Far from rich enough to attend Burning Man festival, I can still afford to watch a documentary about the edgy crowd of producers that assemble each pre-Labor day week in the Nevada desert. So I will watch a Burning Man movie on Oct 7 , 4 pm, at Centenary College. It's the award-winning movie Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock. Among the movie's producers are former Shreveporters Michael Wilson and William Haskins, says Chris Jay.
Wilson graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1988 and now lives in Austin, Texas, wrote Alex Kent in the Times. Wilson was co-producer and assistant director for the movie.
William Haskins, the documentary's co-producer and story supervisor, is also from Shreveport. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1984.
You'll see on the gorgeous movie website, burningmanmovie.com, that both these burners are successful in digital media and actually once attended LSU.
Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock is a presentation of the Centenary Film Society and Robinson Film Center. Michael Wilson will chat with the audience following the screening in Kilpatrick Auditorium. Admission is like breakfast at Burning man: free, because it's being provided by someone wealthier than you.
MoInfo: (318) 424-9090.
A visit to www.burningman.com will fill your head with intoxicating images but I like wikipedia.org's extensive description of burners and moop. Seen in photos at flickr.com and other sites, the art created at the playa in Nevada is some of the most ambitious and self-conscious I've seen. Yet among my favorite items are the fantastic maps by Lisa Hoffman: http://www.studioninedesign.com/BManMaps/index.htm
Do you know any burners? What do you think of the sculpture so expensively assembled on this glamorous, clothing-optional desert plain?
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Jazzing the orchestra: the Marcus Roberts Trio and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra Sat, Sept 16, 7:30 pm, Shreveport Civic Theater
"Gershwin on Fire" is the title for the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra's season opening concert. While "Gershwin on Fire" may be a dubious title (is it a nod to the Burning Man arts fest?), the jazz trio sharing the lights with the SSO is not at all dubious. They are redoubtable. It is the Marcus Roberts Trio. To fans of jazz piano, like me, seeing this trio is serious fun.
Roberts, a pianist and composer from Jacksonville, Fla., grew up with the sound of music from his local church where his mother was a gospel singer, says the National Academy of Sciences. He decided to pursue a career in jazz after hearing a Duke Ellington recording at the age of ten. From there he went on to study at Florida State University.
Performances throughout his career have earned him a great deal of recognition, including awards from the National Association of Jazz Educators and the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition. Roberts was particularly honored to receive the Helen Keller Award for Personal Achievement in 1998. The artist has been blind since the age of five, seven years before he began formal training on the piano.
Drummer Jason Marsalis, true to the tradition of his highly musical family, is known as one of the most capable drummers performing today.
Bassist Roland Guerin learned to play a variety of stringed instruments growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also known for playing a variety of styles with equal versatility, and is one of the few bassists today who plays slap bass technique.
"My music is meant for everyone, not just those who already know about jazz," says Roberts.
More about the concert, the SSO's season opener, at shreveportsymphony.com.
Also, please see my earlier post on the concert.
Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet presents Ballet Under the Stars at Festival Plaza, Sat, Sept 9, 7 pm
Ballet Under the Stars, presented by the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, will be held Saturday, September 9, in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza, at 7 p.m. Admission is free, says Susan Gross.
A variety of dance styles ranging from ballet to jazz and modern dance will be featured. The dancers of the Junior and Senior Companies of Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet will perform alongside those of other regional dance troupes.
Also, the River Cities Jubilee Chorus will perform several vocal selections.
Guest choreographers for the show include Yves de Bouteiller and Jenny Siu-kan Chiang. There will be a special salute in honor of the 250th birthday of Mozart.
During intermission, children in the audience will be invited to perform onstage. Concessions will be available for sale.
This event is sponsored in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier and by a grant from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council with funds from the City of Shreveport. For further information, call the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet office: 459-1457.
A variety of dance styles ranging from ballet to jazz and modern dance will be featured. The dancers of the Junior and Senior Companies of Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet will perform alongside those of other regional dance troupes.
Also, the River Cities Jubilee Chorus will perform several vocal selections.
Guest choreographers for the show include Yves de Bouteiller and Jenny Siu-kan Chiang. There will be a special salute in honor of the 250th birthday of Mozart.
During intermission, children in the audience will be invited to perform onstage. Concessions will be available for sale.
This event is sponsored in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier and by a grant from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council with funds from the City of Shreveport. For further information, call the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet office: 459-1457.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Faces of Katrina opening reception mobbed; who knew flood victims would prove so popular?
Bill Joyce, Artspace artistic director, and Pam Atchison, director of Shreveport Regional Arts Council, were elated at the mob which attended the Faces of Katrina opening.
Mingling in the sea of usual suspects were Katrina evacuees, some of them bewildered by the hoopla.
In the photo above are Janice Nelson, Bill Joyce, Laura Harter and Pam Atchison.
Please see ShreveportFaces for a series of photos snapped at the gig.
Mingling in the sea of usual suspects were Katrina evacuees, some of them bewildered by the hoopla.
In the photo above are Janice Nelson, Bill Joyce, Laura Harter and Pam Atchison.
Please see ShreveportFaces for a series of photos snapped at the gig.
Artists guide kids' activities at Artspace during Faces of Katrina exhibit
During the week, students from Webster, Bossier, Lincoln and Caddo parishes will visit Artspace with their teachers. On weekends and afternoons parents can take their kids to the dramatic exhibit called Faces of Katrina.
These artists will aid them as they enjoy a couple of the 9 exhibits designed for youths. From left front: Steven Sofer, Jamie Dromgoole, Tamura Davenport, Linda Gaston, Karen Wendt, Judy Hegrle, Robin Jenkins, Jerry Davenport, Michael Neal Philips, Tony Kean and Jane Heggen.
Artspace is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 - 6. The Kidspace FunArtorium is open 10 - 12 and 2 - 4 on Saturday.
Mo: 673-6500.
These artists will aid them as they enjoy a couple of the 9 exhibits designed for youths. From left front: Steven Sofer, Jamie Dromgoole, Tamura Davenport, Linda Gaston, Karen Wendt, Judy Hegrle, Robin Jenkins, Jerry Davenport, Michael Neal Philips, Tony Kean and Jane Heggen.
Artspace is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 - 6. The Kidspace FunArtorium is open 10 - 12 and 2 - 4 on Saturday.
Mo: 673-6500.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Crescent City Creole people on Texas Street: Faces of Katrina exhibit, Artspace, Shreveport
An exhibit of powerful portraits from the evacuation of New Orleans opens Fri, Aug 25 at Artspace. Designed by moviemaker Bill Joyce, the exhibit aims at informing viewers and elevating the status of the people flung out of the hurricane-raked city.
The Faces reception begins at 7 pm Friday.
Along with the photographic work of Kathryn Gaiennie, Stan Carpenter, Mike Silva, Talbot Hopkins and Philip Gould, there are materials developed by Mike McSwain and Bill Joyce.
Downstairs are clipboards, foil, video and costumes. These are elements of the art activities designed for students on school tours or on weekend visits. These projects were developed by a veteran teacher and writer: me. I had the good fortune to have a deeply thoughtful project manager in Wendy Benscoter.
Encouraged and guided by SRAC director Pam Atchison, the art-making side of Katrina has some 9 stations. It has already been booked by school field trips for a total of 200 students, says new SRAC education manager Julia Foley. Centenary's freshman English students will also be asked to visit Faces of Katrina, says Dr. Lisa Nicoletti, a Centenary professor and member of the Artspace exhibition committee.
Also terrifically helpful in assembling the artivities were Duane Rousseau and Michael Neal Philips.
The faces soundtrack festures solo piano tunes written and performed by Steve Ramey and a gospel tune, "I'll Go," from singer Monica Blake Mickle's album Perfect Peace.
The Faces reception begins at 7 pm Friday.
Along with the photographic work of Kathryn Gaiennie, Stan Carpenter, Mike Silva, Talbot Hopkins and Philip Gould, there are materials developed by Mike McSwain and Bill Joyce.
Downstairs are clipboards, foil, video and costumes. These are elements of the art activities designed for students on school tours or on weekend visits. These projects were developed by a veteran teacher and writer: me. I had the good fortune to have a deeply thoughtful project manager in Wendy Benscoter.
Encouraged and guided by SRAC director Pam Atchison, the art-making side of Katrina has some 9 stations. It has already been booked by school field trips for a total of 200 students, says new SRAC education manager Julia Foley. Centenary's freshman English students will also be asked to visit Faces of Katrina, says Dr. Lisa Nicoletti, a Centenary professor and member of the Artspace exhibition committee.
Also terrifically helpful in assembling the artivities were Duane Rousseau and Michael Neal Philips.
The faces soundtrack festures solo piano tunes written and performed by Steve Ramey and a gospel tune, "I'll Go," from singer Monica Blake Mickle's album Perfect Peace.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Artful animalia: in a fantastical forest with Donna and Leland Strebeck and children
Says the quiet but stealthy Donna Strebeck, "Hello! We have a new website. We even added our children. I have to say I am pretty proud of their drawings! :) See it at www.strebeckart.com
I also made a new bear this weekend and haven't had the time to put it on the site yet. If you want to check it out, click here:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/derangytang/dayofthedeadbear.jpg"
Donna, long known in my column as wife of artist Leland Strebeck, has arrived with a DayoftheDead bear sure to grab attention. And the family web site is cool. It's cheerful, but with an edge.
Watch for work from both of them in the Bubble Rap II show, curated by Michael G Moore (please see an earlier post on submissions to Bubble Rap).
I also made a new bear this weekend and haven't had the time to put it on the site yet. If you want to check it out, click here:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/derangytang/dayofthedeadbear.jpg"
Donna, long known in my column as wife of artist Leland Strebeck, has arrived with a DayoftheDead bear sure to grab attention. And the family web site is cool. It's cheerful, but with an edge.
Watch for work from both of them in the Bubble Rap II show, curated by Michael G Moore (please see an earlier post on submissions to Bubble Rap).
Monday, August 21, 2006
Work by 10 Cuban artists at Meadows Museum, Centenary College, Shreveport
Cuba Plastica features artwork by 10 artists living and working in Cuba, says meadows Museum of Art, Centenary College, Shreveport. It is one of 3 new shows at Meadows.
Presented are paintings, drawings, videos, photographs and prints by Juan Carlos Alom, Agustin Bejarano, Zaida del Rio, Juan Roberto Diago, Roberto Fabelo, Alicia Leal, Guillermo Malberti, Juan Carlos Menendez Ruiz, Cirenaica Moreira, and Juan Moreira. Their art translates the daily struggles and suffering of everyday Cuban life into personal artistic responses.
This exhibition was organized and circulated by the University of Richmond Museums and is made possible in part with the support of the Associated Colleges of the South.
Meadows Museum
Open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and some holidays. There is no admission charge for the current exhibits.
Contact Museum Director Dianne Dufilho at 318-869-5169.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Pondering Katrina and the aftermath via LPB programs and the Faces of Katrina exhibit at Artspace, which opens Fri, Aug 25
La Public Broadcasting has productions to remind us of where we've been this past year. If we're fortunate, these programs will enlighten our thinking on where we must go next.
And please don't forget that Bill Joyce and his Artspace team - which includes my wife, Talbot, and me - have an experience for you called Faces of Katrina. It opens at Artspace with a $20 per ticket reception Fri, Aug 25. Please come to see our work.
Artspace, 710 Texas, has been again transformed. More info at SRAC: 673-6500.
The TV shows:
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN
The Year of the Storms
Friday, August 25 at 7:00PM
Sunday, August 27 at 2:00PM
Louisiana’s only weekly newsmagazine kicks off its 30th year on the air with a one-hour look back at how Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have disrupted the lives of many of the people and places in South Louisiana. LPB poured all of its resources into bringing the people of the state the in-depth stories of the survivors and their families, the government and its response; and the massive effects on our culture and livelihoods. Join Robyn Ekings and Charlie Whinham as they journey through the one year path of destruction and reconstruction during this anniversary of the storms to end all storms.
WASHING AWAY: LOSING LOUISIANA
Tuesday, August 29 at 8:00PM
Sunday, September 3 at 4:00PM
Thursday, September 7 at 8:00PM (National broadcast)
This new LPB documentary looks at six Louisianians and how hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected the coastline, their land and their livelihoods. The characters share their stories and their knowledge of the larger impacts of coastal land loss on the environment, wildlife, economics, industry, culture and community. The participants include New Orleans chef Leah Chase; Errol Domingue, a third-generation sugar cane, rice, cattle and crawfish farmer from Erath; Preston Doré, a shrimper from Delcambre whose seafood restaurant, bar and distribution business were destroyed by Rita; Marlon Horton, a 26-year-old New Orleans East resident displaced to Houston; Port Fouchon port director Ted Falgout; and Kerry St. Pé, a marine biologist and Director of the Barataria-Terrebone National Estuary.
Check www.lpb.org/washingaway/ for educational materials. LPB appreciates the support of the America's Wetland's Foundation which provided the underwriting for the development of these resources.
AMERICAN CREOLE: NEW ORLEANS REUNION
Tuesday, August 29 at 9:00PM
Thursday, September 7 at 9:00PM (National broadcast)
In the wake of the hurricane Katrina, Don Vappie -- musician, bandleader, Creole -- struggles to find work and his cultural identity in New Orleans. This documentary follows Don as he tries to keep his band together and bring musicians back to the city. Through his journey Don also begins to question what makes a community, and whether the culture he grew up in can survive, not just the storm, but its aftermath. Rich with music, the film features performances by numerous stars of New Orleans jazz, as well as Don’s far-flung, talented family.
KATRINA’S SMALLEST VICTIMS
Wednesday, August 30 at 8:00PM
When Hurricane Katrina’s high winds and floodwaters knocked out the major hospitals in New Orleans, medical personnel stayed with the hospitalized children and expectant mothers until they could be transported to Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. This LPB documentary tells of the heroic efforts by Women’s Hospital personnel to not only get these fragile babies and expectant mothers out of New Orleans but to handle their medical and personal needs at their own facility in Baton Rouge.
And please don't forget that Bill Joyce and his Artspace team - which includes my wife, Talbot, and me - have an experience for you called Faces of Katrina. It opens at Artspace with a $20 per ticket reception Fri, Aug 25. Please come to see our work.
Artspace, 710 Texas, has been again transformed. More info at SRAC: 673-6500.
The TV shows:
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN
The Year of the Storms
Friday, August 25 at 7:00PM
Sunday, August 27 at 2:00PM
Louisiana’s only weekly newsmagazine kicks off its 30th year on the air with a one-hour look back at how Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have disrupted the lives of many of the people and places in South Louisiana. LPB poured all of its resources into bringing the people of the state the in-depth stories of the survivors and their families, the government and its response; and the massive effects on our culture and livelihoods. Join Robyn Ekings and Charlie Whinham as they journey through the one year path of destruction and reconstruction during this anniversary of the storms to end all storms.
WASHING AWAY: LOSING LOUISIANA
Tuesday, August 29 at 8:00PM
Sunday, September 3 at 4:00PM
Thursday, September 7 at 8:00PM (National broadcast)
This new LPB documentary looks at six Louisianians and how hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected the coastline, their land and their livelihoods. The characters share their stories and their knowledge of the larger impacts of coastal land loss on the environment, wildlife, economics, industry, culture and community. The participants include New Orleans chef Leah Chase; Errol Domingue, a third-generation sugar cane, rice, cattle and crawfish farmer from Erath; Preston Doré, a shrimper from Delcambre whose seafood restaurant, bar and distribution business were destroyed by Rita; Marlon Horton, a 26-year-old New Orleans East resident displaced to Houston; Port Fouchon port director Ted Falgout; and Kerry St. Pé, a marine biologist and Director of the Barataria-Terrebone National Estuary.
Check www.lpb.org/washingaway/ for educational materials. LPB appreciates the support of the America's Wetland's Foundation which provided the underwriting for the development of these resources.
AMERICAN CREOLE: NEW ORLEANS REUNION
Tuesday, August 29 at 9:00PM
Thursday, September 7 at 9:00PM (National broadcast)
In the wake of the hurricane Katrina, Don Vappie -- musician, bandleader, Creole -- struggles to find work and his cultural identity in New Orleans. This documentary follows Don as he tries to keep his band together and bring musicians back to the city. Through his journey Don also begins to question what makes a community, and whether the culture he grew up in can survive, not just the storm, but its aftermath. Rich with music, the film features performances by numerous stars of New Orleans jazz, as well as Don’s far-flung, talented family.
KATRINA’S SMALLEST VICTIMS
Wednesday, August 30 at 8:00PM
When Hurricane Katrina’s high winds and floodwaters knocked out the major hospitals in New Orleans, medical personnel stayed with the hospitalized children and expectant mothers until they could be transported to Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. This LPB documentary tells of the heroic efforts by Women’s Hospital personnel to not only get these fragile babies and expectant mothers out of New Orleans but to handle their medical and personal needs at their own facility in Baton Rouge.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Marcus Roberts Trio, a world-class jazz combo, opens season with Shreveport Symphony Orchestra Sat, Sept 16
Gershwin on Fire is the name of the opening show of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. New SSO conductor Michael Butterman has invited the enormously cool pianist Marcus Roberts to help the orchestra open the season, says Shreveportsymphony.com.
Roberts has recorded a ton of great albums. My favoprite is Alone With Three Giants, a solo piano album based on tunes by Ellington, Monk and Jellyroll Morton. Roberts once played in Wynton Marsalis group. Today his trio includes Jason Marsalis, brother of Wynton.
The opening bill:
Gershwin Cuban Overture
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber
September 16, 2006 at 7:30 PM
600 Clyde Fant Pkwy
Shreveport , LA 71101
Michael Butterman, conductor
May I recommend the symphony's Anytime Tickets? That's what I've found perfect for my family.
Here's how SSO marketing director Scott Green puts it: "Buy Anytime Tickets for Flexibility. Don't put off buying your Symphony tickets because of scheduling difficulty. Our Anytime Ticket Package provides you with six vouchers you can redeem for tickets to any concert - except special events concerts. You can use all the vouchers at once, or spread them out over several concerts.
To redeem them for tickets, just call in advance. We'll reserve the best seats available. Cost for the six-vouchers Anytime Tickets Package is $192. You get all the privileges of a season subscriber plus up to 20% off the cost of single tickets."
Call 222-7496.
Roberts has recorded a ton of great albums. My favoprite is Alone With Three Giants, a solo piano album based on tunes by Ellington, Monk and Jellyroll Morton. Roberts once played in Wynton Marsalis group. Today his trio includes Jason Marsalis, brother of Wynton.
The opening bill:
Gershwin Cuban Overture
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber
September 16, 2006 at 7:30 PM
600 Clyde Fant Pkwy
Shreveport , LA 71101
Michael Butterman, conductor
May I recommend the symphony's Anytime Tickets? That's what I've found perfect for my family.
Here's how SSO marketing director Scott Green puts it: "Buy Anytime Tickets for Flexibility. Don't put off buying your Symphony tickets because of scheduling difficulty. Our Anytime Ticket Package provides you with six vouchers you can redeem for tickets to any concert - except special events concerts. You can use all the vouchers at once, or spread them out over several concerts.
To redeem them for tickets, just call in advance. We'll reserve the best seats available. Cost for the six-vouchers Anytime Tickets Package is $192. You get all the privileges of a season subscriber plus up to 20% off the cost of single tickets."
Call 222-7496.
Where to go with your Shreveport movie industry celeb shots: maybe it's scoopt.com
Scoopt.com, a British Web site that sees itself as a “citizen journalism agency,” is connecting camera phone reporters with newspapers, says the NY Times. "The site’s founder, Kyle McRae, a former freelance technology writer, counts the major British dailies, along with newspapers on the Continent and in the United States, as his clients.
Unlike Bild, Scoopt’s reader-reporters license their photos for three months to Mr. McRae’s organization, and in return receive 50 percent of the sale price every time Scoopt sells a picture.
The Web site has members in 90 countries, and Mr. McRae talks of a day when a global legion of bloggers and camera phone reporters replaces journalists in covering major news events.
“Being the first on the scene is valuable,” he said. “It’s thousands of times more valuable than the quality.”
That's from the NYTimes story Amateurs Get In on the Paparazzi Beat.
Unlike Bild, Scoopt’s reader-reporters license their photos for three months to Mr. McRae’s organization, and in return receive 50 percent of the sale price every time Scoopt sells a picture.
The Web site has members in 90 countries, and Mr. McRae talks of a day when a global legion of bloggers and camera phone reporters replaces journalists in covering major news events.
“Being the first on the scene is valuable,” he said. “It’s thousands of times more valuable than the quality.”
That's from the NYTimes story Amateurs Get In on the Paparazzi Beat.
Ruston's Dixie Center for the Arts: Leon Russell, Susan Cowsill, Kenny Bill Stinson on Fri, Aug 18, 8 pm
Ruston’s Dixie Center For The Arts will play host to the legendary Leon Russell on Fri, Aug 18 at 8 pm, says producer Trey Merrill.
A portion of the proceeds will be going to the Tipitina’s Foundation, which aids those musicians affected by the 2005 hurricanes.
Leon will be joined by both Kenny Bill Stinson and Susan Cowsill.
Primarily remembered as a classic rock artist, the Leon Russell/Willy Nelson album “One For The Road” was honored by the Country Music Association as "Best Album of The 1989." Leon has written such songs as "This Masquerade", “Superstar," "A Song for You," “Tightrope,” “Lady Blue,” and “Delta Lady” which became Joe Cocker’s biggest hit.
Susan Cowsill will be opening the show. Formerly of “The Cowsills” and “The Continental Drifters” which featured her former husband Peter Holsapple (of The DB’s and REM) as well as Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson, Susan was a member of Dwight Twilley’s band and has lent her vocals to albums by such artists as “Hootie & The Blowfish”, “Giant Sand”, “the Smithereens”, “Carlene Carter”, and “Jules Shear”.
Concert promoter Trey Merrill met Cowsill when he produced the debut album for the Louisiana college rock act “Benjy Davis Project” which she sang on. Cowsills' debut CD “Just Believe It” features both Lucinda Williams and Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows). She highlighted the release by performing at this years New Orleans Jazz Festival.
The show is open to all-ages and tickets are $32.50 and $38.50. With the limited number of seats being sold (550), Merrill says there’s not a bad seat in the house.
Trey Merrill Presents
335 Coffee Street
Mandeville, LA 70448
225/240-1664
treymerrillpresents@hotmail.com
A portion of the proceeds will be going to the Tipitina’s Foundation, which aids those musicians affected by the 2005 hurricanes.
Leon will be joined by both Kenny Bill Stinson and Susan Cowsill.
Primarily remembered as a classic rock artist, the Leon Russell/Willy Nelson album “One For The Road” was honored by the Country Music Association as "Best Album of The 1989." Leon has written such songs as "This Masquerade", “Superstar," "A Song for You," “Tightrope,” “Lady Blue,” and “Delta Lady” which became Joe Cocker’s biggest hit.
Susan Cowsill will be opening the show. Formerly of “The Cowsills” and “The Continental Drifters” which featured her former husband Peter Holsapple (of The DB’s and REM) as well as Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson, Susan was a member of Dwight Twilley’s band and has lent her vocals to albums by such artists as “Hootie & The Blowfish”, “Giant Sand”, “the Smithereens”, “Carlene Carter”, and “Jules Shear”.
Concert promoter Trey Merrill met Cowsill when he produced the debut album for the Louisiana college rock act “Benjy Davis Project” which she sang on. Cowsills' debut CD “Just Believe It” features both Lucinda Williams and Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows). She highlighted the release by performing at this years New Orleans Jazz Festival.
The show is open to all-ages and tickets are $32.50 and $38.50. With the limited number of seats being sold (550), Merrill says there’s not a bad seat in the house.
Trey Merrill Presents
335 Coffee Street
Mandeville, LA 70448
225/240-1664
treymerrillpresents@hotmail.com
Thomas Little's mural for A Stone's Throw Cafe: a new view of the pasture out back
Rachel Ginsberg Stone had a conventional looking diner - A Stone's Throw Cafe - until she sat down to work on a blank wall with painter-sculptor Thomas Little. The result of their planning was a droll trompe l'oiel mural ("fool the eye"). Seems to me it carries a hint of Austintation.
Seems to Debbie Engle, one of the founders of West Edge Artists Co-op, that Little's mural brings glory to the co-op. She writes of the group, "Check out our Citywide Gallery Program exhibits at Christus Schumpert's Integrative Medicine Clinic, Stone's Throw Cafe', Bistro 6301, and Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Be sure to visit WEACo member Thomas Little's mural at Stone's Throw Cafe' - it's absolutely fabulous! Coming down the pike are huge shows at both Harrah's Horseshoe Hotel and the downtown Convention Center.
We've juried in several new artists lately: Jamie Sanders, LaShea Brittain, Lena Hall, Alice Guerrero, Suzie Paulovich and Reba Neel, among others. West Edge Artists Co-op is growing exponentially it seems, and our gallery will be open before you know it. We will curate the largest, privately-owned gallery in downtown Shreveport. Friends of WEACo are welcome to stop by 725 Milam Street on Saturday mornings while we're working on renovating the space."
Seems to Debbie Engle, one of the founders of West Edge Artists Co-op, that Little's mural brings glory to the co-op. She writes of the group, "Check out our Citywide Gallery Program exhibits at Christus Schumpert's Integrative Medicine Clinic, Stone's Throw Cafe', Bistro 6301, and Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Be sure to visit WEACo member Thomas Little's mural at Stone's Throw Cafe' - it's absolutely fabulous! Coming down the pike are huge shows at both Harrah's Horseshoe Hotel and the downtown Convention Center.
We've juried in several new artists lately: Jamie Sanders, LaShea Brittain, Lena Hall, Alice Guerrero, Suzie Paulovich and Reba Neel, among others. West Edge Artists Co-op is growing exponentially it seems, and our gallery will be open before you know it. We will curate the largest, privately-owned gallery in downtown Shreveport. Friends of WEACo are welcome to stop by 725 Milam Street on Saturday mornings while we're working on renovating the space."
Monday, August 14, 2006
Mayor's Forum presented by Gay Rights group, PACE; report by Adrienne Critcher of PACE
Adrienne Critcher writes to her gang, "Thank you to everyone who attended Political Action Council for Equality's Shreveport Mayoral Forum last night. The 85 seats in the auditorium were filled and the crowd spilled out into the lobby of the Deaf Action Center. David counted 120 there. It was a great crowd. Representatives from the local TV stations, The Times and The Forum were there. Seven of the 11 candidates participated in the panel, with 1 showing up after he got off work.
It was an enlightening event. Very importantly, the candidates and the audience treated each other with respect even on matters on which we obviously disagree.
I want to make 2 main points about the forum.
First, even the most extreme candidate on Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender issues did not use our event to gleefully proclaim his or her opposition to our interests. For example in their answers to the question on the 2004 constitutional amendment, there was considerable "tap-dancing", claims of forgetfulness about their vote, and even those who admitted voting for the amendment discussed either the difficulty in arriving at that position or qualified their vote with the assurance that they don't support discrimination. Of course all of us realize the contradictions here, and I am not trying to soft-pedal their responses, but no one was there to throw red meat to the radical religious right. In NW Louisiana, you acknowledge that small step in the right direction.
And the candidates knew the media was there, so this wasn't just an attempt to try to appease the audience.
Second, after the forum we all got an opportunity to visit with the candidates during the social time. The last of us didn't leave until around 8:30. We made perhaps some of our best points during these individual visits. My husband, son and I all had good respectful conversations with various candidates and their spouses in which we presented them with information that they had obviously either not heard or considered before. We found them willing to engage in a meaningful dialogue. I watched as many of members of the audience did the same. I now believe that I can have a rational conversation with any of the serious candidates, one of whom will be our next mayor.
Many thanks to Rodney Grunes for his very professional job as our moderator - and for keeping a straight face during Madjun Ali's stand-up comedy act. Well, no one could keep a straight face during all of that. And during Vernon Adams' statement that only those who had accepted Jesus as savior would be appointed to city committees/commissions if he were elected mayor. See what you missed if you weren't there!
Most of all thanks to you who came out to support PACE's first public forum. We showed the candidates that we exist, that we have legitimate concerns, that we are a thoughtful, knowledgeable group. PACE has come a very long way, and has done so in one of the parts of the country most hostile to LGBT issues. With your help we will continue to make our presence known, and to change hearts and minds and lives."
Adrienne
Editor:
Times writer Joel Anderson penned an issue-oriented account of the PACE forum that I enjoyed reading.
And the Times says the next mayor's forum is Wed, Aug 16, LSUS Science Lecture Hall, 4 to 6 pm. It features moderator Tom Pace (no relationship).
It was an enlightening event. Very importantly, the candidates and the audience treated each other with respect even on matters on which we obviously disagree.
I want to make 2 main points about the forum.
First, even the most extreme candidate on Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender issues did not use our event to gleefully proclaim his or her opposition to our interests. For example in their answers to the question on the 2004 constitutional amendment, there was considerable "tap-dancing", claims of forgetfulness about their vote, and even those who admitted voting for the amendment discussed either the difficulty in arriving at that position or qualified their vote with the assurance that they don't support discrimination. Of course all of us realize the contradictions here, and I am not trying to soft-pedal their responses, but no one was there to throw red meat to the radical religious right. In NW Louisiana, you acknowledge that small step in the right direction.
And the candidates knew the media was there, so this wasn't just an attempt to try to appease the audience.
Second, after the forum we all got an opportunity to visit with the candidates during the social time. The last of us didn't leave until around 8:30. We made perhaps some of our best points during these individual visits. My husband, son and I all had good respectful conversations with various candidates and their spouses in which we presented them with information that they had obviously either not heard or considered before. We found them willing to engage in a meaningful dialogue. I watched as many of members of the audience did the same. I now believe that I can have a rational conversation with any of the serious candidates, one of whom will be our next mayor.
Many thanks to Rodney Grunes for his very professional job as our moderator - and for keeping a straight face during Madjun Ali's stand-up comedy act. Well, no one could keep a straight face during all of that. And during Vernon Adams' statement that only those who had accepted Jesus as savior would be appointed to city committees/commissions if he were elected mayor. See what you missed if you weren't there!
Most of all thanks to you who came out to support PACE's first public forum. We showed the candidates that we exist, that we have legitimate concerns, that we are a thoughtful, knowledgeable group. PACE has come a very long way, and has done so in one of the parts of the country most hostile to LGBT issues. With your help we will continue to make our presence known, and to change hearts and minds and lives."
Adrienne
Editor:
Times writer Joel Anderson penned an issue-oriented account of the PACE forum that I enjoyed reading.
And the Times says the next mayor's forum is Wed, Aug 16, LSUS Science Lecture Hall, 4 to 6 pm. It features moderator Tom Pace (no relationship).
Pierce Pettis in Home Concert at Fairfield Studios Th, Aug 31, 7 pm
"Hello," says singer-keyboard player Sandra Odom, "to all music lovers! After what seems like a long break, Fairfield Studios Home Concert Series is going to be coming at you hot and heavy from now through next May.
I've heard so many things about Pierce Pettis I don't know where to start. His music takes me back to a place of innocence and security and warmth, of something I could count on as a child. Our friends Michael & Kendra Terry of Uncle Calvin's Coffee House in Dallas call him "One of modern folk music's most important artists. Pierce's Deep South heritage influences his songs of treasured emotion, spiritual inspiration and a belief in the promise of a new day. Percussive urgency often frames Pierce's dexterous finger picked guitar works and his eloquent melodies linger long after the listening."
Just so you'll know: Uncle Calvin's has concerts every Friday night in the world. If you can't get enough from our shows or if you find yourself in Dallas on a Friday night with nothin' t'do, check 'em out: www.unclecalvins.org
And if any of you remember one of our early concerts: Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne from our neighboring Winnsborough, TX? ......... they now have a near-weekly concert if you still can't get enough. www.crossroadsmusic.com
Lynn & Lindy had Pierce at their place not long ago and gave a great account of his story. If you're interested, check out his website: www.piercepettis.com
Pierce Pettis
Fairfield Studios
1510 Fairfield Ave. (across from the State Bldg.)
Thursday, Aug. 31st
7:00 p.m. come early to get a good seat.
Non-alchoholic beverages will be served.
Bring your drink of choice.
Reservations:
Call: 220-0400
email: reservations@fairfieldstudios.com
Here's the list of upcoming artists:
Aug 31, Thurs: Pierce Pettis: roots, soul (Nashville)
Sept. 16, Saturday: Beth Patterson: Celtic, (Austin)
Nov 4, Saturday: Jay Mankita: family show - fun, inspired (NYC)
Nov. 19, Sunday: Diana Jones: empassioned, free spirit (Nashville)
Dec. 2, Saturday: Randall Williams and Claudia SanSoucie
Jan. 21, Sunday: the Laws: country-esque duo (Canada & Texas)
Feb. 9, Friday: Billy Jonas: kickin' solo "Stomp"-style percussion & song.
Peace,
Sandra
I've heard so many things about Pierce Pettis I don't know where to start. His music takes me back to a place of innocence and security and warmth, of something I could count on as a child. Our friends Michael & Kendra Terry of Uncle Calvin's Coffee House in Dallas call him "One of modern folk music's most important artists. Pierce's Deep South heritage influences his songs of treasured emotion, spiritual inspiration and a belief in the promise of a new day. Percussive urgency often frames Pierce's dexterous finger picked guitar works and his eloquent melodies linger long after the listening."
Just so you'll know: Uncle Calvin's has concerts every Friday night in the world. If you can't get enough from our shows or if you find yourself in Dallas on a Friday night with nothin' t'do, check 'em out: www.unclecalvins.org
And if any of you remember one of our early concerts: Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne from our neighboring Winnsborough, TX? ......... they now have a near-weekly concert if you still can't get enough. www.crossroadsmusic.com
Lynn & Lindy had Pierce at their place not long ago and gave a great account of his story. If you're interested, check out his website: www.piercepettis.com
Pierce Pettis
Fairfield Studios
1510 Fairfield Ave. (across from the State Bldg.)
Thursday, Aug. 31st
7:00 p.m. come early to get a good seat.
Non-alchoholic beverages will be served.
Bring your drink of choice.
Reservations:
Call: 220-0400
email: reservations@fairfieldstudios.com
Here's the list of upcoming artists:
Aug 31, Thurs: Pierce Pettis: roots, soul (Nashville)
Sept. 16, Saturday: Beth Patterson: Celtic, (Austin)
Nov 4, Saturday: Jay Mankita: family show - fun, inspired (NYC)
Nov. 19, Sunday: Diana Jones: empassioned, free spirit (Nashville)
Dec. 2, Saturday: Randall Williams and Claudia SanSoucie
Jan. 21, Sunday: the Laws: country-esque duo (Canada & Texas)
Feb. 9, Friday: Billy Jonas: kickin' solo "Stomp"-style percussion & song.
Peace,
Sandra
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Faces of Katrina exhibit, Shreveport's Artspace, designed by author-moviemaker William Joyce; reception Fri, Aug 25, 7 pm
Gigantic photo murals - faces, maps, newspaper pages, aerial views - are soon to be added to the new walls built this week at Artspace, 710 Texas St. The warren of exhibit walls and mural-like portraits of Katrina evacuees were designed by moviemaker/author/illustrator William Joyce.
In fact, Joyce is planning to immerse visitors in the somber - if somehow appealing - world of New Orleans after the deluge.
Though he has a new movie coming out (Meet the Robinsons, Disney Pictures), Joyce seems to haave been mesmerized by the plight of the Crescent City. It is a community he says is still digging out from the shock of dislocation and loss.
The exhibit is based on the photography of Stan Carpenter, Kathryn Gaiennie, Philip Gould, Mike Silva and Talbot Hopkins (who is my wife). In October and November, 2005, the photogs slipped into Shreveport's shelters to capture the visages of people in the whirlwind of displacement. Shreveport Regional Arts Council sent interviewers to record the stories told by those photographed.
Additional photography and a wide range of materials have been added to the mix to make Faces of Katrina.
The Artspace show opens with a reception at 7 pm on Friday, Aug 25. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Hosts are Steve Ross and Mark Hermasillo.
Also sponsoring the show is Bill Robinson and The Times. Coordinating the exhibit is the hardest-working woman in the gallery business, Pam Atchison.
One of the generous donors in the effort to commemorate the flood and displacement of Louisianians is Ridgways Inc, printers at 719 Marshall.
Info: SRAC at 673-6500.
In fact, Joyce is planning to immerse visitors in the somber - if somehow appealing - world of New Orleans after the deluge.
Though he has a new movie coming out (Meet the Robinsons, Disney Pictures), Joyce seems to haave been mesmerized by the plight of the Crescent City. It is a community he says is still digging out from the shock of dislocation and loss.
The exhibit is based on the photography of Stan Carpenter, Kathryn Gaiennie, Philip Gould, Mike Silva and Talbot Hopkins (who is my wife). In October and November, 2005, the photogs slipped into Shreveport's shelters to capture the visages of people in the whirlwind of displacement. Shreveport Regional Arts Council sent interviewers to record the stories told by those photographed.
Additional photography and a wide range of materials have been added to the mix to make Faces of Katrina.
The Artspace show opens with a reception at 7 pm on Friday, Aug 25. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Hosts are Steve Ross and Mark Hermasillo.
Also sponsoring the show is Bill Robinson and The Times. Coordinating the exhibit is the hardest-working woman in the gallery business, Pam Atchison.
One of the generous donors in the effort to commemorate the flood and displacement of Louisianians is Ridgways Inc, printers at 719 Marshall.
Info: SRAC at 673-6500.
Target bargain: 256 mb USB drive for $13, according to local newspaper ad
Target bargain: 256 mb USB drive for $13, according to local newspaper ad
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
Every serious secondary school student, artist, advanced techie kid, etc, should have one of these to:
* store projects and open them up at home or in the library or your mom's office or grandfather's house.
* store writing Or powerpoint-type projects.
* store photos.
* store music, too.
They replace the diskette. Diskettes are frustratingly easy to damage and quick to fail. Saving to a CD usually means the material is frozen.
A flash drive lasts years and is endlessly erasable and loadable. I've used 2 of them for maybe 3 years now - a 128 mb and a 256 mb - and they're super effective. One way I use them is transfer material from my desktop computer to the laptop. I often move projects from home to work on a flash drive.
See background on the flash drive at wikipedia.org.
There is a cheap alternative: send your material to a site such as Yousendit.com. They will store a large file for one week, free. You can download it anywhere. Not quite the same utility and ease of a USB drive, but an important item to know.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Th, Aug 10, Regal Cinema, Bossier: last area showing of An Inconvenient Truth
Regal Cinema Bossier lists Inconvenient Truth on Th, Aug 10, but does not show it as being screened Fri or Sat.
You've seen it? Terrific.
You've seen it? Terrific.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Triumph of Gnomes, Austin band, plus Cloacal Kiss & Dale Cooper at Cooper Manor, Mon, July 31, 8 pm
Austin grindcore/experimental/metal group Triumph of Gnomes - who will play Cooper Manor on Mon, July 31 - starts the entertainment with a list of bands alongside which they've played:
Some Girls, Transistor, Transistor, At All Cost, Twodeadsluts Onegoodf*ck, Suffering Ba*tard, The Jonbenet, A Day in Black and White, The Navies, Kylesa, Horse the Band, 400 Blows, Year Future, Sea of Thousand, Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower, Flee The Century, My Life with The Spaniard, Held Underwater, The Dailys, Embrace the End, Finger of God, Roundhole and The Squarepegs, The Arson Portrait and The Hospital Haunts. This droll list courtesy of the myspace.com/triumphofgnomes site.
More entertainment from one of Shreveport's cavernous micro scenes, orchestrated by musician-videographer Alec Holland:
"Here's the deal: Triumph Of Gnomes played here
a few weeks back at the start of a tour they had booked. Well, it
turns out that the agent who booked the tour for them was a complete d*ck, and he messed up all of the dates, so TOG's tour has been awful due to a lot of cancelled dates. I recieved a phone call from them the other day concerning an emergency show, so I told them they could play Cooper Manor and I'd promote as much as I could, so here I go:
Monday, July 31st
8:00PM
$5.00 (suggested, but no-o-ot mandatory)
122 E. Dalzell
Triumph of Gnomes
Cloacal Kiss (ask a med student)
Wu-Tang....I mean Dale Cooper
www.myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Also, later in the week there is a show on my birthday, sooooo!
Fri, Aug 4, 8:00PM
$5.00 (suggested, but nooot mandatory)
122 E. Dalzell
This song is a Mess but so am I (California noise-tastic homie)
www.myspace.com/thissongisamessbutsoami
I am Wing (Denton, Tx, drum + keyboard yellerfest)
www.myspace.com/iamwing
Roger Moore ... I mean Dale Cooper!
www.myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Come and help celebrate DIY house show pandemonium!"
Some Girls, Transistor, Transistor, At All Cost, Twodeadsluts Onegoodf*ck, Suffering Ba*tard, The Jonbenet, A Day in Black and White, The Navies, Kylesa, Horse the Band, 400 Blows, Year Future, Sea of Thousand, Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower, Flee The Century, My Life with The Spaniard, Held Underwater, The Dailys, Embrace the End, Finger of God, Roundhole and The Squarepegs, The Arson Portrait and The Hospital Haunts. This droll list courtesy of the myspace.com/triumphofgnomes site.
More entertainment from one of Shreveport's cavernous micro scenes, orchestrated by musician-videographer Alec Holland:
"Here's the deal: Triumph Of Gnomes played here
a few weeks back at the start of a tour they had booked. Well, it
turns out that the agent who booked the tour for them was a complete d*ck, and he messed up all of the dates, so TOG's tour has been awful due to a lot of cancelled dates. I recieved a phone call from them the other day concerning an emergency show, so I told them they could play Cooper Manor and I'd promote as much as I could, so here I go:
Monday, July 31st
8:00PM
$5.00 (suggested, but no-o-ot mandatory)
122 E. Dalzell
Triumph of Gnomes
Cloacal Kiss (ask a med student)
Wu-Tang....I mean Dale Cooper
www.myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Also, later in the week there is a show on my birthday, sooooo!
Fri, Aug 4, 8:00PM
$5.00 (suggested, but nooot mandatory)
122 E. Dalzell
This song is a Mess but so am I (California noise-tastic homie)
www.myspace.com/thissongisamessbutsoami
I am Wing (Denton, Tx, drum + keyboard yellerfest)
www.myspace.com/iamwing
Roger Moore ... I mean Dale Cooper!
www.myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Come and help celebrate DIY house show pandemonium!"
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Stageworks presents free tour of behind-the-scenes, secret sets from The Year Without Santa on Sun, July 30, 2 - 5 pm; former Expo Hall
The Robinson Film Center and Stageworks of Louisiana will present a public tour of the Stageworks production complex - the former Expo Hall - on Sun, July 30th, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, says Chris Jay.
Snatch a behind-the-scenes look at sets used in the motion picture “The Year without Santa Claus,” starring John Goodman.
Stageworks of Louisiana is located at 400 Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport, housed within the former Expo Hall. The self-guided tour, which should take 10-15 minutes to complete, will begin at the former main public entrance of Expo Hall, facing east onto Clyde Fant Parkway. All members of the public are invited.
Photography and video recording, including camera phones, is strictly prohibited at this event. Violators will be escorted from the premises by husky, unsmiling security officers.
Jay also reports that "A record crowd of more than 600 attended The RFC’s recent outdoor presentation of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in downtown Shreveport’s River View Park." Movies & Moonbeams, an outdoor cinema series presented by The RFC, SPAR, and Shreveport Green, continues through December in parks throughout Shreveport-Bossier City.
For a complete calendar of dates, visit www.moviesandmoonbeams.org.
“Jurassic Park,” will be aired Fri, Aug 18th, in Southern Hills Park (1000 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop). Admission is free.
Also catch the “Movies & Moonbeams” screen in action at “Funky Fridays” in downtown Shreveport, presented in partnership with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
Snatch a behind-the-scenes look at sets used in the motion picture “The Year without Santa Claus,” starring John Goodman.
Stageworks of Louisiana is located at 400 Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport, housed within the former Expo Hall. The self-guided tour, which should take 10-15 minutes to complete, will begin at the former main public entrance of Expo Hall, facing east onto Clyde Fant Parkway. All members of the public are invited.
Photography and video recording, including camera phones, is strictly prohibited at this event. Violators will be escorted from the premises by husky, unsmiling security officers.
Jay also reports that "A record crowd of more than 600 attended The RFC’s recent outdoor presentation of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in downtown Shreveport’s River View Park." Movies & Moonbeams, an outdoor cinema series presented by The RFC, SPAR, and Shreveport Green, continues through December in parks throughout Shreveport-Bossier City.
For a complete calendar of dates, visit www.moviesandmoonbeams.org.
“Jurassic Park,” will be aired Fri, Aug 18th, in Southern Hills Park (1000 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop). Admission is free.
Also catch the “Movies & Moonbeams” screen in action at “Funky Fridays” in downtown Shreveport, presented in partnership with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
Skulls for everyone, printed on everything, way beyond Goth and well into Smileydom
In an amusing NY Times story called Heyday of the Dead by David Colman, we read, "The skull as memento mori is important to Philip Crangi, a fashionable jeweler in Manhattan known for a pared-down modernized take on 19th-century morbidity. “I use it in a Victorian or Latin sense,” he said, “where it meant that life is short and death is the great equalizer, so stop your whining and get on with it.”
But most of the citations in the article are from the Hot Topic to Ralph Lauren commecialization of the cranium pictorium. In one interview Colman heard, “It’s a pity it’s so commercial now,” Mr. Pellat-Finet said. For more than five years, he has splashed oversize skull graphics — sporting, say, Mickey Mouse ears — on his sweaters. “Maybe Wal-Mart will replace their smiley-face with a tête de mort,” he added, using the French term for skull. “It’s lost its meaning.”
Well, it still has one meaning for Mr. Pellat-Finet, whose latest skull sweaters are embellished with Afros and top hats, among other images. Asked if he will stop using the motif, he responded with a chuckle: “No, no, no. It’s my best seller!”
So I'm wondering whether Shreveporters or those reading SptBlog are selling products sporting the skull. Are we on the bandwagon? Making money while the skull shines?
As far as I can tell, artists should incorprate the balded head whenever possible. In the 90's I made a Halloween / Dia de Los Muertos T shirt for a downtown arts association. I appropriated Leonardo's nude Proportions of Man image - aka Vitruvian Man - and did a skeletal version. That T shirt, amazingly, can still be glimpsed at parties. Thanks to Michael G Moore, Chuck Loridans and a few others, it has become my most enduring graphic work.
Hey, send me a photo of your work in which the skull - despite this momentary ubiquity - is bobbing.
But most of the citations in the article are from the Hot Topic to Ralph Lauren commecialization of the cranium pictorium. In one interview Colman heard, “It’s a pity it’s so commercial now,” Mr. Pellat-Finet said. For more than five years, he has splashed oversize skull graphics — sporting, say, Mickey Mouse ears — on his sweaters. “Maybe Wal-Mart will replace their smiley-face with a tête de mort,” he added, using the French term for skull. “It’s lost its meaning.”
Well, it still has one meaning for Mr. Pellat-Finet, whose latest skull sweaters are embellished with Afros and top hats, among other images. Asked if he will stop using the motif, he responded with a chuckle: “No, no, no. It’s my best seller!”
So I'm wondering whether Shreveporters or those reading SptBlog are selling products sporting the skull. Are we on the bandwagon? Making money while the skull shines?
As far as I can tell, artists should incorprate the balded head whenever possible. In the 90's I made a Halloween / Dia de Los Muertos T shirt for a downtown arts association. I appropriated Leonardo's nude Proportions of Man image - aka Vitruvian Man - and did a skeletal version. That T shirt, amazingly, can still be glimpsed at parties. Thanks to Michael G Moore, Chuck Loridans and a few others, it has become my most enduring graphic work.
Hey, send me a photo of your work in which the skull - despite this momentary ubiquity - is bobbing.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Friends of Scott Griffin art & music benefit Sun, July 30, 2 - 6 pm, Petroleum Club of Shreveport
A celebration planned by friends of Scott Griffin will feature art, food and music, befitting the specialties of artist-musician Griffin. He has been unable to work for some time inasmuch as he is struggling with cancer.
To be held at the Petroleum Club, the event will raise money through a silent auction of art donated by regional artists, among them movie maker Bill Joyce.
Hors d'oeuvres and beverages accompany the $35 admission. Attire is casual. That's Sun, July 30, 2 to 6 pm, 416 Travis St.
MoInfo: friendsofscottgriffin.com or 318-459-2626.
To be held at the Petroleum Club, the event will raise money through a silent auction of art donated by regional artists, among them movie maker Bill Joyce.
Hors d'oeuvres and beverages accompany the $35 admission. Attire is casual. That's Sun, July 30, 2 to 6 pm, 416 Travis St.
MoInfo: friendsofscottgriffin.com or 318-459-2626.
Satchmo Summerfest: brass band blowout in French Quarter, weekend of Aug 4
Probably worth the sweat, in our jazzbo opinions: the 6th Annual Satchmo Club Strut, the musical club crawl down Frenchmen Street on Friday, August 4, 2006, in the city of Noo Wallins.
The 'Strut' kicks off the weekend long Satchmo Summerfest, says event producer Jason Patterson. It celebrates Louis Armstrong and jazz in all its forms. The Club Strut serves as both a fundraiser for non-profit jazz outreach programs and a promotional vehicle for the music community's rebuilding efforts.
This year's Stachmo Summerfest line up includes Ellis Marsalis, shellman & trombone master Steve Turre, sax legend Frank Morgan, New Orleans trumpet legend Lionel Ferbos, Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, Kermit Ruffins, Davell Crawford, Astral Project, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers Brass Band, the Charmaine Neville Band, Hot Club of New Orleans, Yoshio Tayama & the Dixie Saints (Japan) and many more. The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, JazzTimes Magazine, Sauza Tequila, Abita Beer and Louisiana Music Factory are sponsors.
See more at satchmosummerfest.com and nojazz.info. There's nola.com, too.
The 'Strut' kicks off the weekend long Satchmo Summerfest, says event producer Jason Patterson. It celebrates Louis Armstrong and jazz in all its forms. The Club Strut serves as both a fundraiser for non-profit jazz outreach programs and a promotional vehicle for the music community's rebuilding efforts.
This year's Stachmo Summerfest line up includes Ellis Marsalis, shellman & trombone master Steve Turre, sax legend Frank Morgan, New Orleans trumpet legend Lionel Ferbos, Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, Kermit Ruffins, Davell Crawford, Astral Project, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers Brass Band, the Charmaine Neville Band, Hot Club of New Orleans, Yoshio Tayama & the Dixie Saints (Japan) and many more. The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, JazzTimes Magazine, Sauza Tequila, Abita Beer and Louisiana Music Factory are sponsors.
See more at satchmosummerfest.com and nojazz.info. There's nola.com, too.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Call to cartoon and graphic artists: Bubble Rap II open to insane submissions through Sept 20
Call to artists: Bubble Rap II, 2006
Boom. Pow. Scramble. Here comes the second installation of Bubble Rap, the exhibition of Northwest Louisiana artists’ cartoon and graphic work, says Bubble Rap creator Michael G. Moore. This year’s exhibition will take place at two locations simultaneously during the month of October: at Centenary College’s Magale Library as well as the LSUS University Center Gallery. This exhibition is open to all cartoon/graphic designers from the Northwest region of Louisiana.
How to participate:
Submit at least four pieces of work via digital image to this e-mail address BubbleRap@nwlaartgallery.com, or you may send photographs or slides to:
Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery
Bubble Rap
837 Drewry Drive
Shreveport, LA 71118
Our exhibition committee will select, says Moore, at least two pieces from each qualified artist for inclusion at each event location—one piece per location. There may be room for some artists to have more than one piece on exhibit at each location. Each exhibition location will feature original work…no repeats.
Having hung 2 Bubble shows, Moore has a few guidelines for artists: All work MUST BE SUITABLY FRAMED—no exceptions. No work on foam core will be accepted unless it is framed. No saw tooth hangers on the back of frames will be accepted. All frames must have a wire hanger. If you are submitting work on canvas it must be framed if the edge is less then 2 inches deep. If the edge is two inches deep or greater the edge may be painted black, or have the art wrap around the edge.
All work must be submitted to one of the above addresses no later than Wednesday, September 20th. The dates for delivery of work will be determined at a later date.
If you have any questions please write to BubbleRap@nwlaartgallery.com, or call Michael G. Moore at 318-686-3863.
Boom. Pow. Scramble. Here comes the second installation of Bubble Rap, the exhibition of Northwest Louisiana artists’ cartoon and graphic work, says Bubble Rap creator Michael G. Moore. This year’s exhibition will take place at two locations simultaneously during the month of October: at Centenary College’s Magale Library as well as the LSUS University Center Gallery. This exhibition is open to all cartoon/graphic designers from the Northwest region of Louisiana.
How to participate:
Submit at least four pieces of work via digital image to this e-mail address BubbleRap@nwlaartgallery.com, or you may send photographs or slides to:
Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery
Bubble Rap
837 Drewry Drive
Shreveport, LA 71118
Our exhibition committee will select, says Moore, at least two pieces from each qualified artist for inclusion at each event location—one piece per location. There may be room for some artists to have more than one piece on exhibit at each location. Each exhibition location will feature original work…no repeats.
Having hung 2 Bubble shows, Moore has a few guidelines for artists: All work MUST BE SUITABLY FRAMED—no exceptions. No work on foam core will be accepted unless it is framed. No saw tooth hangers on the back of frames will be accepted. All frames must have a wire hanger. If you are submitting work on canvas it must be framed if the edge is less then 2 inches deep. If the edge is two inches deep or greater the edge may be painted black, or have the art wrap around the edge.
All work must be submitted to one of the above addresses no later than Wednesday, September 20th. The dates for delivery of work will be determined at a later date.
If you have any questions please write to BubbleRap@nwlaartgallery.com, or call Michael G. Moore at 318-686-3863.
SRAC Roster Artists meet Th, July 27, 4 to 6 pm, Artspace, says Ariej Alexander
We affectionately refer to ourselves as the Rasta Artists, but in truth it's Roster Artists. The designation simply means we make $50,000 per annum or more from our art. Either that, or we've been juried and stamped by the art meritocracy.
Roster Artists will meet Th, July 27th, from 4-6 pm at artspace, says SRAC's irie Ariej Alexander.
On the agenda: hog pum art, investment opportunities in Blue Mountain products and rosterfarianism.
If you are attending, please droppa line to Ariej, who is Community Development Coordinator, Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
318-673-6500
ariej@shrevearts.org
Roster Artists will meet Th, July 27th, from 4-6 pm at artspace, says SRAC's irie Ariej Alexander.
On the agenda: hog pum art, investment opportunities in Blue Mountain products and rosterfarianism.
If you are attending, please droppa line to Ariej, who is Community Development Coordinator, Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
318-673-6500
ariej@shrevearts.org
Artists and brush-wielding volunteers needed to paint barrels for Food Bank outreach, says Frances Socha
Painting barrels - creatively - interest you?
"We are looking for a few artists," says Socha, " who are willing to volunteer their time to paint and decorate a few barrels. We would like to have the Food Bank logo on them, but it would be pretty cool if the artists were able to paint their own interpretation of our logo and what the Food Bank represents," says Frances Socha.
The Food Bank is currently working on developing a rural outreach program to expand programs serving the hungry, continues Socha. "As part of this outreach we will be contacting grocery stores in these areas to put food donation barrels in the stores. We currently have about 40 barrels in our warehouse."
"These artsy barrels will provide a great deal of publicity for the Food Bank and for the artist! It is our hope that by providing a place of easy access for food donations, we will be able to achieve our mission of abating hunger."
Please contact Frances Socha, Program Director, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, 2307 Texas Avenue, Spt 71103
Tel: 318-675-2400
Fax: 318-675-2440
In a postscript Ms. Socha said, "I just found out we actually have about 100 food donation barrels in the Food Bank warehouse that we are trying to get painted!"
Pardon me if I suggest a small team of artists who would create designs and perhaps sketch the outlines on the barrels. Subsequently people who can simply apply paint might be used to complete the project.
"We are looking for a few artists," says Socha, " who are willing to volunteer their time to paint and decorate a few barrels. We would like to have the Food Bank logo on them, but it would be pretty cool if the artists were able to paint their own interpretation of our logo and what the Food Bank represents," says Frances Socha.
The Food Bank is currently working on developing a rural outreach program to expand programs serving the hungry, continues Socha. "As part of this outreach we will be contacting grocery stores in these areas to put food donation barrels in the stores. We currently have about 40 barrels in our warehouse."
"These artsy barrels will provide a great deal of publicity for the Food Bank and for the artist! It is our hope that by providing a place of easy access for food donations, we will be able to achieve our mission of abating hunger."
Please contact Frances Socha, Program Director, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, 2307 Texas Avenue, Spt 71103
Tel: 318-675-2400
Fax: 318-675-2440
In a postscript Ms. Socha said, "I just found out we actually have about 100 food donation barrels in the Food Bank warehouse that we are trying to get painted!"
Pardon me if I suggest a small team of artists who would create designs and perhaps sketch the outlines on the barrels. Subsequently people who can simply apply paint might be used to complete the project.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Life Is A Gift benefit celebration & art auction by Friends of Scott Griffin, Sun, July 30, 2 - 6 pm, Petroleum Club
More than 30 artists have donated their work for “Life Is A Gift” – a benefit celebration and art auction 2:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 30th at the Petroleum Club, says Noma Fowler-Sandlin. The event is a celebration of life and art that will share the work of area artist and raise funds to support fellow artist Scott Griffin, who faces an aggressive form of cancer. Reservations are $35.00 per person. For reservations and more information visit www.friendsofscottgriffin.com or call 318-459-2626.
Patrons will enjoy a broad selection of original artwork from which to bid through silent auction. A variety of other valuable items from area businesses will also be auctioned. The theme will be much like a birthday party, with festive decorations, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music and a very, very special gift for everyone who comes.
Proceeds from this event will go to “Friends of Scott Griffin,” a grass roots organization formed to lend assistance to Shreveport artist, musician and photographer Scott Griffin, who is now battling cancer and has been unable to work for several months. The goal is to raise public awareness of cancer, share Griffin’s work and raise donations to help offset his expenses.
Artists contributing work to “Life Is A Gift” include, but may not be limited to:
Kerry Easley
Robert Trudeau
Michael G. Moore
David Nelson
Karen Guerin
Nan Dozier
Robin Rothrock
Michael Harold
Micah Harold
Donna Strebeck
Denise Peske Dews
Mike Silva
Tricia Baker
Sandy Hogan
Dan Garner
Lisa Smith
Sam Rigling
Michelle Parker
Byron Gates
Jennifer Rice
Debbie Engle
Noma Fowler-Sandlin
William Joyce
Andre Weatherly
David Dooley
Andre Weatherly
Tony Reans
Greg Hornbeak
Neil Johnson
Mike McSwain
Marabella Dunn
Ellen Soffer
Glynis Ford
In addition to works of art:
Dee's Photo – digital camera
Eldorado Casino – spa package
Stephen Miller Designs – jewelry
Shreveport Symphony – season tickets package
Arlena Acree – designer jewelry
Lewis Gifts – gift certificate
Other items: massages, yoga, qigong and t'ai chi lessons and a gormet meal prepared by a well-known local chef in the winner’s home.
EVENT “Life Is A Gift” Benefit Celebration & Art Auction
TIME/DATE 2:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 30
LOCATION Petroleum Club, 416 Travis St, 16th floor, Shreveport, LA
DESCRIPTION Celebration and benefit fund raiser for fellow artist, musician, photographer Scott Griffin
RESERVATIONS Go to: www.friendsofscottgriffin.com
Call: 318.459.2626
DONATIONS Make a donation to: Friends of Scott Griffin*
Send to: Friends of Scott Griffin
Post Office Box 5884
Shreveport, LA 71135-5884
*Friends of Scott Griffin is not yet a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations, therefore donations are not tax exempt.
Patrons will enjoy a broad selection of original artwork from which to bid through silent auction. A variety of other valuable items from area businesses will also be auctioned. The theme will be much like a birthday party, with festive decorations, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music and a very, very special gift for everyone who comes.
Proceeds from this event will go to “Friends of Scott Griffin,” a grass roots organization formed to lend assistance to Shreveport artist, musician and photographer Scott Griffin, who is now battling cancer and has been unable to work for several months. The goal is to raise public awareness of cancer, share Griffin’s work and raise donations to help offset his expenses.
Artists contributing work to “Life Is A Gift” include, but may not be limited to:
Kerry Easley
Robert Trudeau
Michael G. Moore
David Nelson
Karen Guerin
Nan Dozier
Robin Rothrock
Michael Harold
Micah Harold
Donna Strebeck
Denise Peske Dews
Mike Silva
Tricia Baker
Sandy Hogan
Dan Garner
Lisa Smith
Sam Rigling
Michelle Parker
Byron Gates
Jennifer Rice
Debbie Engle
Noma Fowler-Sandlin
William Joyce
Andre Weatherly
David Dooley
Andre Weatherly
Tony Reans
Greg Hornbeak
Neil Johnson
Mike McSwain
Marabella Dunn
Ellen Soffer
Glynis Ford
In addition to works of art:
Dee's Photo – digital camera
Eldorado Casino – spa package
Stephen Miller Designs – jewelry
Shreveport Symphony – season tickets package
Arlena Acree – designer jewelry
Lewis Gifts – gift certificate
Other items: massages, yoga, qigong and t'ai chi lessons and a gormet meal prepared by a well-known local chef in the winner’s home.
EVENT “Life Is A Gift” Benefit Celebration & Art Auction
TIME/DATE 2:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 30
LOCATION Petroleum Club, 416 Travis St, 16th floor, Shreveport, LA
DESCRIPTION Celebration and benefit fund raiser for fellow artist, musician, photographer Scott Griffin
RESERVATIONS Go to: www.friendsofscottgriffin.com
Call: 318.459.2626
DONATIONS Make a donation to: Friends of Scott Griffin*
Send to: Friends of Scott Griffin
Post Office Box 5884
Shreveport, LA 71135-5884
*Friends of Scott Griffin is not yet a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations, therefore donations are not tax exempt.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Examine manic, masochistic bicyclists in Imax flic Wired to Win; Surviving the Tour de France; Sat & Sun only at SciPort
Sci-Port’s showing of the IMAX film Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France, is one weekend only - this Saturday and Sunday, says Eric Gipson.
He claims "The film has been critically lauded as a gripping, real-life racing drama that provides a fascinating look at how the brain functions under extreme conditions."
Says the film's publicity department, "Nearly 200 cyclists start the Tour de France but, on average, 50 of them won’t see the finish in Paris. To survive the incredible challenges the race presents, the riders will have to draw not only on their physical ability, but on the remarkable power of the brain as well. The steep roads, hairpin turns and high-altitude passes of the Alps are legendary for the suffering they can inflict.
Racing in the Tour de France is often about risk management; how fast do you go? How hard do you push? What’s at risk? What is the potential reward? For pro cyclists, the difference between success and failure is very thin."
MoInfo: sciport.org
He claims "The film has been critically lauded as a gripping, real-life racing drama that provides a fascinating look at how the brain functions under extreme conditions."
Says the film's publicity department, "Nearly 200 cyclists start the Tour de France but, on average, 50 of them won’t see the finish in Paris. To survive the incredible challenges the race presents, the riders will have to draw not only on their physical ability, but on the remarkable power of the brain as well. The steep roads, hairpin turns and high-altitude passes of the Alps are legendary for the suffering they can inflict.
Racing in the Tour de France is often about risk management; how fast do you go? How hard do you push? What’s at risk? What is the potential reward? For pro cyclists, the difference between success and failure is very thin."
MoInfo: sciport.org
Filming the snowy Without Santa during 97 degree heat in Natchitoches; John F. Daniel reports from movieland
john f daniel - filming Without Santa during 97 degree heat in Natchitoches
Originally uploaded by trudeau.
John F. Daniel, a Shreveport actor who has landed upon the movie train with both feet under him, says of his time on the set of Year Without a Santa Claus in Natchitoches, "I worked for a week on this production. My scenes were all set during the fictional town's Christmas festival, as well as during a traffic jam involving a couple tons worth of snow and cars. Oh, and unlike the hundreds of volunteer extras from Natchitoches, I got paid, lol."
"Since the movie Roadhouse 2 came out today, pardon me for pointing out that I can be seen from behind in the last two minutes of the movie, dancing to some horrible country music. But after seeing the finished product, I wouldn't recommend wasting 3 bucks to rent it. It's so bad it makes the average porn video look like a masterpiece."
Hope you'll forgive me for noting the sweat stained jerkin being worn by Santa's helper in snow-covered Natchitoches.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
The pursuit of drawing was once a like a mast topped by giant sails
Teaching America to Draw is the title of an exhibit at the Grolier Club, NYC. The NYTimes' Michael Kimmelman takes the occasion to look back upon the era when sketching was practiced by the mass of the educated class.
He asserts that, in a recent era, "Drawing promoted meditation and stillness. “A sustained act of will is essential to drawing,” Paul Valéry put it. “Nothing could be more opposed to reverie, since the requisite concentration must be continually diverting the natural course of physical movements, on its guard against any seductive curve asserting itself.”
Kimmelman rants a bit in his NYTimes story. He gathers righteous support by pointing out that "We’re addicted to convenience today. Cellphone cameras are handy, but they’re also the equivalent of fast-food meals. Their ubiquity has multiplied our distance from drawing as a measure of self-worth and a practical tool. Before box cameras became universal a century or so ago, people drew for pleasure but also because it was the best way to preserve a cherished sight, a memory, just as people played an instrument or sang if they wanted to hear music at home because there were no record players or radios. Amateurism was a virtue, and the time and effort entailed in learning to draw, as with playing the piano, enhanced its desirability."
He believes "Something happened between then (the late 1800's) and now, and it wasn’t just the invention of gadgets that eliminated the need to draw.
There was also a philosophical change, away from drawing as a practical endeavor and toward art appreciation. From dexterity and discipline to feelings and self-esteem: the shift in values is implied by some of the later books in the show. Consciously or not, they parallel changes in modern art, which threw out the rule books of draftsmanship and proposed a new, free-thinking attitude."
Kimmelman has a thesis: "With the arts, American adults have acquiesced to playing the passive role of receivers.
In a new memoir, “Let Me Finish,” Roger Angell recalls trips to the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in the 1930’s with his father, who also liked to join pickup games when middle-age American men still did that. Today baseball is like the arts, with grown-ups mostly preferring not to break a sweat. “We know everything about the game now, thanks to instant replay and computerized stats, and what we seem to have concluded is that almost none of us are good enough to play it,” Mr. Angell writes.
So it is with classical music, painting and drawing, professional renditions of which are now so widely available that most people probably can’t or don’t imagine there’s any point in bothering to do these things themselves. Communities of amateurs still thrive, but they are self-selecting groups. A vast majority of society seems to presume that culture is something specialists produce."
While I see chinks in his argument (the number of books written by every Tom & Mary Jellico that are self-published and hawked upon the net, for example), I am a sympathetic listener. Of course, I'm a person who has sketched all my life. I take a notebook to museums, concerts, meetings and the beach. I sketch my environment to absorb the juicy stuff and process the heavy stuff and avoid boredom and insanity.
And I teach my students to sketch. They look at my drawings and many of them say, "No way can I copy that!" But with light-hearted encouragement they are usually successful and eventually are capturing the head of Shi Huang Di, the domes of the Taj Mahal, the scroll atop a Corinthian column.
Do you draw? What do you think of Kimmelman's argument? Read more at An Exhibition About Drawing Conjures a Time When Amateurs Roamed the Earth, July 19, 2006.
He asserts that, in a recent era, "Drawing promoted meditation and stillness. “A sustained act of will is essential to drawing,” Paul Valéry put it. “Nothing could be more opposed to reverie, since the requisite concentration must be continually diverting the natural course of physical movements, on its guard against any seductive curve asserting itself.”
Kimmelman rants a bit in his NYTimes story. He gathers righteous support by pointing out that "We’re addicted to convenience today. Cellphone cameras are handy, but they’re also the equivalent of fast-food meals. Their ubiquity has multiplied our distance from drawing as a measure of self-worth and a practical tool. Before box cameras became universal a century or so ago, people drew for pleasure but also because it was the best way to preserve a cherished sight, a memory, just as people played an instrument or sang if they wanted to hear music at home because there were no record players or radios. Amateurism was a virtue, and the time and effort entailed in learning to draw, as with playing the piano, enhanced its desirability."
He believes "Something happened between then (the late 1800's) and now, and it wasn’t just the invention of gadgets that eliminated the need to draw.
There was also a philosophical change, away from drawing as a practical endeavor and toward art appreciation. From dexterity and discipline to feelings and self-esteem: the shift in values is implied by some of the later books in the show. Consciously or not, they parallel changes in modern art, which threw out the rule books of draftsmanship and proposed a new, free-thinking attitude."
Kimmelman has a thesis: "With the arts, American adults have acquiesced to playing the passive role of receivers.
In a new memoir, “Let Me Finish,” Roger Angell recalls trips to the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in the 1930’s with his father, who also liked to join pickup games when middle-age American men still did that. Today baseball is like the arts, with grown-ups mostly preferring not to break a sweat. “We know everything about the game now, thanks to instant replay and computerized stats, and what we seem to have concluded is that almost none of us are good enough to play it,” Mr. Angell writes.
So it is with classical music, painting and drawing, professional renditions of which are now so widely available that most people probably can’t or don’t imagine there’s any point in bothering to do these things themselves. Communities of amateurs still thrive, but they are self-selecting groups. A vast majority of society seems to presume that culture is something specialists produce."
While I see chinks in his argument (the number of books written by every Tom & Mary Jellico that are self-published and hawked upon the net, for example), I am a sympathetic listener. Of course, I'm a person who has sketched all my life. I take a notebook to museums, concerts, meetings and the beach. I sketch my environment to absorb the juicy stuff and process the heavy stuff and avoid boredom and insanity.
And I teach my students to sketch. They look at my drawings and many of them say, "No way can I copy that!" But with light-hearted encouragement they are usually successful and eventually are capturing the head of Shi Huang Di, the domes of the Taj Mahal, the scroll atop a Corinthian column.
Do you draw? What do you think of Kimmelman's argument? Read more at An Exhibition About Drawing Conjures a Time When Amateurs Roamed the Earth, July 19, 2006.
Media masters Monty and Marsha Brown return from Europe with a new film: La Manche
"Hello Louisiana," a Bayou State documentary by Monty and Marsha Brown, will be aired on LPB in September (Sun, Sept 10, 3 pm), says Peggy Zundel of LPB.
The Browns are returning from Europe this week with another travel documentary in the can. This one is on La Manche, better known as the English Channel. Already on the market are their Euro docs La Belle France and It's Great! Britain.
Their travel films are sold through adventurecinema.com. The Browns also show them to audiences while providing live narration. Singing their own tunes (2 of their many compositions were used in the movie Steel Magnolias) as the duo Cahoots, they have entertained everyone but the Queen.
More about the Browns at montyandmarsha.com as well as at adventurecinema.com.
The Browns are returning from Europe this week with another travel documentary in the can. This one is on La Manche, better known as the English Channel. Already on the market are their Euro docs La Belle France and It's Great! Britain.
Their travel films are sold through adventurecinema.com. The Browns also show them to audiences while providing live narration. Singing their own tunes (2 of their many compositions were used in the movie Steel Magnolias) as the duo Cahoots, they have entertained everyone but the Queen.
More about the Browns at montyandmarsha.com as well as at adventurecinema.com.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Baton Rouge blues August update from Johnny Pal at Louisiana Music Factory.com
Johnny Palazzotta is our friend in Baton Rouge who promotes the hell out of music from the Bayou State. Check out his Louisiana Music Factory.com for great performance photos as well as records (also, a black t-shirt with the simple legend "new orleans matters"). Among his people: piano pounder David Egan and the comely singer Theresa Andersson.
Here's a blues & rock August update from Johnny Pal's side of the capital city:
Thursday, August 3 @ 7:30p The Manship Theatre...Charmaine Neville Band with special guest The Pfister Sisters...genuine New Orleans Ladies....tickets $25 @ www.ManshipTheatre.org
Friday, August 4 @ 9p Phil Brady's: Gumbeaux Rouge / Mitch Landry's new swamp pop concoction. great dancing music. $5
Saturday, August 5 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: blues legend Henry Gray with his rockin blues band (no smoking show) $10
Friday, August 11 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Low Country Audio / jammin' alternative ala Little Feat & Coldplay $5
Saturday, August 12 @ 9p Phil Brady's: Lil Hub & The Wheels / real thing R&B dancin' $5
Friday, August 25 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Gregg Wright Band / Rock n Roll guitar doesn't get any better than this! $10
Saturday, August 26 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Neighborhood Stars /One of the best local BR bands there ever has been! $7
Wednesday, August 30 @ 7p @ The Capital Center Hilton Hotel: The Foundation for Historical Louisiana Gala featuring Buddy Boudreaux Dance Band and Luther Kent's Trickbag Big Band tickets $100 from FHL 225-387-2464
Thursday, August 31 @ 7:30p Phil Brady's :The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation membership/fundraiser featuring jam host Tab Benoit with special guests Deacon John Moore, Bobby Campo, Buddy Flett and others! No smoking show. All proceeds benefit BRBF Music in the Schools programs and Slim Harpo Awards. free jambalaya and new member benefits $20
Friday, September 1 @ 9p Phil Brady's: David Egan & Twenty Years of Trouble / Bringing the West side to the East side to Rock! No smoking - unless you're counting Egan's hands - show. $10
Here's a blues & rock August update from Johnny Pal's side of the capital city:
Thursday, August 3 @ 7:30p The Manship Theatre...Charmaine Neville Band with special guest The Pfister Sisters...genuine New Orleans Ladies....tickets $25 @ www.ManshipTheatre.org
Friday, August 4 @ 9p Phil Brady's: Gumbeaux Rouge / Mitch Landry's new swamp pop concoction. great dancing music. $5
Saturday, August 5 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: blues legend Henry Gray with his rockin blues band (no smoking show) $10
Friday, August 11 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Low Country Audio / jammin' alternative ala Little Feat & Coldplay $5
Saturday, August 12 @ 9p Phil Brady's: Lil Hub & The Wheels / real thing R&B dancin' $5
Friday, August 25 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Gregg Wright Band / Rock n Roll guitar doesn't get any better than this! $10
Saturday, August 26 @ 9:30p Phil Brady's: Neighborhood Stars /One of the best local BR bands there ever has been! $7
Wednesday, August 30 @ 7p @ The Capital Center Hilton Hotel: The Foundation for Historical Louisiana Gala featuring Buddy Boudreaux Dance Band and Luther Kent's Trickbag Big Band tickets $100 from FHL 225-387-2464
Thursday, August 31 @ 7:30p Phil Brady's :The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation membership/fundraiser featuring jam host Tab Benoit with special guests Deacon John Moore, Bobby Campo, Buddy Flett and others! No smoking show. All proceeds benefit BRBF Music in the Schools programs and Slim Harpo Awards. free jambalaya and new member benefits $20
Friday, September 1 @ 9p Phil Brady's: David Egan & Twenty Years of Trouble / Bringing the West side to the East side to Rock! No smoking - unless you're counting Egan's hands - show. $10
Friday, July 14, 2006
Funky Friday will not be entirely funky, say observers of the downtown event, beginning at 5 pm Fri, July 14
"Funky Friday is a, let's see, a *brand.* Funky is not meant to be taken literally," says Eric Gipson, emcee ne plus ultra. "In fact, my over-the-topness - not to worry, I can take a hit - is one of the few things that would qualify as remotely funky at Funky Friday."
But the music, food & drink, art and movie provide an easy-access party. "Remember Neon Saturday Nights?" says Pam Atchison. Atchison and her SRAC team, including event planner Bonne Summers, have created a variation on the Neon Nights formula.
“Wine Down” time from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at artspace-710 Texas Street, where guests can enjoy the tunes of Howell and Caskey with noshes provided by Bella Fresca restaurant. For those in the mood for libation, there is a cash bar.
Gates open for Funky Fridays at 7:00 pm with a $5.00 admission. Festival-goers can enjoy a live, on-stage performance by Bobbie “Mercie” Oliver and the Jam City Revue, participate in hands-on arts and crafts activities, and board a trolley to tour the venues in the west edge arts district.
At 9:00pm (or sundown) guests will sit in front of the Robinson Film Center outdoor screen to enjoy Some Lke It Hot. Guests are encouraged to bring their portable chairs.
As a special treat, on Friday, July 14th One-String Guitarist Robul Gibson of New Orleans will be playing in coolspace-second floor of artspace.
From 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm, board a trolley provided by A-1 Charter Service to Odyssey Sound Lab, where visitors have an opportunity to record their voices to music available in the studio that can be burned onto a commemorative CD. Or, enjoy a guided tour of the historic Municipal Auditorium.
View works by premiere Artist Frank Frazier at the Southern University Museum of Art. Works by Dorothy Kristi Hanna and Robin Rothrock will be on display at the Bistineau Gallery.
Take a sneak peak at the soon to open Robinson Film Center and upcoming River City Repertory Theatre in the 600 block of Texas Street.
The Multi-Cultural Center of the South has signed on as a special stop on the trolley tour providing hands-on dance lessons and demonstrations in the Art of Japanese Tea Service.
“Guests who attended the first Friday were impressed with the technology available at the Odyssey Sound Studio. Many were surprised that museums and galleries, as such, existed in Shreveport,” said Jim Boyter of A-1 Charter Service.
“Funky Fridays” is a community-oriented event intent on bridging the cultural gap in Shreveport and surrounding areas, says Atchison.
Moinfo: Harrice Mitchell at 673-6528 or harrice@shrevearts.org.
But the music, food & drink, art and movie provide an easy-access party. "Remember Neon Saturday Nights?" says Pam Atchison. Atchison and her SRAC team, including event planner Bonne Summers, have created a variation on the Neon Nights formula.
“Wine Down” time from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at artspace-710 Texas Street, where guests can enjoy the tunes of Howell and Caskey with noshes provided by Bella Fresca restaurant. For those in the mood for libation, there is a cash bar.
Gates open for Funky Fridays at 7:00 pm with a $5.00 admission. Festival-goers can enjoy a live, on-stage performance by Bobbie “Mercie” Oliver and the Jam City Revue, participate in hands-on arts and crafts activities, and board a trolley to tour the venues in the west edge arts district.
At 9:00pm (or sundown) guests will sit in front of the Robinson Film Center outdoor screen to enjoy Some Lke It Hot. Guests are encouraged to bring their portable chairs.
As a special treat, on Friday, July 14th One-String Guitarist Robul Gibson of New Orleans will be playing in coolspace-second floor of artspace.
From 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm, board a trolley provided by A-1 Charter Service to Odyssey Sound Lab, where visitors have an opportunity to record their voices to music available in the studio that can be burned onto a commemorative CD. Or, enjoy a guided tour of the historic Municipal Auditorium.
View works by premiere Artist Frank Frazier at the Southern University Museum of Art. Works by Dorothy Kristi Hanna and Robin Rothrock will be on display at the Bistineau Gallery.
Take a sneak peak at the soon to open Robinson Film Center and upcoming River City Repertory Theatre in the 600 block of Texas Street.
The Multi-Cultural Center of the South has signed on as a special stop on the trolley tour providing hands-on dance lessons and demonstrations in the Art of Japanese Tea Service.
“Guests who attended the first Friday were impressed with the technology available at the Odyssey Sound Studio. Many were surprised that museums and galleries, as such, existed in Shreveport,” said Jim Boyter of A-1 Charter Service.
“Funky Fridays” is a community-oriented event intent on bridging the cultural gap in Shreveport and surrounding areas, says Atchison.
Moinfo: Harrice Mitchell at 673-6528 or harrice@shrevearts.org.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Trey Jackson, AnnaMaria Sparke-Keele, Haley Young and Andre Pitre dance and extol ship-borne travel in Anything Goes; opens July 14, PAC, Shreveport
Anthing Goes is the sort of romantic ship-bound frippery that is designed to soothe the ills of summer strife in Shreveport-Bossier. For one night you stroll the deck of a New York to London steamer and eavesdrop upon the lives of Reno Sweeney (AnnaMaria Sparke-Keele), Billy Crocker (Andre’ Pitre) and Hope Harcourt (Haley Young). There is a suspect guy, too: Rev. Dr. Moon (Trey Jackson). So you are cautious. But you are in good hands, since this ship is being directed by Richard Folmer, a gold standard commodore.
Do you know why “I Get a Kick Out of You”? Will you be with us “All Through the Night”? Are you sure that “Anything Goes”? And what do mean, exactly, when you command, “Blow Gabriel, Blow”? These are the questions that will be answered by handsome and fit men such as Pitre and Jackson. The answer will perhaps be equivocal from the leggy and buxom women, Ms. Sparke-Keele and Ms. Young. Based on talent, experience and comeliness, I think you will find this gang seated at the Captain's Table.
Play dates at The Performing Arts Center, First United Methodist Church, are July 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30 pm, with a July 16 and 23 matinee at 2:30 pm.
Tickets: $16 for adults and $8 for students (with ID).
Box Office opens at 12 Noon on June 28th and is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Reservations: 429-6885.
Running time: about 2 hours.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Ivy Woodard-Latin, Carolyn Galloway, Brent Latin bring gospel sounds to Shreve Memorial Library Th, July 13, noon
Carlos Colon sends email reminders on the Shreve Memorial Library Brown Bag Lunch Topics Series, and a fine set of lectures they seem. Colon says, " Bring your lunch and enjoy interesting topics on your lunch hour. Brown Bag Lunch Topics are held in the Eaves Room of the Main Library, 424 Texas Street, each Thursday at 12:10 p.m.
Th, July 13, the topic is Gospel Music. Once narrowly defined as religious, gospel has transcended those limits to become a profound force in American music and popular culture. From its early roots through many legends along the route to the modern sounds finding a renewed popularity all their own today, it seems evident that gospel music is here to stay. Carolyn Galloway and Ivy
Woodard-Latin, accompanied by Brent Latin, will sing many soul-stirring gospel songs."
Connect with Colon's informative email list at ccolon@shreve-lib.org.
Th, July 13, the topic is Gospel Music. Once narrowly defined as religious, gospel has transcended those limits to become a profound force in American music and popular culture. From its early roots through many legends along the route to the modern sounds finding a renewed popularity all their own today, it seems evident that gospel music is here to stay. Carolyn Galloway and Ivy
Woodard-Latin, accompanied by Brent Latin, will sing many soul-stirring gospel songs."
Connect with Colon's informative email list at ccolon@shreve-lib.org.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Philadelphia Center's annual Auction Against Aids Fr, July 14, 6:30 pm, Bossier Civic Center
"Hacienda holidays, art, suppers for 40, quotidien services, botox, you name it and we're offering it at the auction," said Kelly Stover of the Philadelphia Center staff about the 17th annual benefit against AIDS. Among the art items in the silent auction is this print of an oil still life by Talbot Hopkins.
With music by JR III, hot food, cash bar and a pressed-khaki theme, Out of Africa, how could one go wrong?
Tickets are $40, said Stover.
At philadelphiacenter.org you can find out about resources, programs & services, statistics, even the AIDS myths.
MoInfo: 318-222-6633
With music by JR III, hot food, cash bar and a pressed-khaki theme, Out of Africa, how could one go wrong?
Tickets are $40, said Stover.
At philadelphiacenter.org you can find out about resources, programs & services, statistics, even the AIDS myths.
MoInfo: 318-222-6633
Road warriors Outlaw Nation throw down concerts in their sweet home, Louisiana; Noble Savage, July 15 & Mall St Vincent, July 16
Christian Simeon, suitcase in hand and gig bag over the shoulder, wrote us, "Outlaw Nation is touring through the state this month and rocking out as they go!" Ever aware of our need for live music, he added, "Come hang out and see a show."
Here's where to catch singer-guitarist Simeon, who can conjure folk, rock, reggae or soul at the snap of a tuneful finger:
>>July 15 - Noble Savage - Shreveport, LA<<
>>July 16 - Sam Goody St. Vincent Mall - Shreveport, LA @ 2 PM
>>July 21 - Java Junction - Shreveport, LA <<
July 22 - Frosty Factory - Alexandria, LA
July 23 - House Of Blues - New Orleans, LA
The band's new cd, Shine, is available now, although I have yet to get one. For a sample of their groove try myspace.com/outlawnation.
And it seems they're doing a fresh merch thing at http://www.cafepress.com/outlawmall.
Pirates of the Calamari: if America loves Jack Sparrow, it still loves New Orleans
Pirates of the Caribbean / Dead man's Chest was more entertaining than we expected. Like many, I went to see whether Depp could make Jack Sparrow sing again. The answer was both yes and no. At 2 and a half hours, it was hard to sustain the comic energy. The characters stuck around too long. Depp's schtick grew stale, sad to say. The script extended its life by rambling like a hermit crab over every inch of Caribbean terrain.
In a way, it's a boy's movie, since much of it is peopled with slimy, glistening sea creatures. How many writhing suction tubes can you include in one movie? The answer, provided by Pirates: about a jillion.
But the NY Times says it's not particularly a boy's flic: Sharon Waxman wrote "Significantly, the new "Pirates" seemed to defy most trends in movie-going. Movies generally draw from different segments of the population — men or women, over or under 25 — and usually attract them on different days of the weekend. Instead, box office analysts said that the movie appealed to all segments of the population on each day of the weekend, including teenagers, families and adults, a rare phenomenon."
Shedding bustier and skirts, Keira Knightly looked appealing as a sailor boy. She proved competent at adventure-acting and really adept at tanning. Orlando Bloom was competent, too. Are you an Orlando fan? It's chemical, right?
Depp archly taps into the enigmatic, romantic image established by The Dobie Gillis character Maynard G. Krebs and Doonesbury's Zonker. Depp has famously cited inspiration from Keith Richards, PePe LePew and Errol Flynn. Bugs Bunny and Groucho Marx have also been mentioned.
But if you had to say exactly where Jack Sparrow came from, it would definitely be from central casting, the French Quarter.
So if America so loves this flaming figure (Pirates had "the most successful opening weekend in Hollywood history"), maybe New Orleans is not lost, after all.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Pedestrian bridge ideas: visionaries submit designs for an S-B foot bridge to Nlcog's J. Kent Rogers
From the North Louisiana Council of Governments, J. Kent Rogers, exec director:
Project SB - Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition
The North La Council of Governments (NLCOG) and the Project SB Steering Committee is sponsoring a step to bridge the divide between the two communities of Shreveport and Bossier City with the Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition.
This competition will focus on generating ideas and concepts for the proposed bridge to connect the two riverfront districts. Everyone -- designers, planners, architects, students and the general public -- is encouraged to participate and submit their ideas, plans, and designs to NLCOG. The contest runs through September 30, 2006 and will award cash prizes for first and second place in categories for professionals, students, and the general public.
For more information about the Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition, there are helpful links at http://nwlainfo.com.
If I could show you the witty and charming illustration of pedestrian bridge possibilities developed for the Shreveport Times by graphic artist David Wright and published Sun, June 25, you would surely want to enter. I plan to enter and will consider joining force fields with you if you need a bloggy visionista.
Project SB - Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition
The North La Council of Governments (NLCOG) and the Project SB Steering Committee is sponsoring a step to bridge the divide between the two communities of Shreveport and Bossier City with the Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition.
This competition will focus on generating ideas and concepts for the proposed bridge to connect the two riverfront districts. Everyone -- designers, planners, architects, students and the general public -- is encouraged to participate and submit their ideas, plans, and designs to NLCOG. The contest runs through September 30, 2006 and will award cash prizes for first and second place in categories for professionals, students, and the general public.
For more information about the Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition, there are helpful links at http://nwlainfo.com.
If I could show you the witty and charming illustration of pedestrian bridge possibilities developed for the Shreveport Times by graphic artist David Wright and published Sun, June 25, you would surely want to enter. I plan to enter and will consider joining force fields with you if you need a bloggy visionista.
Paintings and graphics by artist Paul Garner at Karpeles Museum, Shreveport; reception, with guitar, Sat, July 8, 1 - 3 pm
Paul Garner is one of the hottest young artists in the region. An award-winning graduate of Caddo Magnet High School's art program, he has made his name in the public arena with humorous, hairy posters that advertise his band, the Noids. Those who've enjoyed his posters will see another dimension of the artist in the paintings to be displayed at Karpeles Document Museum, near the corner of Centenary & King's Hwy.
Garner's dad is Dan Garner, a highly-accomplished artist who is adept at music, songwriting, video, cartooning, performance art and graphics.
The reception will feature classical guitar music by the estimable Mark Griffith on Sat, 1 - 3 pm, on July 8.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum: 3201 Centenary Blvd.
Open Tu - Th, 10 am to 4 pm.
861-7615.
Paul Garner's web site is myspace.com/paulhollywood.
Garner's dad is Dan Garner, a highly-accomplished artist who is adept at music, songwriting, video, cartooning, performance art and graphics.
The reception will feature classical guitar music by the estimable Mark Griffith on Sat, 1 - 3 pm, on July 8.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum: 3201 Centenary Blvd.
Open Tu - Th, 10 am to 4 pm.
861-7615.
Paul Garner's web site is myspace.com/paulhollywood.
Movietime on the Red River, Shreveport; raiders land Fr, July 7, 8 pm, River View Park
Chris Jay, Robinson Film Center media master, says "We’ll be showing “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at nightfall (est 9 pm) in Shreveport's River View Park on Fr, July 7. Beginning at 8:00 PM we’ll have a treasure hunt for kids who come in costume as explorer/Indiana Jones-types. Concessions will come from the Hot Dog Man, Marble Slab Creamery, Coca-Cola, Brookshire’s, and (of course) popcorn will be on sale as well. All funds raised from drink, candy, and popcorn sales will benefit the Robinson Film Center.
There are a ton of chances to see outdoor film in Shreveport this Summer, with Funky Fridays going on in addition to the Movies & Moonbeams calendar."
MoInfo: (318) 424-9090
www.moviesandmoonbeams.org
www.robinsonfilmcenter.org
A postscript: "“Movies & Moonbeams” films are presented on a 40’ wide, 32’ tall inflatable Airscreen. Kids, especially, go ape over it, given that many younger people have had very little exposure to outdoor film."
There are a ton of chances to see outdoor film in Shreveport this Summer, with Funky Fridays going on in addition to the Movies & Moonbeams calendar."
MoInfo: (318) 424-9090
www.moviesandmoonbeams.org
www.robinsonfilmcenter.org
A postscript: "“Movies & Moonbeams” films are presented on a 40’ wide, 32’ tall inflatable Airscreen. Kids, especially, go ape over it, given that many younger people have had very little exposure to outdoor film."
Little Rock's folky Midwest Caravan and Sean Michel sing at Shreveport's Java Junction Th, July 6, 8 pm
Midwest Caravan with Sean Michel is an ALL AGES! show, according to Cristal Wilcox at Java Junction. She writes, "Little Rock, AR acoustic act: folky & a tad country. Immortalizing cheating wives, big bad wolves & small town USA. Come bask in the vibes of these Arkansas gypsies! $3."
www.myspace.com/midwestcaravan and www.myspace.com/seanmichel.
JJ also has bluesy Brian Martin on Sat: "Another neighbor from the north, Arkansan Brian Martin is adored by Shrevport show-goers. He's reminiscent of fried green tomoatos and the fact that you can catch catfish on ivory soap. $5."
Says Mr. Martin of his music: "Although I draw on an eclectic array of musical genres during a typical performance, including soul, gospel, and funk; I never stray far from the influences of southern roots music. I can't help but gravitate to the styles of old-time fingerstyle country blues, ragtime jazz, and intimate, bare boned folk ballads."
www.brianmartinmusic.com
www.myspace.com/midwestcaravan and www.myspace.com/seanmichel.
JJ also has bluesy Brian Martin on Sat: "Another neighbor from the north, Arkansan Brian Martin is adored by Shrevport show-goers. He's reminiscent of fried green tomoatos and the fact that you can catch catfish on ivory soap. $5."
Says Mr. Martin of his music: "Although I draw on an eclectic array of musical genres during a typical performance, including soul, gospel, and funk; I never stray far from the influences of southern roots music. I can't help but gravitate to the styles of old-time fingerstyle country blues, ragtime jazz, and intimate, bare boned folk ballads."
www.brianmartinmusic.com
How the River City Repertory Theater established its worth with The Little Foxes at the Strand Theater in June
Timing and tone were the key elements in the effective opening production of River City Repertory Theater's version of The Little Foxes . While Anne Gremillion played the grasping and tragic female lead with aplomb (what a nuanced, clarion voice), it was the stage full of smooth operators that made the play roll like a train.
Ben Tyler, a protean actor from Tempe, AZ, was Gremillion's buttress. Tyler brought deep-pocketed competence to the stage as the alpha male of the rapacious Hubbard family. Tyler's CV might indicate an actor capable of carrying the show, but he did not outplay the other actors.
Lean actor Logan Sledge, a graduate of the Centenary program that was helmed by director Patric McWiilliams and Robert Busieck, came from California (he has an MFA from Cal State) to play the nervous, young screw-up of the family. Sledge's tics (fingers plucking at his lips when he was in trouble) and careful dance round the older actors were adept.
Possessed of flair and comfortable sense of character were Jodie Glorioso, as the alcoholic, unflaggingly tragic Birdie, and John Gayle, who played the stolid second male of the Hubbards.
McWilliams, the director, was also successful in costume design - he brought a Renaissance pallette to the fabrics draping the players. His set design brought grandiosity to the Strand Theater's stage. The columns dwarfed the actors and added a gothic tone to Lillian Hellman's melodrama.
As a person who worries about the solvency of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Opera, the Strand Theater and the future of local fine arts productions, I must say that the Strand seemed a worthy partner for River City Repertory.
Capturing an audience that will sustain productions by a local professional company will almost certainly prove difficult. Happily, supporters can go forth to sell McWilliams' program based on both the excitement generated during his years at Centenary College as well as the competency of the initial River City Repertory Theater production.
- Robert Trudeau
Ben Tyler, a protean actor from Tempe, AZ, was Gremillion's buttress. Tyler brought deep-pocketed competence to the stage as the alpha male of the rapacious Hubbard family. Tyler's CV might indicate an actor capable of carrying the show, but he did not outplay the other actors.
Lean actor Logan Sledge, a graduate of the Centenary program that was helmed by director Patric McWiilliams and Robert Busieck, came from California (he has an MFA from Cal State) to play the nervous, young screw-up of the family. Sledge's tics (fingers plucking at his lips when he was in trouble) and careful dance round the older actors were adept.
Possessed of flair and comfortable sense of character were Jodie Glorioso, as the alcoholic, unflaggingly tragic Birdie, and John Gayle, who played the stolid second male of the Hubbards.
McWilliams, the director, was also successful in costume design - he brought a Renaissance pallette to the fabrics draping the players. His set design brought grandiosity to the Strand Theater's stage. The columns dwarfed the actors and added a gothic tone to Lillian Hellman's melodrama.
As a person who worries about the solvency of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Opera, the Strand Theater and the future of local fine arts productions, I must say that the Strand seemed a worthy partner for River City Repertory.
Capturing an audience that will sustain productions by a local professional company will almost certainly prove difficult. Happily, supporters can go forth to sell McWilliams' program based on both the excitement generated during his years at Centenary College as well as the competency of the initial River City Repertory Theater production.
- Robert Trudeau
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Margaret Sartor's memoir, Miss American Pie, sounds like it will resonate in Shreveport; Sartor's writing covers life in Monroe, '72 - '77
"Montgomery, Louisiana, isn't a very small town, but it's small enough (editors note: it's actually Monroe). In the 1970s, the divorce rate was nonexistent, church attendance was roughly 100 percent, and the rules of proper behavior were generally agreed upon, if often ignored....We purchased cigarettes from vending machines, rode bikes without helmets, and thought seat belts were for wimps...On the whole, I would say my hometown was entirely typical of its time and place, more confused than reactionary, a sort of stranglehold of befuddlement."
What follows in the non-fiction Miss American Pie are the diary entries - and other writing - of Margaret Sartor during her delicate, angst-filled teen years from 1972 to 1977, says a web site about the newly-published memoir.
Find a positive review in Books of The Times | 'Miss American Pie'
A Southern Girl's Dusty Diaries as a Window on the 70's, by William Grimes.
Miss American Pie / A Diary of Love, Secrets and Growing Up in the 1970's, Margaret Sartor, Illustrated. 272 pages. Bloomsbury. $19.95.
Warning: may be painfully acute for 46 year-old females from Shreveport who grew up in the comfortable class.
Sartor is also an accomplished photog. See her work at margaretsartor.com.
What follows in the non-fiction Miss American Pie are the diary entries - and other writing - of Margaret Sartor during her delicate, angst-filled teen years from 1972 to 1977, says a web site about the newly-published memoir.
Find a positive review in Books of The Times | 'Miss American Pie'
A Southern Girl's Dusty Diaries as a Window on the 70's, by William Grimes.
Miss American Pie / A Diary of Love, Secrets and Growing Up in the 1970's, Margaret Sartor, Illustrated. 272 pages. Bloomsbury. $19.95.
Warning: may be painfully acute for 46 year-old females from Shreveport who grew up in the comfortable class.
Sartor is also an accomplished photog. See her work at margaretsartor.com.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Alec Holland, musician and videographer, produces and documents below-the-sonar Shreveport rock shows while gyrating across the floor
Checking in with underground youth culture in Shreveport sometimes reveals spiky miners tunneling their way to freedom. Meet 20 year-old Alec Holland, a videographer-musician who is producing house concerts and documenting the scene: "As far as filmmakers that have influenced me," says Holland, "they are: Chan-Wook Park, Takashi Miike, Paul Thomas Anderson, Wong Kar Wai, Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Gaspar Noe, David Cronenberg, David Fincher, Vincent Gallo, Spike Jonze, Jonathan Glazer, and the list goes on."
Yes, eclectic and emblematic of a cinema junkie. What does he do with that background?
The concert videos Holland is shooting capture the anarchic energy and murky details of late punk culture. From the well formed, local mathematical riot act called statues cry bleeding ("postmark you a landmine") to Austin's artful Tuxedo Killers ("Don't rape the okapi), Holland captures non-commercial music. Performances are recorded with a fish-eye lens bolted to his videocam. Nor is he an icy documentarian. "I like to dance, to jump around and have fun," he says. The camera yaws across the stage, picking up detail like a Hoover. The atonal hawkiness of Attractive and Popular, a group from Lafayette, LA, is matched by Holland's style. His prettiest video captures River City Tanlines, of Memphis, in an outdoor concert at Big D's BBQ.
His own band, a duo of enormous noisality (drum loops and feedback spurt from an iPod) and sense of humor (no Rock Star pretensions, just a contemporary version of Waiting for Godot), is called Dale Cooper. Thus you may guess what 90's TV show and director has had an inordinate influence on the lad: Twin Peaks and David Lynch.
As you might well imagine, his film life started with a skate board and a buddy who attended an art school, Caddo Magnet High. "Inspirations for my work in video started when I was around 13 years old with a student I'm sure you remember well: Nick Chaney," he recently wrote. "I had been a lover of film since before then, but I hadn't had a chance to do anything creatively. My first camera was a terrible RCA VHS-C. Terrible effects, terrible quality, terrible everything. Nick and I didn't mind, though, and we'd run around filming ridiculous crap and skating and what not. We wouldn't even edit. We'd try to edit within the camera, filming our credit sequences off of a crappy blinking computer monitor with the "invert" option on.
I became wiser as the years went by. I started editing on PC and Nick picked up a JVC mini-dv camera. During the years in which I hung around Nick, I watched a ton of skate videos. This is probably where the interest in wide-angle lenses came from. Skaters will use this lens because they can skate along-side a skater and can film without having to look into the viewfinder, all-the-while knowing that they are capturing the entire image and motion." The fish-eye view gives adds considerable stamp and scope to his rough documentaries.
Projects awaiting Holland include "Putting out a split 7" record (recordings on vinyl being one of his affinity groups) with a band from California called Hoy Pinoy."
Additionally, "I use my house - Cooper Manor - as a venue for shows and small gatherings. The door i usually set at $5.00 a person and all money goes to the out-of-town bands. Two main advantages of this is that I get to play with, visit with, and film bands that I love; and if I wasn't doing this, a lot of kids wouldn't get a chance to see these bands due to no one being able to book them. I have about 6 shows or so booked here for the next two months, so I'll be busy."
Attractive And Popular - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f5Xhu12LUI
Daniel Francis Doyle - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3eV50_7onU
River City Tanlines at Bog D's -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s3SoOlA9gQ
Dale Cooper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ouBxfUulNU
Tuxedo Killers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8coFG3K4g
statuescrybleeding (last show) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWp37ZGNwVg
statuescrybleeding (other great footage) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-_KOU9VUkQ
Also, listen to Dale Cooper songs Calamari Wrestlah and the hilarious Gleaming the Cube at myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Yes, eclectic and emblematic of a cinema junkie. What does he do with that background?
The concert videos Holland is shooting capture the anarchic energy and murky details of late punk culture. From the well formed, local mathematical riot act called statues cry bleeding ("postmark you a landmine") to Austin's artful Tuxedo Killers ("Don't rape the okapi), Holland captures non-commercial music. Performances are recorded with a fish-eye lens bolted to his videocam. Nor is he an icy documentarian. "I like to dance, to jump around and have fun," he says. The camera yaws across the stage, picking up detail like a Hoover. The atonal hawkiness of Attractive and Popular, a group from Lafayette, LA, is matched by Holland's style. His prettiest video captures River City Tanlines, of Memphis, in an outdoor concert at Big D's BBQ.
His own band, a duo of enormous noisality (drum loops and feedback spurt from an iPod) and sense of humor (no Rock Star pretensions, just a contemporary version of Waiting for Godot), is called Dale Cooper. Thus you may guess what 90's TV show and director has had an inordinate influence on the lad: Twin Peaks and David Lynch.
As you might well imagine, his film life started with a skate board and a buddy who attended an art school, Caddo Magnet High. "Inspirations for my work in video started when I was around 13 years old with a student I'm sure you remember well: Nick Chaney," he recently wrote. "I had been a lover of film since before then, but I hadn't had a chance to do anything creatively. My first camera was a terrible RCA VHS-C. Terrible effects, terrible quality, terrible everything. Nick and I didn't mind, though, and we'd run around filming ridiculous crap and skating and what not. We wouldn't even edit. We'd try to edit within the camera, filming our credit sequences off of a crappy blinking computer monitor with the "invert" option on.
I became wiser as the years went by. I started editing on PC and Nick picked up a JVC mini-dv camera. During the years in which I hung around Nick, I watched a ton of skate videos. This is probably where the interest in wide-angle lenses came from. Skaters will use this lens because they can skate along-side a skater and can film without having to look into the viewfinder, all-the-while knowing that they are capturing the entire image and motion." The fish-eye view gives adds considerable stamp and scope to his rough documentaries.
Projects awaiting Holland include "Putting out a split 7" record (recordings on vinyl being one of his affinity groups) with a band from California called Hoy Pinoy."
Additionally, "I use my house - Cooper Manor - as a venue for shows and small gatherings. The door i usually set at $5.00 a person and all money goes to the out-of-town bands. Two main advantages of this is that I get to play with, visit with, and film bands that I love; and if I wasn't doing this, a lot of kids wouldn't get a chance to see these bands due to no one being able to book them. I have about 6 shows or so booked here for the next two months, so I'll be busy."
Attractive And Popular - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f5Xhu12LUI
Daniel Francis Doyle - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3eV50_7onU
River City Tanlines at Bog D's -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s3SoOlA9gQ
Dale Cooper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ouBxfUulNU
Tuxedo Killers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8coFG3K4g
statuescrybleeding (last show) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWp37ZGNwVg
statuescrybleeding (other great footage) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-_KOU9VUkQ
Also, listen to Dale Cooper songs Calamari Wrestlah and the hilarious Gleaming the Cube at myspace.com/dalecooperblows
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Farmer's Market on the riverfront, Festival Plaza, Shreveport, sporting giant & cooling canopy; Weds & Sats, 7 am to 11:30 am
Cooling breezes wafted across the vendors tables at Shreveport's riverfront Farmer's Market. The enormous steel and wood canopy which enhances the breeze is new. It brings a touch of elegant design as well as vast shade to Festival Plaza, downtown Shreveport.
Sheila Kelly proferred her home-made herbed butters as well as a china butter keeper. Noma Fowler-Sandlin had all manner of jellies, from blueberry to mint tea. Chris Fowler-Sandlin, bibliophile ("Bibliomaniac is more like it,"quipped Noma; "It's gone well past - philia.") had used books, uncluding National Book Awards and Newberry Award books. "I'm selling books I bought in Britain online as well as here," he explained.
Nearby were vendors selling salsas, pastas, flowers, melons, fruit and vegetables, fruit smoothies and more.
It is a swell scene Sats from 7 am (to get a good slot vendors are arriving before 6 am) to 11:30. Many of the vendors are back on Weds, the same hours.
Chris Fowler-sandlin's ebay book sales are found at http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=musebitemgmt
Sheila Kelly proferred her home-made herbed butters as well as a china butter keeper. Noma Fowler-Sandlin had all manner of jellies, from blueberry to mint tea. Chris Fowler-Sandlin, bibliophile ("Bibliomaniac is more like it,"quipped Noma; "It's gone well past - philia.") had used books, uncluding National Book Awards and Newberry Award books. "I'm selling books I bought in Britain online as well as here," he explained.
Nearby were vendors selling salsas, pastas, flowers, melons, fruit and vegetables, fruit smoothies and more.
It is a swell scene Sats from 7 am (to get a good slot vendors are arriving before 6 am) to 11:30. Many of the vendors are back on Weds, the same hours.
Chris Fowler-sandlin's ebay book sales are found at http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=musebitemgmt
Kufaru Mouton, master percussionist associated with Cafe Brasil, New Orleans, passes, says Nola.com
Born in NYC, Kufaru Mouton arrived in New Orleans over 25 years ago on his way to Brazil (the country) and decided to stay here, making his home base around Cafe Brasil on Frenchmen Street, where, with Ralph Gibson, he played the first gig at that venue many years ago. He embodied the spirit of the Frenchmen Street music scene, where he could be found playing or sitting in on any given night of the week, says an obituary at nola.com.
He studied with the masters Babatunji Olatunji and Chief Bey in the 60's in NYC, when he was initianted and was given the Santaria name of Kufaru, which means Guardian. Kufaru was indeed the guardian of the craft of the Conga drums, and spent years handing down the tradition when he taught N.O. schoolkids in programs like Young Audiences, and most recently the school program run by The House of Blues International.
Please send written rememberances of Kufaru to tracy@kabukihats.com. There is a collection of stories and photos - great ones of his funeral second line - being compiled at http://www.kufaru.com/. His frequent musical podna Ralph Gipson, former Shreveporter, is scheduled to perform at Columbia Cafe on July 4th.
Wraith: carbon-fiber art on wheels designed by JT Nesbitt and available for $55,000 from Confederate Motor Company
JT Nesbitt, once a Shreveporter - a painter who offered his oils at Montessori Art Auction - is now a motorcycle designer whose product, the Confederate Motor Company super-cycle, the Wraith, is known globally.
The NY Times story Chased Out of New Orleans, Confederate Is Rising Again, is an update of the company's peregrinations following Katrina. Founded in New Orleans, the company's shop was severely damaged by flood water. For a time, the small company considered moving to Shreveport, says the NY Times. I shot a photo of their post-Katrina board meet at Columbia Cafe when Matt Chambers, founder, was catching his breath.
They chose to make their new home in Birmingham, AL.
Of Nesbitt's design, says the NY Times, "The history the Wraith invokes is almost motorcycle prehistory. Though fabricated of high-tech materials like carbon fiber composites and built using computer-controlled machines, the inspiration for the Wraith was drawn from primitive art and from sculptures by Alexander Calder, specifically the works arranged like planets in the solar system.
"From its inception it was seen as a work of kinetic sculpture," Mr. Nesbitt said. "I took the basic shapes of ellipse, circle and arch. To orchestrate them, I turned again to Calder and his view of our solar system. Planets in our system lend themselves as a perfect model for asymmetry and balance."
See more at www.confederate.com
The NY Times story Chased Out of New Orleans, Confederate Is Rising Again, is an update of the company's peregrinations following Katrina. Founded in New Orleans, the company's shop was severely damaged by flood water. For a time, the small company considered moving to Shreveport, says the NY Times. I shot a photo of their post-Katrina board meet at Columbia Cafe when Matt Chambers, founder, was catching his breath.
They chose to make their new home in Birmingham, AL.
Of Nesbitt's design, says the NY Times, "The history the Wraith invokes is almost motorcycle prehistory. Though fabricated of high-tech materials like carbon fiber composites and built using computer-controlled machines, the inspiration for the Wraith was drawn from primitive art and from sculptures by Alexander Calder, specifically the works arranged like planets in the solar system.
"From its inception it was seen as a work of kinetic sculpture," Mr. Nesbitt said. "I took the basic shapes of ellipse, circle and arch. To orchestrate them, I turned again to Calder and his view of our solar system. Planets in our system lend themselves as a perfect model for asymmetry and balance."
See more at www.confederate.com
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