Highland Blues & Jazz Fest to bop with Dirtfoot, Prof Porkchop, Bluebirds, Dan Sanchez in Columbia Park Sat, Nov 18, noon to 6 pm

Highland Blues Fest: Chris McCaa's band
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Highland remains Shreveport's utopian neighborhood. Here you'll find it all: swells & subsistence farmers, artist & artisan, students & professors, shut-ins & sultans, hunters & gatherers.

The diversity of the population enables it to provide the city with 2 of its most soulful events: the Krewe of Highland carnival parade and the Highland Blues & Jazz Fest.

At the blues fest Sat, Nov 18, the musicians will spiel their songs from the Pavilion Stage as well as the Gazebo Stage of Columbia Park. There will be beer & BBQ and other conjumptibles, says Amy Lowe.

By a partnership with West Edge Artists' Co-op, there will be hand-made stuff, art & books. If you were from out of town you'd swoon over the Austinacious vibe.

Here's the agenda, according to the Highland Area Partnership (HAP), a mainstay organization of the city:

General Lee - Opening, 12:00
A. J. & The Two-Tone Blues Band, 12:10
The Bluebirds, 12:25
Group Therapy, 1:10
Jazziana, 1:30
Dorothy Prime, 2:15
Howlin Henry & the Harp Tones, 2:30
Howell & Caskey, 3:15
Junior III, 3:30
Professor Porkchop, 4:15
Dan Sanchez & The Kings of Pleasure, 4:30
Dirtfoot, 5:15

Sponsors include Red River Radio; Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau; SPAR; City Printing, Inc.; Marsha O. Millican, CPA; Nelson Cameron, Attorney; Thomas G. Carmody; Brookshire’s #78; Mall St. Vincent; Querbes & Nelson; Grace Bareikis and the Anonymous Friends of HAP, says director Dorothy McDonald.

"Eclectic, bohemian, funky fun," is how McDonald sees the fest. She also offers an insight into the city's relationship to the oak-lined neighborhood: "Everybody in Shreveport has less than 2 degrees of separation from Highland."

Eleven bands on two stages at Shreveport's Highland Blues & Jazz Festival on Sat, Nov 17, noon to 6 pm

Columbia Park skater Cody Heflin
Originally uploaded by trudeau

More arts and crafts booths, audience participation and varied food is the promise at the fourth annual Highland Jazz & Blues Festival, says Dorothy McDonald.

The eleven-band event will be presented Sat, Nov 17, at Columbia Park. Drums will pound from noon until 6 p.m. Admission is free.

The festival will be led off by the Red & Black second line brass band from New Orleans, says Highland Area Partnership chair Charles Gerard. The Red and Black will parade through the park and perform on the festival’s Pavillion Stage, accompanied by members of Grambling’s Zillionaires.

Scheduled acts also include The Bluebirds, A.J. Cascio & the Two-Tone Blues Band, Dan Sanchez & the Kings of Pleasure, Professor Porkchop aka Chris McCaa, Dorothy Prime & the Bluesjumpers, the Saxy Guys, Pocket Change and more.

Barbecue, pizza, Cajun, Caribbean, and Indian cuisine will be consumed.

Dorothy McDonald, Executive Director
Highland Area Partnership, Inc.
(318) 869-5706
hap@bayou.com

Highland Jazz and Blues Fest: food, crafts and two stages filled with foot-stomping musicians in Columbia Park on Sat, Nov 17, noon to 6 pm

Highland Blues 2006
Originally uploaded by oneeyeddogblues

Gordon Nurse will be cooking jerk lentils and goat, island style, I'm told, and sweet BBQ smoke will certainly bring an evocative haze to Columbia Park on Sat, Nov 17, for the Highland Jazz and Blues Fest.

Noon to 6 pm.
And to be opened by some second lining a la Bruce Gay and the Zillionaires.

PAVILION STAGE
Zillionaires
12:10
Saxy Guys
1:10
Bluebirds w/Miki Honeycutt
2:15
Howlin Henry & the Harp Tones
3:15
Dan Sanchez & The Kings of Pleasure
4:15
A. J. & The Two-Tone Blues Band
5:15

GAZEBO STAGE
Junior, III
12:25
Pocket Change
1:30
Symphonic Jazz Summit
2:30
Professor Porkchop
3:30
Dorothy Prime & the Bluesjumpers
4:30

www.HighlandAreaPartnership.org
869-5706
Photo of George Hancock by Barbara Beaird.

Shreveport's Highland Jazz & Blues Fest on Sat, Nov 15, noon to 6 pm at Columbia Park

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest
Originally uploaded by Red River Blog Jam

Columbia Park: the halcyon choristers sang in Columbia in days of yore.
And it continues as a center of mellow yellow during the annual blues fest.

I'd recommend a portable chair. And a few extra bucks for the vendors, who've got food and artisan work.

So far, this fest has not been mobbed. The vibe is that of a fest in the country.

Noon to 6 pm.
As residents of Highland like to say, Hare krishna: slow down and live.

Thanks to Kathryn Usher for the snap.

Have fun as a volunteer at the Highland Jazz & Blues Fest on Sat, Nov17, 11:30 am to 5 pm, Columbia Park, Shreveport

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest 2011, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Volunteers are most definitely needed at one of Shreveport's mellowest fests, the HJ&BF.

While the music jumps, the food, cokes and beer flow. People meet their friends and cut a rug.

Be a sustaining part of the action, urges Kenney Koonce, by volunteering online for one or more 3-hour shifts.

It's Sat, Nov 17, 11:30 am to 5 pm at Columbia Park, Creswell Ave @ Columbia St, Shreveport, LA.

Dancers who dig Dirtfoot will tango at Highland music fest in Columbia Park & at Jack Rabbit Lounge, aka Lil Joes Tavern, on Sat, Nov 18

eric gardner & dirtfoot revel 06
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Dirtfoot, the acoustic Shreveport sextet that calls their sound " Gypsy Punk Country Grumble Boogie," will do an all-ages performance at Columbia Park (5:15 to 6 pm) as well as a smoky bar job at the Jackrabbit Lounge (9 pm until) on Sat, Nov 18, says Matt Hazelton.

Upcoming shows include:
Sat, Nov. 18th - Highland Jazz and Blues Festival - Columbia Park
Sat, Nov. 18th - Lil Joe's Tavern aka Jack Rabbit Lounge
Sat, Nov. 25th - Maxine's - Hot Springs, AR
Sat, Dec. 23rd - The Noble Savage - Shreveport, LA
Sat, May. 26th - Mudbug Madness Crawfish Festival - Shreveport, LA

There's lots to read at Dirtfoot.com and free music at myspace.com/mydirtfoot.

Columbia Park blanketed by some 8000 motley partiers at the Highland Blues & Jazz Fest 09

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Blankets and chairs by the score were laid across the hills of Columbia Park by a diverse and vast audience (Kenney Koonce ests 7 to 8000) as the Highland Blues Fest was presented on Sat, Nov 14. The free fest featured music on 2 stages and a big-name headliner: the New Orleans' septet called the Rebirth Brass Band.

Strengths of the fest:
- sundry crowd, both in age and ethnicity.
- family-oriented.
- food and crafts booths adequate to nourish the crowd.
- beer.
- effective sound system (Glenn Graves, ta da!).
- smart team of volunteers, including fest founder Amy Loe, announcer Liz Swain and many more.
- handsome and soulful faces for the numerous photographers.
- opportunity for many attendees to avoid the car and use the bike.
- aerobic development stimulated by the Rebirth Brass band.
- Chicken Masala, by India's Restaurant, was scrumptious and only $2.
- an example for the city of an effective neighborhood fest.
- Highland in its best light: safe, convenient, multifarious.

Rebirth Brass Band headlines Highland Jazz and Blues Fest on Sat, Nov 14, noon to 5 pm, Columbia Park

Rebirth Brass Band
Originally uploaded by mindync

HIGHLAND JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Columbia Park
Parking at King's Hwy Christian Church

Pavilion Stage
12:00 ‐ 12:45 Robin w/ The Bluebirds
1:00 ‐ 1:45 Dan Sanchez & the Kings of Pleasure
2:00 ‐ 2:45 River Breezes
3:00 ‐ 3:45 A.J. Cascio & the Two Tone Blues Band
4:00 ‐ 5:00 Rebirth Brass Band

Gazebo Stage -
12:30 ‐ 1:15 Professor Porkchop & the Dirty Dishes
1:30 ‐ 2:15 Howlin' Henry & the Harptones
2:30 ‐ 3:15 A.J. Haynes & the Monkey Business
3:30 ‐ 4:15 Total Choice

Selected vendors for a rockin lunch . . .
* Burning Spear jerk chicken
* India's Restaurant chicken masala
* Also wafting your way: turkey legs, funnel cakes, red beans & rice, Bbq brisket

In Artist's Alley . . .
* photography, coffee, cookies, jams, pralines


Foldable chairs! If you're going to hang for a while . . .

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest in Columbia Park noon to 6 pm, Sat, Nov 12

Columbia Park, Sat, Nov 12, noon to 6

"The Bluebirds with singer Miki Honeycutt, A.J. Cascio and the Two Tone Blues Band, Professor Pork Chop, Dan Sanchez & the Kings of Pleasure – and many more - on two stages!" Thus says Highland Area Partnership's Bob Marak of the coming Highland Jazz and Blues Fest.

In its second year the fest has a wide network of sponsors (Nelson Cameron, Bob Pack n Mail King, Neil Johnson, Brookshires #78, etc, etc), features local vendors and reminds you of the marvelous spirit that makes historic Highland neighborhood a cool place to live.


Marak adds, "Bring lawnchairs and a jacket." And he's added the ineffable Dorothy Prime as well as the reborn Velvet Swivel Rockers to the bill.

Not a bad day to bicycle or pedestriate down the street to Highland Jazz & Blues Fest, Columbia Park, Shreveport, noon to 5 pm; bike valet service at the ready

"Sat, Sept 19th," says Ian Webb of River City Cycling, "we will be providing secure bike parking for anyone attending the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival from noon-5 PM at Columbia Park.

We had a great time last year and this year will be even better with great weather, live music, beer, food and art. Don't miss it! This free festival is the best thing going on in Shreveport! Ride your bike and we'll keep it safe for you while you enjoy the festival!"

Shreveporters open calendars to add Highland Jazz and Blues Fest on Sat, Sept 19, noon to 5 pm

"Highland Jazz and Blues Festival headliner, Papa Mali, is bringing Big Chief Monk Boudreaux from New Orleans along with a few other special guests for an All Star Super Jam," says Kelly Rich about the 2015 fest on Sat, Sept 19, noon to 5 pm. Additionally, look for zeitgeist food and existential acts in abundance on the 2 stages.

Launched in 2003, the Festival has grown from a handful of bands and a crowd of 500-1,000 to a gathering including two stages, ten bands, posters, t-shirts, food and art sales, and 10,000 music fans in Highland area’s hilly Columbia Park. The annual Festival is a gift to the community from the Highland Area Partnership doing business as the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival Presented by Twisted Root.

Proceeds from poster, t-shirt, and beverage sales, donations, and sponsorships are used to bring the Festival back each year.

Highland Jazz & Blues Festival, PO Box 44292, Shreveport, LA 71134.

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest serves food, beer and music from 11:30 am to 5 pm in Columbia Park, Shreveport, on Sat, Nov 17

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest, Shreveport: Michelle Loridans and Emma Busi, left, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Big Bill Morganfield, AJ Cascio and a gang of blues players fill the HJ&BF schedule, but in the Gazebo you will find a bit of jazz. Winston Hall is scheduled for 12:45 and the Total Choice Jazz Band plays 2:45 to 3:45.

The free fest is as much about the beer, food and crafts booths as anything. Kenney Koonce advises "Bring plenty of cash!"

We encourage you to ride a bicycle to the fest.

Under the Pavilion -
Buddy Flett, Jerry Beach Band, Scotty Boy Daniel, Glenn Rainey Band, AJ and the Two-Tone Blues band and Big Bill Morganfield.

In the Gazebo -
Hardrick Rivers Revue, Winston Hall Group, Bobby Mercy Oliver, and the Total Choice Jazz Band.

Among the numerous food offerings -
Burnin Spear
Ki Mexico
Stir Tapas
Twine
Marilynn's Place

More at http://www.highlandjazzandblues.org/

Highland Festival: an amalgam of blues, jazz, r & b, gospel, folk and the other strands of Bayou State music, noon to 6 pm, Sat, Nov 15, Columbia Park

Highland Festival Poster Taped to the Window of The Family Dollar Store the One on Centenary Next to Circle K
Originally uploaded by Red River Blog Jam

For academic perspective on the annual Highland music shindig, I like Dr. Kathryn Usher: "Hippies used to hang out in Columbia Park back in the day. That's why the vibe there is so groovy good. It'll be the spirit of change and love this Saturday during the festival. Join us. Bring money for food, art and drinks. Admission is free. Take that Revel. (Sorry Kipper, I lub ya)!"

The Little Revel. Hmm.

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest features former Shreveporter Kevin Russell and The Gourds on Sat, November 13

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest 09: producer Amy Loe
Originally uploaded by trudeau

The 7th annual Highland Jazz + Blues Festival welcomes The Gourds, fresh from live performances on Austin City Limits, to Columbia Park on Saturday, November 13, says Liz Swaine.

Gourds singer-songwriter Kevin Russell lived in Shreveport in the 80's and fronted a punk band called the Picket Line Coyotes. You can catch a bit of his nostalgia for that era in the tune, "Shreveport," from The Gourds excellent album, "Haymaker."

Also in the Highland Fest lineup are David Egan and Twenty Years of Trouble, Robin and the Bluebirds, AJ and the Two Tone Blues Band, AJ Haynes and the Monkey Business, Buddy Flett and friends, Otis Ockley and The Space Travelers.

More at www.highlandjazzandblues.com.

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest, Shreveport, Sat, Nov 16, 10 am to 5 pm, Columbia Park

Highland Jazz & Blues Fest, Shreveport: India's Restaurant plate, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The top five Highland Jazz and Blues Fest questions trending right now, says Kenney Koonce, are . . .

1) Is there an admission fee? There is absolutely no admission fee. Save your money to spend with our vendors and maybe pick up a festival T-shirt or three. Really, they're great! You're going to leave with something.

2) Who's playing? when are they playing? And what's good to eat? See our website. Our webmaster worked really hard on it. Swing by and admire it.

3) Are dogs allowed? Yes, we love our dogs and have set up an area just for them. What we don't like...owners who don't clean up after them.

4) Can I bring my own food or drinks? Well, why would you want to do a thing like that? We're know for our food! Plus the drink sales are invested back into the event and allow us to keep it free.

5) Is it too late to get a vendor booth? We have rearranged, recounted and now re-closed the vendor application. We love our vendors.

A reminder: there's an all-fest Mall St Vincent free shuttle so that you don't have to hassle with parking.

And it might be a perfect day for bicycles.

Papa Mali headlines Highland Jazz & Blues Fest in Columbia Park, Shreveport, on Sat, Sept 19, noon to 5 pm

Thumping music, a dancing crowd, cold brews and hot, hand made food: that's the reunion known as the Highland Jazz and Blues Fest.

If you have not considered volunteering for a shift or two, I am here to remind you that volunteer hours are golden. It is a high of its own sensual dimension. Kelly Rich says, "Want to help the festival And get a free t-shirt? HJBF needs more volunteers on Saturday! We need help in these areas:

Trash pick up- 1-2pm, 3-4pm, 5-6pm (only one hour shift!) Runners- 11:30-2:30, 2:30-5:30 pm Drink Ticket Sales- 11:30-2:30pm, 2:30-5:30 Coke booth- 2:30-5:30."

And if you think about the parking and what it does to the neighborhood, you will be happy to be reminded that "iShuttle will be providing a continuous Free Shuttle Service from Mall St. Vincent from 11:30 am – 6 pm. Take advantage of the sweet ride and help us alleviate traffic issues in Highland!"

Parking's easy if you take a shuttle to the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival, Shreveport, on Sat, Nov 16, 10 am to 5 pm, Columbia Park

Highland Jazz & Blues Festival, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Kenney Koonce, director of the Highland Jazz & Blues Fest says, "Try our free shuttle service provided by iShuttle and Mall St Vincent. All non-residents are asked to use this service to alleviate congestion in the neighborhood."

"iShuttle will dispatch their entire fleet, beginning at 9:30 AM. They will loop continuously throughout the day. Pickup is in the northeast lot of the mall (outside Dillard's Men Store). Drop-off is curbside on Creswell Ave."

He adds, "You'll want to bring plenty of cash and your holiday shopping list to the 10th annual HJBF. More than 40 artist vendors will be on hand with their wares."

Headliner is New Orleans' sweetheart, the timeless Irma Thomas. See the music schedule here.

You'll notice that the HJBF begins a bit earlier - 10 am - than ever. Thanks to the board, benefactors and volunteers for making the most of this communal opportunity.

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest producer Amy Loe and musician Bruce Flett on KSCL, 91.3 fm, 5 to 5:30 pm

Highland Blues & Jazz Fest 09: producer Amy Loe
Originally uploaded by trudeau

The Highland Jazz & Blues Fest arrives in Columbia Park on Sat, Nov 13.

Listen to Centenary College radio, KSCL, as the founder, Amy Loe, and musician/producer Bruce Flett offer an insider's guide to the fest.

Hosts are Loren Demerath, Carolyn Manning and Robert Trudeau. The program is Time for A Better Shreveport.

Say your piece on this weekly radio show by calling 734-9101 to record your comment - any time of the day or night.

Those who enjoy the exchange of ideas and energy are welcome to attend the weekly A Better Shreveport meeting. The meeting is in Centenary Square, 2nd floor of the building across King's Hwy from George's Grill. Call 318-869-5161 if you cannot find the room.

Valentine's evening with Jay Leno, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Buddy Flett, 10:30 pm

Buddy Flett at Artspace
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

From Bruce Flett at thebluebirds.com: "Buddy Flett will be special guest of Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the Jay Leno Show, Wed, Feb 14!

Kenny, Buddy, Double Trouble(Chris Layton & Tommy Shannnon), Hubert Sumlin, and Bryan Lee will perform "Tina Mare" from "10 Days Out: Blues From the Backroads."

Continues Flett," Jason Coffield will be filling in for Buddy while he's out On the Road with Kenny & the Blues Legends. You remember Jason from the original Voodudes. Jason is a brilliant young blues/rock guitarist, singer and alto saxophonist. And yes, he plays slide guitar! Jason is THE guy to get to fill in for Buddy.

Sun, Feb 18 Buddy returns back home to play the Highland Mardi Gras after Parade party at Columbia Park in Shreveport 4-6pm. Parade starts about 1 30pm

Sat Feb 24 Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium. DANCE to the Bluebirds on the greatest Biggest Dancefloor around! 8-11pm

Complete schedule (well, these days its impossible to keep it totally up to date) at www.thebluebirds.com

Continuing, Flett says, "Nick Spitzer , host of NPR's "American Routes" spoke in Shreveport last night about New Orleans music and re-building the City. With a PhD in Ethnomusicology and the hippest show on Radio; you missed it if you weren't there. He called Bruce yesterday afternoon wanting to know if "anything" had ever been recorded at LeadBellys grave! He was unaware of the Live Recording of "Honk Tonk" with Buddy and Kenny Wayne on acoustic guitars at that hallowed spot for the 10 Days Out DVD/CD, so we made sure he gets a copy right away! And he's looking forward to seeing the Bluebirds at the New Orleans Jazzfest Sunday, April 29."

See Buddy in recent action at YouTube.com.
www.myspace.com/thebluebirdspage


Also see more at www.kennywayneshepherd.net

On the Highland Jazz and Blues Fest, the Blanc et Noir Marching Society and Shreveport

Zillionaires at Sundown Club, Ruston
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Dorothy McDonald, Charles Gerard and confreres of the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival know they have a cool thing on their hands. Highland is the city's most bike-riding and artistic area and the most diverse part of Shreveport. They've got a festival line-up that fills the pocket.

But they're not going to be mobbed. One day the Highland Fest will be the happening place to be for a few hours each year, but that's not likely to happen in 07. This fest has been building since 04. It is terribly, terribly young by Shreveport standards.

I know how they feel. When Jerry and Tarama Davenport and I inaugurated the Blanc et Noir Marching Society last year we felt like we had the tout le tout for Shreveport. We felt like Shreveporters might rush to join us in support of a second line brass band and the essence-of-Carnival spirit embodied in a marching krewe.

Unh un.

Shreveport has a wait-and-see syndrome. "Build it and they'll come" would not be the operative phrase here."Build it and they'll get interested in it just as you're about to close it down" is what I've observed.

Like the Highland fest organizers, the core group of Blanc et Noir is not going to give up.

In fact, we have a common interest today. The fest will kick off with a second line starring Daryl Williams and his red bass trombone. Williams leads the Red & Black Brass Band, the band associated with Blanc et Noir, though at this fest he is part of the Zillionaires.

Blanc et Noir appreciates the synergy. And wishes everyone success in getting involved in the pageant of the city.


The Blanc et Noir marches in the Krewe of Highland parade on Sun, Feb 3, 08.
Membership is $30.
The Columbia Park fest takes place from noon to 6 pm.
Free.