Roaring 20's Benefit for the Strand Theater Fri, Sept 16

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Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Stranded in Time – A Bootleg Birthday Bash is Friday, September 16 from 7 until 11, at the baroque downtown fun center called the Strand Theater.

Tickets are $100, says Penne Mobley; the theme is the “roaring 20s.” Music will come from the Harmon Drew Super Group. Superior Steakhouse and Ernest’s New Orleans Restaurant and Bon Appetit wil make sure there is a roaring supper. Auction items will include signed posters of past shows and architectural renderings of the Strand, pre-construction.

Subterranean tours are $25 extra and worth it, says Danny Fogger - you shall see the sanctuary called the Gentleman’s smoking room. Booze will be served from bathtubs. The Strand's Andrea promises, additionally, "a lot of unannounced, fun, crazy stuff." See more at the Strand's web site.

Monjunis gets plaudits at new site: Shreveportreviewer.com

MonjunisOur1000thVisit

If you're like us you love to evaluate the deliciousness of meals. We are quick to judge and measure and discuss our restaurant fare. After all, for years I was in and out of New Orleans, a city where people love food and are quick to analyze it. Also, I was a waiter in Shreveport - Fertitta's L'Italy, Fertitta's Central Station and Sleepy's. Additionally, I once wrote the restaurant review column for the Shreveport Journal.

Thus I'm happy to see a new local site devoted to restaurant evaluation: Shreveportreviewer.com.

It was founded by a fellow who has asked me not to use his name: "The reason I'd like to remain anonymous to the rest of the world is so no one knows when they're being reviewed. I actually haven't started leaving a note for my servers yet, but I do plan to start soon. I will only do it when I'm not paying with plastic, though, so no one can put a face with a name."

His sense of caution may be a bit over-wrought but
I think the site has terrific utility and will be helpful to the dining scene. There's a forum for negative reviews and one for the positive. So far I happen to agree with most of the reviews posted, such as IHOP and On the Border, annh, and Monjuni's and Carrabba's, yay.

Gypsy Mountain playing Red River Entertainment District Fri, Aug 12, 8:30 pm

Gypsy MountainRedRiverDistrict

Will Maranto writes from atop a nearby peak, "The Gypsy Mountain Brotherhood will be performing on the Red River District Stage Friday Night, Aug. 12, from, I believe, 8:30-12:30. We've got a new PA that I'm dying to try out. The sound should be nice and warm. We would love to see any and all."

Their new CD got a positive review at SptBlog.

Guitarists aged 6 through 21 are invited to compete via Tipitina's Co-op and the James Burton Intl Guitar Fest

JettTrudeauAge9ActuallyPianist

The James Burton International Guitar Festival and Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op are holding a talent competition for guitar players ages 6 through
21, says Tip's guitar slinger Dan Garner. Winners will receive a free recording session at Odyssey Sound Lab produced by James Burton, a free year-long membership at Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op, and other pow prizes.

The competition is open to all guitarists, acoustic or electric, in any style, says Garner.

Auditions will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 13th and 14th, from noon to 6 PM, at Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op, 700 Texas Street in Shreveport, right next to Artspace, says Tip's other guitarist, Todd Souvignier.

Players selected from the auditions will compete onstage at the Expo Hall during the James Burton International Guitar Festival.

Elementary school players will perform on Friday, August 19; Junior High guitarists on Saturday the 20th; High Schoolers and older will play on Sunday August 21st. One winner will be selected from each age group for a total of four grand prize winners. Call (318) 934-0000 for more information, email
dan@tipitinas.com or visit TipsCo-opShreveport.

Dirtfoot and the Dimestore Troubadours at Lil Joes Fri, Aug 12

DirtfootLilJoesAug 12

Time travel sideways with the cinematic Dirtfoot at Lil Joes Friday, Aug 12, about 10 pm. Opening is a gravelly-voiced coffee house duo from New Orleans called Dimestore Troubadours.

Dirtfoot has a new percussionist, says lead singer Matt Hazelton. The new beard in the lineup calls himself the Dirtfoot "pots and pansist." He is Aaron Butler, Centenary music school drummer and student of all the percussive and musical arts. Butler is the new drummer for experimentalist noise rockers Red Shift.

Butler is also a Photoshopper and capable graphic designer. This piece is illustrated with his Dirtfoot flyer.

Leland Strebeck's Screaming Strange Somethings at the NWLaArtGallery.com show, Artspace

LelandStrebeck'sScreamingStrangeSomethingsArtspace

At the Second Annual Physical Manifestation of artists who are part of Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery.com, this was a much-discussed piece: Leland Strebeck's Screaming Strange Somethings. There are nine small paintings hanging on their own furry background. At $200, it is a wholesale price and a terrific gift for a 20-something. Strebeck is capable, productive and growing in vision. He's quite a collectable artist, notes Michael Harold.

See some 30 paintings and multi-media pieces in the beautifully-lighted upstairs room at Artspace, recently converted to gallery space.

Already sold are pieces by Rachel Stuart-Haas, Noma Fowler-Sandlin and Sandi K. Connolls, says Artspace.


More info: 673-6535.

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra tickets on sale for " The Voyage" season; call 227-TUNE

Marianne Comegys and Scott Green, SSO

Scott Green, executive director of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, says ticket sellers will ring you soon to invite you to purchase season tickets for the SSO 2005-06 season.

The SSO recently announced that the year-long, international search for a music director has brought young maestro Michael Butterman to the orchestra.

Please see Jennifer Flowers' story on the globe-trotting Butterman and the SSO.

Learn more about the orchestra at shreveportsymphony.com.

Delta blues, deftly picked and sung: Brian Martin at Lil Joes, Mon, Aug 8, 8 pm

BrianMartinLilJoes

Matt Crowson writes that "Friday night's house party and Shreveport introduction to Brian Martin's music went so damn well that he is playing Mon, Aug 8, at Lil Joes. The show will go from 8 pm - 11 pm with a $3.00 cover charge."

"Brian will be doing his one man show of Delta Blues. I have yet to hear a discouraging word about his performance this past Friday night at the house party so I can promise you, without a shadow of a doubt - if you know good music - you will love Brian's performance."

See and hear this high-resolution Americana at brianmartinmusic.com.

Sadly, his Lil Joe's show is for ages 21 and up.

The Big Positive: melodies and harmonies all over the map / Songwriters' Open Mic on Mon at Holiday Inn Downtown and Thurs at 516 Soundstage

BigPositiveShreveport

The Big Positive, a preternaturally-gifted singing, rockin' trio, admits that "ELO, Ben Folds, and Modest Mouse had a baby and named it The Big Positive."

Their bio, found with their gorgeous music on the band's site, myspace.com/thebigpositive, states bluntly , "john, michael, jordan. three guys born and raised in the city of shreveport lousiana, a sad shadow of its southern brothers, empty, barren."

With bravado they continue, "john writes the songs mainly under the influence of drugs and unconciousness, submits them to bass player jordan and white drummer michael. an original set-list of 11."

They record their vocals and guitars in their Beatlesque arrangements at Michael Stephens' house, says bassist Jordan West, on a PC. They use Cubase software.

John Martin, the songwriter, gets credit for "vocals, keys, voice synths and Trick Spin Champ," on their myspace site. Stephens is the drummer. All sing. "We just have the music gene, I guess," said West when asked how they developed their harmonies. "It just comes to us."

Dan Garner, Tipitina's S'port guru and co-host, with singer-dancer Heather Romero, of Songwriters' Open Mic Night, says "One night these 3 guys were in the back of the room at Songwriter's night and finally asked to perform. They looked entirely disreputable. When they asked if they could borrow my guitar, I had to think about it. But they were great."

West says they are not long for Shreveport. He's headed to LSU soon and when John Martin clears out of BPCC they will probably relocate to a place with a bigger audience for original music.

For the moment, however, they may be found at Songwriter's Open Mic at Holiday Inn Downtown on Mondays and at 516 Soundstage on Thursdays.

More info from Garner at Tip's: 934-0000.

James Burton invites guitaristas to Shreveport Fri, Aug 19, to Sun, Aug 21

HometownHeroJamesBurton

Guitar slingers in the Bayou State have been buzzing all summer about a monster jam in Shreveport, one to be hosted by rock legend James Burton (Elvis' TCB Band, EmmyLou Harris, Dylan, Shindig, Ozzie and Harriet Show, etc.).

To be held in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium, once home of the Louisiana Hayride, the show will be held Sat., Aug 20. Guests include icons such as Brad Paisley, Sonny Landreth, Eric Johnson, Johnny Rivers, Steve Wariner, Johnny Hiland, the Nelson Brothers, Jeff Cook from Alabama, Jeff Baxter, Seymour Duncan, Steve Luthaker from Toto, Johnny A. Doyle Dykes, Greg Koch, Roscoe Beck, Dr. John, Steve Cropper, Dickie Betts of Allman Brothers and movie star Steven Seagal.

A guitar gear trade show will run from Aug 19 to 21 in the riverfront Expo Hall. There will be a free admission Blowout Under the Bridge on Friday, Aug 19. More info: JamesBurtonMusic.com


Have you ever heard Burton play live? You have undoubtedly heard him on record, since he is one of the world's record session lions. Jamming at the Revel one year he gave us a brief but breathtaking solo. And when Dylan played the Municipal Auditorium a few years ago Burton joined Dylan for a song or two, and to pleasant effect.

Lately he's been slipping into Lil Joes in the wee hours, I've been told, soaking up attitude from the alternative acts criss-crossing the country. Evidently he has little patience with the music of his past and craves the energy he hears in the untamed young players.

Right on, sir!

Outlaw Nation at Mia's on Market St Fri, Aug 5, 9 pm

OutlawNationMia'sFri

Outlaw Nation is one of the hardest working bands in the region. If it isn't Christian Simeon, guitarist-singer, making a solo appearance, then it's the whole trio playing venues from A to Z. Outlaw Nation music has some novelty value in that they do alt country tunes even though their deep background is jazz, funk and reggae. But basically they're entertainers and they will perform " rock, funk, reggae, dancehall and everything in between." They're working on a new video. Their CD, Tripping Wire, has been favorably reviewed by New Orleans Offbeat monthly.
See them Friday at Mia's, the former Mama Mia's, 2109 Market St. More info: 221-1958.

Ofrendas proposals - Atchison encourages artists with one-week extension of deadline for Dia De Los Muertos proposals

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Originally uploaded by trudeau.

"There will be a one-week extension of the deadline for ofrendas proposals," said Shreveport Regional Arts Council bota Pam Atchison after hearing from several artists and Dia De Los Muertos planning committee members.

"Also, submissions of Samples of Work can be made by disk, by digital images, not solely by slides," Atchison continued. "It was a misprint to say that samples of Work could Only be submitted by slides."

That being said, creative types might bite into the SRAC Call to Artists for Dia De Los Muertos with a fresh lime between their teeth. The new deadline would thus be Friday, Aug 12.

Please see the earlier Dia post.

Minister Francis Drew's work online at NwLaArtGallery.com

MinisterFrancesDrew JesusDescentIntoHell

Francis Drew is a marvelous woman of art and mysticism. She paints like a devil while testifying to Jesus.

Some years ago I took a visiting French exchange student to see Drew at her painting-filled house. Not only did Drew give a vivid interview, she gave the French girl a small and lovely oil painting as a gift.

Drew, who is also a singer-composer, is looking for recording equipment. If you've got some dust-collecting gear to give away, leave a message for her at Artspace, 675-6535. See Drew's latest work online at NorthwestLaArtGallery.com.

Michael G Moore: Viciosos / Artspace Nwlaag exhibit / reception Th, Aug 4, 7 pm

MichaelGMooreViciosos/ArtspaceNwlaagExhibit

Michael G Moore has risen to prominence in the arts scene partly by his powerful website, NWLaArtGallery.com, and by his curatorships at Prima Tazza, Turner Art Center, LSUS Gallery, Magale Library Gallery, etc.

Nonetheless Michael remains a painter-sculptor of passion, style and considerable output. Here is one of his new pieces, Viciosos. It goes on display Artspace/Coolspace tonight, Thur, Aug 4, at a reception for the almost 40 artists who are part of NwLaArtGallery's Second Annual Physical Manifestation show.

The melee, 7 to 9 pm, is open to all. Info: 673-6535.

Artist proposals for Dia De Los Muertos: see Shrevearts.org

Dia artists will present interpretations of ofrendas

Artists who want to make ofrendas for the exhibition grande at Artspace, Dia De Los Muertos, should see the SRAC call to artists at Shrevearts.org.

Las ofrendas are not a familiar form to gringo artists. A Yahoo or Google image search is a good way for artists to find out what they are and how they would make one.

"These ofrendas need not be copies of the Mexican form," says SRAC honcho Pam Atchison. "We want artists to construct an installation that is interpretive."

The SRAC material has a list of Dia websites ready to be clicked. These sites will quickly hip you to the art, philosophy and practice of the Day of the Dead.

Artists, artisans and those who love Mexican culture should take the time to read the Call to Artists. There are subsidies for artwork, numerous projects besides the ofrendas and classes to be considered.

Experimental, electronic music by JB23, AKA Robbie Cluck, at Artspace, Fri, Aug 5, 9 - 11 pm

RobbieCluckJB23Electronica

JB23, aka poet-singer-musician Robbie Cluck, will perform experimental, electronic music at artspace on Friday, August 5, from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.

JB23 combines found instruments like tape recorders, toy keyboards and radios with digital signal processing and computer synthesis to create original compositions, according to his bio. JB23 is "the creative media by which the artist attempts to paint a soundscape, transporting the listener, taking them on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world of dead machinery and haunting radio transmissions plucked from the ether.”

JB23 has been called “meditative”, “surreal,” and “haunting."

Admission: $5.

Artspace: 673-6535.

Gentlemen's Cooking Classic benefit for Southern U Spt Foundation to feature Iron Chef Jeremy Gilbert, artist in kitchen and at canvas

PompanoChefPainterJeremyGilbert

Among the culinary stars being featured at the Gentlemen's Cooking Classic benefit - Southern Univ at S'pt Foundation - at Expo Hall Saturday night is the seafood chef for the Cambridge Club, Jeremy Gilbert. The Times' Tim Greening wrote about Gilbert in its story on the Iron Chef competition, a feature added to the Classic this year by foundation director Felecia Williams-Scott and husband Jerry Scott.

Few know about the other side of Gilbert's life; he is a painter of growing skill and accomplishment.

Gilbert told me, "As far back as I can remember, I've always drawn. It started like with most children. Simple line drawings and such. Slowly I began incorporating elements of perspective, proportion, and shading, but I've always been afraid of color. The use of color was always something I considered to be out of my reach, since I marveled at the Renaissance painters and their brilliant understanding of it. It wasn't until the Fall of 2003, when I returned from a year and a half break from school, that I began painting in a class. It wasn't so much of what I learned in the class but simply the opportunity and responsibility to paint for assignments. My first piece was an absolute disaster. The second piece however, after hours upon layers of paint, I began seeing on canvas what I saw in my head. After that, the act of painting has become more mechanical, but the planning has become more complex."

"With my background and love of the culinary arts, I began painting subject matter that was related to my occupation as a chef. The theme of fish became reoccuring, as I had fresh subject matter delivered weekly to be butchered."

"Since I began painting however, I've lost the infatuation with the realists and have fallen in love with artists such as Gustav Klimt and Edward Hopper. I hope to become less objective in my future experience with art in general."

Reception at Columbia Cafe Sun, Aug 7, 5 pm, opens show of paintings by Dennis O Bryant

2005-7-10 The Artist, His Muses with Red / Dennis O Bryant

Fresh paintings from award-winning painter Dennis O Bryant are being hung at Columbia Cafe, says Matthew Linn. There will be a party in honor of O Bryant's show Sunday, Aug 7, from 5 to 7 pm.

Originally a Shreveporter, O Bryant lives in not-too-distant exile: Marshall, TX. One of his paintings and a sculpture were recently juried into a Longview Museum of Fine Art exhibit.

He calls the show cada otra, and explains "cada otra in espanol is 'each another.' But it could be translated 'every other (one).'"

See more on O Bryant in recent posts at Spt Blogspot.

Party at Artspace Thur, Aug, 4, 7 to 9 pm, to open the Second Annual Physical Manifestation of the online NWLaArtGallery.com

LisaSmithTheBeakDoctor

Party with the friends and enemies of 34 top regional artists at Artspace Thursday night, Aug 4, from 7 to 9 pm. The occasion is the Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery’s Second Annual Physical Manifestation.


Michael G. Moore, the brain and heart behind NorthwestLouisianaArtGallery.com, has curated the show, which features works by 34 visual artists, plus performance, literary and multimedia artists.

Music by DJ Jalapeno will put some chili & ciliantro on the event, says Mimsy Borogroves.


Ms. B also writes "coolspace, the versatile, moving area of artspace created for the use of regional artists, will this time present on the second floor of the multi-use art center, as the building makes its transition from The Art of Robots Exhibit to one based on the Dia de los Muertos celebrations of Mexico."


How many of these perpetrators do you know? Here's the lineup: Vivian Ogea Allen, Joanna Ballard, Mark Charleville, Liz Christler-Stacy, Carlos Colon, Sandi K. Connolls, Johnna Crider, John Dellenger, Denise Peske Dews, Dorthinia, Minister Frances Louise Drew, Stanton Dossett III, Alan Dyson, Debbie Buchanan Engle, Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Cookie Garner, Dan Garner, Bill Gingles, Micah Harold, Michael Harold, Randy Hedgecock, Martha Kostiouk Hollier, Ray Holt, Mary Sorrows Hughes, Neil Johnson, Dawn Marie Landrum, Loridana, Robert Moe, Michael G. Moore, Lenora Nazworth, David Nelson, Jody Raney, Tony Reans, Pearl Serbanic, Lisa Smith, Leland Strebeck, Rachel Stuart-Haas, Joanna Tagert, Henry Turner, Jr. and Flavor, Jen Wasson, Danny J. Williams, and Jerry Wray.


More info: visit NorthwestLouisianaArtGallery.com. For more information about coolspace, artspace, or the upcoming exhibitions, please call artspace at 673-6535 or the Shreveport Regional Arts Council at 673-6500. artspace and coolspace are projects of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, says SRAC officer Freda Powell.

Young painter Jake Dement: solo exhibit at Prima Tazza

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Northwest Louisiana Art Gallery and Prima Tazza present “Drops of Wisdom,” the visual art of Jake Dement. Jake creates colorful acrylic paintings on canvas, says curator Michael G Moore. “Drops of Wisdom” features new work created in late 2004 through the first 6 months of 2005.

Jake says of his work: "The evolution of my work has strengthened since I first started painting. I feel a very strong connection with what I am doing now because I feel these pieces are created from my sole. I have been fortunate that I am able to step outside of myself and let the spirit carry me through the completion of my paintings. It is hard for me to take credit for what I do. The feeling of being guided by a higher power is so strong that I often feel I have little to do with how my work is brought forward. Continuing to do my art is a gift from God, and in creating my work I feel I have a place in this world that God has chosen for me."

Jake's work can be viewed online at NorthLouisianaArtGallery.com.

“Drops of Wisdom” will run from Monday, August 1st through Friday, September 9th.

A reception for the artist will be thrown on Friday, August 5 from 5-7 PM at Prima Tazza, 8835 Line Avenue at 3132, and is open to the various and sundry. Call Carey Johnston at Prima Tazza, 318-550-0174, for more details.

Louisiana singers and musicians: send CD's to KSCL

SaraHebertKSCL

Sara Hebert is a Cajun lass/media maven who is station manager at Centenary College's KSCL 91.3 FM. She writes "I'm on a bit of a mission."

"We've received submissions from local bands sporadically throughout my time with KSCL; however, I'm interested in doing a show in the fall
semester highlighting local music. Local in this context, being quite a broad term, translating to all of Louisiana."

"So here's a call for all you Louisiana Bands out there! Please send me a cd/demo tape/whatever you've got your stuff recorded on / via snail-mail to:

Sara Hebert
Local Music Spotlight
C/O KSCL 91.3 FM
2911 Centenary Blvd.
Shreveport, LA 71104.

Please do not email me mp3 submissions. I need a physical copy sent from you or a representative for licensing reasons, etc. Please also
provide an email contact for your band. Also please check your music for explicit content and make a note of it. This will help me find a track that I can play on air!"

PS: Hebert says she'll return to Spt in mid August. Until then, email is the way to reach her. Try theenchantingsarahebert@gmail.com

Burning Spear gang singing at Artspace, Sun, July 17, 6 to 9 pm

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The Burning Spear was a little Caribbean eatery on Wall Street, explains downtown correspondent Mimsy Borogroves. The business belonged to Gordon Nurse, a Shreveporter originally from Trinidad, who cooked up the best Jerk Chicken you ever tasted, she remembers. And played a steel drum when the moment was right. On Sundays, the Burning Spear became home to songwriters and poets waiting their turn at the open mic. Alan Dyson hosted; Gordon cooked and mixed drinks until such time he could join in on his pan.
On Sunday, July 17, artspace will host a Burning Spear “Revival.” The players from the foliant days of the defunct establishment will reunite to strum and sing.


Joining Alan Dyson and Gordon Nurse for this event are Michael Reed Barker, Amelia Blake, “Dirty Redd” Crenshaw, Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Scott Griffin, Hip & Melissa, Blue Martin, Heather Romero, Michael Westbrook, Greg Williams and others.

To recapture as much of the historic atmosphere as possible, artspace is remaining open later than their regular Sunday schedule for this show. The show begins early, at 6 p.m. and will go until 9 p.m. Unfortunately, the Jerk Chicken won’t be available, but there is a café on premises. Admission for the show is $5. artspace is located at 710 Texas Street in the West Edge Arts District of downtown Shreveport. For more information, call 673-6535.

Online site reviving Shreveport Historic Preservation Society

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"There's a new initiative to establish a Shreveport Historic Preservation Society," says Charles Smith of Agenda Video and Creative media Services.


"Right now the group is getting organized and establishing itself as a 501c. Meetings are every two weeks and there is a growing interest. One of the big things the group wants to do is to be a resource for those interested in rehabilitating older buildings, particularly in the downtown area."


Here's the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shreveporthistoricpreservation/.

"Membership to the group is FREE and there's no obligation to do anything," promises Smith. "However; we hope more people will participate on some level at some point. In the meantime, for anyone interested in local historic
preservation, this will be the site to check out."

Yeero Yeero: a temple to Greek cuisine on a Youree Drive acropolis

YeeroYeeroJett

One of SptBlog's first posts was about inhaling the food at Yeero-Yeero. We go often, and it has not failed us.

We ate meatball pannini and chicken fajitas and Greek salad and pita with zatziki recently. The food was tender and hot, served capably and redolent of the Mediterranean. And even inexpensive.

Nine year-old Jett decided to have Greek soul food: pastichio. Though I've never been a fan of the dish, more or less a Greek lasagna, this one was creamy and sweet. And it stood the test of take-home: the next day the ingredients tasted top notch.

In a web search on Yeero Yeero I found young Heather Keys' charming site. She's an artist and talented cartoonist. In her blog she wrote " Tonight I went to Yeero Yeero for the first time, (even though I've passed the place a lot in the past, this was the first time I've actually tasted the food). It was very delicious, but more interesting was the decor on the inside. My entire family agreed that this restaurant was having an identity crisis. The outside is white plaster and bright paint, with a drive-through window. The inside is high wooden chairs and marble top tables with small tea lights to eat by. Grecian busts and urns are up on high plaster valences, and they serve your foil-wrapped food over gold-lacquered charger plates. What an oddity! Is this a fast food place, or a sit-down restaurant? Either way, I loved my gyro."

That's a fluent post from a precocious student and I think fans of Thanassos' cooking and decor will appreciate her wonderment.

Evaluate Thanassos' gyros and lots more at 4511 Youree Dr, Shreveport, 71105 - (318) 219-0027. And I will be zatzikied if you post your favorite Yeero items in the Comments section below.

Honk Tonk Angels rockin at Shreveport Little Theater

HonkTonkAngelsShreveportLittleTheater

Honky Tonk Angels is a Shreveport Little Theater country music-based evening currently packing them in at the Margaret Place theater, says guest director Janice Nelson.


The musical review features Shae Carson as Angela-a wife and mother of two from Texas, Jennifer Jackson as Darlene-a young woman from the hills of West Virginia and Mandy Perdue as Sue Ellen-a divorcee and career woman from Los Angeles. Guest director is Janice Nelson. D.J. Harman is musical director/piano. Band members are Chris Allen, bass guitar, Mark Eubanks, drums, Darren Thorne, lead guitar, Tim Nicholson, fiddle and Pat Smith, steel guitar. Others in the production crew include Mike Jarrett, set construction, David White, light design, Jenifer Akers, stage manager, Jack Shields, sound engineer, Laura Wolfe, light board operator, Briggs Mobley and Alex Akers, spotlight operators.

SLT has added one additional performance date to Honky Tonk, which is a musical comedy by Ted Swindley, the author of Always…Patsy Cline. The additional performance date is Thursday July 21, 2005 at 8:00 PM. Remaining previously announced dates are July 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 2005 at 8:00 PM and July 10, 17, 24, 2005 at 2:00 PM.

All tickets are $20 and are on sale now. For reservations call the box office at 318-424-4439. The box office is open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekdays. Box office reopens one hour prior to curtain on performance days.

Singin in the Rain dress rehearsal at First United Methodist Performing Arts Center: "It's a great production"

SingintheRainPhotoTalbotHopkinsTrudeau

"Loren Demerath can dance, sing, act; he can do it all," said local theater enthusiast Talbot Hopkins Trudeau after watching the dress rehearsal of Singin in the Rain at Performing Arts Center. "And Anna Maria Sparke Keel is really, really good at musicals," she observed. "So is Trey Jackson!"

The PAC production of Singin in the Rain is based on the MGM film. This version, with a cast of over 30 players, is directed by Ryan Williams. Choreography is by Ginger Folmer. The musical conductor is Will Andress. There's a 16-piece orchestra in the pit and many of the players are members of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

The Singin producer is Will Andress. Technical design - it's Hollywood, 1927 - is by Josh Porter. Stage managers are Leia Robichaux and Laura Beeman.

Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm, says Kass Gray.

At this point in the summer, local theater is popping. The PAC program was generous in printing the box office numbers of what you might call their competition, MLP and SLT. Yet it's apparent that each production has its own niche.

Comedy of Errors and Macbeth are unfolding at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse: 869-5242. And Honky Tonk Angels is rocking at Shreveport Little Theater:
424-4439.

Scan the city for incidents: Brodsky's IncidentLog.com combines police and fire dept feeds with Google maps

IncidentLog.comScottBrodsky

Scott Brodsky has delivered one killer app, as we say, in an online service. It's called Incidentlog.com.

He has combined data from Shreveport's police department and fire department with Google maps to give viewers a fascinating look at what's happening across town.

"The Shreveport feeds are refreshed hourly," says Brodsky. " Users can also search by street and setup alerts to be notified when events happen on streets they wish to monitor."

What's the origin of this astouding service? Brodsky says "Incidentlog.com was formed in February '05 as a hobby and currently has a database of over one million incidents and has over 50 national feeds continuously updated to a central database. Future additions will include city-based RSS police/fire/911 feeds, and radius-searching. Thanks!"

Burning Spear revival at Artspace, Sun, July 17, 6 to 9 pm; features a 50-gallon drumful of performers

GordonNurseScottGriffin

The Burning Spear Revival is to be a celebration of the original poetry, song, food and fellowship of The Burning Spear Cafe, once located at 205 Wall Street near Stoner and Marshall streets, says Artspace.

Hosted by Gordon Nurse and Alan Dyson, it will take place Sunday, July 17th, from 6-9 pm, at
Artspace, 710 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

Dyson notes, "The Spear became, for a time, a pregnant environment for emerging songwriters, poets, and performance artists. Many moved from cutting their artistic teeth to become some of the area's strongest and most prolific artists."

Dyson continues, impassionedly, "It was a time of artistic experimentation, great Caribbean cuisine, and good clean fun! It was marked by multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-disciplinary harmony. Just what the world should be."

Featuring:
Amelia Blake
Michael Barker
Michael Reed Barker
Greg Williams
Dirty Red
Pat McCoy
Noma Fowler-Sandlin
Hip
Melissa
Karl Leach
Heather Romero
Blue Martin
Michael Westbrook
Scott Griffin
Gordon Nurse
Alan Dyson
and more.

$5.00 admission

Synthesis at Artspace: the Dia de Los Muertos Robot by Michael Neal Phillips

DiaRobotMichaelNealPhillips

If you take your kids to Artspace to enjoy art projects, one of the professionals you'll encounter is the painter-sculptor Michael Neal Phillips. He seems to be making the transition between the Robots exhibit and the coming Dia de Los Muertos show with this piece.

Like the kids, he sat on the floor with colored chalk and brown paper to fashion this graceful piece. SRAC's Sharon Bennett told me that "Michael had one of the 'cadets' pose for the outline of the figure. It is a model for one of the projects that will be done during DIA."

New fountain and food review for Matthew Linn's Columbia Cafe

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Columbia Cafe owner Matthew Linn is happy about two things this month: the completion of the fountain designed and fabricated by Leonard Service, and a positive food review by New Orleans food writer Robert D Peyton. The Crescent City blogger compares Columbia to Upperline and Clancy's, at least in its appearance. He loved the haddock and beers, among several items.

Linn is flagging his live Brazilian flamenco music on Tuesdays, pianist Lisa Daye Wednesdays, Christian Simeon on guitar Thursdays and piano player Drew Ley on the weekend. There is a lengthy happy hour - 2 pm to 7 pm - that I've recently heard recommended by an architect and a Centenary professor.

Cooking as art: Pan de Muerto to be part of Artspace show, Dia de Los Muertos

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Dia de Los Muertos, the Artspace celebration being planned by a multi-cultural SRAC panel, will send the bakers to their ovens to make Pan de Muerto. It is a frosted bread and a classic element of Dia partying.

The panel was treated to a taste of pan from the oven of Maria Montano Murphy, a woman born in Guadalahara, in Mexico's state of Jalisco. About her heritage she said, "My cooking pans and even my mom's coffee cup have become part of the Mexican display at the Multi-Cultural center of the South.

The Times has a helpful article about the Multi-Cultural Center of the South, on Travis Street."

More M-CCS info: 424-1380.

Longview Museum of Art includes Dennis O Bryant in Juror's Choice Show

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Dennis O Bryant's painting, Sacrifice With Yellow, and his sculpture, Delicate I, have been accepted by the Longview Musuem of Art for their Juror's Choice show.

O Bryant, once a Shreveporter, lives and works in a historic Marshall, TX, house. He will show work at Columbia Cafe in September and is, he says, rather looking forward to it.

Janet Wolfe: ofrendas to be painted and decorated for Dia de Los Muertos

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Janet and husband Sir Kevin Wolfe are SRAC's production leaders for the transformation of Artspace into a center for celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. She is holding the small model of a monument ofrendas, one type of shrine appropriate to the display. The framework will be painted brightly and decorated with flowers and items symbolic of a beloved relative or friend.

Artists are at work on ofrendas for the Artspace show, which will run from Sept. 9 to Nov. 5, says Pam Atchison, chief of the offenders.

Would you like to participate? Please see more at SptBlog.

New book, local author: Doormats and Control Freaks by Rebekah Lewis

AuthorRebekahLewisWithSonCorey

Doormats & Control Freaks / How to Recognize, Heal or End Codependent Relationships is a new book by Shreveport teacher and writer Rebekah Lewis.

Having taught one of her sons, Corey, this past year, I can vouch for the personal quality of this young author and for the product of her work, her 14 year-old. Lewis holds Master’s degrees in Psychology and Education and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Psychology at Centenary College of Louisiana, says New Horizon Press.

She is currently working on her second book, a chronicle of her experiences teaching in a troubled school.

Informally, she admits that pushing her first book will not be entirely easy. " I am somewhat shy, so getting out there to promote myself and make new friends is difficult for me, but I'm learning."

How dangerous is the practice of blogging?

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20,000 new blogs are created daily, according to Gannett News Service. By the end of the year the blog trackers expect that there will be some 10 million US blogs.

The classic question is, "If everyone's busy posting, then who's reading?" The Pew Internet & Family Life Project - is that an oxymoron? - estimates that some 32 million Americans read blogs, "a 58% jump in 2004."

Warning: Your Blog Could Get You Fired is a Times story from the wire about people getting into inadvertent trouble with their personal blogs vis-a-vis their employers. Sadly enough, I know of 3 local brouhahas of that type in the past 6 months.

SptBlog would like to hear about your blogosphere. Use the Comments or email to tell me about your blogs or your blog consumption.

Chris Alexander opens for Ezeetiger and Le Flange du Mal at Tipitina's Foundation Mon, July 11, 9 pmish

ChrisAlexander

Chris Alexander is a singer and recording maven who has entertained the local troops as St Marvin Cristomas and as singer for SpiderMidgetBitchFrog. He is also a fluent visual artist, as you will see at his whythehellnot.org site.

Soon to release a solo CD called Tracking in Mud, Alexander will play alongside West coast acts Ezeetiger and Le Flange du Mal at the Bat Cave, Tipitina's Foundation, says David Nelson. Read more about the Bay Area artists at KimoSciotic Records. More info: 934-0000.

Black Arts Fest, Milam St side of the Municipal Auditorium: African clothing from Amadou Diallo

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Bags, dresses, jackets, African fabrics, dance costumes: some of the above you will find in the ebullient Amadou Diallo's street boutique at the NW la Black Arts Fest.

What you don't find you may have designed and produced by the Senegalese tailor. His card reads "Master tailor: dialloafricanwf@hotmail.com." This is not the Diallo who caught 41 bullets from NYC police when he reached for his wallet, but the one alive and well in Dallas at 214-202-3738.

For more faces from the 2005 NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest, please see ShreveportTwo.

NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest: singer Neverlyn Townsel and Fellowship Ensemble at 4 pm

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Neverlyn Townsel is a gracious and graceful poet, storyteller and singer. Today at 4 pm she will join Fellowship Ensemble at the Black Arts Fest, Milam St at the Municipal Auditorium, to sing and testify.

The Black Arts Fest is also a place to eat, to enjoy kid entertainment and to stroll among artists' displays. Please see the schedule here.

Numerous names and stories of the fest were captured by writer Mary Jiminez in the Times.

Black Arts Fest continues Sunday, July 10, 1:30 to 8 pm at Municipal Auditorium

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Kumaasi African Ensemble from Dallas enlivened the first day of the NW Louisiana Black Arts Festival. Above, a dancer wipes the head of the kora player, the griot. The fest continues today . . .

1:30 p.m.: Invasion, gospel music.
2:30 p.m.: Inter City Row Cultural Arts Institute, dance.
3 p.m.: New Dimension Brass Quartet, music.
4 p.m.: singer Neverlyn Townsel and the Fellowship Ensemble, music.
5 p.m.: Ena/Meschellaneous, poetry.
5:30 p.m.: G.C.R. Showband, variety music.
Inside the Municipal Auditorium:
8 p.m.: Bobby “Blue” Bland concert, with Freddie Pierson and Intimate Moments and local blues singer Jimmy Lynch. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Mainstage is aside the parking lot between Oakland Cemetary and the Municipal. I highly recommend visits to the fest because Saturday attendance was low and the pace was slow and conversations lovely; it was intimate.

Michael A. Smith, Toothpickman, exhibits at NW La Black Arts Fest Sat & Sun, July 9 & 10

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New Orleanian Michael A. Smith, aka Toothpickman, will present his toothpick-based art at the NW La Black Arts Fest, says producer Bill Scott. Find him in the Municipal Auditorium both Sat and Sun.

Michael and companion are both wearing toothpickman jewelry creations. Please see more at Toothpickman.com.

The witches of Macbeth wail at MLP Sat, July 9, as well as July 21, 23

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The witches emerge as seers and taunters and as estimable forces in Macbeth. In the current MLP production the supernatural trio is led by the tall, articulate and gymnastic Charity Schubert. Her partners are effective, too. They are Joy Guttierez and Christine Fortson.

This modern Macbeth is capably directed by Heather Peak, with light and scenic design by Don Hooper. Fight choregographer is Andy Shaw and vocal coach is Jodie Glorioso.

Tickets: 869-5242. See more info at Centenary.edu/news.

Also, see Times writer Alex Kent's review. In it he asks for readers' comments on the production, which is a precedent-breaking bit of progress at the daily.

At SptBlog we do not allow comments to be made on any artistic matters at any time by anyone. Sorry!

NW La Black Arts Fest Sat and Sun, July 9 & 10; mainstage at corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd

NWLaBlackArtsFest: JimohBuraimohRosieJames

Chief Jimo Buraimoh and Rosie James chatted at a reception for the Nigerian artist on the eve of the NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest. Buraimoh's corful paintings fill Bill Scott's Kuumba Gallery on Texas Street, adjacent to the courthouse.

The fest's musical, dancical mainstage is at the corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. A number of art exhibits and performances will take place in the Municipal Auditorium, says Scott, who is producer - via Achievement Through Art, Inc - of this inaugural event.

Please see more on SptBlog.

Modern Macbeth at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College, July 7 - 9, 21 and 23

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On opening night of MLP's Macbeth, Patrick Kirton, tall and clear of voice, traveled from the place where a man has a conscience to the murderous land that inspires the "sound and fury" soliloquy. It was a convincing journey.

This contemporary production of Macbeth picked up energy by discarding historic accents (admittedly, the lesser players could not hide their Arklatexan accents) and by its contemporary garb (though the use of the Twister game seemed a misstep).

Lady Macbeth is played by the fluent Susan Kirton. The Kirtons are capably aided by Charity Schubert, the most athletic and vivid of the 3 hags.

Director Heather Peak's Macbeth is a study of power mongers and the thrilling, nasty possibilities that lie within their grasp. In her hands Macbeth seems a worthy modern tale. That mood is reinforced by Don Hooper's smartly skeletal set.

Alas that she uses recorded music instead of music made by breathing humans present in the building.

Alas that the uneven quality of the company has to be negotiated by the audience. Happily, a number of the lesser roles are strengthened by yeoman players such as Richard Folmer, Dick King and Haley Young.

This company's Macbeth may not be proclaimed a stellar moment for MLP. Nevertheless I recommend this evening of entertainment. The bracing nature of Shakespeare and the steely risk of live theater presented by competent players is a foil to the petty pace of our lives.

Tickets: 869-5242. And more detail on the production: writer Jennifer Flowers.

Christian Simeon, solo: Columbia Cafe, Th, July 7

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Contending for the regional title of Hardest Working Man In Show Business is Christian Simeon, singer for the band Outlaw Nation as well as a solo act. Catch him on his own Thursday, July 7, at Columbia Cafe, 3030 Creswell, 425-3862. Friday he will return to Moxie Java in Bossier City, 2001 Airline Drive, 752-0560.

See more at Outlawnationmusic.net.

Singin in the Rain opens July 15 at Performing Arts Center / tickets 429-6885

Trey Jackson, Anna Maria Sparke Keele, Loren Demerath

Kass Gray, of the Performing Arts Center, First United Methodist Church, says of Singin in the Rain, " This is the first time this production has appeared in the Shreveport/Bossier area. We expect a sellout."

Box office is open Noon to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday (429-6885). Show dates are July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm and July 17 & 24 @ 2:30 pm.

Thanks to director Ryan Williams for the Jackson/Keele/Demerath photo.

SRAC call to artists: Dia de Los Muertos exhibit proposals due August 5

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Dia de Los Muertos is the fantastical Mexican celebration of All Saints and All Souls called Day of the Dead. Form September 9 to November 5, says Pam Atchison, head of Shreveport regional Arts Council, Artspace will be filled with the art of Dia: ofrendas and happy skeletons made by regional artists.

"Artists should make a quick response to us," says Atchison about the Dia proposals. See the apps at Shrevearts.org. More info: 673-6500.

The illustration comes from Nancy Walkup's (formerly Nancy Reynolds) extensive collection. See one of her Dia summaries and lessons at the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts.

Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport; site of Louisiana Hayride / NW la Black Arts Fest July 9 and 10 / photo Neil Johnson

Municipal Auditorium/photoNeilJohnson

Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, the NW Louisiana Black Arts Fest will use parts of the venerable Municipal Auditorium.

The panoramic photo comes from Neil Johnson with the notation that the dressing room on the left was used by Elvis.

The Memphian appeared on the Louisiana Hayride on 52 occasions between 16 October, 1954 and 15 December, 1956, according to ElvisInfoNet.com. .

Chris Jay, dba King Hippo: final Hippo show at 516 Soundstage Friday, July 8

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Media maven Chris Jay makes music both on record - as part of the Pillage People - and in live, rappin' shows. Calls himself King Hippo. But his Friday night show at 516 Soundstage may be his last, if press wrangler Brett Roman has it right.

Having sniffed the possibility of a Farewell Tour, artspace poetry coordinator Mimsy Borogroves has issued Monsieur Hippo an invitation: "I think King Hippo shouuld come do a reading, sans funky beats." That's an invite to the poetry reading at artspace Thursday, July 7.

Wht'up, Hip, wit' yo' media manipulation tha'ng.

2005 NW Louisiana Black Arts Festival July 9 & 10, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport

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Nigerian artist Jimo Buraimoh, says the October Gallery, is a "highly influential artist whose work developed out of the so-called 'Oshogbo School' and who is important as the first artist to begin to use beads to compose the vibrant colour blocks of his work." Catch Buraimoh at the first NW La Black Arts Fest Saturday and Sunday.

See also dance, poetry, art demonstrations, music ranging from the New Dimensions Brass Quartet (Sun, 3 pm) to a Bobby Blue Bland concert (Sun, 8 pm) at the free festival. Most entertainment will take place at Mainstage, corner of Milam and Elvis Presley Blvd. Displays and artists will be inside the Municipal Auditorium, says producer Bill Scott. There will be a Buraimoh installation at Scott's Kuumba Gallery on Texas St near the courthouse.

The 2-day event is produced by Achievement Through Art, Inc.

516 Soundstage presents: the absurd Vidrines along with ironic King Hippo, sarcastic Mars Vegas and inscrutable Red Shift, Friday, July 8 / all ages

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These unutterably utopian musicians are strapping themselves into wired chairs each evening this week, I'm told by 516 Soundstage owner Mark Goff, getting ready for this show. They are, says the bearish host, charging their credit cards, amping their bivalves and electrolytically primping for the big night.

Please stay tuned for a review of the Vidrines album and more on this show from SptBlog. The poster, by the way, is by Brett Roman, bassist and assistant principal for Mars Vegas.