Requiescat in pace: musician, businessman, city councilman Bill Bush

Bill Bush died after a fall this week, said his daughter, Terri. He was a professional musician for over half a century and also owned the Moulin Rouge Nightclub from 1971 to 1990.

Known for his welcoming, agreeable personality, he served on the Shreveport City Council from 1982 until 1990.

Return-to-original-size Texas Ave Makers Fair on Sat, Nov 8, 2014, Shreveport, 10 am to 4 pm

"Nov 8, 10am - 4pm. Three events in one: Texas Avenue Makers Fair (original or repurposed) Vintage Village (yep, cool stuff not repurposed or original) and Mini Makers (the happy meal crowd)," says Dan Keele.

"This event is going to be superb," continues Keele. "We have spent days, literally, reviewing who is coming, what they're bringing. We have commitments for two outstanding anchors for Vintage Village. The MiniMakers area will have at least 3 activity areas, with take-home to show Mama what Daddy and I did. I'm so excited I can't sleep (that, and answering hundreds of emails to make it work.) Special thanks to Monty Walford and Catherine Kennedy and some other folks at SPAR and behind the scenes getting us ready logistically."

The future? "We're doing TAMF in The Big Event with our partners April 11, 2015, but this smaller, more intimate TAMF will set the bar for the Fall, as we recapture our original feel and add two new events alongside."

More fair info at Eventbrite and Facebook.

Mark Shepard, natural ecosystems farmer and author, leads Mahaffey Farms sustainable land workshop Nov 14 - 16

Mahaffey Farms, a small, family-run farm in Princeton, La., will host a three-day workshop on the topic of Restoration Agriculture, Nov. 14-16. The weekend-long series of lectures and presentations will feature author, farmer and CEO Mark Shephard, says Evan McCommon. Shephard is the author of Restoration Agriculture: Real-World Permaculture for Farmers and runs New Forest Farm, the 106-acre perennial agriculture forest considered by many to be one of the most ambitious sustainable agriculture projects in the United States.

The workshop will address Restoration Agriculture and Keyline water management systems, and will focus on designing the water system for a farm scale perennial agricultural system. Topics explored will also include agroforestry and silvopasture systems.

Mark Shephard's “Introduction to Restoration Ag” presentation, 4-7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, is $25. Entire weekend-long workshop, $350.

MahaffeyFarms.com or contact Evan McCommon at (318) 518-0558.

Review: Centenary College presents the Bard's As You Like It backstage at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse

Watching young actors intersect in theater in the round was one of the most exciting elements of the Centenary College production of Shakespeare's As You Like It on Friday. Curtains drawn, the players and the audience were all back stage. Happily, the seats were comfortable and the audience around us was affable.

Jordan Fell was masterful as Rosalind in the love story, even if half the play the appealing young woman was garbed in men's clothes and pencilled mustache. Grace Rambo, known to me previously as a capable writer of short stories, proved a competent Celia, an articulate partner to Fell's heroine. The athletic swain, Orlando, was boundingly played by Michael Nguyen. Along with a strong voice he brought a smile and sense of lightheartedness to his role and to the stage.

Trying to steal every scene - and doing it via gymnastic flash and comic timing - was Aiden Poling, who played Touchstone.

Director Heather Peak-Hooper clad the cast in mufti; it seemed to add energy to the show. She and fight director Mark Guinn also created a spectacular opening via an extended fight scene.

As You Like It is a comedy. My guess is that if the audience did its part with some preparation for the play, the laughs would fall into place. Not all the student actors were as articulate as the lead figures, but that shortfall is partly offset by audience proximity to the actors.

The bard's study of gender and language play in As You Like It was not written for the modern attention span. At about two and a half hours in length, this play is recommended for those who care both about Shakespeare, about community theater and about supporting rising stars.

All the 90 seats were sold on Friday night. Tickets at the door and online. $15 adults; $10 seniors, alumni, military; $5 for non-Centenary students. Info: Lorna Dopson at the box office, 318.869.5074.

Performances continue Sat, Oct 4, at 8 p.m. and in a matinee Sun, Oct 5, at 2 p.m at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Please see photos here.

Audience onstage for intimate As You Like It at MLP, Centenary College, Shreveport, Oct 2 - 5

Director Heather Peak-Hooper will present William Shakespeare’s As You Like It Thurs, Oct 2, to Sat, Oct 4, at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance Sun, Oct 5, at 2 p.m at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, says Don Hooper.

The production will be presented in blackbox style - in the round - on the stage floor; seating is limited.



Tickets at the door and online. $15 adults; $10 seniors, alumni, military; $5 for non-Centenary students. Info: Lorna Dopson at the box office, 318.869.5074.

LightWire Theater, Ballet Memphis perform in Riverview Theater during Red River Revel, Oct 4 - 11, Shreveport

See the Revel schedule, tickets for special dance events from Ballet Memphis and LightWire Theater, and opportunities to volunteer at redriverevel.com.

Blow-Up (1966) and Finding Vivian Maier (2014) in Centenary Film Society series at Robinson Film Center; Blow-Up is Thurs, Oct 2, 7:30 pm

All films in the Centenary Film Society series will be shown at the Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street, Shreveport, with regular Film Center admission prices, says Jefferson Hendricks.

Film: Blow-Up
Thurs, Oct 2, at 7:30 p.m.

Film: Stay Then Go
Series: Southern Circuit
Thurs, October 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Film: Finding Vivian Maier
Thurs, Oct 23, at 7:30 p.m.


Film: The Photographer's Series: Keith Carter
Thurs, Nov 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Film: The Road to Fame
Series: Southern Circuit
Thurs, Nov 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Dirty Redd's jam on Thursdays moves to Bears on Fairfield, 9 pm

Caribbean lunch with Gordon @ Bears Fairfield . Thurs, October 2nd. Jerk Chicken Plate . Veggie Plate . 6.30 pm, says Gordon Nurse .

Dirty Redd Crenshaw Band,9 pm.

Bill Joyce and Kenny Callicutt signing Moonbot Book at Toy Fair on Sat, Oct 4, 3 to 5 pm: A Bean, A Stalk and a Boy Named Jack

When a king’s pinky grows stinky, it is up to a smallish boy and a smallish pea to come up with a Giant plan to save the kingdom — a fractured fairy tale from William Joyce and Moonbot artist, Kenny Callicutt. It's the latest book from Moonbot Books, an imprint of Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Simon & Schuster, says Sara Hebert.

Meet and hi-five William Joyce and Kenny Callicutt, co-illustrators of A Bean, A Stalk and A Boy Named Jack, Sat, Oct 4, at Toy Fair in Shreveport. "The first 20 folks in line get a super awesome secret surprise," says Hebert.

Highly recommended chamber music: Baroque Artists of Shreveport perform at St Mark's on Sun, Oct 5, 3 pm

New shorts by Moonbot Studios plus Nefarious Narration by the Nattering Nabobs of Numiscella, Artspace Shreveport, Thurs, Oct 2, 5:30 pm

Enter if you dare and pull up a chair. Gather around the caldron for a literary scare, says Pam Atchison.

Local scribes and actors will present storytelling, poetry readings, and theatrical performances at A Night of Nefarious Narration on Thurs, Oct 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at artspace.

Area artists, poets and performers: Carlos Colon, Ashley Havird, Katie Bickham, Loretta Wilson Casteen, Jim McLain, Mimi Rankin Webb, Kathryn Usher, Nadine Charity, and more.

The Raven and The Cask of Amontillado are the original short films being debuted by Moonbot Studios.

Open & free to the people. Must have ID to drink at the Cash Bar.

The nattering nabobs of Numiscella? Ah: I must have imbibed too much numiscella.

Leonine rocker Jimmy Wooten and Lions May Cry: all-ages show at East Bank Theater on Th, Oct 2

Not a tighter trio rocking this part of the world will you find aside from Lions May Cry. Their album, "Lions May Cry," has crunch, melody, vocal power, scintillating guitar and a soaring vibe.

Ordinarily the power trio rocks the walls of clubs. Catch them in the very comfortable East Bank Theater in an all ages show on Th, Oct 2. Highly recommended for musicality, even if I am a friend of the band.

Tickets are 10.61.

Critical Manners: casual bicycle ride through tree-lined East Shreveport on Fri, Sept 26, 7 pm

Scores of local bicyclists will roll - casually - at 7 pm from Columbia Park on Fri, Sept 26, says Stephen Pederson of SBC Bike Social. As potential bikers can see from the map above, it is a picturesque, historic, tree-lined ride. In case a rider or riders want to drop out at any point, no one will think any less of you.

Shreveport Critical Manners, like the global Critical Mass ride sans the political protest, has drawn some 50 riders lately. The pace is slow enough to chat bike-to-bike. People who have accidents are helped and waited upon. There are rest breaks. Btw, riders gather at Columbia Park at 6:30 for meet and greet.

More at Shreveport Critical Manners.

Answers to either 'she' or 'he': Big Freedia brings bounce to Shreveport via Bears on Fairfield on Sat, Sept 27

Big Freedia is the stage name of Freddie Ross, an American musician known for work in the New Orleans genre of hip hop called bounce music. He has been credited with helping popularize the genre, which was largely underground since developing in the early 1990s, says Wikipedia.

He has been featured in publications such as The Village Voice and The New York Times, and has performed on Last Call with Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and at SXSW, where he received a positive review from Rolling Stone. Freedia says, “I am not transgendered; I am just a gay male. I wear women’s hair and carry a purse, but I am a man. I answer to either ‘he’ or ‘she.’” Tickets.

Comedy at Emmett Hook Center Oct 9 - 18: Noises Off by Jared Watson and Stage Center

Artistic Director Jared Watson is director for Stage center's version of the comedy Noises Off, says John Bogan. Also behind the stage: Seth Taylor (scenic design), Daniel Salazar (lighting design), Katy Allred (costume design), Emily Kitchens (production stage manager) and Sarah Wise (Stage Manager).

There's a cast of seasoned cut-ups: John Bogan, Jim Cowles, Betty Cummings, Cara L. Derrick, Lorna Street Dopson, Rachael Lee Magill, John Peyton Pou, Zac Rowe, and Joe Todaro.

Performances
Thursday, October 9 @ 7:30PM
Fridays, October 10 & 17 @ 7:30PM
Saturday, October 11 @ 7:30PM
Saturday, October 18 @ 2:00PM & 7:30PM


StageCenterLA.com | 318.218.9978. All performances at Emmett Hook Center – 550 Common St., Downtown S’port. Tickets online: $18/15.

Dulcet aroma in the air? It's the blooming of Osmanthus Fragrans, aka sweet olive

What's that marvelous if mysterious fragrance on the street today?

It is Sweet Osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans; also known as Sweet Olive or Tea Olive). It's an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 5-12 m tall, says wikipedia.org. It is native to Asia, from the Himalaya east through China to Japan.

Its flowers are small (1 cm long), white, with a four-lobed corolla and have a strong fragrance.It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens (both in Asia and elsewhere in the world) for its deliciously fragrant flowers which carry the scent of ripe peaches or apricots.

In Chinese cuisine, the flowers are also used to produce osmanthus-scented jam (called guì huā jiàng, 桂花醬 or 桂花酱), sweet cakes (called guì huā gāo, 桂花糕), dumplings, soups, and even liquor (桂花酒).

If it seems to remind you of uptown New Orleans, you're right. St Charles Avenue and City Park are practically forests of Sweet Olive. It's also redolent of Houston's Montrose and of the old neighborhoods in Mobile and Biloxi.

Party over the Painted Violins project at 6 pm before the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra performance on Sat, Sept 20, 7:30 pm

The Shreveport Symphony would like you to be our guest at the unveiling of our Painted Violins Project, says Leigh Anne Chambers. Join us at Riverview Hall for drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the Opening Night concert.

Free to season subscribers.$25 for non-subscribers RSVP 318.222.7496



Artist Talbot Hopkins is one of 15 violin painters.

Flat tires? No problem; bring your ratty bicycle to Great Raft Brewing, Shreveport, on Sat, Sept 20, noon to 5 pm, for a free re-hab

Tune-ups will be free if bicycle owners can get their needy 2-wheelers to Great Raft Brewing on Sat., says Stephen Pederson.

Volunteers from Shreveport Bossier Bike Social will be working alongside Ian Webb of River City Cycling to make "simple repairs, brakes, gears, cleaning (but no buff jobs), tire inflates, check ups and that sort of thing." It is, like, no charge.

A bump in social biking - on view across the US - seems to be happening in Shreveport. SBC Bike Social Critical Manners rides on the last Fri of the month have drawn a gang growing to 50 riders and beyond. With good biking weather ahead, local riders are dusting off their Schwinns, notes Pederson. "People will find help, advice and solidarity in biking at Great Raft on Sat. Please stop and say hello, even without your bike."

Addams Family creeps into Shreveport Little Theater for performances on Sept 18 - 20, 25 - 27

The SLT Addams Family musical - "They're creepy and they're kooky," - is directed by Dick King, with musical direction by Ruben Reyes and choreography by Ginger Folmer. Seva May and Rocky Maddox star.

Performances: Sept 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., September 21, 28, 2014 at 2 p.m. will be staged at SLT, 812 Margaret Place. $25.

Author of Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford, speaks at Caddo Magnet HS on Th, Sept 25, 6:30 pm

Jamie Ford, author of two best selling books, will speak as Mary Jane Malone Lecture Series guest at Caddo Magnet HS, says Leslye Gilchrist. Ford is best known for his debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Seattle author Garth Stein commented, “A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war--not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today's world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel.”

Ford's talk at 6:30 in the Caddo Magnet HS Performing Arts Center on Thurs, Sept 25, is free; the public is cordially invited. Ford will sign books afterwards.

318 221 2501.

Tech, sci, math, engineering and art: DigiFest South, Shreveport-Bossier, Sept 16 - 18; electrical @ several locations

DigiFest South, an arts and technology fest held annually in Shreveport-Bossier, will present a three-day schedule of events during the third annual DigiFest South, Sept. 16-18, at various locations throughout Shreveport-Bossier.

To show students the lucrative career opportunities available to those who have creative education with a strong technology emphasis; to demonstrate the significant economic and cultural impact of the digital media industry in today’s society; and to emphasize the value of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education model; that's the DigiFest goal.

Shreveport-born composer James Eakin speaks at Centenary College Fri, Sept 19, 4 pm, before SSO performs his piece on Sat, Sept 20, 7:30 pm

Centenary alumnus and professional composer James Eakin (2000) will be on campus Fri, Sept 19, at 4 pm in the Anderson Auditorium of the Hurley School of Music, says David Henington. James will be speaking with music students and guests about his career and creative process. The program is free and open to the public.

James is in Shreveport for the world premiere of his orchestral piece "Cloud Scrapers", which will be performed Sat, Sept 20, by the Shreveport Symphony. Check on the concert and the great program notes at shreveportsymphony.com.

James was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. From an early age, he was drawn to his native blues and jazz as well as classical and Film music, playing everything he heard by ear on the piano, as well as his own compositional musings. His inspiration to become a film/tv composer actually stemmed from his fascination with music in animation. James reflects,”The way the music accentuated various actions and moods while staying perfectly in sync intrigued me. It was truly a supporting character.” During these early years, James taught himself piano, guitar, saxophone, clarinet, and flute, all the while singing at every opportunity.

It wasn’t until years later that James began formal music studies. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Centenary College (2000), a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University (2003), and in 2007, received a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Composition at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Highly recommended: Mothers whose children are taken away in video installation at Meadows Museum, Centenary College, Shreveport

"Relaying: Testimonies on Motherhood Lost" by Israeli multidisciplinary artist Mali De-Kalo, is on view at Meadows Museum from Sat, Sept 13, through Sat, Oct 25, says Lisa Nicoletti.

This video installation, curated by Nella Magen Cassouto, gives voice to Middle Eastern mothers who have lost their children due to events such as separation, divorce, religious disputes, or interpersonal conflict. Eight women, projected at life size, read the mothers’ testimonies (in English, Arabic, and Hebrew) and express pain, shame, confusion, and anger at being stripped of their motherhood through the breakdown of the family unit.

On Monday, September 15, from 7-8 p.m., De-Kalo invites the public to her "Speech Brings Speech: The Momentum of Personal Stories on Motherhood" workshop. De-Kalo will talk about the role motherhood has in her own art, and ask the public, male and female alike, to share stories about their mothers or their roles mothering others.



On Tuesday, September 16, from 2:30-3:45 p.m., De-Kalo seeks community volunteers to be filmed reading the testimonies of Middle Eastern mothers who have lost their children, to help give these women a greater voice.

On Tuesday, September 23, from 7-8 p.m., Israeli curator Nella Magen Cassouto, professionally trained in conflict resolution and experienced in facilitating community healing through joint Palestinian-Israeli exhibits, will give a gallery talk about the changing focus of art photography in Israel.

Free and open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. For more info or to schedule field trips: 318.869.5040.

Under the influence: a night of storytellers at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College, Shreveport, begins at 7:30 pm on Sat, Sept 13

The third installment of All Y’all Live, “Under the Influence,” will be held at 7:30 pm, Sat, Sept. 13, at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the Campus of Centenary College of Louisiana, says Chris Jay.

100% of proceeds from this special, fundraiser edition of All Y’all Live will be donated to the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction of Northwest Louisiana.

Admission is $10.86 (with tax) and tickets will be available at the door. The evening will feature true stories about control lost and regained, powerful medicine, journeys into (and out of) desperate places and the might of love. "The evening will also include a surprise musical guest," says Jay. "Let’s just say this: You are going to want to be seated at 7:30 p.m."

“Under the Influence” is made possible in part by Centenary College of Louisiana and the staff of Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Some stories will contain adult language and references. The program is expected to run 2 hours and will include an intermission and snacks.

Lithographs - fun with the Beatles - by Doyle Jeter opening Sat, Sept 13, 5:30 pm, at Meadows Museum of Art, Shreveport

Lithographs - fun with the Beatles - by Doyle Jeter, once proprietor of Enoch's, Shreveport. Exhibit at Meadows Museum of Art.

Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith to hold Candidate Accountability Meeting

An Accountability Meeting is different from a forum. Candidates are asked to make specific commitments to work on social justice issues.

Issues

Workforce Development - Interfaith is working on developing an employer-driven workforce intermediary similar to New Opportunities Vision Achievement (NOVA) in Monroe. NOVA has an 81% success rate and has placed participants in jobs making an average of $12.45 an hour with a career path and benefits. At a recent luncheon hosted by Interfaith, employers expressed interest in trying to get a similar program in Shreveport. They talked of their difficulty in finding skilled labor to fill job openings.

Public Schools— Interfaith leaders want to work with school board members and our

congregations to support and improve public schools. A number of the schools classified as “failing” are in the neighborhoods of our congregations.

Payday Lending — Interfaith leaders seek local regulation of the payday loan industry, to accomplish what the legislature could not, despite the overwhelming majority of opinion and other issues on Interfaith’s agenda as they arise from our congregations.

Special Guest: Bishop Michael Duca of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport

Free and open to the public. Please encourage turnout from your congregations, civic organizations and from your circle of friends.

September 18. 2014- 7pm

Paradise Baptist Church 1706 Hollywood Ave. Shreveport, La 71108

Please contact Susan Caldwell at dre@allsoulssuushreveport or 318-465-3427

or Maxine Davis at maxsnp4458@comcast.net or 318.754.1372.

Bike lanes on Marshall St and Texas Ave; the Stephen Pederson proposal for expanding Shreveport's bikeability

Stephen Pederson is a recent La Tech grad around whom a growing crew of mostly young bicyclers has coalesced. His once-a-month Critical Manners rides have drawn 50 pedalers lately. Here's a provocative plan - an outgrowth of his SBC Bike Social effort - for Texas Ave and Marshall St from a fellow who is working with numerous entities across the city to expand the world of Shreveport bicycling.



We all want what is best for our city. We all have different interests and ideas that we can foresee as being a step in a positive, progressive direction. For me, the single biggest factor for my happiness when moving here, was the ability to bike to work. I am an experienced cyclist, so my idea of “bikeable” may not be the same as other folks. The absence of a dedicated bike lane will not stop me from riding. But it is important to remember that I am not the norm! In fact, I may be something like .001% of the population. The presence of a dedicated bike lane on the two main avenues into downtown Shreveport would increase ridership to a level that this city does not think is possible. I know that people will use facilities that make them feel safe and recognized. The two avenues I speak of are Texas Ave. and Marshall St. These streets are both very wide, and accommodate car parking on each side. Problem is, the lanes aren’t wide enough to allow two cars to pass a parked car at the same time.

My argument here is that these two routes are never used enough by car traffic to warrant two full lanes. But take out one of the lanes, which is rendered useless by the parking lane, and replace it with a dedicated bicycle avenue. Look at that, doesn’t that bike lane just look beautiful? I bet all my dollars, that if a recent graduate were looking into Shreveport, this would exponentially increase the odds of adding an educated citizen to our city. Not to mention, provide a safe way for existing Shreveporters to get to and from downtown. Here’s to this being the next big step (or pedal?) toward a progressive Shreveport.



About What the If, Shreveport: It is easy enough to point fingers and lay blame. In fact, it seems like this may be a favorite pastime of Shreveport. The hard part is raising questions in a way that ultimately provides for a positive end result. We all want our city to make improvements. Some people look at things and wonder why, some people look and wonder, why not? Enter, constructive criticism at its finest: What the If, Shreveport?!

Drew Hunter, aka Dr Blood, returns to Shreveport with Library Macabre at Artspace; opening party Fri, Sept 10, 5:30 pm

Library Macabre: A Vision of Literary Fright, curated and co-created by Drew Edward Hunter aka Dr. Blood, is based on Hunter’s highly theatrical, visually elaborate haunted house experience, says Pam Atchison.

Hunter, a Shreveport-born and Shreveport-raised artist and creative spirit, wrote and designed the Dr Blood show and developed the character of Dr. B to serve as a host and media “spokesghoul”. The drippingly dark shows were staged at the Louisiana State Fair from 1975-1985. They won a cult following and are now considered classic. This month the demented Dr. Blood makes his Shreveport comeback.

Working with a team of local artists, artspace transforms into a multi-faceted, three-dimensional horror exhibition based on classic and modern literary tales. The eight Northwest Louisiana artists who helped create the themed sections of the exhibitions are: Mimi Webb (Interview with the Vampire); John Gillespie (Phantom of the Opera); Jason Pliler (Case of Charles Dexter Ward); Emily Daye (Mask of the Red Death); Su Stella (Dracula); Rena Brittenham (Cask of Amontillado); Donald Webb (It); Chuck Loridans (The Picture of Dorian Gray).

Richard Salkin and Tracy Chappell composed the original music to Library Macabre.

The Opening Reception (cover charge tba) is Fri, Sept 12, at 5:30 p.m. at artspace. The exhibitions run from September 12 through October 31, 2014 in Mainspace and Coolspace.

Stradivarius, Kamio, Eakin, Albert and Butterman: the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra performs Sat, Sept 20, 7:30 pm, Riverview Hall

Mayuko Kamio, Japanese-born violinist, will perform on a 1727 Stradivarius with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra on Sat, Sept 20, 7:30 pm, at RiverView Theater, says Lois Robinson. Michael Butterman will conduct.

Also on the agenda: a world premiere of "Cloud Scraper," written by Shreveport-born composer James Eakin.

Catch the SSO’s newly appointed Concertmaster Matt Albert playing the solo in Rimsky-Korsakov’s epic symphonic poem, Scheherazade.

Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana to speak at Shreveport Rotary Club

Join Red River Rotary on Wednesday, September 10th for a presentation by the Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie R. Esman.

ABOUT MARJORIE

Marjorie R. Esman has been Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana since September 2007, after twenty years in the private practice of law. Her law practice focused on copyright and trademark issues, as well as First Amendment litigation concerning the freedom of speech and religion.

Since taking the helm of the ACLU, she has increased the full-time staff from four to six, expanded its lobbying presence in Baton Rouge, and added part-time field staff in Shreveport and Baton Rouge.

In addition to her law degree (Tulane 1987), Esman holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Tulane University (1981) and has taught at Tulane, LSU, and the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).

She serves on the board of Parkway Partners, a New Orleans organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the green spaces in the city of New Orleans.

Red River Rotary

719 Common St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101

12:00pm to 1:00pm

For more information please contact Deborah Allen 

The North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition Civil Rights Awards, Sept 16, 7 pm, at Avenue Baptist Church, 901 70th St, Shreveport

The North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition will be celebrating the 51/50 Celebration of Civil Rights in Shreveport / Signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill.

There will also be the inauguration of the first Annual Civil Rights awards in the names of Harry Blake, Dr. L. C. Pendleton, and Dr. C. O. Simpkins.

The North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition 

September 16th at 7:00 p.m.

Avenue Baptist Church-

901 W. 70th. St.-Shreveport Louisiana.

For more information please contact

Pastor Calvin Austin - (318) 228-9799.

Esoteric and encrusted tomes as well as jivey and lively books at Centenary Book Bazaar, Geodesic Gold Dome, Fri, Sept 5, 4 pm and Sat, Sept 6, 9 am, Shreveport

The 28th annual Centenary Book Bazaar will be held Fri, Sept 5, from 4 to 9 p.m., and Sat, Sept 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gold Dome. The Book Bazaar is organized and sponsored by the Muses, a philanthropic group dedicated to funding projects and programs for Centenary students.

A word: "Patrons should bring bags or boxes to carry out their books. Carryout assistance is available. Cash or check, please. On Saturday, all items become half-price after 12:30 p.m."

For a full listing of details - the sale offers much more than books - visit centenary.edu/news/2014/.

More info: the Book House at 318-219-3409.

To be Takei, the Foxy Merkins, Appropriate Behavior, Camp Beaverton: Meet the Beavers and more at the 6th Annual N LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Shreveport

"Matt Shepard is a friend of Mine" plus the award-winning romantic comedy “The Ten Year Plan” will both be followed by a Q & A sessions, says the 6th Annual N LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Shreveport.

Other films screening during the week-long festival beginning Fri, Sept 5 at 1 pm, are The Circle, Open Up to Me, To Be Takei, Camp Beaverton: Meet the Beavers, Campaign of Hate: Russia and Gay Propaganda, The Dog, The Foxy Merkins, Appropriate Behavior, and an evening of short films on Wed, Sept 10, starting at 7:15 pm.

See the going-downtown movie notes at RobonsonFilmCenter.org. More on the NLGLFF.

Digifest South 2014 art competition deadline Tues, Sept 3, Bossier Arts Council

Categories announced for the Digifest South Art Competition, to be held Sept 17-18 at the Century Link Center:


- photo
- art film
- architectural/drafting item
- animation
- interactive/website/app
- graphics
- innovative
- student work

All applications & entry fees ($15 each, ax 2) must be received by Tues, Sept 3, @ 5:00PM to Bossier Arts Council, or via email at bossierarts@bossierarts.org with the subject line: Digifest South Art App, says Robin Jones.

Photos.

Reggae and island cooking from Gordon Nurse on Thurs, Aug 28, 8 pm, at Bears on Fairfield

Says the island man, Gordon Nurse, in his delectable accent over a pan of peppery jerk chicken, "Thursday! August 28th. Caribbean! Food @ 8.pm. Music @ 9. Pm. Bears! 1401.. Fairfield . Live & Direct! Island ! Flavored! Music. Gordon. Nurse & 318. Riddim! Band.Reggae on Down Now."

Kyle Craft, American Wilderness headline a day of music and crafts at Rhino Coffee, Sat, Aug 23, 4 pm to 10 pm

Listeners who have not caught the rambling, charming singer-songwriter Kyle Craft will be edified by catching him a Rhino Coffee's Anniversary party on Sat, Aug 23.

Be aware that proprietor Andrew Crawford and the Rhino team, including Landon Miller, are working hard to make Rhino a worthy all ages venue.

Katy Larsen, Peggy Gilloon and Brandi Cade throw a Sunday Sundae at the Agora Borealis, 421 Lake St, Shreveport: 3 pm to 6 pm

Hosting this scrumptious event at Agora Borealis are proprietor Katy Larsen, her mother, Peggy Gilloon, and Katy's majordomo, Brandi Cade. They have amassed work from some 60 artists in this region and have created a riot of color and texture in their historic building at 421 Lake St.

" Enjoy some Free freshly homemade Ice Cream by Chrissy Wise, local honey, granola by Aiden's Place Granola, fruit from local farmers & handmade sprinkles by yours truly," says Larsen.

Be aware of the handsome parking lot behind the shop.

A changing Shreveport: leisurely group bike ride from Columbia Park to Twisted Root Burgers on Fri, Aug 15, 7 pm.

Wanting to try biking on the streets of Shreveport but looking for an easy way to get started? If so, consider joining a leisurely street ride on the route above, through tree-lined and bike-friendly East Shreveport. It's one of a series of rides being initiated by the SBC Bike Social, a like-minded if diverse group who communicate via the SBC Bike Social page on Facebook. It's the same group that does the end-of-the-month mass ride called Critical Manners, which has been organized by Stephen Pederson and Regan Horne. Darras Lattier has stepped forward to plan this Fri, Aug 15, ride. The group meets at Columbia Park between 6:30 and 7 pm. The ride, according to Google maps, is about 30 mins, about 5.4 miles. Says Lattier, "Come ride with us through the beautiful landscapes of the Highland and Spring Lake neighborhoods on a road which ends at Twisted Root Burger Co! Group biking is fun (and we'd like to say exercise too), but remember to Stay Hydrated (with beer). Ride how you like whether it's "your 1st time" or if you're a seasoned vet. This is a ride that's slow, fast, safe, craazy, cruising or just come newb it out and be social-like. Oh, and 1 more thing...biking is totally so much fun when there's Free Beer. That's right, a #shrimpdog over at Twisted Root is sharing the love of his wide selection of brews for cyclists who ride with the group." One more thing: "Have lights? You should. Don't have lights? Stay close to someone who does." Or have someone with a capacious vehicle pick you up when you're done.

Children's dreams and heart-filled row boats: Shreveport artist Emily Daye

"Sometimes I hate talking about my art," says Emily S. Daye. "After all, I made it for you! I made it for me too. Or rather I made it to tell you something and see if you felt that way too, maybe."

UnScene attendees have seen 2 of Daye's most impressive pieces in the sunshine of 2014. At the spring Makers Fair UnScene she was one of 3 artists given a steel shipping container in which they could do anything they wanted. Daye created a cloud-filled room filled with small student desks. Each desk offered pencils, paper and crayons for people who wanted to be students in a dream. It was called "Dream Dept."

"Dream Dept." was based on a dream I had about Boo Radley from To Kill A Mockingbird working in a law office," she said. "I think I had this dream because I am a weirdo who works in a law office. All the desks were filled with odds and ends and doo-dads, just like Boo left in the tree for the kids."

At the Wayne White Puppet Parade UnScene she installed a bevy of white-hulled boats on the concrete beside Texas Ave. People rowing the boats had a large fabric heart hung from their neck. It was called "Racing hearts" and was a singularly mystifying sight.

"The vision for "Racing Hearts" came to me when my boyfriend asked me a simple question: "what makes your heart race?". I have always loved the water and boats, so giant hearts racing in rowboats naturally occurred to me."

She observed, "I continue to love drawing, painting and sculpting, but I find the installation method is more enveloping of the viewer. I am really grateful I got this chance through UnScene."

Of her "Racing hearts," writer Michael Sledge commented, "It was a novel and imaginative piece of street art. Looking at it satirically one could say it's a great example of many endeavors with a lot of action with no progress. And, thus, it serves its purpose because art is not measured by going somewhere or doing something but by its mere existence as a feeling and image evoking construction. I can look at this and think of a title "Exercise in Futility" and it reminds me, when I think satirically, of Dali's "The Persistence of Memory."

Daye, who participated on a team in the recent art competition called UnScene! Undisputed!, added that, "I feel all kinds of things at different times, but I think my favourite feeling to get across to anyone is the feeling of whimsy. Whimsy is everywhere, if we only see with the right eyes. Recognizing whimsy can make you feel that anything is possible and I like this, because it truly is."

Who likes her work? She said, "I think it was Picasso who once said, "All children are artists". If that's true, then I think I am in great company. I never make my art with children in mind, but they all really seem to like it-especially with the two last installations. The kids loved going through the desks in "Dream Dept." and making their own little creations. Kids swarmed the boats of "Racing Hearts" after the performance was done, and played make-believe games until it got dark. Let me stress again, I made this art for you, whether you are a kid, just young at heart, or even if you are very grumpy. I hope you feel something when you see my art, otherwise I have failed. I hope that something that you feel lets you know that the world can still be a pretty cool place."

Daye has been named one of the installation artists for the Dr. Blood's Library Macabre event at Artspace Shreveport on Sept 12. Her piece will be based on Poe's "The Mask of the Red Death."

"I learned if the vision is strong enough then the "hard" work-the heavy lifting, the bruises, the sleep loss, is all a breeze. Hard work becomes a joy and whether anyone likes it or not, I have said what i wanted to say and no, no they can't take that away from me, lalala."

A Better Shreveport meeting on Mon, Aug 9, 6 to 7 pm: building a bikeable future

A Better Shreveport's meeting on Monday night, Aug 9, 6-7 pm, will hear from some bike path building heavy weights via Skype, says Loren Demerath.

"To plot strategy for making Shreveport more bike-able and walk-able, we'll be hearing good news about a bike path network in our future, fresh from a meeting with Parish and MPC leaders. We'll be at the Wright Math Building on Centenary's campus, 2907 Woodlawn Ave."

Elaborate puppet show staged in gritty garage draws crowds for melancholy tale: Milissa Orzolek's "What keeps us"

Milissa Orzolek presented artful and melancholy puppet performances in a garage in the King's Hwy rust belt on Fri, Aug 8. A puppeteer who has worked with Arthur Mintz and Theresa Andersson on a movie and who toiled with Wayne White on the UnScene parade puppets, she and her cohort of 10 - Abandoned Ships - drew considerable crowds to her 2 shows.

It was an elaborate entertainment. Opening with paper and pencil and cardboard lap boards, the audience drew a map of their abodes and routes to their favorite places. Then the story of a mysterious witch was revealed via numerous handmade sets and smartly varied lighting schemes. Among the most charming were graceful silhouettes. There was a clever attempt by the puppet townspeople to find the enigmatic figure by making giant broomsticks using utility poles.

One of its strengths was the melodic and witty score performed and written by guitarist Kern Courtney and percussionist Peter Fetterman.

Steady changes of lighting and of sets mesmerized the audience. Interestingly, the relatively small puppets telling the story alongside funky vehicles such as a bicycle and garbage truck were overshadowed by their human handlers. Orzolek eschewed the traditional mode of handlers being hidden from the audience by fabric or board. Instead, the humans were continuously onstage while they manipulated the figures.

In presenting the show at a heretofore obscure location - behind Jim Hayes' LA House of Props on Kings Hwy - Orzolek stunned local art followers. Using cheap materials, low-tech methods and a pensive, enigmatic tale, she offered a persuasive, alternative mode for artful storytelling. Her production was not supported by grants, she said.

Pennsylvania-native Orzolek, who has been living in New Orleans for several years, said, "I've been creating shows for a few years now. Long before I started living here." Yet her performance art arrives as Shreveport Regional Arts Council's UnScene series meets the one-year mark. Has the spark of energy from the Shreveport Common shows played a role in lighting fires such as "What keeps us?"

Artists: opportunity to talk with national media arts writers at Artspace Shreveport on Fri, Aug 8

Tori Bush, indie arts writer from New Orleans, joins a national panel of critics at Artspace on Fri, Aug 8, 9:30 am, for conversations on how to get art news more thoroughly into the airways. It's the aim of Shreveport Regional Arts Council's Pam Atchison to let artists and the community see where arts coverage is - across the country - and where it might go. The conference is called Conversations on Criticism.

Having participated in the Thurs sessions I can vouch for the articulacy and thoughtfulness of the panelists. From Seattle is NEA rep Michael Killoren, from Los Angeles, book critic David Ulin, from Dallas, arts writer Michael Granberry (he broke the story on the massive sun reflection beamed by the 42-story Museum Tower into the Nasher Sculpture garden) and San Diego author and dance critic Anne Marie Welsh. The panel is led by San Diego art crtitic Bob Pincus. They will be joined by Shreveport Times editor Alan English.

Atchison's target audience is art makers. Her goal is to help artists see how to use the media to best advantage.

Sessions begin at 9:30 am. The cost was $40 on the first day, which includes snacks and lunch. Half price on the last day? Not sure. But if you're an impecunious artist, ask for a scholarship.

See the symposium schedule at artspaceshreveport.com/symposium-schedule



Conversations on Criticism at Artspace Shreveport.

If you missed performances of the New Orleans Airlift project called Calanthean Canyon, get one Thurs night, 6 pm, plus more on Texas Ave

Shreveport Common puts it out there on Thurs night, Aug 7, to show what recent artists have wrought, says Pam Atchison.

5:30, check a tour of the freshly hot Municipal Auditorium (Ray Lamontagne performing Oct 26; opening is Belle Brgade) featuring singer Brenda Wimberly performing in the balcony.

6 pm, a tour of the New Orleans Airlift Calanthean Canyon village featuring Pete Fetterman.

6:30, a performance on Steve Olson's Skateable Sculpture by Luther Cox Jr. and Inter City Row Modern Dance Company.

7:10 the trio Twang Darkly performs their new album, Martian Archeology, at Central ArtStation.

Food trucks, appetizers, wine and beer.

Arise and sing with the masses: Shreveport Opera Chorus open for auditions for opera's 3-production season

One of the pleasures of living in a city that is smart enough and large enough to have an opera company is singing in the chorus.

Shreveport Opera will be holding auditions for the Shreveport Opera Adult Chorus on Sat, Aug 23, 10 am to 1 pm at the Anderson Choral Building, Hurley School of Music, at Centenary College, says Amanda Gouthiere.

The 2014-2015 productions include Verdi’s La Traviata on November 15, 2014, Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance on February 21, 2015 and Rossini’s Cenerentola (Cinderella) on April 11, 2015. Please be prepared to sing one song that best shows your ability. Italian is preferred but not necessary. Please bring sheet music for the pianist.

Opera Chorus rehearsals are Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 6 to 8 weeks prior to staging rehearsals. Staging rehearsals are typically Monday through Friday 7-10 p.m. and Saturday afternoons for the 3 weeks preceding each show. There is a $100 honorarium.

To schedule an audition or for additional information, please contact Cathey Sholar at (318) 227-9503 or via email at cathey@shreveportopera.org.

When to invite friends and relatives to party in Shreveport: Oct 9 - 12, La Film Prize weekend 2014

Advance Louisiana Film Prize tickets are available now and are $30 at lafilmprize.com/tickets/. The big weekend, Oct 9 - 12, promises to be galactic, says Gregory Kallenberg.

The LFP comprises four screening venues, 20 films culled from a plethora of hard-working short productions and the ticket holders as voters.

Top twenty announcement, Aug 20.

The Meters: literally, old Shreveport parking meters for sale by the Downtown Development Authority

Downtown types: 1980's parking meter heads, meter housings with no internal meter ‘guts’ and just guts (aka: innards) are for sale by the DDA, says Liz Swaine.

"Meters come in various styles in various degrees of funkiness- selection will be first come, first choice; no pushing, please," says the droll Swaine.

Intact meters $45 each, housings $10 each, guts $10 each; you can buy as many as you want. "The meters do not come with opening keys, as we are not total fools."

Purchase in person for a limited time beginning Mon, Aug 4. See the meters and choose one Mon - Fri 8:30 am- 5:00 pm at 401 Edwards (Louisiana Tower), Suite 205, until all the units are gone or interest has run dry. Cash or credit card only.

Body paint and fresh tunes from Super Water Sympathy at Strange Brew, Shreveport, on Fri, Aug 8

Super Water Sympathy will be playing their new set of songs set for a 2015 release, says Ansley Hughes. A new set design will be employed as well. Lights, Triangles, Paint, and the Unknown V Factor will be deployed.

Opening will be Lish Starshine & The Spirit Animals. They have a tendency to eliminate the crowd with surprise, notes Clyde Hargrove, who adds, "Remember, we will provide paint but it's always enjoyed when you bring your own paint as well."

Strange Brew, 235 Wall Street, Shreveport. 318-222-2337.

Melissa Orzolek's puppet play, "What keeps Us," in a Kings Hwy warehouse on Fri, Aug 8, at 8 pm and 10 pm

New Orleans based artist Melissa Orzolek, aka Abandoned Ships, presents a puppet entertainment at LA House of Props on Fri, Aug 8. Shows are at 8 pm and 10 pm. She toiled with cardboard, glue and paint with SRAC guest artist Wayne White, notes Kathryn Usher, and is part of the Arthur Mintz (Fantastic Mr Fox in Shreveport and New Orleans) film crew.

It is entitled What Keeps Us and is an "exploration of the neighborhood," which you can see her in rudimentary map. The performance site is a warehouse behind 2134 Kings Hwy.



Melissa Orzolek

Photos Kathryn Usher.

Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy: on the relevance of the "Conversations on Criticism" symposium Aug 6 - 9 at Artspace Shreveport

Students, teachers, businessmen, scientists and spies: all should be aware of the importance of the symposium being presented by Shreveport Regional Arts Council on Aug 6 - 9. It is "Conversations On Criticism: the future of intelligent writing on the arts."

For a moment, drop the word "arts." Is this not a symposium applicable to all who care about criticism, dialogue and intelligent writing?

Is critical writing a concern of a micronority? In terms of democracy and development of a society of broad competence, criticism and arts writing is not a trivial concern. It is not solely for the arts-minded.

These discussions are the local equivalent of TED Talks or Aspen Society seminars.

Need I press my case at greater length?

Meet the Panelists artspaceshreveport.com/symposiumpanelists

View the Schedule artspaceshreveport.com/symposium-schedule

Register Today artspaceshreveport.com/symposium-registration

After-school cartooning, creative writing, snack, tutoring and more: the Renzi Education and Art Center, 435 Egan St, Shreveport

The Renzi Education and Art Center is accepting new K-12 students for the Fall I Session of its free, high-quality, academic and art After School Program, says Jennifer Hill. It will begin Tues, Sept 2, and go until Oct 16, 2014. Space is limited, enrollment is on a first-come basis.

Renzi Center, located in the heart of Highland, offers classes Mon through Thurs in a safe, nurturing environment. Families can sign their children up for all four days or fewer, depending on their needs. Each afternoon, from 3:45 to 5:30PM, students take two 25-minute academic classes and one 50-minute art class. Students typically begin arriving at Renzi at 3 pm. They receive a free snack and either play outside in Renzi’s fenced-in, supervised front yard or do homework until classes begin. When classes end at 5:30PM, parents must pick up their children. Unfortunately, the Renzi Center cannot provide transportation.

Academic classes are held in Renzi’s Academic House, where students receive lessons and one-on-one tutoring from certified teachers in core subjects, such as Language Arts and Math and other classes, such as Spanish, Nutrition, and Computer Lab. Students take their art class in Renzi’s Art House, learning techniques and creative processes from professional artists in a variety of artistic media, such as Wire Sculpture, Cartooning, Photography, Creative Writing, and Pottery.

The Renzi Education and Art Center was founded by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows of Shreveport in 1997 after they received a house in Highland as a donation. After seeing that many children in the area did not have a safe place to go to after school and often needed assistance with their homework, the Sisters and a local artist, Donna Service, created Renzi’s free After School Program. Since 1998, the Renzi Center has served hundreds of area youth, helping them excel in school and explore and discover their creative talents. The Renzi Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and accepts youth from all backgrounds. More info: Christy at 318-222-1414, or visit www.renzicenter.org.

Eight teams enter the UnScene! UnDisputed! art competition at Millennium Studios on Sat, Aug 9, 5 pm to 11 pm

UNSCENE! UNDISPUTED! is a high-stakes art competition in which teams are given a variety of challenges as they endeavor to create pieces of art that will impress the judges (52% of the vote) and the audience (48%). Eight teams will enter the arena at Millennium Film Studios on Sat, Aug 9, 5 pm to 11 pm, says Pam Atchison. The winning team will take home $10,000. The remainder of the competitors will be put to death on Douglas St.

The competitors:

#318Pinks: Kathryn Usher, Captain; Nadine Charity, Jerry Usher.

The Atoms Family: Chris Baker, Captain; Julieann Banks, Courtney Gaston.

Five Fingers of Death: Mimi Rankin Webb, Captain; Donald Webb II, Chuck Loridans, James Marks, and Jason Pliler

Robotic Unicorns: Emily Daye, Captain; Sam Thomas, Amanda Roe, Josh Ellis and Ashton Hanson

The Trainess: John Lomax, Captain; Ben Moss, Jeormie Journell, Jared Leo, and Kedrick Williams

The Favs: Renee Caldwell, Captain; Nicola Ballard, Qean Ballard, Lewis Williams

Divine Creators: Carnessha Eason, Captain; Knockamechee Pharoh, Kimberly Smith, Rod Sims

The Lab Rats: Ryan McCutcheon, Captain; Steve Zihlavsky, John Bicknell

"$10 gets you Entry and 10 votes for your favorite team," says Casey Jones.

What good is an art critic? Symposium entitled Conversations on Criticism: the Future of Writing on the Arts unfolds Aug 6 - 9 at Artspace Shreveport

Where are the writers who can trenchantly take the public into a piece of art to emerge with fresh understanding and details heretofore unseen?

The role and future of art criticism, a concern that arises only in a community that is high-minded and erudite, is the subject of a Shreveport Regional Arts Council symposium, Aug 6 - 9. It is called Conversations on Criticism: the Future of Writing on the Arts.

Participants are art critic Robert L. Pincus, literary critic David L. Ulin, performing arts critic Anne Marie Welsh, Michael Killoren of the National Endowment for the Arts, Michael Granberry of the Dallas Morning News, and Alan English of the Shreveport Times, says Pam Atchison.

The symposium will begin on Wed, August 6, at 5:30 pm with a welcome party for the Critics Series final exhibition, To Be Continued: The Power of Suggested Stories in the Art of Rachel Stuart-Haas, Joshua Chambers and Taffie Garsee. Also open will be Belle Mar: The Poetry of Katie Bickham, curated by literary critic David L. Ulin.

Event schedule and registration info: www.artspaceshreveport.com or 318-673-6535. Registration is $75, $40 for artists on the NWLA registry(artists must contact SRAC), and includes entry into all symposium events, meals and receptions. Included is admission to UnScene! Undisputed! on Sat, Aug 9, 5:30 pm, at Millennium Studios, 300 Douglas St.

Painting above is "Personal Passenger," by C. Mark Burt.

Smoke-free entertainment venues in Louisiana: will Shreveport join the vanguard?

Bears on Fairfield recently featured Papa Mali and Brady Blade, Jr, in a wailing show that was unusual by omission: no one in the crowded bar was smoking.

While it had support from New Orleans radio station WWOZ, the initiative for a smoke-free evening came from www.healthierairforall.org. To sweeten the no-smoking pitch, WWOZ gave away shirts and stickers.

Across the southern part of the Bayou State the smoke-free movement is gaining ground. Lafayette and New Orleans are leading Baton Rouge, it would seem. Btw, Fat Harry's, St Charles Ave, is listed as a non-smoking tavern; can that be true?

The number of events listed as smoke-free in the decadent Crescent City is surprising: from the ReBirth Brass Band at Howlin' Wolf to the Charmaine Neville Band at Snug Harbor, you can go from music venue to venue and skip the smoke.

Will this movement ever be viable in Shreveport? It is primarily designed to aid the men and women who serve drinks and food and make music in a state where those activities are a huge factor in tourism.

Chase Boytim of Bears on Fairfield says he would be open to more smoke-free evenings. For the moment the only venue in Shreveport listed as smoke-free is On The Rocks, the lobby bar at the Hilton Convention Center. New Orleans lists over 100 venues as non-smoking. Baton Rouge has 34. All bars in Alexandria, Monroe and West Monroe are described as "100% smoke-free."

In regards the health of Bayou State citizens, entities such as Blue Cross are promoting prevention as a strategy that makes more health sense and gives more economic advantage than hospitalization and late-development medication. And a new generation is learning a new way: state legislative Act 211, passed and signed, prohibits smoking on all public college campuses.

Most Louisianians were raised to believe that smoking is a birth right. And they believe that smoking in bars is an inviolable item that is specifically protected by the constitution.

Is that attitude negotiable? Is Louisiana capable of the reflection and debate that might lead to an alternative to smoke-filled taverns? If not, then Shreveport is capital of the contrarians. If yes, the city might experiment a bit more with "smoke-free" as an incentive to hit the town. Photos by M.C. Rollo of the Papa Mali gig.

UnScene Wayne White: parade of art puppets careers down Texas Ave about 7:30 pm; art events on the avenue from 5:30 pm

Before the giant Wayne White puppets strut - btw, there may be something at which to gawk at 6 pm - at 7:30 pm, people will gather on historic Texas Ave to party and shop for original art which is cheap ($10 - $20) in the Shipping Container Galleries. Lots to do at UnScene Wayne White, sponsored by the Shreveport regional Arts Council.

The map below is from the event which was rained out, so not everything may apply. It remains a helpful graphic.

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

From the fall of 1948 until the fall of 1950, Zeke Clements called Shreveport home. During this time, he hosted radio shows (music as well as news programs), performed on the Louisiana Hayride, and recorded this song about his “home sweet home” Louisiana.

For the rest of story on Zeke Clements and audio from his record "Louisiana," visit:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2014/07/zeke-clements-louisiana-mgm-1949.html

South Highlands Summer Market continues in tent on Fairfield side of Mall St Vincent, Fridays, 5 to 9 pm

In addition to goods for sale, expect carefully rendered pop classics from the Recliners, Jim Huckabay and Bob Thompson, at the South Highlands Summer Market. The Recliners may be found near the fresh produce. Check around the tomatoes.

Girl of a thousand faces, artist Stephanie Fernandez, catches cloud lightning via makeup and imagination

Stephanie Fernanadez is the girl of a thousand faces. The art created by the 19 year-old painter, photographer and videographer is powerful enough to have won praise from Buzzfeed.com, Good Morning America, the Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan and other global media ports. Her fame has been won with faces transformed by color and line into otherworldly figures. 

Fernandez admits that much of her spectacularly colorful make-up work falls into the category of "colorful / creepy / gory." She says, "this style is influenced by my passion for horror movies & psychological thrillers." 

But she is even more influenced by music, says Fernandez and her friends. Says Justin Powell, "Music is very, very important to her. Images come from the world she hears. She channels the sound into her work."  And musician friend Jeremy Hefner points out that a female duo called CocoRosie has been a big influence. In fact, Fernandez' best movie, "Rosalee," an ominous 12-minute piece featuring 8 silent actors (the seven deadly sins plus a heroine), uses 4 evocative CocoRosie songs as the soundtrack. 

"Most of my makeup is heavily influenced by music," she says. "I love to be able to create and see what I am hearing, if that makes sense. I hear it and I do my best to create a visual of what and how I feel. Other than music and movies-nature, dark art, psychedelic/pop surrealistic art, and other artists inspire me. I strive to constantly create beauty." That is apparent in the 4 tutorial videos she has produced. In the fast-forward camera work her hands work deftly, whether using fingers or brush. Colors are blended like butter.  

She asks, "How do I come up with these ideas and concepts? I simply see it in my mind’s eye and my hands do the rest. Haha; the ideas honestly just come to me. It is not something I can explain with words."



"Big, open spaces and the colors found in nature are not so apparent but are important themes" in Fernandez' work, says friend and model Madison Brown. Pointing out a recent series of fawn faces accented with antlers, Brown sees subtlety, which is not how Fernandez has attracted media attention. 

That she is in the media spotlight may have something to do with her storytelling ability. A sharp photographer, Fernandez typically publishes 4 to 6 photos of steps leading to the finished image.

On her vivid Instagram stream the self-described "complex individual" has some 55.000 followers. Yet she remains quiet and modest about her notoriety. "People who know her do not necessarily realize that she is so widely recognized," says Hefner. 

Her website, stephaniefernandezart.com, tells a more expanded story. She makes movies. She makes masks. She paints in acrylic. She says, " I would love to direct movies and creative direct music videos and well as open a studio to create SFX masks, canvas pieces, and many other mediums. I love the film, fashion, and music industries. I have no limits. My mind is constantly moving. I want to do it all."   

Note: Stephanie Fernandez graduated from Airline HS, Bossier City, and has taken media classes at Bossier Parish Community College. In art she is self taught.

Sculpture, sketches by Mark Burt in Chaos group exhibit, Ro2 Gallery, Dallas; opening Sat, July 12

Artist C. Mark Burt, Bossier City, has created a new series of soft, terrabudial sculptures to accompany his intramodial paintings. Several sculptures will be part of the Chaos exhibit at Ro2 Gallery, Dallas. The annual exhibit opening is mobbed; Ro2 displays work by 100 artists in the small gallery.

Ro2 Art Downtown Gallery, 110 North Akard Street Dallas, TX 75201. 7 - 10 pm. Jordan Roth, 214-803-9575 – jordan@ro2art.com.

Towering puppets to march through Shreveport Common in Wayne White art parade on Sat, July 12, 5:30 pm

The Wayne White Puppet Parade will roll on Sat, July 12, 5:30 pm, in Shreveport Common, says Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Re-scheduled 2 weeks ago due to rain, the UnScene parade will feature dancers, drummers, stilt walkers and bands. The audience is encouraged to join the throng as the art and train of artists marches on Texas Ave and circumnavigates the streets around Central Artstation.

In the puppet population will be Elvis, Hank Williams, Bonnie and Clyde, Annie McCune, Cora M. Allen, the Cajun alligator and additional personalities.

While there, see the Shipping Container Galleries on Texas Ave, featuring the work of Nicola and Qean Balllard, painter Jormie Journell and sketcher Robert Trudeau. Catch E.E.M. United and Emily Daye’s “Racing Hearts” installation. There will be food trucks, too. The parade is free and appropriate for the whole family.

Above is a typical Wayne White puppet - constructed by White alongside a team of local artists - featuring a Gothic Steamboat cruising into an extensive and humidity-laden cypress swamp.

Shrek the Musical spans fairytale land at Shreveport Little Theater; opens Wed, July 16, 7:30 pm

Shrek the Musical arrives at SLT on Wed, July 16, says Laura Beeman Nugent. It features a cast of virtually thousands. To wit:

Shrek – Ron Walsorth, Young Shrek – Cameron Hunter, Young Fiona – Aubrey Woods, Teen Fiona – Hunter Todd, Mama Ogre – Katie Jones, Papa Ogre – Mike Crawford, Fiona - Amanda Ericson, King Harold/Pig #2 – Chris Schmoutz, Queen Lillian/ Dragonette– Holly McCart, Donkey – Cordara Newson, Farquaad – Bruce Wilson, Pinocchio – Cassidy Giddens, Gingy – Amanda Clark, White Rabbit – Dalton Randolph, Fairy Godmother – Lyric LaPlante, Peter Pan – Aubrey Buckner, Ugly Duckling – Julianne Bigham, Sugar Plum Fairy – Asia Brown, 3 Pigs – David McCart, Chris Schmoutz, Serdolyer Darden, 3 Blind Mice – Zoey Lex, Leslie Townsend, Shalem Johnson, Tweedle – Madison Lawrence, Humpty Dumpty – Brier DePriest, Wicked Witch – Claire Watson, Mama Bear – Barbara Holmes, Papa Bear/Thelonious - Luke Diligilormo, Baby Bear – Breyanna Flowers, Shoemaker’s Elf – Lisa Ann Kemper, Goldilocks – Katie Jacobsen, Jiminy Cricket – Olivia Burton, Little Bo Peep – Emma Cate Dailey, Little Red Riding Hood – Marguerite Papa, Dragon – Kelly Vaden.

Dragonettes – Elise Birmingham, Tova Volchech, Holly McCart, Big Bad Wolf - Chris Gonzalez, Grumpy/Duloc Performer – Robert Lawrence, C aptain of the Guard – Patrick Nix, Guards - Jezek Maxwell, Jacob Middleton, Lee Jackson, Rick Bills, Pied Piper/Guard – Rick Bills, Bishop/Guard – Lee Jackson, Dulocan Greeter/Performers – Lacie and Leslie Johnson, Duloc Performers – Ellie Kate Jackson, Cara Timerding, Kelie Papas, Maddie Montgomery, Rebecca Kay, Lindsey Shanks, London Todd, Robert Montgomery, Happy People/Mob – Rebecca Kay, Lindsey Shanks, Ellie Lawrence, Maggie Guy, John Horton.

Direction and choreography - Laura Beeman Nugent, Music direction - Adam Philley, Set design and technical director - Chris Gonzalez, Lighting design and dragon construction - David White, Stage manager - Allison Hannon, Assistant stage manager - Grant Rogers, Light board op - Ridley Walker, Sound board op - Travis Jones, Spotlight op - Madeline Collier, Running crew - Brennan Williams and Jamie Johnstone, Costume mistress - Peggy San Pedro, Props design/master - Gerry Castellani, Costume crew - Amy bills and Tosh Flowers.

Performances:


Wed, July 16, 7:30PM
Thur, July 17, 7:30PM
Fri, July 18, 7:30PM
Sat, July 19, 2:00PM
Sat, July 19, 7:30PM
Sun, July 20, 2:00PM
Wed, July 23, 7:30PM
Thur, July 24, 7:30PM
Fri, July 25, 7:30PM
Sat, July 26, 2:00PM
Sat, July 26, 7:30PM
Sun, July 27, 2:00PM

Tickets are $25 and will be reserved seating. Click "Buy Tickets Online" @ www.shreveportlittletheatre.com or SLT box office at 318-424-4439 or @ box office, noon - 4 pm weekdays and one hour before performances.

Celebrate the sandy shores of Red River on Sat, July 5, with Better Beach Bash, 9 am to lunch

"Celebrate the 2nd Annual Hamel's Better Beach Bash for an unforgettable July 5th outdoors," says Dionne Procell.


- 9am sign-in and memorial to the 6 teens that drowned on the river in 2010.
- Bayou2Bay will lead a beach trash sweep.
- River Rocks Life will demo water safety and paddle sport play.
- Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center will host a watershed learning station.
- Rainforest Art Foundation will lead a trash art project.
- Water playtime, including standup paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. Area paddling enthusiasts will provide water safety education and instruction. Courtney Thibault, owner of Louisiana Yoga and Paddle in Ruston, will be on-site to provide paddleboards and instruction.
- Water and lavatory services will be provided. Food trucks will be available for lunch on-site.

"The joint fundraiser is free to public w/suggested $1 or more donation. There will be prizes for unique refuse finds and drawings from water bottle registration. Bring the entire family," says Procell.

Read More Books, a cross-country tag, arrives in Shreveport on historic brewery, I-20 at I-49

The fluttering pages of a rudimentary book were recently painted atop one of Shreveport's most signal historic brick towers, the Shreveport Ice and Brewing Company building. It is probably not the graffiti of a local tagger. It is a symbol that has been painted on buildings coast to coast. "It has been part of the street scene in New Orleans for years," said a local source. It is the sign of a street writer or writers called Read More Books.

Juxtapoz.com says, "Juggling between countless names, monikers, and cities, remaining elusive and off the radar, READ has been an effective force behind the graffiti of Read More Books," in a Dec article.

Doug MacCash, arts writer for Nola.com, recognized a wave of Read writing in New Orleans in a 2009 post in which he said, " Gaia, a Brooklyn street artist, said that though he doesn't know Mr. READ (aka Read More Books or The Booker), he believes that the ambitious tagger has hit San Francisco, Cleveland and New York, as well as New Orleans."

On the top of the 1904 Shreveport Ice and Brewing edifice there is an additional sign: a whistle. It is emblazoned with the initials WB. That may or may not refer to "whistle blower." Heliopolis's anonymous source added, "The whistle, which is also a national phenomenon, has been seen in downtown Shreveport recently."

MacCash continued, "As an art critic, I've always been ambivalent about reviewing graffiti. On one hand, most graffiti remains more antisocial that artistic. On the other, graffiti is very fashionable these days, and, let's face it, way more people see it than ever cross the threshold of an art gallery or museum."

Fourth of July added to Shreveport Farmers Market schedule; 3 markets this week

"This week, in addition to our regular Tuesday and Saturday markets, we'll be presenting, along with KTBS, a Friday, 4th of July market," says Noma Fowler-Sandlin.

"It will take place from 7 a.m. to noon, all tucked into the East Pavilion. It will be a little bigger than a Tuesday market, but still not as large as a Saturday one. See you there!"

Photo Byron Gates, jr.

New theater group, Shrapnel Stage Company, auditions for thriller The Other Place at East Bank Theater on July 6,7

Shrapnel Stage Company will hold auditions for award-winning mystery The Other Place, says John F Daniel.

Auditions are 2 pm to 5 pm Sunday July 6 and 6 pm to 9 pm Monday, July 7, at the East Bank Theatre, 630 Barksdale Blvd in Bossier City. Scripts are not available beforehand. The director would prefer everyone do a cold read, but all are welcome to look up articles and video clips of the show which are available online.

Juliana: late 40's to mid 50's, The Woman: mid 20's to early 30's, The man: early to mid 30's and Ian: late 40's to mid 50's.

The production will be directed by Daniel, a seasoned actor and director. Reach him at nitejonboy24@aol.com.