Monday, December 30, 2013

Cajun cornucopia: Cinema on the Bayou festival, Lafayette, Jan 22 - 26

Cinema on the Bayou has built an international reputation, says Rebecca Hudsmith, as a filmmaker friendly destination with crowds, food and music.

It has positioned itself to be unique among festivals in the United States through partnerships with the National Film Board of Canada and the Office of the French Consul General in New Orleans.

Nearly 40 films will screen at this year's Festival, including World, U.S. and Louisiana Premieres, with over 60 film screenings.

Filmmakers are attending from Montréal, Paris, New York City, Los Angeles, Shreveport, Miami, Austin, Dallas, New Orleans and Portland, Oregon.

A complete schedule of events will be posted in early January at www.cinemaonthebayou.com.

Live music is best: NYE entertainment list from Tipitina's Music Co-op, Shreveport

New Year's Eve in Shreveport and the surrounding area, says Ovis Means - Tues. Dec 31, 2013:

CMT Crossroads @ Horseshoe Casino - Westbound 21 - 8pm-1:30am
Diamond Jacks (Agave) - Elaw 6pm + Side FX 9-1am - No Cover
Eldorado Casino - Caravan + Big Richard
Fatty Arbuckles - Lackadaisies + Engine + Jacob Disedare + free chanpagne
Margaritaville Restaurant - The Roscoes - 10pm
Muddy Waters - Steak and Champagne with party favors
Noble Savage - John Rochell and Darrell Mims - 8pm
Riverside Warehouse - Malibu Beach Club Revisited - 2 DJs for your dancing pleasure
Sam's Town - Chicken On The Bone - 6pm + Rockin' Dopsie - 10pm
Strange Brew - The Beggin For Its - No Cover
Superior Grill - Joe Nadeau Band - 7-11pm
Superior Steakhouse - Costas and Chelsi- 7pm
Tiki Bar - Caddywompus + Trashcan Jinga - 9pm
Voodoo Cafe' - Quickie Mart + NANOLOG + Ryan Viser
1910 Martini and Hookah Lounge - Drop' In The New Year - DJ Ben Jammin & DJ Astro

Indeed, this list is a starting point, not definitive of the performers working across Spt-Bossier.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Lights, guitars, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra and the music of Led Zeppelin on Sat, Jan 11, Riverview Theater, 7:30 pm

Performed by an orchestra and amplified with a full rock band and screaming vocals, conductor Brent Havens wants, "Led Zep riff for riff while cranking out new musical colors."

The 2-plus hour concert features 18 Zeppelin tunes, including Stairway to Heaven, Heartbreaker, Black Dog and Immigrant Song. “On Immigrant Song I have the violins matching the vocal line up an octave from singer Randy Jackson, and the French Horns are doing it with him in the same register,” says Havens. “Then we have the brass kickin’ in the back, doing the accents. It rips.”

Tickets from $19 to $59.

Saturday, January 11—7:30 PM
RiverView Theater

Monday, December 23, 2013

A holiday gift idea at a deeper level: tickets to the orchestra, the opera, to drama, comedy and dance troupes

How do we raise the level of discourse and culture of the heathen society which we discover at every turn?

My humble answer is to recommend that we patronize the excellent arts organizations of Shreveport-Bossier. Their presentations can ennoble our destinations, our companions, our chat.

Buy tickets.

Buy tickets for others.

Amen. Alleluiah.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Artspace Shreveport holiday hours; closed Dec 22 - 26 and Dec 29 - Jan 2

Artspace Holiday Hours:

December 20- Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
December 21- Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Artspace Closed December 22 - December 26.
December 27- Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (café closed)
December 28- Open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (café closed)

Artspace Closed December 29- January 2
January 3- Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (café closed)
January 4- Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (café closed)

* * * * *
The Shreveport Regional Arts Council/Central ARTSTATION will be closed Friday, December 20- to Friday, January 3.

Regular Hours of Operation resume on Monday, January 6, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Hear the SSO Xmas Pops concert on Sat, Dec 21, 7:30 pm, or Sun, Dec 22,2:30 pm


Comfort food of the creamiest type: the Xmas Pops Concert with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

Saturday, December 21—7:30 PM
Sunday, December 22—2:30 PM

Sarah Jane McMahon, soprano
Louisiana Dance Theater
Holiday Pops Children's Chorus
Michael Butterman, conductor

Riverview Theater, downtown Shreveport.
Online tickets.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Handmade goods @ Rhino Coffee, Shreveport, on Thurs, Dec 19, 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Handmade @ Rhino by trudeau
Handmade @ Rhino, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shop local for the holidays! Join us, says Landon Miller, on Dec 19 for an evening of unique goods, music, and merriment from:

Index Drums (indexdrums.com)
Chords (chordsdesigns.etsy.com)
TOOMASOOBA (toomasooba.com)
Rachel Stuart-Haas (rachelstuart-haas.blogspot.com)
Day Old Blues Records (dayoldblues.com)
Zombee Candle (zombeecandle.com)
ElleDeeNOLA (elledeenola.etsy.com)
Makers Union (makersunion.co)

Artists: more about UnScene Shreveport at SRAC Artist Gathering Thurs, Dec 19, 4 pm

artistMeet by trudeau
artistMeet, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Actors, dancers, musicians, singers, visual artists, writers and beyonders, it's time for another Artist Gathering," says Pam Atchison.

"Learn about new/updated opportunities, resources, and services available in Northwest Louisiana."

Th, Dec 19; 4 pm to 5:30 pm, Artspace.

"Then join the Holiday Hoopla, TNT Trolley ride and get all of your gift shopping done!"

Monday, December 16, 2013

Downtown Shreveport viewing and shopping via the TNT on Thurs, Dec 19, 5 pm

TNT by trudeau
TNT, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Third Thursday Trolley:
- artspace
- Martha's Hallmark
- Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale
- Norsworthy Gallery
- On-Time Fashion
- singing carols, drinking cocoa and hands-on activities with Macaroni Kid.
- 15% off all purchases in artspace’s holiday exhibition PRESENTS.

710 Texas St.

Trolley leaves every 30 minutes beginning at 5pm.
www.downtownshreveport.com
www.artspaceshreveport.com

Cast of 60 and a live orchestra: ACT presents Disney musical version of Beauty & the Beast on Dec 20, 21, 22

The Academy of Children's Theatre will present the Disney Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast on Dec. 20-22, at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the Centenary College campus, says Lauren Ross.

Performances: Dec. 20 and 21 at 7:00 p.m. and Dec. 21 and 22 at 2:00 p.m.

The production is directed by Lauren Ross with Musical Direction by Daniel Ley and sets
by Zac and Necee Blackwell and costumes by Sara Archer and Cynthia Whitaker.

The production will feature a cast of over 60 talented performers and a live orchestra. Tickets: $20, 318-741-8312 or 869-5242.

Each performance will include a character meet and greet and autograph signing.

UnScene makes Rolling Stone magazine via Brady Blade and the Nauts, set to debut at the Jan UnScene

SXSW 2010 - Brady Blade by Kingsnake
SXSW 2010 - Brady Blade, a photo by Kingsnake on Flickr.

"A jam project featuring Dave Matthews, Jakob Dylan, Bob Dylan guitarist Charlie Sexton, his brother Bill and drummer Brady Blade has evolved into an official group named the Nauts, according to Mix. The band is currently self-producing its debut album at Blade Studios, which the drummer co-owns, in Shreveport, Louisiana," writes Kory Grow in the Dec 16 RollingStone.com.

"The website for Unscene! – an arts events series that takes place each month in Shreveport – contains a bio page for the Nauts, featuring copy from the Mix article. Consequence of Sound, which spotted the bio, suggests the band may make its live debut at an Unscene! concert."

More at unsceneshreveport.com

Friday, December 13, 2013

UnScene's Inside Out Project, Common at Crockett St, Shreveport, rolling toward Sat, Dec 14, at noon

P1000139 by trudeau
P1000139, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Inside Out Project is photographing and pasting up Shreveport Common residents in the two days prior to UnScene, says Josh Porter.

"But you can slip into line and have your poster made today, if you have to," adds Porter.

Music, food trucks, film, photography and pasting up will be in full display on Sat, Dec 14, from noon to 8 pm.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

No matter your preference Shreveport's new Fairness Ordinance sets a tone for acceptance of you and yours

"PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality) and Forum for Equality congratulate the Shreveport City Council for passing a "Fairness Ordinance" that protects all Shreveport residents from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity," says Adrienne Critcher.

"This ordinance had bipartisan support from the City Council, was strongly supported by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Shreveport Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, and had a strong endorsement from The Shreveport Times. Since 2009, City of Shreveport public employees and contractors have had these protections in the workplace. This ordinance will put Shreveport in agreement with over 188 cities throughout the nation, the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies, and the opinions of a majority of Americans in all 435 U.S. Congressional districts."

Monday, December 09, 2013

Meet the crew from the Inside Out Project in an artist talk on Thurs, Dec 12, session at Artspace Shreveport, 6 pm to 8 pm

Join the INSIDE OUT Project artist group from New York for an intimate discussion about the photography project that has been documented, archived and exhibited all around the world, says SRAC.

The INSIDE OUT project has traveled from Ecuador to Nepal, from Mexico to Palestine, inspiring group actions on varied themes such as hope, diversity, gender-based violence, climate change.

Learn about the public art movement and how Shreveport Common will become the next community to welcome the project at UNSCENE!

Admission to the Thursday, December 12, Artist Talk is Free.

Map for music, photography, storytelling, film, plus food and beer all day at the corner of Common and Crockett Streets: UnScene Shreveport,Sat, Dec14

UnScene Shreveport Dec14 by trudeau
UnScene Shreveport Dec14, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Make plans to have your portrait snapped by the photogs at UnScene on Sat, Dec 14, at the corner of Crockett and Common. It will be pasted upon the parking garage at that corner. Represent, Shreveporters, if you like the idea of downtown revitalization.

More at unsceneshreveport.com.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Movies, music, art market, food and beer trucks and a building to cover in paste-up portraits: UnScene on Sat, Dec 14, downtown Shreveport

More to pique your curiosity and fill your eyes, ears and belly in downtown Shreveport. That's the goal of the Shreveport regional Arts Council series called UnScene.

More at unsceneshreveport.com.

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Great Raft Brewing opens pints and growlers in Shreveport with celebrations from Dec 9 - 20

A black lager named Reasonably Corrupt™, a pale lager named Southern Drawl™ and an American pale ale named Commotion are the year-round brews being tapped this week by Great Raft Brewing, a craft beer microbrewery created and owned by Shreveporters.

Co-founders Andrew and Lindsay Nations are Shreveport natives with a passion for beer, says Craftbeer.com.

The Great Raft tasting room, to be inaugurated Fri, Dec 20, will initially feature three flagship beers alongside five taps devoted to one-off and specialty beers. The 2,500 square foot tasting room, at 1251 Dalzell St, seats up to 75 patrons and is part of Great Raft’s brewing operations located in Shreveport’s Fairfield Historic District.

Following the grand opening, the tasting room will be open on a regular basis on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Tours will be available in early 2014.

More: lindsay@greatraftbrewing.com

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Author William Joyce signing Mischievians at Barnes & Noble Shreveport at 1 pm Sun, Dec 8

Joyce / Mischievians signing, B&N Shreveport

Author William Joyce will be signing books at Barnes & Noble this Sunday at 1 PM, says Sara Hebert.

"Get your books signed and then benefit the Renzi Education and Art Center when you purchase them," adds Jennifer Hill. "Just make sure you mention the Renzi Center to the cashier when you're checking out."

Winter treats: two walks on the woodsy side of Shreveport and Bossier

Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Caddo Magnet HS, Shreveport

The Coates Bluff Trail, almost hidden in East Shreveport, and the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Trails, relatively new and almost hidden in Bossier City, are a winter priority. Both can be helpfully identified on Google maps.

The Coates Bluff Trail is a quarter-mile path and can be leisurely hiked to and fro in 45 minutes. There are two entrance points. One is at the Montessori School for Shreveport (2605 CE Galloway Blvd, adjacent to Anderson Ave) parking lot that faces Sevier St. The trail runs alongside Anderson Bayou and goes north.

The entrance at the north end of the trail is near the corner of Olive St and Viking Drive. Parking at the Valencia Community Center is a good idea. The entrance to the path is near the Valencia Community Garden. Go to the corner of the open property and you will see a gate in the chain link fence. Past that gate is the trail.

Maurice Loridans, member of A Better Shreveport and one of the informal custodians of the Coates Bluff Trail, says, "When you find a junked Monte Carlo half-buried in the slough, you've found a bridge that will take you to the newer section of Coates Bluff Trail." Loridans built the wooden tongue that extends from the windshield area of the wreck to the bank. He adds, "The new trail runs parallel to the original path but on the higher side of the bank along the old bayou."

The archaic bayou that forms the basis for the Coates Bluff Trail is Bayou Pierre. It was an active waterway when the course of the Red River was compromised by the log jam called the Great Raft by the Caddo Nation.

Feico Kempff, who is another maintainer and mapper of the trail, says "If you strike out north of the Monte Carlo bridge you will be on what I call the Red River Link. It's a an unimproved trail that can be enjoyed by the more adventurous types."

To reach the several woods trails of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge (150 Eagle Bend Point, Bossier City, 318-742-1219), take the Teague Parkway south of the Jimmie Davis Bridge. In about 1 mile you will see the entrance to the RRNWR on the right.

The RRNWR Center is a sustainable-model building filled with well-designed displays (love the giant garfish) that teach the flora and fauna of the region. Here you can pick up a map that will help you negotiate several paths.

Monday, December 02, 2013

Footlights III - Shreveport Little Theater Academy student performance on Fri, Dec 6, 7:30 p.m. and Sat, Dec 7, at 2 p.m.

Footlights, SLTA

Footlights III - a college scholarship benefit for Shreveport Little Theater Academy students: Fri, Dec 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Shreveport Little Theatre.

318.424.4439 Tickets: $15.

Highland Culture District Art Sale on Tuesday Dec 3, 11 am to 6:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St, Shreveport

First Pres Highland Art Sale

3rd Annual Highland Culture District Art Sale on Tuesday Dec 3, 11:00am - 6:30pm in the gym and dining area at FPC.

Presented by artists of the Highland Area. "Come for the Advent Noonday Noels and stay to browse the wonderful art," says FPC.

Expect JR-type paste-ups across Shreveport Common during UnScene on Sat, Dec 14

Street art project by photographer JR, Rothschild Tents camp, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2/9/2011.

French street artist JR is the person who initiated the Inside Out experience. His blow-ups of street portraits led to the Inside Out photo enlargement truck that will visit Shreveport for the Dec 14 UnScene.

In 2011 JR won the TED (technology entertainment design) Prize. In his TED talk he outlines his lovely plan.

See more at UnScene Shreveport.

Stage Center production of Disney musical, "Tarzan," opens Thurs, Dec 5, at Emmett Hook Center, downtown Shreveport

Disney's Tarzan; Stage Center, Shreveport

Tarzan is the stage musical based on Disney’s animated musical and “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs, says Jared Watson. Stage Center’s Tarzan is directed by Jared Watson with choreography by Katie Dupont and musical direction by Seth Taylor. Luke Sexton is the stunt coordinator and Foy is providing the flying effects. FLEXTIX, the Stage Center membership plan, is now available for the entire 2014 season and starts at $75.00.

Cast: Zac Rowe, Maddisdon Gilcrease, Barbara Holmes, Cordara Newson, David Bieler, Luke Sexton, Robert Lawrence, Kent Jude Bernard, Delia Caldwell, Cameron Cason, Katie Dupont, Kaelon Gerard, Cody Griffin, Isaiah Aaron Jones, Tamara Mayer, Joshua Myers,John Peyton Pou, Nia Savoy and Saudia Scott.

Thursdays, December 5 & 12 @ 7:30PM Fridays, December 6 & 13 @ 7:30PM Saturdays, December 7 & 14 @ 2:00PM & 7:30PM **NOTE – There are no Sunday performances for any shows in our 2014 season.

StageCenterLA.com | 318.218.9978

All performances at Emmett Hook Center – 550 Common St., Downton S’port

Tickets: $20.00 – Adults $18.00 – Seniors/Students $15.00 – Kids

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Paintings, prints, food and music: Highland Open Studios Tour on Sun, Dec 1, 11 am to 4 pm

Highland Art Tour, Shreveport

436 Topeka St.
- Su Stella and Curt Harville- glass & iron items, paintings & jewelry & dog items by Kerstie Harville. Mixed media by Lisa Giblin. Jewelry by Rena, Sherry Tamburo with sustainable pieces of art from nature, swags & wreaths with a culinary theme.

309 Merrick Street.
Hand-thrown art pottery and functional pieces by Nancy Ferrari. Handmade bead jewelry. Walk up the driveway to back screened-in porch to see Nancy’s display.

537 Merrick St.
-Jen Courtney and Jaime Leighann Baker featuring photography specializing in maternity, birth, and newborn. Body casting, henna, fertility-tracking jewelry, and custom-mixed herbal remedies for pregnancy and postpartum.

240 Topeka St.
-Andrew Parsons featuring food, artists and music. Artists include Ester Parsons , a watercolorist from Palmetto, Fla., woodcraft by Bryan Gandy, Temple Garden Bonsais by Robert Specian. Kirk Headrick with large windchimes & Bayou Gypsy Art. New series paintings by Andrew Joseph Cariere, Jr. Enjoy live music by Dickey B and the Topeka St. Ramblers featuring Beto Angle & Taylor Rust. Awesome foods from Go Greenly & Lagniappe Foods. Bring Christmas money!

1107 Rendall Street
- Artist Mocha Blue Blaze paintings, hand-crafted jewelry, bath and body products, incense, CDs of original music and poetry, baked goods and warm drinks, live music and more.

1173 Louisiana Ave.-
Blue Southern Comfort Foods hamburgers & drinks. Tracy McComic- Wired & Sassy Artisan Jewelry & paintings. Marijo Brown- recycled, repurposed and upcycled art and furniture, Rachael Welch-organic & natural body rubs and bath salts, Ellen Fontenot’s paintings, beaded hairpins and earrings.

424 Dalzell St.
- Karen LaBeau- paintings and cards. Get a free gift from Karen with a purchase from her over $15. Marci Gatlin-Hicks - Christmas ornaments, cards & pendant necklaces. Evan Betrand on acoustic guitar.

118 East Jordan
-Paintings, mixed media and prints by Jeormie & Carrie Journell

627 Rutherford St.
-The home of Matthew & Lisa Linn. Radishes, oak trees & art, but not necessarily in that order!

829 Kirby St.
Wendy Tisdale original jewelry, painted furniture, digital art prints, handmade ornaments. Dorothy Kristen Hanna- art for sale. Jay Marks- wire sculpture. $2 raffle tickets for a one-hour massage (all proceeds go to Robinson’s Rescue spay & neuter clinic) and $10 off massage gift certificates.

1156 Stephens St.
Casa Eclectic- the home of designer Myron Griffing. Enjoy beautiful home décor, paintings by Brett Malone and prints of pen and ink drawings by Robert Trudeau.

See more at restorehighland.org.