an adopted girl who worries about her fate as her family awaits the arrival of a birth child. She resembles the queen bee who seeks a new home and worries whether the new hive will accept her.

LFP 2015 events map

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Downtown Shreveport on Sat, Oct 24: Asian Street Food and music, Aseana Fall Festival, 4 pm to 9 pm

Aseana Fest 10.14.15, Shreveport

"We would like to invite you to the 4th Annual Aseana Autumn Festival, "Asian Street Food," on Sat, Oct 24, 2015, from 4 pm to 9 pm at The Asian Gardens of Shreveport. Come and enjoy the real Asian Street Food set in an Asian Garden and listen to a free concert by Jazziana! Admission is free," says Mary Grace de Joya Vea of the Aseana Foundation.

"To those interested in participating as a vendor, please call me at (318) 401-8078 or email me the soonest! Hope to see you all there!"

Monday, September 21, 2015

Music and fresh produce Oct 8, 15 and 22 at Provenance Fall Farmers Market; Thursdays, 4 pm to 8 pm

Provenance Fall Farmers Market, Shreveport

Three Provenance Fall Farmers Markets & Concerts take place in October in Windrush Park: on Thurs evenings, October 8, 15, 22 from 4-8pm. These events are free and open to the public, says Sarah Lowder.

There will be fresh produce and meats from farmers around Louisiana and East Texas. Also, handmade crafts, local art, ready to eat food, and more. The markets will take place in Windrush Park under the trees.

Thurs, Oct 8: Earshot Graffiti, 4-8pm (music starts at 5pm) Thurs, Oct 15: Robert Duncan Band, 4-8pm (music starts at 5pm) Thurs, Oct 22: Christina Langston Band, 4-8pm (music starts at 5pm)