Texas Ave Maker's Fair part of Shreveport Common's The Big Scene on Sat, Ap 12, 11 am to 10 pm

The Big Scene is the collaboration of the Texas Avenue Makers Fair, Holiday in Dixie Parade and UnScene. In this event mash-up Shreveport Regional Arts Council is creating the biggest party ever in Shreveport Common, says Casey Jones.

The Makers Fair will not be in its usual location. It has been expanded and will extend down Texas Ave past the newly-renovated Elvis Presley Blvd. The Makers Fair has grown to over 250 booths.

Expect live music on four stages. The Holiday in Dixie Parade (5:30 pm). And The Big Experience with artist-singer-designer Theresa Andersson. Her resident team is composed of choreographer Luther Cox, Jr, musicologist and singer Sereca Robinson Henderson and visual artist Joe Blum.

There's much more, including food, numerous additional musical acts and other performers. Experience it on Sat, Ap 12, 11 am to 10 pm.

Drink 'n Draw at Great Raft Brewing Tasting Room, Shreveport, Thurs, Ap 3, 6 pm to 8 pm

"If you love drawing and/or drinking (especially together), join us at Great Raft Brewing for an evening of creativity," says Kendra P.

"The Drink 'n' Draw is a social gathering in which thirsty artists of all kinds gather and share tables, conversations, ideas, and drawing supplies. Pencils and paper will be provided for this casual night of sketching, though bringing your own sketchbook is encouraged. All are welcome."

Great Raft, 1251 Dalzell, Shreveport, 71103.

Trevarri Huff-Boone, Buddy Flett headline Renzi Brunch Benefit on Sat, Ap 5, 11 am to 2 pm

The Renzi Education and Art Center will host a Jazz & Blues Brunch Fundraiser, Sat, Ap 5, 11 AM to 2 PM, says Jennifer Hill. Details:

- The Shop, 2002 Southern Avenue in Shreveport.
- $35; proceeds will go directly to the Renzi Center to support its free After School Program and Summer Camp for at-risk youth.
- Buddy Flett with Ted Lindsay, Tim Brogan, Leonard Service, Randy Guynes, and Jimmy Caskey.
- Teen sax prodigy Trevarri Huff-Boone with singers Nia Savoy, Reiah Kirkindoll, Rafaela Demerath, and Tim McCoy.
- Brunch by Marilynn's Place (Shrimp and Grits, beignets, and more) and Rhino Coffee. Bloody Marys and Mimosas at a cash bar.
- Online tickets: www.renzicenter.org, click the Jazz & Blues Brunch logo. Or Renzi Center at 222-1414.

Reeves, Knox, Folmer and Stone: South Pacific at Caddo Magnet HS on Ap 3 - 5, 6:30 pm

Directed by Patti Reeves, with technical support by Bill Knox, choreography by Ginger Folmer and musical direction by Thomas Stone, the Caddo Magnet HS production of South Pacific is poised to be a cyclone.

See it at the Caddo Magnet HS PAC at 6:30 pm Th, Ap 3, Fri, Ap 4 and Sat, Ap 5. Also on Sat: a 2 pm performance. $12 (10 in advance), $6 (5). Poster by Brad Kozak, whose daughter, Sarah, is in the cast.

Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall celebrations of Lead Belly being planned, says biographer John Reynolds

"This year marks the 125th anniversary of Lead Belly's birth," writes New York photographer and Lead Belly biographer John Reynolds (Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures, 2008).

"Gala tribute is planned for Kennedy Center (October 12) by Grammy Awards committee. On November 18 another gala concert will be held at Royal Albert Hall in London. Huddie's 'Stella' guitar may be onstage for both venues. All very exciting."

Lucia Boyd, Sloan Folmer lead an expert cast in The Diary of Anne Frank at Shreveport Little Theater; final performance Sun, Mar 30, 2 pm

Director Mary Joris cast an expert ensemble for her production of Anne Frank at Shreveport Little Theater. On Sat night her actors delivered a performance marked by tight cues, deliberate pacing and voices of estimable clarity and volume.

In the center was young teen Lucia Boyd. She propelled the action by her knowing, glowing and energy-filled interpretation of Anne. Matching her vibrancy was Sloan Folmer as Otto. His warmth and gravitas anchored the action.

The role of Margo was capably presented by the low-key characterization of Brittainy Williams. Among the couples who peopled the story were Jim Cowles and Cara Derrick. The vinegary personalities they offered as the Van Daans were rendered with admirably modulated piquancy.

SLT's comfortable theater was nearly full on Sat night. It was clear that the word was abroad in the community: this show is compelling.

There is a final performance Sun, Mar 30, at 2 pm. Tickets are $15. Box office: 318 424 4439.

Tim Brogan, Nick Brumley, Joe Nadeau, Dirty Redd: Noble Savage music calendar, April, 2014, Shreveport

The venerable Savage, food, spirits and live music, is at 417 Texas St, Shreveport, Louisiana.

KSCL, 91.3 fm, presents annual Battle of the Bands on Sat, Mar 29, in Shell amphitheater, Centenary College

"Seratones had to drop from the running due to a tiger eating one of the band members alive," reports KSCL's Jacob Robson. "But, good news, everyone, for the B o' B! The frontman of GG Earth has rejoined the running with his other band, Darkunt, and they will be playing at 5:30 now."

1:30 Josh October

2:00 Yorkshire Fields

2:30 Jasper McAdams

3:00 Engine

3:30 TBA

4:00 The Dubonauts

4:30 Don't Forget Your Dinosaur

5:00 American Wilderness

5:30 Darkunt

The Diary of Anne Frank at Shreveport Little Theater opens Wed, Mar 26, 7:30 pm ; performances one weekend only

The Diary of Anne Frank,an updated version, opens Wednesday at Shreveport Little Theater for one weekend. "What a fantastic cast and tremendous production, directed by Mary Joris. This is a powerful show, you don't want to miss," says Robert Darrow.

SLT Box Office: 424-4439, Wine & Cheese pre-show reception on Wednesday at 6:30 PM, Curtain at 7:30 PM, All tickets $15.

Pap Mali and band at Bears Fairfield, Shreveport, on Fri, Mar 28

mali, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Friday night, 3/28, I will be performing with my band for one night only at Bears in Shreveport," says Papa Mali.

"The following night we play Tipitina's in New Orleans. The lineup for both nights is me, Matt Hubbard (7 Walkers, Willie Nelson) Robb Kidd and Shawn Stroope."

Walking, photography, sketching, exploring: Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Bossier City

Red River Natl Wildlife Refuge, Bossier City, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Red River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is located along the Red River in Bossier Parish, on Arthur Teague Parkway, in northwestern Louisiana. It is a wonderland for all ages.

It is open for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography from sunrise to sunset seven days a week.

The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and on most weekends.

Highly recommended.

www.fws.gov/northlouisiana/RedRiver/

Alma Mahler, Lili Boulanger, Carrie Jacobs-Bond celebrated by Twyla Robinson, soprano, at Centenary College of Louisiana on Mar 30, Ap 3

Twyla Robinson, soprano (c) Kristin Hoebermann, a photo by Seattle Symphony Orchestra on Flickr.

Centenary College of Louisiana's Artist-in-Residence, renowned soprano Twyla Robinson, performs Sun, March 30, at 3 pm in Anderson Auditorium, Hurley School of Music.

Robinson will be collaborating with pianist Jerome Tan to present the work and biographical sketches of three women who left an indelible footprint on classical music and the arts: Alma Mahler, Lili Boulanger, and Carrie Jacobs-Bond.

A second recital takes place Thurs, April 3, at 7:30pm, and is a faculty recital celebrating American Song.

Both events free and open to the public.

Cora M Allen invites Shreveport's Juried Roster Artists to Central Artstation on Mon, Mar 24, 5:30 pm

Cora M Allen, 1920, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Juried Roster Artists meeting is Monday, Mar 24, 5:30 p.m. at Central Artstation, 801 Crockett St, downtown Shreveport.

Roster Meetings are every 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 pm at Central Artstation. Next month: April 28.

Artists of all media: be invited to join the Shreveport Regional Arts Council's Artist Directory and Juried Roster. See more.

Monuments Men author Robert Edsel speaks Sat, Ap 26, noon, Sam's Town Casino, Shreveport

Robert Edsel, Ap 26, Sam's Town, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Robert Edsel will speak at the 23rd annual Authors in April benefit luncheon for the Pioneer Heritage Center, says Robin Norman Jones.

Edsel wrote The Monuments Men (the movie is based on his book), Rescuing Da Vinci and Saving Italy. He is co-producer of the documentary The Rape of Europa.

$40 individual luncheon. Table host: $400, 10 reservations. Make checks to LSUS Pioneer Heritage Center and mail to Authors in April Luncheon, Mary Anne Selber, 6121 Fern Ave, #89, Shreveport 71105.

Sat, Ap 26, noon. Sam's Town Casino Hotel. Valet parking. Cash bar.

Chris McCaa and Chris Allen: jazz and blues at Noble Savage, Fri, Mar 21, 9 pm to 11 pm, Shreveport

Chris McCaa, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Piano, vocals and big bass on a small stage surrounded by people drawing upon Noble's cornucopia of artfully-labeled libations.

On Sun night, 6 pm to 9 pm, find this duo at the Green Room of Chianti Restaurant.

Highly recommended.

John-Henry Crawford, Michelle Cann perform on Fri, Mar 21, 7:30 pm, Emmett Hook Center

The Texas Street Arts Series presents a cello and piano recital Friday night March 21st at 7:30 pm at the Emmett Hook Center featuring two young artists from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, says Laura Crawford.

John-Henry Crawford, 21 year old cellist from Shreveport, was recently chosen as a Fellow for Itzhak Perlman's Young Artists Chamber Music Program in New York. He serves as Principal Cellist of the Curtis Orchestra. His piano trio performed at Lincoln Center this fall.

Michelle Cann, pianist, received degrees from the Cleveland Institute and the Curtis Institute, where she is currently a staff accompanist. She has performed in China, Korea, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Perlman Festival, Taos Music Festival and others.

The recital is free and open to the public. Info: 318-429-6887.

Kevin Barnes and his band, Of Montreal, at Demonfest, Natchitoches, Sat, Mar 22, 10 pm

Of Montreal, Natchitoches, Mar 22, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

DemonFest is an annual music and arts festival hosted by KNWD Radio at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, says Paxton Britt. The festival, Sat, Mar 22, 11 am to 11 pm, features regional music, food, and vendors.

This year the band lineup - lots of talent from Shreveport, btw - is topped with a performance by the charismatic Kevin Barnes and his Athens, GA, group, Of Montreal. In the midst of a world tour, Of Montreal is scheduled to go on at 10 pm.

Pardon us for being astounded.

10 bucks.

Tournees, a French film fest at RFC, Shreveport, Mar 21 - 27

Tournees, RFC, Mar 21 - 27, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

French films, en Francais, brought to downtown Shreveport by Centenary Film Society, to be aired at Robinson Film Center Mar 21 - 27.

The Painting (Le Tableau)
Farewell, My Queen
Sister
The Fairy
The Rabbi's Cat

RFC's French movie schedule.

View Shreveport's riverine history and riparian wildlife on The Spirit of the Red River Cruises; season resumes on Ap1

Captain Sandy Jackson will resume The Spirit of the Red River Cruises on Tuesday, April 1 and go through Nov. 31, says Chris Jay.

“What makes this tour so special is when I get to teach people about Shreveport-Bossier and the Red River’s history, especially the uses for the Red River during the Great Depression and U.S. wars,” said Captain Sandy. “This tour is such a great opportunity to gain memories, learn untold history and sightsee on this beautiful river.”

Captain Sandy has been a river boat captain for more than 40 years with 18 of those years as the captain for the Spirit of the Red River Cruise.

The 40-foot pontoon boat travels between Shreveport-Bossier’s six river boat casinos. It holds up to 35 people with tickets at $15 per person. Groups of 20 people receive a 10 percent discount.

While on the hour-long tour, passengers travel through populated areas along the Red River, then head northwest for an authentic glimpse of the river’s natural terrain and working fishery. Throughout the tour Captain Sandy explains the eventful history of the Red River, as well as pointing out the wildlife and architecture of river homes, houseboats and historical bridges.

The cruiser docks directly across from Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center on Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. Tour times are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, and Noon-5 p.m. on Sundays. Tours begin at the top of each hour.

Captain Sandy Jackson: (318) 564-3560 or visit www.redrivercruise.com. Photo by Chris Jay.

Rest in peace, William Edward Wilson, III, Shreveport, 1958 - 2014

William Edward Wilson, III, Shreveport, 1958 - 2014, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

A gifted designer of raku pots and images on paper, Edward Wilson died March 18, 2014, after a lengthy illness.

Wilson, a graduate of Centenary College, was a witty and thoughtful, loving and insightful fellow.

Dapper and gracious as a host, Wilson held a South Highlands salon for a number of years alongside his perspicacious grandmother, Billie "Ya Ya" Wilson.

He will be well remembered as a parishioner at both St Mark's and Holy Cross Episcopal Churches.