All ages music and visual arts feast at Artspace Shreveport begins at 3 pm Sat, May 30: portculture as produced by Creative Intel and Leeaux Leo

Making his mark on Shreveport via sketchery, paintings and by dreaming and baking events, Leeaux Leo reminds some of organizer April Dahm, some of arts producer and artist David Nelson. He is somehow both a questor and a producer.

He says, "I'm a creator of sorts. I spend my time finding inspiration from music and the arts / culture I expose myself to. In a sense I'm creating the world around me. I'm only 23. I want to do great things in the environment around me no matter where I'm at. My main goal is to inspire those who I reach with my artwork, or story."

Thus his omnivorous event at Artspace Shreveport on Sat, May 30: portculture.

Spy the surreal Texas Ave mural on the side of the Bikeshreveport.com co-op Bike Container. That's Leo's work. Says Leo, "I have a gift of art that has been with me since I was young. I don't take it for granted. Instead I use it to shape my world."

Some days Leo seems everywhere in Shreveport, as in multiple coffee shops, lunch counters, art events and taverns.

"We are a Port of Culture," he reminds. "A melting pot in the south. I'm here to help show this to the eyes of people who have not been paying attention before. Sometimes people knock our music scene but it's nothing bad at All. It just needed organization. So I made a team of friends to help do this under Creative Intel Productions, where we creatively provide aesthetics to our events, creative promotion, with art and intelligence."

A vignette to go with an Arkansas band, Move Orchestra, that Leo will present Sat night at Artspace: "I was living in Little Rock at the beginning of September and heard rumor of a band I grew up listening to formed a new band. They used to be called PMToday. They were signed to Rise Records. They formed a new project called Move Orchestra. I crossed paths with them when a friend of mine invited me to a show downtown Little Rock. I was selling my artwork and enjoying the show. Move Orchestra had a brilliant performance. It was something like i've never heard or seen before."

"Finally after building up the courage to talk to them," notes the rarely-shy artist, "I shared my art and gave Connor Brogan (lead vocalist, creative mind behind it all) some of my artwork and we shared how you can make a difference by actively supporting the music and art culture directly in your community. We talked for some time. I explained to him this is my purpose here, to create. We laughed and exchanged information. Soon after I booked my first show in Little Rock AR with a band I was helping manage at the time called The Hacking and some locals. Move Orchestra performed on it and it was amazing. They had a great time and we remained in touch."

Music begins at 3 pm. Admission, $10 before 6PM. $13 after 6PM. Comestibles for sale by Ki Mexico and Jester Food Truck.

Parking in Church parking lot located next to Artspace Shreveport.



Brogan brothers, formerly PMToday; now Move Orchestra.

Collin Cochran, Maisey Brocato, Gracie Baukman lead Louisiana Dance Theater performance at Emmett Hook Center on Sat, May 30, 2 pm and 7:30 pm

LA: Dance Alive! 2015, the 32nd annual performance, is Sat, May 30, 2015, at 2 pm & 7:30 pm at the Emmett Hook Center in Shreveport, said Carol Anglin. It will feature Louisiana Dance Theatre, an Honor Company of Regional Dance America.

"Joined by three of the company’s choreographers, Jon Lehrer, Brandi Coleman, and Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, Louisiana Dance Theatre will premiere and perform award-winning choreography created by these legendary artists. We are also thrilled that Pavel Perebillo,a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was Senior Lighting Designer for the famed Kirov Ballet (Mariinsky), will return to Shreveport from Dallas as Louisiana Dance Theatre's lighting designer," said Anglin.

Louisiana Dance Theatre 2014-15 Corps de Ballet: Collin Cochran, Gracie Baukman, Maisey Brocato, Elizabeth Cush, J’aime Griffith, and Lillian Herron. Louisiana Dance Theatre 2014-15 Youth Ballet: Madison Abraham, Graison Boswell, Olivia Butterman, Kynnedi Chevalier, Rheann Chico, Mackinley Loyd, Kendall Melvin, Sara Oberle, and Caitlyn Wiley.

Online tickets: 20 - 10. Also: Carol Anglin Dancenter, 318.861.3006

Singers, dancers, groups: SRAC's Performing Arts Showcase application deadline Fri, May 29

Shreveport Regional Arts Council's Performing Arts Showcase - part of Common Culture Week - provides Critical Review for Performing Artists. It will be held on Tuesday, June 23. Each individual performer will perform for up to 10 minutes; group performances are a maximum of 15 minutes.

"Critic Anne Marie Welsh will view all performances, make the decisions about the Best of Show award and other performers/performances that merit verbal commentary after the showcase -- this promises to be a “long/late” but highly entertaining evening," says Pam Atchison.

The selected Best of Show performer/performance will receive $2,000 in order to mount a full length production/concert to be staged at a mutually agreeable time within three months of the selection. The final performance will be advertised in a national publication.

Sign Up Deadline: 12:00 midnight, May 29. The lead/contact Artist will be on the NWLA Artist’s Directory by the May 29 deadline.

Artists will also find applications for Artists Studio Tours, UnDisputed Returns teams, and Nick Cave Residency work on the site link above.

Photo: singer-musician Michael Henderson.

The Life, Love, and Hate of a Free Jazz Man and His Woman, film by Jorge Torres-Torres and Rob Peterson, at minicine?, 846 Texas Ave, Shreveport, 8 pm on Tues, May 26

A film by Jorge Torres-Torres produced by Rob Peterson, The Life, Love, and Hate of a Free Jazz Man and His Woman follows jazz saxophonist Arthur Doyle through shows in NYC, New Orleans and Birmingham, AL.

The free jazz movie trailer.

846 Texas Ave, Shreveport. Donations.

Photo is from a show of Haitian art brought to Shreveport by Rob Peterson in 2009.

All ages, smoke free, early jazz show: Mark Griffith and Twang Darkly at Central Artstation, Tues, May 26, 6 pm - 9 pm

The Everett Street Jazz Band, based in Ruston, and guitarist Mark Griffith, backed by Twang Darkly, will perform Tues, May 26th, at 6 p.m. in Central Artstation, says Pam Atchison.

Central Artstation is at the corner of Common and Crockett Streets; it's 801 Crockett St. Admission is $10. Persons 5 and under are free.

My recommendation for parking is along Crockett St or up the hill along Texas Ave.

The tapestry of sounds created Tues night should be evocative of a lunar salon peopled by lyrical djinns. Highly recommended.

Photo of Mark Griffith by Barbara Beaird.

Sundays at 3 pm, Betty Virginia Park, Shreveport: Yoga Jai, donation-based healthiness

Says Jill Anderson French of Yoga Jai, "We will be holding classes in Betty Virginia Park every Sun at 3 pm. Please try to arrive fifteen minutes before class starts to get settled and ready for class to begin.

All classes are donation based. More then 50% of the donations will go to a charity we choose for the month.

On rainy days, we will be have class at Breathe Yoga studio! We are very excited to be able to use their beautiful studio when the weather is not on our side. Their address is 1935 W. 70th Street. By the large post office."

Zounds: Shreveport Regional Arts Council's Common Culture Week activities Tues, June 23 - Sun, June 28

Coming in late June: Common Culture Week by Pam Atchison and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council .

Says Atchison, "The overall goal of the week is to identify and equip area “potential collectors” to invest in Artworks created and distributed by Northwest Louisiana Artists in the Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts fields. Everything about the week is designed to bring Collectors and Artists together to learn, appreciate, and “invest” in what each needs.

Have you considered what a potential Collector needs in order to make a commitment to support the career advancement of an Artist? Have area “taste makers,” interior designers, or just great “shoppers” thought about why they should invest in Artists who live and make their living right here? This dialogue will take place throughout the week of “matchmaking” opportunities."

Tentative Week Schedule Info:

Tues, June 23: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Performing Arts Showcase

Wed, June 24: Collector's Evening & Opening of the Artist Entrepreneurial Training Exhibition

Thurs, June 25: Marilyn Couch Exhibition Opening

Fri, June 26: Nadine Charity Literary Exhibition Opening

Sat, June 27: Undisputed! Returns!!

Sun, June 28: Shreveport Bossier Studio Tours

See the artist call.

A new generation arrives: All ages art and music produced by Leeaux Leo at Artspace Shreveport on Sat, May 30

The next generation has arrived. They are knocking upon the door. Let them in. Recommended.

Review: Sybarites in strappy satin; Daniel Salazar, Rachael Lee McGill slinkified Stage Center's production of the musical Cabaret, May 14 - 23

Titillation is ever the allure of Cabaret, a musical set in degenerate 1930's Berlin. Stage Center director Jared Watson had fun with that sexiness in his recent production of Cabaret at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. There were suggestively strappy satin, nylon, lacy and cutout costumes in every scene. And, in the spirit of full disclosure, the audience was treated to a blackout view of Daniel Salazar's (the Emcee) perfectly lunar butt cheeks.

Salazar had the physique for the Joel Grey role. Happily, he also had the energy for the androgynous, animated role, winning the audience's standing approval in the final Saturday night performance.

Yet Watson did not allow the show to linger upon the comeliness of the cast. The rapid pace of the play was one of its strengths.

The jazz of the Kit Kat Klub Band was a propulsive force. Buoyant direction by Seth Taylor brought brio to the hot 30's music performed by Ted Beagley, Mary Green, Steven Hitt, Cary Armound, Joshua Johnson, Cory Craig and Tom Yates.

Rachael Lee Magill, a veteran of stage and film, was a force field of Sally Bowles magnetism. Magill's voice, limbs and eyes were vivaciously at work in each scene.

Casting for this Cabaret was robust. Earleen Bergeron played Fraulein Schneider with aplomb - and a twinkle in her eye. Matching her in song and gravitas was David Bieler as Herr Schultz. Cunningly low-key in look and voice as the closet Nazi was Seth Taylor. Yes, the musical director did double duty.

Jason Shidiskis played Clifford Bradshaw, the complicated American author. Relatively new to local stages, Shidiskis is a welcome and capable player. Janin Jones Pou brought a sense of humor as well as leggy flair to the role of Fraulein Kost, the happy harlot.

The Kit Kat cut ups, a ravishing crew, danced and posed with offhand coolness. Lorna Street Dopson (who also played a gorilla in the bestiality scene), Katie Dupont, Aubrey Buckner, Courtnei Gabriel, Elissa Little and Molly Melancon were the show's cupcakes. The bon bons were Isaiah Aaron Jones, Jason Anderson, Thomas Wiltheis and Joe Signorelli.

The artful, magically lighted set was created by Seth Taylor and Daniel Salazar. Jeffrey Meek gets credit for the stylish garb.

There was so much ebullience and honesty about sex in Berlin in 1931. Few could imagine that the mass of Germans were about to turn on their heels and buy into the hypocritically puritan world of the Nazis.

Stage Center's version of Cabaret ran from May 14 - 23, and included a Sat matinee for the impecunious called a Pay-what-you-can Benefit. Soulful idea, that one.

No school Fri, May 22? Plans for kids? SciPort has one-day robotics camp, 8 am - 5 pm

Sci-Port is offering a one-day robotics camp for K - 10th students on Friday, May 22, says Claire Floyd.

Students will learn about everyday robots. They will make one of their own. The camp lasts from 8 AM-5 PM. It costs $55 for Sci-Port members and $65 for future members. Call (318) 424-3466 to register today.

Sci-Port also offers week-long day camps throughout the summer beginning Monday, May 25th. Call (318) 424-3466 or visit www.sciport.org/summercamp for more information.

Illustration: Bill Joyce sketch for the movie Robots. As displayed at Artspace Shreveport in 2005.

Tattoo artist, garage band: Why Art Matters addressed by teen films being shown at Robinson Film Center on Sun, May 24, 2 pm

"Why does art matter?" RFC's Teen Film Council has been working since Jan. to answer this question on film.

The teens will present their five-minute documentaries - subjects that range from a tattoo artist to a garage band - and guide a post-screening dialogue on Sun, May 24, 2 pm, says Megan Hochstetler.

The filmmakers: Alden Anderson, Mason Hooper, Chlese Jiles, Jessica McCarty, Morgan Pitner, Sierra Weathers, Pedro Martinez, Cleo Singleton, Arin Soileau, Dalton Smiley, Madeleine Hollis, Liam Rivers-Kidd, Destiny Goodman, Gillian English, Alayna Cannon, Jonathan Harvey, Deborah Stackhaus, McKenzie Brown, and Claire Brabham.

Artist call from SRAC for sharrows in Shreveport Common; deadline May 27

See more. Deadline Wed, May 27, 2015.

Anna Kirkes & Sarah Lagerson Sherry teach dance & art camps at Centenary College in June

"Get moving this summer with dance camps for all ages and experience levels," says well-traveled and highly-qualified dance instructor Anna Kirkes.

Summer Dance Camp for ages 6-9 (no prior dance training needed)
June 15-19. 9:30am – 11:30am
$140 per student

Summer Dance Camp for ages 9-13 (for dancers with some prior dance training)
June 15-19. 1:00pm – 4:00pm
$150 per student

Summer Dance Intensive for ages 13 and up (training required)
June 22-26. 9:00am – 3:30pm $300 per student
Dance classes meet in the Fitness Center. See more.

Discovering Our World – Summer Art Camps in Turner Art Center. First through eighth graders. Taught by Sarah Lagerson Sherry, no less highly-qualified and well-traveled. The camp program includes four week-long sessions running from June 1st through 26th. Campers can choose to attend morning or afternoon sessions.

Morning: Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm; Afternoon: M-F, 1pm-4pm.
The grades listed in the sessions are those just completed; please sign your children up for the grade they have just completed.

Week 1: June 1-5. Morning (1st & 2nd grade); Afternoon (3rd & 4th grade).
Week 2: June 8-12. Morning (3rd & 4th grade);Afternoon (5th & 6th grade).
Week 3: June 15-19. Morning (5th & 6th grade); Afternoon (7th & 8th grade).
Week 4: June 22-26. Morning (7th & 8th grade); Afternoon (1st & 2nd grade).


$150/morning OR afternoon session; includes all materials and snacks. Students with allergies are welcome to pack their own snacks. Space is limited to 10 students per session. See more.

Re-schedule of Srac artist announcements on Nick Cave, arts critics, Undisputed: Wed, May 20, 6:30 pm, Central Artstation

Relentless torchbearer Pam Atchison, having led the team of Shreveport Common developers to victory in a national competition for arts-based urban developments, will announce details of SRAC's next programs at Central Artstation on Wed, May 20, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Included:

- Artist residency work with Nick Cave (July-November). "Please google him to see why you want to become a part of this historic project."
- Undisputed! - the Arts Creation Experience with a $10,000 prize;
- Details about Common Culture week (June 23-28), designed to stimulate a "Collecting" audience with four Critics coming to Shreveport-Bossier City for all Northwest Louisiana Directory/Roster Artists - and with Bossier - by the Bossier Arts Council, Highland - by HOST, and Shreveport - by SRAC - Studio Tours.
- Bottles of the sparkling bubbly, too, to celebrate the Shreveport Common place-building victory.

Baroque Artists of Shreveport en masse: 15 performers on Sun, May 17, 2 pm, Anderson Auditorium, Centenary College

"Please note the new time for concerts: 2 pm," says Ruth Drummond.

Free and open to the public.

Picnic Pops Concert by Shreveport Symphony Orchestra moved to Byrd High Auditorium, 6 pm, due to weather expected on Sat, May 16

Due to the threat of storms tomorrow afternoon the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra will perform the Picnic Pops show at Byrd High School Auditorium, says Lois Robinson.

Free kids activities will start at 4pm with the concert at a go time of 6pm. Food will be allowed in the hallway with the children's activities.

"Free hotdogs for the first 100 people. Please share the event and let folks know we are still a go at a new location!"

Woodcut shaman builds 32-foot psychedelic steamboat in Artspace Shreveport; wolfbat reveals all on Fri, May 15, 6 to 8:30 pm

Hairy mythology, roguish sculpture and reticulated line is part of what Brooklyn/Houston lupinoptera Dennis McNett is about.

He is a coast-to-coast monster of American art, though the Whitney is not likely to be calling him this month. A prodigious as well as fluent artist, McNett is not aiming for orthodox art world acceptance. His starting point is skateboards, punk rock and Gaelic knotmen; his goal lies in the realm of Yaqui sorcery.

Arriving in Shreveport via the invitation of Pam Atchison and the SRAC team, McNett has decided to amplify the mythology of the Red River valley in his Artspace exhibit. The project has produced a 32' psychedelic steamship - it oscillates like a caffeinated hyena - as well as intense depictions of people such as Leadbelly and Johnny Cash.

McNett is a master of woodcuts and linoleum cuts as well as drawing and three dimensionalism. Thus an appreciation of the textures McNett produces reads like a murder mystery.

Is he an anti-artist? A working class hero? McNett's credo is "Just want to build stuff and have fun making it. And have people geek out over it."

The exhibit opens Fri, May 15, 6 to 8:30 pm at Artspace, 710 Texas St. Music by Dragstrip Phantoms. $10. Cash bar and complimentary comestibles.

Schulze and Schneider open at MLP Thurs, May 14, 7:30 pm: edgy Stage Center production of Cabaret runs til May 23

"It's an edgy but serious show - especially serious in what's outside of the Kit Kat Klub," says actress Aubrey Buckner of the Stage Center production of Cabaret, which opens Thurs, May 14, 7:30 pm, at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

"It's edgy in more than one way," she says, thinking of the mix of storylines and costuming reflective of decadent Berlin in the pre-WWII era.

In the lead roles are Daniel Salazar, Rachael Lee McGill and Jason Shidiskis. Also making the club hop are Earleen Bergeron, David Bieler, Seth Taylor and Janin Pou.

Director and choreographer: Jared Watson. Sets: Seth Taylor from Robert Brill. Lighting: Daniel Salazar.

The belters will be backed by Mary Green, piano, Joshua Johnson, trombone, Cory Craig & Tom Yates, reeds, Cary Armound on viola, Steve Hitt, percussion, and Ted Beagley on trumpet.

Stage Center tickets, 22, 20, 15.

In the Thomas Wiltheis photo: Molly Melancon, Aubrey Buckner, Elissa Little, Courtnei Gabriel and Rachael McGill.

Mayor Ollie Tyler in bicycle photo session at Bike Container, 869 Texas Ave, Wed, May 13, 6 pm; all welcome

Encouraging Shreveport's bicycling community to the best of her ability, Mayor Ollie Tyler has declared May to be Shreveport Bike Month.

She additionally will join biking advocates on Wed, May 13, 6 pm, for a bicycle photo session in front of the bikeshreveport.com co-op, the Bike Container, 869 Texas Ave.

All bicycle-minded citizens are encouraged to crowd into the group shot.

Guidelines for new Shreveport Artists Market in Red River District; open for business on Saturdays May 30 - Aug 22, 9 am to 1 pm

 

The Red River District wants to offer a place to celebrate the works of local artisans and allow the artists to display and sell their work to the public. These works include, but aren’t limited to, arts, crafts, and functional works of art.

The Shreveport Artists’ Market has been created to be this place of celebration, says manager Marissa Carbine.

SAM will take place Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., May 30 – August 22.

The Shreveport Artists’ Market in the Red River District will be operated by these General Regulations.

The Shreveport Artists’ Market is open to artisans who have articles for sale that are made with locally sourced items or are 50% or more “handmade. The rental rate: $15.00/week or $130.00 for the entire session. Spaces are allocated according to many factors and are assigned at the discretion of RRD Management. The manager may change vendors’ location as they deem necessary. No person renting a space shall be allowed to sell, sublet, or assign such space to another.

Application forms: Marissa.Carbine@shreveportla.gov.

1. A vendor shall be defined as a person who offers for sale any handmade items or items provided from locally sourced items.
2. While good quality homemade products are preferred at the Shreveport Artists’ Market, some products to supplement the stock are permissible, by application to and approval by RRD Management. Any substandard or inappropriate products will be barred from the Shreveport Artists’ Market.
3. Supplemental products being sold in the Shreveport Artists’ Market which are not made by the vendor shall be properly signed as to indicate that the produce is not homemade. Vendors are required to report all sales to the Department of Revenue and Taxation. RRD Management is not responsible for collecting or reporting taxes.
4. Vendors shall provide their own tables for display of their goods, chairs, and change fund, and if electricity is needed, a heavy-duty extension cord.
5. No price fixing will be tolerated at the Shreveport Artists’ Market. Price fixing is defined as an agreement among competing vendors to sell at the same price.
6. Vendors are expected to arrive at the Red River District no later than 60 minutes prior to opening and be ready to sell at the normal starting time. No vehicles allowed under the Texas St bridge.
7. The Shreveport Artists’ Market vendors are required to stay during the entire day.  If the vendor has sold out or has too few products remaining to warrant continued presence, he or she may obtain permission from RRD Management prior to leaving for the day but only for unique reasons. Upon receipt of permission to leave, the vendor will post a sold out sign at his or her stall, and contact the manager to be escorted from the premises. Vendors are encouraged to bring ample amounts of their product, as leaving early presents many problems, and will not be allowed regularly.
8. Vendors are expected to clean up after themselves on a daily basis. On-site waste containers will be provided for packing materials only, which must be broken down. Boxes must be removed by the user.
9. Long-term rentals are encouraged. Daily rentals shall be allocated only when accepted, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Long-term rentals must be paid for in advance and may be re-sold by the manager if the vendor is not present 30 minutes prior to opening.
10. Anyone unable to attend should call the manager as soon as they know they cannot be there. This enables the manager to keep the Shreveport Artists’ Market full.
11. We employ a “Three Strikes” Discipline Policy for the breaking of rules. The first infraction will garner a verbal correction; the second, a written warning; the third, expulsion from the market.
12. The renter shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Red River District tenants, the City of Shreveport, Lea Hall Properties, their sponsors and managing agency, employees and volunteers from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses arising out the rented space’s use if such claim is attributable to personal injury, bodily injury, disease of death, or injury to, or destruction of property, including the loss of uses there from, and is not caused by any negligent act or omission of willful misconduct of the Red River District, their sponsors or their employees or volunteers acting within the scope of their All vendors shall comply with the rules set forth by RRD management.

RRD Management will work directly with the vendors in enforcement and interpretation of said rules. If you are unable or unwilling to conform to the Shreveport Artists’ Market rules, please do not apply.

Gris Gris in Shreveport: Dr John and the Nite Trippers play the Strand Theater on Thurs, May 14, 8 pm

"The chicken and the rooster done had a fight / the chicken knocked the rooster out of sight. Chicken told the rooster, 'That's all right.' 'Gonna meet you in the gumbo tomorrow night.'"

Traditional Crescent City rhymes like this one have been bread and butter for Dr John, an epic storyteller via gravelly voice and smooth piano.

Dr John and his Nite Trippers return to the Strand on Thurs, May 14, 8 pm.

Hanging with the musicians of New Orleans - since he was a teen - was not wasted on Mac. Somehow he knew to shank and shuck and soak up the funk. Professor Longhair, James Booker, Cosimo Matassa: the good doctor smoked their eyelids and punched their cigarettes.

His albums, "Gumbo," "Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack," "Bluesiana Triangle," "In a Sentimental Mood," "Gris Gris" and "Babylon" have touched me and been steady companions across years.

You probably knew that the festival called Bonnaroo was named for his 1974 album, "Desitively Bonnaroo."

Highly, highly recommended.

Tickets, $40, 50 or 60.

Opening quote from Under A Hoodoo Moon; the Life of Dr John the Night Tripper (St Martins' Press, 1994). Photo above of Dr John at Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium by Lilly Daigle.

Public hearing on Red River Bridge at Jimmie Davis Highway Th, May 14, Barksdale Baptist, 5 to 7 pm; includes "shared use trail"

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments from the public about a proposed future crossing of the Red River at Jimmie Davis Highway (LA 511). The proposed future crossing would provide a new 2-lane bridge paired with the existing bridge to provide a 4-lane crossing and would be constructed separately from the current rehabilitation project.

The hearing will be conducted in open house format on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Highway in Bossier City. It will include a looping presentation that describes the project and the progress made since the last public meeting, an aerial photograph of the project study area, displays of known environmental issues, and stations where attendees can speak informally with members of the project team.

The presentation will include the proposed 4-lane crossing, a new shared use trail across the Red River, potential changes to Jimmie Davis Highway, and the findings of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA document is available for review at the following locations: Shreveport City Hall, 505 Travis St., Shreveport, LA 71101 Bossier City Hall, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, LA 71171 Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments, 625 Texas St., Ste. 200, Shreveport, LA 71101

Both verbal and written comments will be received at the public hearing. Comments must include name and address. In addition, comments will be accepted from April 13, 2015 to May 25, 2015 by mail, email, or telephone at Red River Bridge at Jimmie Davis Highway EA, P.O. Box 56845 New Orleans, LA 70156, comments@redriverbridgeea.com and 1-877-280-8774.

Surge of growth at Shreveport Farmer's Market edges crafters out of the site; Red River District Artists Market created for artisans

"Unfortunately, the farmers' market has taken another surge of growth," says Noma Fowler-Sandlin. "Shreveport Farmer's Market won't be able to accept craftspeople. However, the Red River District is starting Shreveport Artists' Market, and the two will be connected with the Market 2 Market shuttle."

Fowler-Sandlin, a keen student of market dynamics, says "It can be very cool. I hope people take advantage of getting into the ground floor of another cool event!"

Above: Mahaffey Farms proprietor Evan McCommon sells beef, pork and vegetables but could not resist adding a t-shirt to his Shreveport Farmer's Market table.

Artisans bloomed on Line Ave: Highland Handmade fest unfolded at Robinson's Rescue on Sat, May 9

Bicycles to books: the tree-shaded parking area adjacent to Robinson's Rescue, Line Ave near Robinson Place, was the site of a new fest called Highland Handmade on Sat, May 9. Produced by a partnership led by Robinson's Rescue Low Cost Spay-Neuter and Highland Restoration Assoc, it brought a plethora of artisans to an amenable site.

Highland Handmade was a template for neighborhood fests †hat will one day animate the entire city.

"Thanks to everyone who made Highland Handmade a huge success," said Chris Fowler-Sandlin on FB. "Robinson's Rescue Center and Andrea Everson for hosting the event; April Dahm and Derick Jones for organizing it; Deaf Action Center and David W Hylan for loaning me tables; John Christopher Martin, Laura Thompson, and Graeme Fowler-Sandlin for helping me move a literal ton of books; Noma Fowler-Sandlin for everything (!); and anyone who has ever given me books--Nadine Charity, Kathryn Usher, Joni Scott Dickson, Carey Weeks, and Meg & Don." Also recognized as an organizer was Kate Rhea Hesson. Among the participants, according to the Highland Handmade site: Olive Street Thrift & Vintage, Zombee Candle, A Mighty Fine Beast, Blue Southern Comfort Foods, Highland Jazz & Blues Festival, Bike Shreveport, Bead Dance, Wild Hearts, Nate Treme, Artpunch, Fowler-Sandlin Books, Donna Natali, Lionheart Arts, Hildegard Heals, Whimsical Muses, Fairy Inspired Art, Highland Open Studio Tours, Sacred Strawberry, Fleur De Creme Gourmet Ice Creams, Kern Has Coffee, Gogreenly, X & O Designs, Spacebees, Gems of Cairo, Bayou Rain, Red Handed TattooArt, Renzi Education and Art Center, Philadelphia Center, Shreveport Bossier Animal Rescue, Day Old Blues Records, Love Dear Dear, Beastly Bungalow, Karen LaBeau and Cassie McDaniel, Pam's Soap, Natural Nirvana Jewelry and Veda Rose.

Highland Handmade seemed a warm-up for Shreveport Farmer's Market but subsequently it was announced that crafters will not be part of SFM. They will have an alternative: the new Shreveport Artists Market to be held parallel to SFM but located in the Red River District. The new plan includes shuttles called Market 2 Market that will connect shoppers across the 2-block divide.

The relative success of Highland Handmade indicated that Shreveport will support a pop-up array of artists and crafters. Artisans, currently frustrated at being banned from SFM, are hoping that community support will follow them to the Red River District.

Photo gallery.

Revivalists' singer David Shaw at Bears on Fairfield, Shreveport, with Feufollet of Lafayette on Sat, May 9, 10 pm

"Tonight at Bear's On Fairfield: Dave Shaw of hot New Orleans-based group The Revivalists," says Chase Boytim. "

Bears is also presenting a bunch of hairy but modern Cajuns in Feufollet - another big name from Acadiana - of Lafayette. Opening at 10 pm is local group Fur on Fur.

May is National Bicycling Week: here's how to give Shreveport streets a chance

"More than half of the U.S. population lives within five miles of their workplace," says bikeleague.org, "making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get to work. With increased interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it’s not surprising that, from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent."

As a veteran commuter over a 4-mile stretch of East Shreveport side streets I have a few suggestions for potential commuters.
- Go early. The 8 am crowd is not for me. Bicycling around 7 am, though, brings me in contact with a manageable population of cars.
- Going early gives me time to cool down, towel off and change clothes before work.
- Don't fret about where to store your bike. I used to tuck mine into a tight space in the boiler room. Subsequently I realized that parking it against a wall in the classroom where I teach takes very little room.
- Ride home early or late. Again, it is my preference to avoid the masses. There's a sweet spot of inactivity on the streets of East Shreveport between 4:15 and 4:45 that I like.
- I use blinking lights front and rear and wear a florescent vest. My wife has a light on the back of her helmet that looks effective.
- Brakes and gears on my bike are sharp because I got a tune-up at the bikeshreveport.com Sunday afternoon workshop at the Bike Container, 869 Texas Ave. While volunteers adjusted my settings I was learning what was being torqued and how I might do more for myself.

Flat tire? Malfunctioning brakes? Missing parts? The Bike Container co-op will probably fix it. Most Sun afternoons from about 3 pm to 7 pm the gang is working and partying. Go to the Bike Container FB page to make sure someone will be there.

Nia Savoy in exuberant, 90-minute Lion King reprise at Emmett Hook by Stage Center, May 8 - 10

It may be the last big Shreveport show for teen star Nia Savoy before she goes to NYC: it's an extended run of Lion King by Stage Center at Emmett Hook Center Fri, May 8, Sat, May 9 and Sun, May 10.

More at stagecenterla.com.

Shreveport Symphony pops concert Sat, May 16, 6 pm, not at riverfront: site is Betty Virginia Park

Terrific site, stellar orchestra, friendly audience. Paid for.
Highly recommended.

Mayor Tyler proclaims May as Bicycle Month in Shreveport; Caddo Commission also working towards making the parish bikeable

May is National Bicycling Month; it is propitious of Mayor Tyler to give recognition to bicyclists' place on the streets of Shreveport. The Caddo Commission is helping, too, says Matthew Linn.

"Caddo Parish is introducing the same jointly written Bicycling Month resolution Monday, May 4, and final adoption will be Thursday," says Linn. "Bicycle advocates are encouraged to attend and speak on behalf of this resolution either at our Monday or Thursday meeting. 3:30pm is the time and 515 Travis is the location."



Said Jacob Sanchez after the recent Texas Ave Maker's Fair, "So this past weekend, down town, there was this comunity parade and event. A part of that was this awesome operation called The Bike Container Shreveport biking co-op. They took in donated bikes and parts to make safe and fun bikes for children and people in need. As well as fixing up bikes for others that needed repairs. Greatest comunity of people I've been around. Since i no longer had a bike of my own anymore, for helping out and volunteering at the event. I was given a donated bike! After some elbow greese and the help of everyone there, she is back on the road! Thanks guys!"

Jennifer Carsillo, Matt Albert and Twyla Robinson in Noel Foundation chamber music performance at Anderson Auditorium, Shreveport, on Sun, May 3, 3 pm

The Noel Foundation Chamber Music Concert on Sun, May 3 begins at 3pm in Anderson Auditorium, 2802 Woodlawn Ave ,Centenary College.

Hear an Afternoon of Duets featuring soprano Twyla Robinson with Matt Albert and Jennifer Carsillo, violins.

Music by Bach, Handel, and more. The performance is paid for by the Noel Foundation and is open to the public.

Above: Matt Albert, concertmaster for the SSO.

Carefree Highland neighborhood hosts studio tours Sun, May 3, 11 am to 4 pm

A bicycle is all you need to visit the studios on May's Highland Open Studios Tour. "HOSTS is a self guided tour. It's our 2 year anniversary! Come celebrate with us. Spend one on one with some amazing Shreveport artist. Do a little shopping and meet some cool folks!" says Su Stella.

Locations: 436 Topeka St., 444 Olive St, 424 Dalzell St, 433 Dalzell, 618 Wilkinson St, 520 Herndon St. Also, the Blue restaurant 1173 Louisiana ave location. Something different: Sifu Janis Gabriel will be demonstrating Tai Chi.

Norsworthy Gallery, Shreveport, opens paintings by Cindy Holmes with reception Sat, May 2, 4 - 6 p.m.

"Cindy J Holmes paintings are intriguing, collectible works," says Chris Bailey of Norsworthy Gallery.

Holmes focuses her paintings on the figure, says the artist. She adds found objects and words to give the human form their own story. At times, embedded objects are used as three dimensional artifacts to introduce a play of shadow and depth.

She is represented in Dallas by Haley-Henman Contemporary Art.

Reception from 4 - 6 p.m Sat, May 2, at 214 Texas St. 318-424-6764.