While the opening of the Clyde Connell show was crowded - some 400 people attended the opening night party - the scene at Artspace is serene during viewing hours.
Some 100 pieces of work by Connell are on display. Upstairs is work by Connell's descendents: Bryan Connell, Bryan Colvin, Dixon Ent, Dr Pat Sewell, Dr Bennett Sewell and Talbot Hopkins.
Artspace hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 710 Texas St.
Free.
(318) 673-6500.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra players vote to strike, says the Times; Orchestra Players United, Opus, offers a concert on Su, Oct 11, at First Baptist
Shreveport's orchestra musicians, worn out by a protracted battle with the Shreveport Symphony board, mutely went into strike mode on Thursday, says the Shreveport Times.
Meanwhile, an alternative symphony is being birthed by the musicians. On Sun, Oct 11, the Opus (Orchestra Players United of Shreveport-Bossier) organization will present a full orchestra concert at First Baptist Church. The performance has been billed as a benefit for hurricane relief in NW La.
The board's attitude seems to be "The money simply isn't there." The musicians' attitude seems to be "You have not effectively searched for the money." Nor has anyone stepped forward to offer the funds or a viable plan to generate orchestra-saving support.
Shreveport's ability to survive and be productive can be measured by the way we approach this phase of the struggle. Instead of antagonistic press releases and a replay of the vituperative remarks anonymously posted on web sites, I propose a change.
A public presentation - online or on TV or radio - of each side's position, followed by mediators' analyses, would be a helpful next step. It would be a bit like a presidential debate. One of the mediators' roles would be to tell the audience what has happened to orchestras in similar circumstances.
At the end of the presentations, however, must come a pitch for money.
Is there any effective way to rebuild the fund that will support a Shreveport-Bossier orchestra?
Meanwhile, an alternative symphony is being birthed by the musicians. On Sun, Oct 11, the Opus (Orchestra Players United of Shreveport-Bossier) organization will present a full orchestra concert at First Baptist Church. The performance has been billed as a benefit for hurricane relief in NW La.
The board's attitude seems to be "The money simply isn't there." The musicians' attitude seems to be "You have not effectively searched for the money." Nor has anyone stepped forward to offer the funds or a viable plan to generate orchestra-saving support.
Shreveport's ability to survive and be productive can be measured by the way we approach this phase of the struggle. Instead of antagonistic press releases and a replay of the vituperative remarks anonymously posted on web sites, I propose a change.
A public presentation - online or on TV or radio - of each side's position, followed by mediators' analyses, would be a helpful next step. It would be a bit like a presidential debate. One of the mediators' roles would be to tell the audience what has happened to orchestras in similar circumstances.
At the end of the presentations, however, must come a pitch for money.
Is there any effective way to rebuild the fund that will support a Shreveport-Bossier orchestra?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Devil Music Ensemble: sonic art to accompany a Chinese martial arts movie Fri, Oct 3, 7 pm, Centenary College
When the Devil Music Ensemble last toured through Shreveport they were accompanying the silent vampire flick Nosferatu. This time their performance will accompany an early Chinese martial arts movie.
The Devils are tight. Each musician plays several instruments and the effect is at times akin to a small orchestra. As needed they rock, they waft, they suspend, they explode. If you are a musical type, I recommend sitting close to the players. To watch them change instruments is a pleasure.
This is a serious touring group: 40 cities in the US and across Europe in the summer. Their fee is being footed by Centenary College.
Michelle Glaros: mglaros@centenary.edu or 869-5264.
The Devils are tight. Each musician plays several instruments and the effect is at times akin to a small orchestra. As needed they rock, they waft, they suspend, they explode. If you are a musical type, I recommend sitting close to the players. To watch them change instruments is a pleasure.
This is a serious touring group: 40 cities in the US and across Europe in the summer. Their fee is being footed by Centenary College.
Michelle Glaros: mglaros@centenary.edu or 869-5264.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Humpfrees owner Gerald Cruz, Sr, passes away in Ft Worth; presented A Train, Johnny Campbell, others to Shreve Square in 70's
Writes Marcie Cruz, "Just thought that I would let you know that Gerald Cruz, Sr. The original owner of Humps in the Square, also helped A Train, Kix Brooks and the late Johnny "Slim" Campbell get their start has died.
Gerald Cruz, Sr. passed away tonight Tuesday, September 30, about 7 pm in Ft. Worth, Texas, with his family and friends beside him.
He loved bringing blues and jazz to Shreveport in the late 70's like Roosevelt Sykes, Room Full of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClenton and so many others. It was probably one of the happiest times in his life."
Thanks to Marcie Cruz, too, for the historic photo above and several more from the 70's.
Gerald Cruz, Sr. passed away tonight Tuesday, September 30, about 7 pm in Ft. Worth, Texas, with his family and friends beside him.
He loved bringing blues and jazz to Shreveport in the late 70's like Roosevelt Sykes, Room Full of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClenton and so many others. It was probably one of the happiest times in his life."
Thanks to Marcie Cruz, too, for the historic photo above and several more from the 70's.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Salt Dreams, a roaring New Orleans-to-Utah documentary by artist JT Nesbitt: Wed, Oct 1, 8 pm, Actor's Cafe
JT Nesbitt is a wild man born and raised in Shreveport but come of age amidst the sweet olive trees of the Vieux Carre of New Orleans. He is a capable painter and a designer par excellence. Yet I think I'd have to state his occupation as conjurer.
The floods of Katrina upended a world of success for Nesbitt that was wrapped around the Confederate Motor Company and a magical-looking motorcycle called the Wraith. In the salty aftermath he founded BIenvillestudios.com. Ostensibly a cycle design shop, it found its life with a big Lincoln sedan salvaged from the flood.
An idea developed: make it into a hot rod capable of making a land speed record run. Take it to the legendary salt flats of Bonneville, Utah. Make a film of the process.
Nesbitt is handsome, persuasive and possessed of a contrarian drive stick. Hunter S Thompson somehow comes to mind.
Those of us who've followed his drama to this point cannot wait to see this entertainment.
Thus David Nelson announces that minicine? will host the Shreveport premiere of the documentary "Salt Dreams" and a live performance by My Graveyard Jaw on Wed Oct. 1, 8PM at the Actors Cafe, 1401 Fairfield Avenue. The tariff of $5 is nothing compared to the adventure to be consumed.
From the offical press release: "Salt Dreams", by Shreveport native J.T. Nesbitt, documents a group of New Orleans friends, who transform a Katrina-flooded, completely destroyed Lincoln Mark VIII into a high performance speed machine and drive it to the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, to set a land speed record. The film chronicles the group's refusal to be defeated by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and their attempt to propel themselves into a positive future.
J.T.Nesbitt, the entire "New Orleans Race Team" and the race car will be present at the screening. Live music following the film will be provided by the New Orleans band, My Graveyard Jaw, featuring Stix du Clown.
www.swampland.org
The floods of Katrina upended a world of success for Nesbitt that was wrapped around the Confederate Motor Company and a magical-looking motorcycle called the Wraith. In the salty aftermath he founded BIenvillestudios.com. Ostensibly a cycle design shop, it found its life with a big Lincoln sedan salvaged from the flood.
An idea developed: make it into a hot rod capable of making a land speed record run. Take it to the legendary salt flats of Bonneville, Utah. Make a film of the process.
Nesbitt is handsome, persuasive and possessed of a contrarian drive stick. Hunter S Thompson somehow comes to mind.
Those of us who've followed his drama to this point cannot wait to see this entertainment.
Thus David Nelson announces that minicine? will host the Shreveport premiere of the documentary "Salt Dreams" and a live performance by My Graveyard Jaw on Wed Oct. 1, 8PM at the Actors Cafe, 1401 Fairfield Avenue. The tariff of $5 is nothing compared to the adventure to be consumed.
From the offical press release: "Salt Dreams", by Shreveport native J.T. Nesbitt, documents a group of New Orleans friends, who transform a Katrina-flooded, completely destroyed Lincoln Mark VIII into a high performance speed machine and drive it to the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, to set a land speed record. The film chronicles the group's refusal to be defeated by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and their attempt to propel themselves into a positive future.
J.T.Nesbitt, the entire "New Orleans Race Team" and the race car will be present at the screening. Live music following the film will be provided by the New Orleans band, My Graveyard Jaw, featuring Stix du Clown.
www.swampland.org
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Review: Subdue your fear of heights alongside Philippe Petit, a Man on Wire in Paris and NYC; see movie at Robinson Film Center
Imagine a top-hatted unicyclist in the traffic alongside the Citroens of Paris. Under his black stovepipe he wears black turtleneck, black bell-bottoms and black ballet flats. Over his should is a stiff coil of rope.
If you were in Paris in the romantic late 60’s you were catching a glimpse of Philippe Petit, a gifted young magician, mime, pickpocket and wire walker.
Though he became a star performer in Paris, Petit’s ambition lay far beyond his home. Being constructed in NYC was a stunning project called the World Trade Center. Petit felt that the WTC would be the ultimate challenge for his unusual skills in wire-walking.
The movie Man On Wire is the 90-minute story of Petit’s struggle to build a team among his freewheeling peers and stage their illegal assault upon the WTC.
It is a well-paced and absorbing movie. Petit, well-preserved and vibrant at age 58, tells the story. He has the footage from France in the 70’s when his conspiracy was set in motion.
It is almost a movie for all ages. There is one quasi-comic but adult scene in which the hero pauses to enjoy one of his many female admirers after his triumph at the WTC.
Man On Wire is a stimulating interchange with a gifted and marvelously wacky fellow. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Robinson Film Center schedule.
If you were in Paris in the romantic late 60’s you were catching a glimpse of Philippe Petit, a gifted young magician, mime, pickpocket and wire walker.
Though he became a star performer in Paris, Petit’s ambition lay far beyond his home. Being constructed in NYC was a stunning project called the World Trade Center. Petit felt that the WTC would be the ultimate challenge for his unusual skills in wire-walking.
The movie Man On Wire is the 90-minute story of Petit’s struggle to build a team among his freewheeling peers and stage their illegal assault upon the WTC.
It is a well-paced and absorbing movie. Petit, well-preserved and vibrant at age 58, tells the story. He has the footage from France in the 70’s when his conspiracy was set in motion.
It is almost a movie for all ages. There is one quasi-comic but adult scene in which the hero pauses to enjoy one of his many female admirers after his triumph at the WTC.
Man On Wire is a stimulating interchange with a gifted and marvelously wacky fellow. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Robinson Film Center schedule.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Kevin Gordon and Paul Griffith return to Jayne Marie on Cross Lake on Sat, Sept 27
Kevin Gordon, guitar, vocals and melodies, and Paul Griffith, drums and background vocals, will anchor against the tides of Cross lake tonight at Jayne Marie. There will be a bassist, too, and it will be a comfortable evening. Griffith is a Centenary grad who, after his years as A Train drummer, made it to Nashville. His podnuh, Mister Gordon, seems to have excaped to Nashville from Monroe.
Griffith's droll blog is at myspace under griftco.
Kevin Gordon, equally wry ("God don't ever change") is also on myspace.
Griffith's droll blog is at myspace under griftco.
Kevin Gordon, equally wry ("God don't ever change") is also on myspace.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Christmas in the Sky model casting call: James Bond brigade, Bond babes, etc, Sat, Dec 13, Harrah's La Downs
James Bond is the esteemed host of the 2008 l'affaire d'enfer called Christmas in the Sky. The Night of Cleavage, as it is affectionately referred to by seamstresses across the city, needs costumed bodies as a backdrop for the guests' be-costumed bodies.
Sky artists have been at work on the designs. Soon they will need the models, says Bonne' Summers.
The cast call will be viewed at Harrah's La Downs - site of XiS - on Sat, Dec 13, all evening: 7 pm to 2 am. In the meantime you may chase a spot in the chorus by ringing Summers at 673-6510.
Sky artists have been at work on the designs. Soon they will need the models, says Bonne' Summers.
The cast call will be viewed at Harrah's La Downs - site of XiS - on Sat, Dec 13, all evening: 7 pm to 2 am. In the meantime you may chase a spot in the chorus by ringing Summers at 673-6510.
BusinessWeek online includes Highland, Shreveport, in a national quest for cool and affordable housing
If you're thinking of buying in Highland, you're part of a trend being promoted by BusinessWeek online. Kathryn Usher was the BusinessWeek respondent for a story on one of those old neighborhoods across the US that may be a bargain, yet. Here's what they've written:
Shreveport, La.
Neighborhood: Highland
The Highland community's wide streets, bicycle lanes, and affordable historic homes make it popular with the jewelry makers, painters, and sculptors who have lived here for years. Many of the houses have detached garages so there's plenty of space for creativity. Shreveport became Louisiana's movie capital after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, and actors, directors, and other industry types have found temporary lodging in Highland, which has also served as a backdrop for some feature films. Nice three-bedroom homes are available for $100,000 or less.
They mis-read her on bike lanes and the first illustration BusinessWeek ran was of Highland in Los Angeles. But the main is solid.
Shreveport, La.
Neighborhood: Highland
The Highland community's wide streets, bicycle lanes, and affordable historic homes make it popular with the jewelry makers, painters, and sculptors who have lived here for years. Many of the houses have detached garages so there's plenty of space for creativity. Shreveport became Louisiana's movie capital after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, and actors, directors, and other industry types have found temporary lodging in Highland, which has also served as a backdrop for some feature films. Nice three-bedroom homes are available for $100,000 or less.
They mis-read her on bike lanes and the first illustration BusinessWeek ran was of Highland in Los Angeles. But the main is solid.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Metamorphoses comes from Broadway to Centenary College; opens Fri, Sept 26
Based on Ovid's transformation myths, Metamorphoses, by Mary Zimmerman, subtly mixes the ancient stories of pathos and tragedy with contemporary language, humor, and thought, all enacted in and around a large pool of water in the center of the stage.
The themes of love, the inevitability of change, and the human ability to adapt to change are timeless, as is amply demonstrated by the sometimes eerie closeness of a vignette to the original lines from Ovid, which still manage to resonate with modern viewers, says Library Journal.
The college's most fluent players anchor the cast: Lorna Dopson, Nate Wasson, Destin Bass. Professor Don Hooper designed the pool.
Directed by Emily Heugatter
Fri, Sept 26, 8 pm
Sat, Sept 27, 8 pm
Sun, Sept 28, 2 pm
Thur, Oct 2, 8 pm
Fri, Oct 3, 8 pm
Sat, Oct 4, 8 pm
Adults $15.00, Sen/Mil/Child $10.00
Box Office opens Fri, Sept 19, and will be open daily between the hours of 12 and 4 pm. Call 318-869-5242 for info.
Poster Nate Wasson.
The themes of love, the inevitability of change, and the human ability to adapt to change are timeless, as is amply demonstrated by the sometimes eerie closeness of a vignette to the original lines from Ovid, which still manage to resonate with modern viewers, says Library Journal.
The college's most fluent players anchor the cast: Lorna Dopson, Nate Wasson, Destin Bass. Professor Don Hooper designed the pool.
Directed by Emily Heugatter
Fri, Sept 26, 8 pm
Sat, Sept 27, 8 pm
Sun, Sept 28, 2 pm
Thur, Oct 2, 8 pm
Fri, Oct 3, 8 pm
Sat, Oct 4, 8 pm
Adults $15.00, Sen/Mil/Child $10.00
Box Office opens Fri, Sept 19, and will be open daily between the hours of 12 and 4 pm. Call 318-869-5242 for info.
Poster Nate Wasson.
Election apathy among the young to be cured by candidates and pizza at Centenary College on Tues, Sept 30, 11 am
Have you thought about who you'll be voting for in the October 4th primary election? So asks Centenary student reporter Nadine Kaskas.
On Tues, Sept 30 at 11 am, College Democrats will present an informal meet and greet with Democratic Congressional candidates Paul Carmouche, John Milkovich, Dr. Artis Cash, and Colonel Willie Banks in the Student Union Building.
Pizza will be provided so make sure to drop by the SUB at 11 am-12:15 pm on Tues, exhorts Kaskas.
For more information on all of the candidates running for the 4th
congressional district and other election information, please visit:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ELECTION
Animatronic dolls photo Scott Beale / Laughing Squid at laughingsquid.com.
On Tues, Sept 30 at 11 am, College Democrats will present an informal meet and greet with Democratic Congressional candidates Paul Carmouche, John Milkovich, Dr. Artis Cash, and Colonel Willie Banks in the Student Union Building.
Pizza will be provided so make sure to drop by the SUB at 11 am-12:15 pm on Tues, exhorts Kaskas.
For more information on all of the candidates running for the 4th
congressional district and other election information, please visit:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ELECTION
Animatronic dolls photo Scott Beale / Laughing Squid at laughingsquid.com.
Thee Ohsees, 2 other bands, installations by Morgan Thomas and drawings from Herren, Mackey, Wassen and West on Wed, Sept 24, 7 pm at 846 Tex Ave
9.24.08 - With Love
From the Peekers
and David Nelson
minicine? hosts:
Thee Oh Sees>>>http://www.myspace.com/ohsees
Sic Alps>>>http://www.sicalps.com/
Ty Segall>>>http://www.myspace.com/tysegall
+ Installations by Morgan Thomas
& a drawing experiment by Christy Herren, Jon Mackey, Jen Wassen & Allison West...
7 pm Wed, Sept 24
846 Texas Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana
$5
Make Movies Now!
From the Peekers
and David Nelson
minicine? hosts:
Thee Oh Sees>>>http://www.myspace.com/ohsees
Sic Alps>>>http://www.sicalps.com/
Ty Segall>>>http://www.myspace.com/tysegall
+ Installations by Morgan Thomas
& a drawing experiment by Christy Herren, Jon Mackey, Jen Wassen & Allison West...
7 pm Wed, Sept 24
846 Texas Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana
$5
Make Movies Now!
Spoken Word at Pamoja Art Center on Tues, Sept 23, 7 pm
Write On! Stage Reading and Spoken Word on
Tues, Sept 23, 7 pm, says Joanna Ballard
Southern Black Theater Festival event!
Pamoja Cultural Arts Center
3806 Linwood Ave.
Shreveport LA
Featuring: stage reading, monologue, storytelling by Joanna Ballard and of course POETS!
Free admission ~ $10.00 donation requested
7pm until
Tues, Sept 23, 7 pm, says Joanna Ballard
Southern Black Theater Festival event!
Pamoja Cultural Arts Center
3806 Linwood Ave.
Shreveport LA
Featuring: stage reading, monologue, storytelling by Joanna Ballard and of course POETS!
Free admission ~ $10.00 donation requested
7pm until
Rockin for Rick, a musicians' benefit for Rick Willis at Lee's Place on Tues, Sept 23, 7 pm
The Rick Willis Benefit is a musical extravaganza at Lee's Place on Tues, Sept 23 at 7 pm, says Blue Martin. The suggested cover charge is a donation of $10, with all proceeds going to local musician Rick Willis to help with the costs incurred after a serious injury, surgery and several weeks in the hospital.
And the Players are:
JERRY BEACH AND THE MONDAY NIGHT BLUES CREW
PAT MCCANN
BUDDY FLETT
DAN SANCHEZ AND THE KINGS OF PLEASURE
COOKIE
DAN GARNER
MARK GRIFFITH
GALEN SMITH
KANDU
SYD HYDRO
THE HOFFMAN FAMILY
DIRTY REDD
SCOTTY GERHARDY
JIMMY WOOTEN
DOUG DUFFY
and MANY MANY MORE
AND I WILL HAVE A VERY SPECIAL DOOR PRIZE TO BE RAFFELED THAT NIGHT
for more info: 655-0004
And the Players are:
JERRY BEACH AND THE MONDAY NIGHT BLUES CREW
PAT MCCANN
BUDDY FLETT
DAN SANCHEZ AND THE KINGS OF PLEASURE
COOKIE
DAN GARNER
MARK GRIFFITH
GALEN SMITH
KANDU
SYD HYDRO
THE HOFFMAN FAMILY
DIRTY REDD
SCOTTY GERHARDY
JIMMY WOOTEN
DOUG DUFFY
and MANY MANY MORE
AND I WILL HAVE A VERY SPECIAL DOOR PRIZE TO BE RAFFELED THAT NIGHT
for more info: 655-0004
Monday, September 22, 2008
OPUS - Orchestra Players United of Shreveport-Bossier - to present symphonic benefit concert at First Baptist on Sat, Oct 11, 7:30 pm
Orchestra Players United of Shreveport and the Symphony Orchestra of Shreveport-Bossier Audience Association will present a concert to benefit musicians and hurricane relief in Northwest Louisiana, says Susan Rogers.
The concert will take place on Sat, Oct 11, in the First Baptist Church of Shreveport - at 7:30 pm.
Featured along with a full symphony orchestra will be trumpet soloist Rick Rowell in a program including Verdi’s Nabucco Overture, the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto and Dvorak’s New World Symphony. The program will be conducted by Kermit Poling.
Speaking on behalf of OPUS, Peter Haas noted that the musicians wanted to do something to help not only their colleagues but others affected by the recent hurricanes. “We felt that the best way to help was to create an event that would raise money through ticket sales and contributions and allow us to show our gratitude by offering the audience music that they will recognize and enjoy. “
Commenting on the program, Poling added, ”This concert features three terrific musical works. The New World Symphony is one of the most familiar masterpieces in the repertoire, and having the opportunity to showcase one of our own, Rick Rowell, in such a dynamic piece as the Arutiunian is an extra treat. Plus the acoustics of First Baptist Church are fantastic for a symphonic concert.”
The concert will take place on Sat, Oct 11, in the First Baptist Church of Shreveport - at 7:30 pm.
Featured along with a full symphony orchestra will be trumpet soloist Rick Rowell in a program including Verdi’s Nabucco Overture, the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto and Dvorak’s New World Symphony. The program will be conducted by Kermit Poling.
Speaking on behalf of OPUS, Peter Haas noted that the musicians wanted to do something to help not only their colleagues but others affected by the recent hurricanes. “We felt that the best way to help was to create an event that would raise money through ticket sales and contributions and allow us to show our gratitude by offering the audience music that they will recognize and enjoy. “
Commenting on the program, Poling added, ”This concert features three terrific musical works. The New World Symphony is one of the most familiar masterpieces in the repertoire, and having the opportunity to showcase one of our own, Rick Rowell, in such a dynamic piece as the Arutiunian is an extra treat. Plus the acoustics of First Baptist Church are fantastic for a symphonic concert.”
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Earl Palmer: 1924 - 2008; seminal New Orleans drummer in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame
Legendary drummer Earl Palmer died at his home in Los Angeles Friday after a lengthy illness, writes Bruce Flett.
Inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, the first year for the category "Sideman," Palmer was the session drummer whose pioneering backbeats helped define Rock and Roll.
He moved to Hollywood in 1957. He played on sessions from the Monkees to Frank Sinatra.
Born in New Orleans October 25, 1924, he was the drummer at Cosimo Matassa's legendary J&M Studio on Rampart and Dumaine in the 1950s. Fats Domino, Little Richard and many others had million sellion singles with Earl on the drums. He was on the drum kit in 1949 when "The Fat Man" was recorded there. It was Fat's first hit and a contender for the first Rock n Roll record ever.
His playing on that song featured the back beat that has come to be the most important element in rock and roll. Palmer said, "That song required a strong afterbeat throughout the whole piece. With Dixieland you had a strong afterbeat only after you got to the shout last chorus. . . . It was sort of a new approach to rhythm music."
When Shreveport's "A" Train band first got booked at the Los Angeles Street Scene festival in 1983, one of the first persons they contacted was Earl Palmer for his assistance and guidance. The "Live at Humpfrees" LP had just been released and he was sent a copy. He told bandleader Bruce Flett he thought it was "very exciting", and steered him to Columbia A&R head Bobby Colomby (former drummer w/ Blood Sweat & Tears) for consideration. Bobby, evidently not so excited, never replied.
Palmer famously said, "You could always tell a New Orleans drummer the minute you heard him play his bass drum because he'd have that parade beat connotation."
Listen to John Bonham's drum intro on Zeppelin's "Rock n Roll". It's Earl Palmer's drum intro on "Keep a Knockin'" by Little Richard.
Inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, the first year for the category "Sideman," Palmer was the session drummer whose pioneering backbeats helped define Rock and Roll.
He moved to Hollywood in 1957. He played on sessions from the Monkees to Frank Sinatra.
Born in New Orleans October 25, 1924, he was the drummer at Cosimo Matassa's legendary J&M Studio on Rampart and Dumaine in the 1950s. Fats Domino, Little Richard and many others had million sellion singles with Earl on the drums. He was on the drum kit in 1949 when "The Fat Man" was recorded there. It was Fat's first hit and a contender for the first Rock n Roll record ever.
His playing on that song featured the back beat that has come to be the most important element in rock and roll. Palmer said, "That song required a strong afterbeat throughout the whole piece. With Dixieland you had a strong afterbeat only after you got to the shout last chorus. . . . It was sort of a new approach to rhythm music."
When Shreveport's "A" Train band first got booked at the Los Angeles Street Scene festival in 1983, one of the first persons they contacted was Earl Palmer for his assistance and guidance. The "Live at Humpfrees" LP had just been released and he was sent a copy. He told bandleader Bruce Flett he thought it was "very exciting", and steered him to Columbia A&R head Bobby Colomby (former drummer w/ Blood Sweat & Tears) for consideration. Bobby, evidently not so excited, never replied.
Palmer famously said, "You could always tell a New Orleans drummer the minute you heard him play his bass drum because he'd have that parade beat connotation."
Listen to John Bonham's drum intro on Zeppelin's "Rock n Roll". It's Earl Palmer's drum intro on "Keep a Knockin'" by Little Richard.
Some 400 mob the Clyde Connell exhibit opening, Artspace Shreveport
Shreveport's art community turned out in a rush to see the opening of the Clyde Connell exhibit at Artspace. Some 400 people went through the doors at 710 Texas St, said Byron Gipson.
Pam Atchison, SRAC director and canny observer of Artspace openings, noted, "Some art shows are for seeing and being seen; at this one people were enthralled by the art. I heard so many exclamations of 'That piece reminds me of ...' and other stories of life with Clyde."
Atchison also pointed out the value of showing work by the descendents of Connell. "They've gotten the inspiration from Clyde but they each went in their own direction," she noted. Visitors to Artspace will see work by 2 great nephews, Dr. Pat Sewell and Dr. Bennett Sewell, granddaughter Carol Connell Shafton, great-grandson Anthony Colvin, son Bryan Connell and great niece Talbot Hopkins.
Kids will also have activities to work on downstairs in imitation of Clyde's work, owing to education manager Tarama Davenport.
Pam Atchison, SRAC director and canny observer of Artspace openings, noted, "Some art shows are for seeing and being seen; at this one people were enthralled by the art. I heard so many exclamations of 'That piece reminds me of ...' and other stories of life with Clyde."
Atchison also pointed out the value of showing work by the descendents of Connell. "They've gotten the inspiration from Clyde but they each went in their own direction," she noted. Visitors to Artspace will see work by 2 great nephews, Dr. Pat Sewell and Dr. Bennett Sewell, granddaughter Carol Connell Shafton, great-grandson Anthony Colvin, son Bryan Connell and great niece Talbot Hopkins.
Kids will also have activities to work on downstairs in imitation of Clyde's work, owing to education manager Tarama Davenport.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The most NYC show you'll see in SPT: Clyde Connell retrospective, Artspace Shreveport, opens Fri, Sept 19, 7 pm
Imagine some 120 pieces of art by Clyde Connell, who is both the Clementine Hunter and George Rodrigue of North Louisiana. In the collection you will observe a life in art that spans 40 years - the 1950's to the 1990's.
Therein you will see work reflecting the woods at Lake Bistineau, Louisiana. But it is art about Louisiana intended to communicate with the world. And especially with people in New York and Los Angeles. It may be the most NYC show you ever see at Artspace Shreveport.
Clyde fell in love with Manhattan in the 1950's, when she attended annual meetings for the Southern Presbyterian Church. She explained that, somehow, "the churchniks introduced me to the beatniks." She learned to get around in Soho and hung out at MoMa.
In Shreveport in the 1960's she painted and sculpted in a Cotton St. studio, At-the-Loft, alongside a group of equally obsessed Shreveport artists. Her cohorts included Lucille Reed, Janet Parker, Nevelyn Brown, Tama Nathan, Berk Borne, Lynn Gautier and Gwen Norsworthy.
She had no money. She couldn't afford to ship her art to out-of-town shows. Couldn't afford to fabricate sculpture in metal.
By the 1970s artists were submitting work to galleries and juries by slides. Murray Smithers of the Delahunty Gallery, Dallas, saw her slides. He came to Lake Bistineau for a look. He added Clyde to his Dallas roster.
She was discovered by Texans. But getting into the top galleries in Dallas and Houston was not her end destination.
In 1981 the Delahunty arranged a solo show for Clyde at the Clocktower Gallery, Manhattan. She was finally able to gallery hop in Soho with an inner glow.
In the 1980's Clyde was in her 80's - she was born in 1901. But she did not shrink from success. She won grants that paid assistants like John Fredericks, an art-minded neighbor, to help fabricate her towering totems.
Her work was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Hirschorn Museum, Washington, DC. She was given awards and shows from coast to coast. In 1990 she was featured in a major exhibit in Paris and Geneva presented by the Valois Gallery.
At Artspace you will see the minimalist, abstract and primeval art she created on the shore of Lake Bistineau while dreaming of places far, far from here.
From a NY Times review in 1992: "Miss Connell is at her best when she is at her most abstract. It is then that her synthesis of regional and non-Western culture, earlier 20th-century art movements and the crafts-intensive spirit of some of the feminist art of the 1970's become something very much her own. With these eclectic ingredients, a case might be made for the post-modern character of her work. Its strength, however, lies neither in calculated irony nor in borrowed styles, but rather in a sense of having been worked by a guileless, individualistic hand."
This sort of recognition was not won easily or quickly. But when you see her art at Artspace you will sense how the story unfolded. You'll see her vision - both local and cosmic - in one vast body of determined work.
Party at Artspace, 7 to 10 pm, with food, drink and music. Troubadour Kenny Bill Stinson will entertain.
675-6535
Therein you will see work reflecting the woods at Lake Bistineau, Louisiana. But it is art about Louisiana intended to communicate with the world. And especially with people in New York and Los Angeles. It may be the most NYC show you ever see at Artspace Shreveport.
Clyde fell in love with Manhattan in the 1950's, when she attended annual meetings for the Southern Presbyterian Church. She explained that, somehow, "the churchniks introduced me to the beatniks." She learned to get around in Soho and hung out at MoMa.
In Shreveport in the 1960's she painted and sculpted in a Cotton St. studio, At-the-Loft, alongside a group of equally obsessed Shreveport artists. Her cohorts included Lucille Reed, Janet Parker, Nevelyn Brown, Tama Nathan, Berk Borne, Lynn Gautier and Gwen Norsworthy.
She had no money. She couldn't afford to ship her art to out-of-town shows. Couldn't afford to fabricate sculpture in metal.
By the 1970s artists were submitting work to galleries and juries by slides. Murray Smithers of the Delahunty Gallery, Dallas, saw her slides. He came to Lake Bistineau for a look. He added Clyde to his Dallas roster.
She was discovered by Texans. But getting into the top galleries in Dallas and Houston was not her end destination.
In 1981 the Delahunty arranged a solo show for Clyde at the Clocktower Gallery, Manhattan. She was finally able to gallery hop in Soho with an inner glow.
In the 1980's Clyde was in her 80's - she was born in 1901. But she did not shrink from success. She won grants that paid assistants like John Fredericks, an art-minded neighbor, to help fabricate her towering totems.
Her work was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Hirschorn Museum, Washington, DC. She was given awards and shows from coast to coast. In 1990 she was featured in a major exhibit in Paris and Geneva presented by the Valois Gallery.
At Artspace you will see the minimalist, abstract and primeval art she created on the shore of Lake Bistineau while dreaming of places far, far from here.
From a NY Times review in 1992: "Miss Connell is at her best when she is at her most abstract. It is then that her synthesis of regional and non-Western culture, earlier 20th-century art movements and the crafts-intensive spirit of some of the feminist art of the 1970's become something very much her own. With these eclectic ingredients, a case might be made for the post-modern character of her work. Its strength, however, lies neither in calculated irony nor in borrowed styles, but rather in a sense of having been worked by a guileless, individualistic hand."
This sort of recognition was not won easily or quickly. But when you see her art at Artspace you will sense how the story unfolded. You'll see her vision - both local and cosmic - in one vast body of determined work.
Party at Artspace, 7 to 10 pm, with food, drink and music. Troubadour Kenny Bill Stinson will entertain.
675-6535
Shreveport Opera produces a Taste of Italy at Bossier Civic Center on Fri, Sept 26, 6:30 to 9 pm
A Taste of Italy is a benefit for Shreveport Opera, says Sumer Cooner.
You're invited to taste it on Fri, Sept 26, from 6:30 - 9 pm at the Bossier Civic Center.
The bill of fare includes Italian cuisine, wine tasting, silent auction and music.
$20 Adults, $15 Military, $10 Students
For tickets call (318) 227-9503
or buy online at
www.shreveportopera.org
Featured Vendors:
Pie Works Pizza, Massi Products, Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant, Monjunis, Olive Street Bistro, Santa Maria Produce, Cush’s Grocery, Charles Ashley Catering, Notini’s, Starbucks, more.
Featured Auction Items:
Original Signed Painting by Henry Goodrich, Jewelry from Stephen Miller, Interior Décor from Yarbrough Interior Designers and The Bungalow, Accessories from Sue Peyton’s and Knox Goodman’s, Autographed LSU and Dallas Cowboys Memorabilia, and more.
You're invited to taste it on Fri, Sept 26, from 6:30 - 9 pm at the Bossier Civic Center.
The bill of fare includes Italian cuisine, wine tasting, silent auction and music.
$20 Adults, $15 Military, $10 Students
For tickets call (318) 227-9503
or buy online at
www.shreveportopera.org
Featured Vendors:
Pie Works Pizza, Massi Products, Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant, Monjunis, Olive Street Bistro, Santa Maria Produce, Cush’s Grocery, Charles Ashley Catering, Notini’s, Starbucks, more.
Featured Auction Items:
Original Signed Painting by Henry Goodrich, Jewelry from Stephen Miller, Interior Décor from Yarbrough Interior Designers and The Bungalow, Accessories from Sue Peyton’s and Knox Goodman’s, Autographed LSU and Dallas Cowboys Memorabilia, and more.
Monday, September 15, 2008
River City Repertory begins instruction for youths with faculty of May, Jackson and Sledge; classes begin Sept 16
River City Repertory Theatre announces registration and class schedules for its newly-formed, RCRT YOUTH!, says Patric McWilliams.
At RCRT YOUTH! students will get a chance to work with trained, professional acting teachers, inspiring guest artists and industry professionals each semester. An insight into the structure of having a professional career as an Equity actor will serve as a basis for instruction.
RCRT YOUTH!’s first season will culminate with an evening of scenes and performances by its students. Future plans call for productions that will focus on theatre FOR children rather than theatre BY children.
Acting classes, which begin September 16th, will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 275 Southfield Road in Shreveport. Vocal classes will be held at the River City Repertory Theatre offices at 2829 Youree Drive, Suite 4, in Shreveport. The term ends November 22nd.
Logan Sledge, a member of Actors’ Equity, will instruct 18 to 14 year olds. Trey Jackson, who is a veteran of local theatre, will teach 13 to 8 year olds. Seva May, one of the area’s most popular musical actresses, will provide vocal and musical performance instruction to all age groups. Sledge will also offer personal acting instruction to individuals by appointment.
The class schedule is:
8 & 9 yr. Tues. 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
10 & 11 yr. Friday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
12 & 13 yr. Friday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
High School Acting Fundamentals Sec. A Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sec. B Friday 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
High School Voice and Movement Tues. 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
SINGING ON STAGE Saturday 1:00 pm
*Students do not have to be a member of Actor’s Equity*
RIVER CITY REP: 318-868-5888
At RCRT YOUTH! students will get a chance to work with trained, professional acting teachers, inspiring guest artists and industry professionals each semester. An insight into the structure of having a professional career as an Equity actor will serve as a basis for instruction.
RCRT YOUTH!’s first season will culminate with an evening of scenes and performances by its students. Future plans call for productions that will focus on theatre FOR children rather than theatre BY children.
Acting classes, which begin September 16th, will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 275 Southfield Road in Shreveport. Vocal classes will be held at the River City Repertory Theatre offices at 2829 Youree Drive, Suite 4, in Shreveport. The term ends November 22nd.
Logan Sledge, a member of Actors’ Equity, will instruct 18 to 14 year olds. Trey Jackson, who is a veteran of local theatre, will teach 13 to 8 year olds. Seva May, one of the area’s most popular musical actresses, will provide vocal and musical performance instruction to all age groups. Sledge will also offer personal acting instruction to individuals by appointment.
The class schedule is:
8 & 9 yr. Tues. 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
10 & 11 yr. Friday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
12 & 13 yr. Friday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
High School Acting Fundamentals Sec. A Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sec. B Friday 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
High School Voice and Movement Tues. 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
SINGING ON STAGE Saturday 1:00 pm
*Students do not have to be a member of Actor’s Equity*
RIVER CITY REP: 318-868-5888
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Small Potatoes roll at Fairfield Studios on Sun, Sept 14, 7 pm
"Watch out for the 'Potatoes... these folks are fun! Hailing from the Chicago area, this couple are pros to the core, and have a long list of endorsements," says Jim Huckabay at Fairfield Studios. The show is Sunday at 7 pm.
"Eclecticism is defined as composition drawn from various elements and styles. May it be humbly suggested that this definition be simply shortened to Small Potatoes," writes Kevin McCarthy in a review of their album.
"This Midwestern duo seamlessly hopscotches from one musical genre to another on their latest release. A Patsy Cline-sounding tune is followed by one bringing to mind Bob Wills or could it be Lyle Lovett? A cut with its genesis south of the border is preceded by a piece remindful of the 1930s music scene. Add a few ballad-like numbers, a splash of self-deprecating humor and dash of whimsy, plus some instrumentals and, voila, you have this Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, aka Small Potatoes, offering.
The title cut, "Waltz Of The Wallflowers," depicts two introverts warily attending a social function. Presenting the thoughts and fears whirling inside their heads, sometimes simultaneously, sometimes his line followed by her line, the pair eventually notices each other and finally end up on the dance floor to both their surprise and satisfaction."
Fairfield Studios' upcoming shows include:
BLAME SALLY: Sunday, October 26 (an amazing all-women quartet from San Franciso)
THE DREAMSICLES: Saturday, November 22 (A house concert favorite act, returning once again)
PEPPINO D'AGASTINO: January 27 (repeat performance— guitarist. Our first sold-out concert!)
Reservations: 220-0400
$15
"Eclecticism is defined as composition drawn from various elements and styles. May it be humbly suggested that this definition be simply shortened to Small Potatoes," writes Kevin McCarthy in a review of their album.
"This Midwestern duo seamlessly hopscotches from one musical genre to another on their latest release. A Patsy Cline-sounding tune is followed by one bringing to mind Bob Wills or could it be Lyle Lovett? A cut with its genesis south of the border is preceded by a piece remindful of the 1930s music scene. Add a few ballad-like numbers, a splash of self-deprecating humor and dash of whimsy, plus some instrumentals and, voila, you have this Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, aka Small Potatoes, offering.
The title cut, "Waltz Of The Wallflowers," depicts two introverts warily attending a social function. Presenting the thoughts and fears whirling inside their heads, sometimes simultaneously, sometimes his line followed by her line, the pair eventually notices each other and finally end up on the dance floor to both their surprise and satisfaction."
Fairfield Studios' upcoming shows include:
BLAME SALLY: Sunday, October 26 (an amazing all-women quartet from San Franciso)
THE DREAMSICLES: Saturday, November 22 (A house concert favorite act, returning once again)
PEPPINO D'AGASTINO: January 27 (repeat performance— guitarist. Our first sold-out concert!)
Reservations: 220-0400
$15
Monday, September 08, 2008
Robert Alford directs Nicki Daniels in an encore of East Texas Hot Links in the LSUS Black Box Theater; opens Sept 12, 8 pm
An encore production of “East Texas Hot Links,” a play written by Eugene Lee and directed by Robert Alford, will be presented in the LSUS Black Box Theatre September 12 - 14 at 8 p.m. The production also runs September 20 - 21 at 3 p.m. It will also be presented September 26 - 27 at 7:00p.m. in the LSUS University Theater, says Alford.
The play, not recommended for youths, features seven returning actors: Sam Bailey, Nicki Daniels, Angela Harris, Billy Moore, Michael Matthews and Charles Montgomery; there are two new actors: Atonus Perry and Stanley Blackshire.
“East Texas Hot Links” will be featured in the Southern Black Theater Festival in Shreveport.
Tickets are $18 at the door or $15 in advance. Tickets for students, educators, senior citizens, military personnel or groups of more than 5 are $10. Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.ce.lsus.edu. For reservations or for more information call 318-797-5386.
The play, not recommended for youths, features seven returning actors: Sam Bailey, Nicki Daniels, Angela Harris, Billy Moore, Michael Matthews and Charles Montgomery; there are two new actors: Atonus Perry and Stanley Blackshire.
“East Texas Hot Links” will be featured in the Southern Black Theater Festival in Shreveport.
Tickets are $18 at the door or $15 in advance. Tickets for students, educators, senior citizens, military personnel or groups of more than 5 are $10. Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.ce.lsus.edu. For reservations or for more information call 318-797-5386.
Thurs Night Trolley talks up downtown art & history on Thurs, Sept 18, 5 pm to 8 pm
The Thurs Night Trolley has been wearing out Texas Street for these past 2 years.
It is tried and proven. It is a classic.
At Artspace there's entertainment, snacks, conversation and art. What's not to like? Then you hop on the TNT for a roundabout. The Municipal Auditorium is the antipode on this go-round.
Questions? 635-6500.
It is tried and proven. It is a classic.
At Artspace there's entertainment, snacks, conversation and art. What's not to like? Then you hop on the TNT for a roundabout. The Municipal Auditorium is the antipode on this go-round.
Questions? 635-6500.
Held Over: Service ... with a Smile show at Columbia Cafe from Sept 14 to Oct 3
Donna…Service with a Smile, a visual art exhibition paying homage to the life of Donna Service, artist, educator, and co-founder of The Renzi Education & Art Center, will be held over at Columbia Café, located at the corner of Kings and Creswell.
The reception will take place Sun, Sept 14, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m, says Ariej Alexander.
To ensure Donna’s vision of a safe place for children to explore, learn and create under the guidance of professional teachers and artists remains a reality, these works are being auctioned to raise funds for the continuation of The Renzi Education & Art Center’s FREE 28-week art and academic based after-school program.
Bid on the works Sun, Sept 14, through Fri, Oct 3.
Artists include Donna Service, David Nelson, Melody Kiper, Walter Washington, Bob Ward, Allison Dickson, Chris Broussard, Serena Sherriff, Frances Drew, Dan Garner, and many more.
Ariej Alexander: aalexander@renzicenter.org or call 318-222-1414.
The reception will take place Sun, Sept 14, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m, says Ariej Alexander.
To ensure Donna’s vision of a safe place for children to explore, learn and create under the guidance of professional teachers and artists remains a reality, these works are being auctioned to raise funds for the continuation of The Renzi Education & Art Center’s FREE 28-week art and academic based after-school program.
Bid on the works Sun, Sept 14, through Fri, Oct 3.
Artists include Donna Service, David Nelson, Melody Kiper, Walter Washington, Bob Ward, Allison Dickson, Chris Broussard, Serena Sherriff, Frances Drew, Dan Garner, and many more.
Ariej Alexander: aalexander@renzicenter.org or call 318-222-1414.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Barnwell call to artists evokes the quiet revolution of minimalism and the late artists Robert Rauschenberg and John Cage
Barnwell Center's Freda Powell has sent a call to artists for a show called "White on White, a winter season juried exhibition of the many hues and shades of white."
Deadline for submissions is Nov 7. The show will open Dec 5 and be on view until the end of the year.
This call brings to mind the late Robert Rauschenberg and the pivotal year - in art - of 1951. From the Guggenheim Museum's site:
In the summer of 1951 Robert Rauschenberg created his revolutionary White Paintings at Black Mountain College, near Asheville, North Carolina. At a time when Abstract Expressionism was ascendant in New York, Rauschenberg's uninflected all-white surfaces eliminated gesture and denied all possibility of narrative or external reference. In his radical reduction of content as well as in his conception of the works as a series of modular shaped geometric canvases, Rauschenberg can be seen as presaging Minimalism by a decade.
The White Paintings shocked the artistic community at Black Mountain, and word of the "scandal" spread to the New York art world long before they were first exhibited at the Stable Gallery in October 1953. While generally misunderstood at the time, the works were highly influential for Rauschenberg's frequent collaborator, the composer John Cage. Under the sway of the Buddhist aesthetics of Zen, Cage interpreted the blank surfaces as "landing strips" or receptors for light and shadow, and was inspired to pursue the corresponding notion of silence and ambient sound in music. His response, 4'33" (1952), consisted of the pianist sitting quietly at the piano without touching the keys for four minutes and thirty-three seconds so that incidental sounds in the surrounding environment—such as the wind in the trees outside or the whispering of audience members—determined the content of the piece.
More: 318-673-7703.
Deadline for submissions is Nov 7. The show will open Dec 5 and be on view until the end of the year.
This call brings to mind the late Robert Rauschenberg and the pivotal year - in art - of 1951. From the Guggenheim Museum's site:
In the summer of 1951 Robert Rauschenberg created his revolutionary White Paintings at Black Mountain College, near Asheville, North Carolina. At a time when Abstract Expressionism was ascendant in New York, Rauschenberg's uninflected all-white surfaces eliminated gesture and denied all possibility of narrative or external reference. In his radical reduction of content as well as in his conception of the works as a series of modular shaped geometric canvases, Rauschenberg can be seen as presaging Minimalism by a decade.
The White Paintings shocked the artistic community at Black Mountain, and word of the "scandal" spread to the New York art world long before they were first exhibited at the Stable Gallery in October 1953. While generally misunderstood at the time, the works were highly influential for Rauschenberg's frequent collaborator, the composer John Cage. Under the sway of the Buddhist aesthetics of Zen, Cage interpreted the blank surfaces as "landing strips" or receptors for light and shadow, and was inspired to pursue the corresponding notion of silence and ambient sound in music. His response, 4'33" (1952), consisted of the pianist sitting quietly at the piano without touching the keys for four minutes and thirty-three seconds so that incidental sounds in the surrounding environment—such as the wind in the trees outside or the whispering of audience members—determined the content of the piece.
More: 318-673-7703.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Harmon Drew Supergroup at Jayne Marie on Friday, Sept 5, 7 to 11 pm
The Harmon Drew Supergroup has a vast personnel which always seems to include comely women in slit skirts. Something for everyone.
Catch them at Jayne Marie on Fri, 7 to 11 pm, says Bruce Flett.
He notes that "Since Harmon was unopposed for re-election to the State Appeals Court, they certainly have something to celebrate! Definitely one of the most admired persons in our area (he lives in Minden), Harmon Drew, Jr, or is he the 3rd?"
Reservations recommended: 631 0919.
The nucleus: guitarist Don Hyams, keyboardist Harmon Drew, drummer Sammy Nix and bassist James Wagley.
Catch them at Jayne Marie on Fri, 7 to 11 pm, says Bruce Flett.
He notes that "Since Harmon was unopposed for re-election to the State Appeals Court, they certainly have something to celebrate! Definitely one of the most admired persons in our area (he lives in Minden), Harmon Drew, Jr, or is he the 3rd?"
Reservations recommended: 631 0919.
The nucleus: guitarist Don Hyams, keyboardist Harmon Drew, drummer Sammy Nix and bassist James Wagley.
Mary Thoma has last-minute drama class Wed, Sept 3, at East Bank Theater, 9 am to 2 pm
Mary Thoma workshops for actors announces a last-minute young actors workshop for those aged 10 to 17. It will be 9 am to 2 pm at East Bank Theater. It features Mary Thoma, actress, director and actor’s workshop leader, says Thoma.
Out of school with nothing to do tomorrow? Want to brush up on your acting skills, play some improvisation games and work on some scene work and monologues? Have an audition for school or film? This last minute workshop can be tailored to suit the participant’s needs.
Grab your umbrella and meet me at East Bank Theater! Space is limited. Email or call now.
Wed, Sept. 3 at THE EAST BANK THEATER
9 am - 2 pm
Bring a sack lunch and drink; there will be a 30 minute lunch break.
Workshop Fee: $ 65*
* 10% of your payment will be donated to the American Red Cross to help evacuees of Hurricane Gustav.
mmatters3@bellsouth.net or call (318) 465-5374.
Payment may be made on site by check or cash only upon arrival.
Out of school with nothing to do tomorrow? Want to brush up on your acting skills, play some improvisation games and work on some scene work and monologues? Have an audition for school or film? This last minute workshop can be tailored to suit the participant’s needs.
Grab your umbrella and meet me at East Bank Theater! Space is limited. Email or call now.
Wed, Sept. 3 at THE EAST BANK THEATER
9 am - 2 pm
Bring a sack lunch and drink; there will be a 30 minute lunch break.
Workshop Fee: $ 65*
* 10% of your payment will be donated to the American Red Cross to help evacuees of Hurricane Gustav.
mmatters3@bellsouth.net or call (318) 465-5374.
Payment may be made on site by check or cash only upon arrival.
"Real artists are always somewhere else, no matter where they live:" Bill Gingles, artist
While he teaches and paints in Shreveport, abstract artist Bill Gingles sells his work in Chicago, San Antonio and Covington / Baton Rouge.
Shreveport Blog editor Robert Trudeau listens as Gingles offers a brief exploration of his background and philosophy of art.
Developing artists eager for more such insight might consider The Business of Art, a 9 to 5 pm workshop at Robinson Film Center produced by Jane Allison of the LSU Small Business Dev Center. It will be presented Sat, Sept 13. The conference features national speakers and lunch and costs $35 ($25 in advance).
Register at 318-797-5144. See more detail in a previous blog post, please.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
November exhibit in Kansas City: Shreveport artist Rachel Stuart-Haas
Rachel Stuart-Haas has shown widely in Shreveport but her long-time representation is with the Blue Gallery in Kansas City.
Shreveport Blog editor Robert Trudeau listens to her as she paints and muses upon the business of painting.
More background on becoming a successful artist will be offered at the Business of Art workshop to be presented at Robinson Film Center on Sat, Sept 13, 9 am to 4 pm. See more here.
Black Box Theater and nine-play, fresh force field at LSUS under director Robert Alford
"Presenting plays that are invigorating in nature, that provide expanding opportunities to underserved audiences and artists and that celebrate the full richness of the theatrical tradition," is the new statement of intent from Robert Alford, Mary Jarzabeck and the LSUS Theater dept. "Participation in our productions is open to all interested community members."
Continues Alford, "Our nine play 2008-2009 season, facilitated by our new Black Box Theatre, is our most ambitious ever." The Black Box Theater, which seats 75, is located on the ground floor of Bronson Hall on the south end (to the right when seen from the parking lot).
“East Texas Hot Links” by Eugene Lee, directed by Robert Alford
Featuring Sam Bailey, Stanley Blackshire, Nicki Daniels, Angela Harris, Michael Matthews, Charles Montgomery, Billy Moore and Atonus Perry
A Southern Black Theatre Festival Mainstage Production
September 12 - 27, 2008
“Bulrusher” by Eisa Davis, directed by Robert Alford and Pruitt Taylor Vince
Featuring Ashlei Dominique Alford, Paula Rae Brown, Nikai Clark, Charles Montgomery, James Palmer and Pruitt Taylor Vince
A Southern Black Theatre Festival Mainstage Production
September 18 - 28, 2008
“Copenhagen” by Michael Frayn, directed by Jerelyn Gilstrap
Featuring Reece Middleton, Alton McKnight and Marshall Middleton
October 3 - 12, 2008
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, directed by Mary Jarzabek.
October 23 - November 2, 2008
“The Clean House” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Pruitt Taylor Vince
November 13-23, 2008
“Family Planning” by Julia Edwards, directed by Robert Alford
February 12 - 21, 2009
“Blackbird” by David Harrower, directed by Pruitt Taylor Vince and Robert Alford
Featuring Pruitt Taylor Vince
March 26 - April 5, 2009
“Beyond Therapy” by Christopher Durang, directed by Robert Alford
April 16 - 26, 2009
“Tidewater” by Sheri Bailey, directed by Robert Alford
June 11 - 21, 2009
For more information on the season or auditions, contact Robert Alford at 318-797-5283 or ralford@lsus.edu. Also, find detailed lisitings at ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com.
Continues Alford, "Our nine play 2008-2009 season, facilitated by our new Black Box Theatre, is our most ambitious ever." The Black Box Theater, which seats 75, is located on the ground floor of Bronson Hall on the south end (to the right when seen from the parking lot).
“East Texas Hot Links” by Eugene Lee, directed by Robert Alford
Featuring Sam Bailey, Stanley Blackshire, Nicki Daniels, Angela Harris, Michael Matthews, Charles Montgomery, Billy Moore and Atonus Perry
A Southern Black Theatre Festival Mainstage Production
September 12 - 27, 2008
“Bulrusher” by Eisa Davis, directed by Robert Alford and Pruitt Taylor Vince
Featuring Ashlei Dominique Alford, Paula Rae Brown, Nikai Clark, Charles Montgomery, James Palmer and Pruitt Taylor Vince
A Southern Black Theatre Festival Mainstage Production
September 18 - 28, 2008
“Copenhagen” by Michael Frayn, directed by Jerelyn Gilstrap
Featuring Reece Middleton, Alton McKnight and Marshall Middleton
October 3 - 12, 2008
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, directed by Mary Jarzabek.
October 23 - November 2, 2008
“The Clean House” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Pruitt Taylor Vince
November 13-23, 2008
“Family Planning” by Julia Edwards, directed by Robert Alford
February 12 - 21, 2009
“Blackbird” by David Harrower, directed by Pruitt Taylor Vince and Robert Alford
Featuring Pruitt Taylor Vince
March 26 - April 5, 2009
“Beyond Therapy” by Christopher Durang, directed by Robert Alford
April 16 - 26, 2009
“Tidewater” by Sheri Bailey, directed by Robert Alford
June 11 - 21, 2009
For more information on the season or auditions, contact Robert Alford at 318-797-5283 or ralford@lsus.edu. Also, find detailed lisitings at ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Krewe of Highland Parade 06
The Krewe of Highland is one of our favorite Shreveport institutions. It is home of the Blanc et Noir Marching Society, which debuted in 07. The Highland 06 parade was the classic, mellow neighborhood deal, representative of the city at its best.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Ballet Under the Stars coming Sat, Sept 6 at 7:30 pm, Festival Plaza.
SMB 06: Chandler Allen, Claire Cook, Sydney Normand, Kelsey Steen, Chelsea Smith, Caleb Gaston.
Originally uploaded by trudeau
See it at Festival Plaza, says Blair Bryson.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Business of Art workshop at Robinson Film Center on Sat, Sept 13, 9 am
Clyde Connell, the most successful fine arts producer to spring from this region, believed in the power to be gotten from outside experts. She fashioned her career - which took her from the shores of Lake Bistineau to exhibits in Paris, Geneva and NYC - by visiting NYC and listening to the critics and artists from outside this region. If Connell were alive today I think she'd see the merit in this project:
The Business of Art, coordinated by Jane Allison, LSUS
8:30-9:00 Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:20 Welcome/Introductions
9:20-10:20 Group Session
Thrive, Not Just Survive: Increase Sales with Dynamic Marketing Strategies
General session keynote by Bruce Baker, nationally recognized arts & crafts marketing expert, artist and gallery owner.
10:20-10:30 Break
10:30-noon Breakout sessions—Choose 1
Record Keeping – Deb King, consultant, Louisiana Small Business Development Center
Booth Design & Merchandising for Craft and Trade Shows—Bruce Baker
Crafting Your Artist’s Statement-Veronique LeMelle
Noon-1:30 Lunch—Creating a Buzz on the Internet—Websites, Blogs & Social Networking sites
Panel Discussion: Gene Meneray, Robert Trudeau, Wendy Benscoter, Janet Maines
1:30-3:00 Breakout sessions – Choose 1
Marketing on a Shoestring Budget – Gene Meneray,
Wholesaling 101—Bruce Baker
Crafting Your Artist’s Statement (repeat)
3:00-3:10 BREAK
3:10-3:55 Group Session: The Artist as Entrepreneur: Am I Making Money Yet?
Panel Discussion
3:55-4:40 Group Session: Funding Opportunities & Realities —Loans, Grants, Cultural Products District, etc. – opportunities and limitations of each – Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Small Business Development Center, state agencies
Workshop Speakers
Bruce Baker has led over 600 workshops throughout the United States and Canada in the last 25 years. He is on the faculty of the Arts Business Institute and regularly conducts workshops at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale market of American craft art. He is a regular contributor to national art and crafts publications.
Veronique Le Melle is a management consultant with Artisin, LLC, a New Jersey-based company providing business development and management services for the arts. Previously, Le Melle was executive director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts, where she implemented a streamlined grant application process. She has been director of culture and tourism for the Office of Queens Borough (New York) and served from 1992 until 2001 as the executive director of Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Inc.
Call (318) 797-5144 to register.
Gene Meneray is director of the Arts Business Program of the Arts Council of New Orleans, which has created numerous new programs, including the Arts Market of New Orleans, ELLA Project and the Artist as Entrepreneur program. Meneray has also worked as marketing director for Thomas Mann Design and as public art manager for the SouthEast Effective Development in Seattle.
The Business of Art, coordinated by Jane Allison, LSUS
8:30-9:00 Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:20 Welcome/Introductions
9:20-10:20 Group Session
Thrive, Not Just Survive: Increase Sales with Dynamic Marketing Strategies
General session keynote by Bruce Baker, nationally recognized arts & crafts marketing expert, artist and gallery owner.
10:20-10:30 Break
10:30-noon Breakout sessions—Choose 1
Record Keeping – Deb King, consultant, Louisiana Small Business Development Center
Booth Design & Merchandising for Craft and Trade Shows—Bruce Baker
Crafting Your Artist’s Statement-Veronique LeMelle
Noon-1:30 Lunch—Creating a Buzz on the Internet—Websites, Blogs & Social Networking sites
Panel Discussion: Gene Meneray, Robert Trudeau, Wendy Benscoter, Janet Maines
1:30-3:00 Breakout sessions – Choose 1
Marketing on a Shoestring Budget – Gene Meneray,
Wholesaling 101—Bruce Baker
Crafting Your Artist’s Statement (repeat)
3:00-3:10 BREAK
3:10-3:55 Group Session: The Artist as Entrepreneur: Am I Making Money Yet?
Panel Discussion
3:55-4:40 Group Session: Funding Opportunities & Realities —Loans, Grants, Cultural Products District, etc. – opportunities and limitations of each – Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Small Business Development Center, state agencies
Workshop Speakers
Bruce Baker has led over 600 workshops throughout the United States and Canada in the last 25 years. He is on the faculty of the Arts Business Institute and regularly conducts workshops at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale market of American craft art. He is a regular contributor to national art and crafts publications.
Veronique Le Melle is a management consultant with Artisin, LLC, a New Jersey-based company providing business development and management services for the arts. Previously, Le Melle was executive director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts, where she implemented a streamlined grant application process. She has been director of culture and tourism for the Office of Queens Borough (New York) and served from 1992 until 2001 as the executive director of Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Inc.
Call (318) 797-5144 to register.
Gene Meneray is director of the Arts Business Program of the Arts Council of New Orleans, which has created numerous new programs, including the Arts Market of New Orleans, ELLA Project and the Artist as Entrepreneur program. Meneray has also worked as marketing director for Thomas Mann Design and as public art manager for the SouthEast Effective Development in Seattle.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Nandini does Bollywood at Lotus Center on Sat, Aug 23, 1 pm
"Lotus Studio will be hosting Nandini, of Tyler, TX who will do a 2 1/2 hour workshop teaching a bollywood choreography," says Kathy Fontaine. "It'll be fun and challenging! The workshop is from 1:00 to 3:30 and is $25 / person."
Look for her and her troupe Saturday evening at the Open Mic Bellydance at Actor's Cafe! Shows at 8:00 and 10pm.
Kahina
The Port Belly project
Lotus Studio
(318) 455-3152
Look for her and her troupe Saturday evening at the Open Mic Bellydance at Actor's Cafe! Shows at 8:00 and 10pm.
Kahina
The Port Belly project
Lotus Studio
(318) 455-3152
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thurs Night Trolley art tour on Thurs, Aug 21, 5 pm to 8 pm, opens at Artspace, 710 Texas St
The downtown trolley rolls on the third Thursday, says Bonne Summers. It's a tour that takes riders on a free exploration of Shreveport's art, history and culture.
Hop aboard at Artspace, 710 Tex (park free in the First United Methodist parking lot) and ride to SUMAS, the Southern Museum of Art Shreveport, the Historic Davis House, Sciport and the Spring St Museum.
Highly recommended.
Info: 673-6500
Hop aboard at Artspace, 710 Tex (park free in the First United Methodist parking lot) and ride to SUMAS, the Southern Museum of Art Shreveport, the Historic Davis House, Sciport and the Spring St Museum.
Highly recommended.
Info: 673-6500
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Shreveport musicians and the Mayor: a start toward unity and a city-wide musical consciousness
Shreveport musicians responded to Mayor Cedric Glover's invitation to a town meeting - the mayor's tenth - by filling the large room at Barnwell Center. What they found was a mayor who proclaimed his love of music but who drew the line decisively at the idea of widespread live performances outdoors.
"Shreveport is losing population - we're under 200,000 at this point - but Bossier's gaining people. Folks want a clean, orderly community for their residence. " The mayor's priority is to reverse the population slide by emphasizing a new level of awareness of trash and blight and of keeping neighborhoods free of threatening activity, which includes loud music.
Young Shreveporters who resented the city shutting down their open-air music venue at Big D's BBQ, corner of Caddo and Common Streets, hoped to hear the mayor propose to update the so-called nuisance laws. It was not to be, despite appeals from venue owner Big D, producer Susan Garner, musician Paul Garner and musician Yockie Joe.
A big picture was provided for the audience by manager Ken Shepherd, who claimed that Kenny Wayne Shepherd's career is run from Shreveport. "I remember when the musicians' union, Local 116, was strong. It enabled players to be paid and paid a decent fee," he said. "Join your union and you'll be able to sit down with the mayor and negotiate from a position of strength."
The gathering was notable for its demographics. There was a central casting aspect to the seeming equal numbers of black and white musicians as well as old and young music types. One under-represented category: females.
Dirtfoot closed the evening with a tricyclatron show on the Barnwell patio, a lovely under-the-stars venue. Yet in the beginning of the jam the musical attendees seemed occupied with discussions of the session with the mayor. Was there a conclusion to be drawn, a plan to be evaluated?
Many seemed to agree with Jerry Beach, who told the mayor that the music-based town meet was, overall, a good thing. Beach said to Glover, "We need to have another one of these, don't you think?"
"Shreveport is losing population - we're under 200,000 at this point - but Bossier's gaining people. Folks want a clean, orderly community for their residence. " The mayor's priority is to reverse the population slide by emphasizing a new level of awareness of trash and blight and of keeping neighborhoods free of threatening activity, which includes loud music.
Young Shreveporters who resented the city shutting down their open-air music venue at Big D's BBQ, corner of Caddo and Common Streets, hoped to hear the mayor propose to update the so-called nuisance laws. It was not to be, despite appeals from venue owner Big D, producer Susan Garner, musician Paul Garner and musician Yockie Joe.
A big picture was provided for the audience by manager Ken Shepherd, who claimed that Kenny Wayne Shepherd's career is run from Shreveport. "I remember when the musicians' union, Local 116, was strong. It enabled players to be paid and paid a decent fee," he said. "Join your union and you'll be able to sit down with the mayor and negotiate from a position of strength."
The gathering was notable for its demographics. There was a central casting aspect to the seeming equal numbers of black and white musicians as well as old and young music types. One under-represented category: females.
Dirtfoot closed the evening with a tricyclatron show on the Barnwell patio, a lovely under-the-stars venue. Yet in the beginning of the jam the musical attendees seemed occupied with discussions of the session with the mayor. Was there a conclusion to be drawn, a plan to be evaluated?
Many seemed to agree with Jerry Beach, who told the mayor that the music-based town meet was, overall, a good thing. Beach said to Glover, "We need to have another one of these, don't you think?"
How to get guitars into young hands in schools: James Burton presents a weekend of guitar music in downtown Shreveport and proceeds go to kids
James Burton and wife Louise have found a way to return thanks for James' extraordinary career in music: they give away guitars to students. The money to fund the donations is raised in Shreveport during the annual James Burton Guitar Festival, says Louise.
Here's the line-up for the '08 weekend, a series of events produced by Louise and a group of volunteers:
James Burton's birthday bash will be celebrated Thurs, Aug 21, 7 - 9
pm at Maggie's Hangar, 616 Commerce St, which is the riverfront room which was once James Burton's club. $10; entertainment by Johnny and the Moondogs from Natchitoches.
The Burtons have created an excellent Guitar Trade Show presented in the Shreveport Convention Center. $5 at the door / 3-day pass $12. Under 12 free.
The trade show, which contains worlds of gleaming instruments, is Fri, Sat and Sun from 10 am to 6 pm. I'm going to take my youngest son and see what he thinks about the latest guitars from Fender and Peavey. One of the Trade Show's features is a Guitar Showdown Talent Competition from 10 am to 1 pm.
Party in the District under the Red River bridge is a chance to enjoy a revival of that beautiful but largely neglected space. Fri, Aug 22:
- Keith Horton Project - blues - 6 pm
- BB Secrist - honky tonk piano - 7 pm
- The Nomads - rockabilly - 8 pm
- Dirtfoot - new grass Americana - 9 pm
- Hipshot - country - 10 pm
- the Great Log Jam - surprise players - 11 pm
The James Burton and Friends Concert at the Municipal Auditorium is, points out Louise, only $25. The list of notables sounds like solid entertainment.
- Emmylou Harris
- Phil Keaggy
- Delbert McClinton
- Jim Messina
- Lenny LeBlanc
- Joe Stampley
- Mark Farner
- Danny Seraphine
- Rusty Young
- Jeff Berlin
- Billy Swan
- James Burton
Of course, you can be seated closer to the guitar slingers if you want to pay a bit more, like $75 or $100. Begins at 7 pm on Sat, Aug 23.
Mrs. Burton points out that Shreveport has an opportunity to join hands and make the James Burton Guitar Fest a big show. "Come on out," she says. "we need volunteers, we need participants."
How many of you play guitar or have a person in your inner circle who does? We might show our love for the six-string by supporting one or more of these musical events. With enough guitar player unity and energy no telling how lovely this annual event might become.
More at ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com.
Here's the line-up for the '08 weekend, a series of events produced by Louise and a group of volunteers:
James Burton's birthday bash will be celebrated Thurs, Aug 21, 7 - 9
pm at Maggie's Hangar, 616 Commerce St, which is the riverfront room which was once James Burton's club. $10; entertainment by Johnny and the Moondogs from Natchitoches.
The Burtons have created an excellent Guitar Trade Show presented in the Shreveport Convention Center. $5 at the door / 3-day pass $12. Under 12 free.
The trade show, which contains worlds of gleaming instruments, is Fri, Sat and Sun from 10 am to 6 pm. I'm going to take my youngest son and see what he thinks about the latest guitars from Fender and Peavey. One of the Trade Show's features is a Guitar Showdown Talent Competition from 10 am to 1 pm.
Party in the District under the Red River bridge is a chance to enjoy a revival of that beautiful but largely neglected space. Fri, Aug 22:
- Keith Horton Project - blues - 6 pm
- BB Secrist - honky tonk piano - 7 pm
- The Nomads - rockabilly - 8 pm
- Dirtfoot - new grass Americana - 9 pm
- Hipshot - country - 10 pm
- the Great Log Jam - surprise players - 11 pm
The James Burton and Friends Concert at the Municipal Auditorium is, points out Louise, only $25. The list of notables sounds like solid entertainment.
- Emmylou Harris
- Phil Keaggy
- Delbert McClinton
- Jim Messina
- Lenny LeBlanc
- Joe Stampley
- Mark Farner
- Danny Seraphine
- Rusty Young
- Jeff Berlin
- Billy Swan
- James Burton
Of course, you can be seated closer to the guitar slingers if you want to pay a bit more, like $75 or $100. Begins at 7 pm on Sat, Aug 23.
Mrs. Burton points out that Shreveport has an opportunity to join hands and make the James Burton Guitar Fest a big show. "Come on out," she says. "we need volunteers, we need participants."
How many of you play guitar or have a person in your inner circle who does? We might show our love for the six-string by supporting one or more of these musical events. With enough guitar player unity and energy no telling how lovely this annual event might become.
More at ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com.
Parents magazine designates Sciport as one of nation's 10-best science centers
In the September issue of Parents magazine, Sci-Port Discovery Center has been recognized as one of the top 10 science centers in the country, says Eric Gipson. The article highlights the nation’s best science centers that have special exhibit areas exclusively for young children and their families.
Part of Parents’ ongoing series of 10-Best articles, the survey places Sci-Port at number eight out of the nation’s 150-plus science centers.
Sci-Port is also the only science center in the Southern U.S. to make the top 10 ranking, and its location of Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, is the only mid-sized city on the 10-Best list.
“We are absolutely elated and honored by this outstanding national recognition,” said Ann Fumarolo, Sci-Port President & CEO. “It serves as wonderful testament to the work and support of all who make Sci-Port possible.”
To figure out which of the nation’s science centers are the most exciting and educational, Parents sent them an extensive survey, asking for details about the exhibits as well as science demonstrations, special events, camps and classes. The magazine also considered the stroller-friendliness of the facility; dining options; the quality of staff; conveniences like family restrooms; and whether the center was a good value based on the admission price in relation to the number of exhibits. Staff interviews were also conducted.
“The science centers we profiled make learning fun for young children,” says Sally Lee, editor in chief of Parents magazine. “So when kids begin studying in school, they’ll be enthusiastic about it.”
According to the Parents survey, the 10 Best Science Centers for Families in order of their ranking are:
1. Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, Ohio
2. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California
3. Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts
4. Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, New Jersey
5. St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri
6. New York Hall of Science, Flushing, New York
7. California Science Center, Los Angeles, California
8. Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
9. The Franklin (formerly The Franklin Institute), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Full results will soon be available at parentsmag.com and in the September issue, which is on newsstands Tuesday, August 19.
Part of Parents’ ongoing series of 10-Best articles, the survey places Sci-Port at number eight out of the nation’s 150-plus science centers.
Sci-Port is also the only science center in the Southern U.S. to make the top 10 ranking, and its location of Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, is the only mid-sized city on the 10-Best list.
“We are absolutely elated and honored by this outstanding national recognition,” said Ann Fumarolo, Sci-Port President & CEO. “It serves as wonderful testament to the work and support of all who make Sci-Port possible.”
To figure out which of the nation’s science centers are the most exciting and educational, Parents sent them an extensive survey, asking for details about the exhibits as well as science demonstrations, special events, camps and classes. The magazine also considered the stroller-friendliness of the facility; dining options; the quality of staff; conveniences like family restrooms; and whether the center was a good value based on the admission price in relation to the number of exhibits. Staff interviews were also conducted.
“The science centers we profiled make learning fun for young children,” says Sally Lee, editor in chief of Parents magazine. “So when kids begin studying in school, they’ll be enthusiastic about it.”
According to the Parents survey, the 10 Best Science Centers for Families in order of their ranking are:
1. Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, Ohio
2. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California
3. Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts
4. Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, New Jersey
5. St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri
6. New York Hall of Science, Flushing, New York
7. California Science Center, Los Angeles, California
8. Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
9. The Franklin (formerly The Franklin Institute), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Full results will soon be available at parentsmag.com and in the September issue, which is on newsstands Tuesday, August 19.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Donna ... Service with a Smile exhibit continues at Barnwell until Sept 11
The exhibit called Donna…Service with a Smile will continue at the Barnwell Center Main Gallery until September 11, says Ariej Alexander.
Those hoping for a second chance to bid on artwork will be granted their wish. Service with a Smile will also be shown at Columbia Café. The reception will take place Sun, Sept 14, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Patrons will have an opportunity to bid on the works until Fri, Oct 3, 5:00 p.m.
Artists include Donna Service, David Nelson, Melody Kiper, Walter Washington, Bob Ward, Dan Garner, and many more.
The art collection is comprised of works donated by Donna’s friends and family, illustrating the magnitude of the impression she made in the lives of everyone she met. To ensure Donna’s vision remains a reality, these pieces are being auctioned to raise funds for the continuation of The Renzi Education & Art Center’s free art and academic based after-school program.
Renzi Education and Art Center
435 Egan Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-222-1414
Those hoping for a second chance to bid on artwork will be granted their wish. Service with a Smile will also be shown at Columbia Café. The reception will take place Sun, Sept 14, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Patrons will have an opportunity to bid on the works until Fri, Oct 3, 5:00 p.m.
Artists include Donna Service, David Nelson, Melody Kiper, Walter Washington, Bob Ward, Dan Garner, and many more.
The art collection is comprised of works donated by Donna’s friends and family, illustrating the magnitude of the impression she made in the lives of everyone she met. To ensure Donna’s vision remains a reality, these pieces are being auctioned to raise funds for the continuation of The Renzi Education & Art Center’s free art and academic based after-school program.
Renzi Education and Art Center
435 Egan Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-222-1414
Monday, August 11, 2008
Shreveport begins to change: Everything Green Expo on Aug 22 - 24, Shreveport Convention Center
The US Green Buiilding Council / La Chapter invites you to attend the Everything Green Conference & Expo held on August 22, 23 and 24 at the Shreveport Convention Center, says Marion Marks.
If you care about environmental, economic or social improvement, you will learn from this demonstration of products, services and business opportunities supporting smart building and renovating ideas, he says.
Green Expo will reflect a movement toward re-cycling, re-shaping and re-thinking to reduce our consumption of resources.
The USGBC, Green Expo supporter, is the leading national non-profit resource for sustainability efforts in the US, says Marks. It will offer Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) classes, the leading-edge system for certifying design, construction and operations of green buildings.
Registration for the USGBC classes, 9 am – 4 pm, Aug 23, is recommended, as seating is limited.
If you care about environmental, economic or social improvement, you will learn from this demonstration of products, services and business opportunities supporting smart building and renovating ideas, he says.
Green Expo will reflect a movement toward re-cycling, re-shaping and re-thinking to reduce our consumption of resources.
The USGBC, Green Expo supporter, is the leading national non-profit resource for sustainability efforts in the US, says Marks. It will offer Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) classes, the leading-edge system for certifying design, construction and operations of green buildings.
Registration for the USGBC classes, 9 am – 4 pm, Aug 23, is recommended, as seating is limited.
A mayor who loves music, Cedric Glover, wants to hear from musicians at town meeting at Barnwell Center on Wed, Aug 13, 6 pm
In a first-of-its-kind effort to get “Shreveport N Sync” with local musicians, Wed, Aug 13, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Barnwell Center, Mayor Cedric B. Glover will host a Town Hall Meeting, says Gwen Campbell.
“As we begin to grow Shreveport with a new, dynamic and specialized approach to economic development, I want to hear the ideas, suggestions, concerns and vision of those whose careers, business or interest is in the area of music and entertainment,” says Mayor Glover. “This open dialogue will begin a conversation that’s needed in our City. We all will benefit.”
The Q and A session led by Mayor Glover will end with a Jam Session. Those who would like to bring instruments are welcome to take part.
“The talent pool in this region has always been tremendous,” says Brady Blade, Assistant Director of Economic Development. “The Mayor meeting with musicians representing all genres of music is exciting.” “We want to begin a unique partnership and a plan to expand the City’s support of Shreveport’s music community.”
Mayor Glover’s Town Hall Meeting for Musicians
Wed Aug13, Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway
6 pm - 8 pm
8 pm - 9 pm Jam Session
Btw, this represents a change in time from the info I obtained last week , which said the event began at 4 pm. I've updated the earlier post.
“As we begin to grow Shreveport with a new, dynamic and specialized approach to economic development, I want to hear the ideas, suggestions, concerns and vision of those whose careers, business or interest is in the area of music and entertainment,” says Mayor Glover. “This open dialogue will begin a conversation that’s needed in our City. We all will benefit.”
The Q and A session led by Mayor Glover will end with a Jam Session. Those who would like to bring instruments are welcome to take part.
“The talent pool in this region has always been tremendous,” says Brady Blade, Assistant Director of Economic Development. “The Mayor meeting with musicians representing all genres of music is exciting.” “We want to begin a unique partnership and a plan to expand the City’s support of Shreveport’s music community.”
Mayor Glover’s Town Hall Meeting for Musicians
Wed Aug13, Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway
6 pm - 8 pm
8 pm - 9 pm Jam Session
Btw, this represents a change in time from the info I obtained last week , which said the event began at 4 pm. I've updated the earlier post.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Gloria Gipson and Theater of the Performing Arts, Shreveport, to be honored by Southern Black Theater Festival, Sept 18 - 28
Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, says Angelique Feaster, will host the first Southern Black Theatre Festival, a cultural arts experience celebrating the tradition of African American theatre in the south. The two-weekend event will be held September 18-28. Activities will be held in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Minden, Louisiana.
This inaugural festival will pay tribute to the achievements of Louisiana natives—National Honoree, Douglas Turner Ward, dramatist, actor, and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company; and Regional Honoree, Gloria Gipson, founder and executive director of Theatre of the Performing Arts. This year’s national chair is Louisiana native and veteran Hollywood playwright Judi Ann Mason.
The Southern Black Theatre Festival will feature a host of activities for youth, adults, and families to enjoy. The Opening Festival Weekend (September 18th-September 20th) will feature a kick-off reception, celebration of Gloria Gipson and the Theater of the Performing Arts,, cultural films, workshops, and youth talent showcase. The Closing Festival Weekend (September 25th-28th) will feature live theatre, college one-act competitions, workshops, drama awards gala and after-party, national honoree celebration, and celebrity appearances.
Festival submissions are being accepted for plays, staged readings, youth talent performers, and workshop presenters. For deadlines or more information, call 318-745-2787, or visit www.southernblacktheatrefest.org.
This inaugural festival will pay tribute to the achievements of Louisiana natives—National Honoree, Douglas Turner Ward, dramatist, actor, and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company; and Regional Honoree, Gloria Gipson, founder and executive director of Theatre of the Performing Arts. This year’s national chair is Louisiana native and veteran Hollywood playwright Judi Ann Mason.
The Southern Black Theatre Festival will feature a host of activities for youth, adults, and families to enjoy. The Opening Festival Weekend (September 18th-September 20th) will feature a kick-off reception, celebration of Gloria Gipson and the Theater of the Performing Arts,, cultural films, workshops, and youth talent showcase. The Closing Festival Weekend (September 25th-28th) will feature live theatre, college one-act competitions, workshops, drama awards gala and after-party, national honoree celebration, and celebrity appearances.
Festival submissions are being accepted for plays, staged readings, youth talent performers, and workshop presenters. For deadlines or more information, call 318-745-2787, or visit www.southernblacktheatrefest.org.
Isaac Hayes: 1942 - 2008
Isaac Hayes dropped dead on his treadmill at home in Memphis, says the NY Times.
The Associated Press obit said, "Hayes was born in 1942 in a tin shack in Covington, Tenn., about 40 miles north of Memphis. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his mother died and his father took off when he was 1 1/2. The family moved to Memphis when he was 6.
Hayes wanted to be a doctor, but got redirected when he won a talent contest in ninth grade by singing Nat King Cole's ''Looking Back.''
He held down various low-paying jobs, including shining shoes on the legendary Beale Street in Memphis. He also played gigs in rural Southern juke joints where at times he had to hit the floor because someone began shooting."
Of course, he overcame.
"In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.
His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show ''South Park.''
The album ''Hot Buttered Soul'' made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaven head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image.
''Hot Buttered Soul'' was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a ''cool'' style unlike the usual histrionics of big-time soul singers. He prefaced the song with ''raps,'' and the numbers ran longer than three minutes with lush arrangements.
Next came ''Theme From Shaft,'' a No. 1 hit in 1971 from the film ''Shaft'' starring Richard Roundtree.
''That was like the shot heard round the world,'' Hayes said in the 1999 interview."
And there was also a tune about a gentleman named John Shaft, if we remember correctly.
The Associated Press obit said, "Hayes was born in 1942 in a tin shack in Covington, Tenn., about 40 miles north of Memphis. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his mother died and his father took off when he was 1 1/2. The family moved to Memphis when he was 6.
Hayes wanted to be a doctor, but got redirected when he won a talent contest in ninth grade by singing Nat King Cole's ''Looking Back.''
He held down various low-paying jobs, including shining shoes on the legendary Beale Street in Memphis. He also played gigs in rural Southern juke joints where at times he had to hit the floor because someone began shooting."
Of course, he overcame.
"In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.
His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show ''South Park.''
The album ''Hot Buttered Soul'' made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaven head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image.
''Hot Buttered Soul'' was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a ''cool'' style unlike the usual histrionics of big-time soul singers. He prefaced the song with ''raps,'' and the numbers ran longer than three minutes with lush arrangements.
Next came ''Theme From Shaft,'' a No. 1 hit in 1971 from the film ''Shaft'' starring Richard Roundtree.
''That was like the shot heard round the world,'' Hayes said in the 1999 interview."
And there was also a tune about a gentleman named John Shaft, if we remember correctly.
Impact of the Haynesville Shale in Shreveport: Marcy and Jack Everett gift of $250,000 to Shreveport Regional Arts Council
Marcy Everett, a SRAC volunteer and donor since 1984, understands that it takes a generous community to keep the arts scene alive. As a former manager of the biennial fund raiser called Christmas in the Sky, she knows the cycle of exhibits, grants and funding managed by Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
Thus when she approached her 75th birthday and thought about what she'd like to have, she decided on a major donation to SRAC. Her husband, oilman Jack Everett, thought about it for a while, she reports. Then he agreed on the dramatic gift. He wrote a check to SRAC for $250,000. He saw it as something that might shake up a somnolent city.
The Haynesville Shale has enhanced the money flow to the Everett family, said Everett, and was a factor in their generous gift.
Atchison noted that it is the largest ever single gift to SRAC. She said the money would allow Artspace to put on exhibits for the next 5 years. The mainspace at Artspace has been named the Marcy and Jack Everett mainspace.
"They've given us the gift of stability and innovation," noted Atchison.
Meanwhile, the Everetts have led the way for what could be an upswell of donations to worthy non-profit organizations.
A day prior to the Everett donation photographer-author-artist Neil Johnson wrote a piece for the Times encouraging a new wave of giving based on the riches to be had in the Haynesville Shale natural gas discoveries. Little did he know that community leaders were already on the move.
Let it not stop here, eh?
Thus when she approached her 75th birthday and thought about what she'd like to have, she decided on a major donation to SRAC. Her husband, oilman Jack Everett, thought about it for a while, she reports. Then he agreed on the dramatic gift. He wrote a check to SRAC for $250,000. He saw it as something that might shake up a somnolent city.
The Haynesville Shale has enhanced the money flow to the Everett family, said Everett, and was a factor in their generous gift.
Atchison noted that it is the largest ever single gift to SRAC. She said the money would allow Artspace to put on exhibits for the next 5 years. The mainspace at Artspace has been named the Marcy and Jack Everett mainspace.
"They've given us the gift of stability and innovation," noted Atchison.
Meanwhile, the Everetts have led the way for what could be an upswell of donations to worthy non-profit organizations.
A day prior to the Everett donation photographer-author-artist Neil Johnson wrote a piece for the Times encouraging a new wave of giving based on the riches to be had in the Haynesville Shale natural gas discoveries. Little did he know that community leaders were already on the move.
Let it not stop here, eh?
Saturday, August 09, 2008
"Confessions of a wayward artist" in Moonshine: essayist and artist Rodrecas Davis, Grambling
Drék Davis is a writer, mixed media artist, and Professor of Art at Grambling University in Louisiana. This week the online arts magazine Moonshine, at southerncreativity.com, published one of his satirical essays and I discovered more insightful writing on art in the Moonshine archive of his articles.
Davis showed work at the Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, earlier this summer. Wish he would apply for a show in Shreveport.
Much of his work is online at his flickr.com account. His mixed-media work is edgy and thought-provoking.
Davis showed work at the Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, earlier this summer. Wish he would apply for a show in Shreveport.
Much of his work is online at his flickr.com account. His mixed-media work is edgy and thought-provoking.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Mayor Cedric Glover wants musicians' thoughts in town hall meet at Barnwell Center on Wed, Aug 13, 6 pm
"The Musicians' Forum sponsored by the City of Shreveport has been moved to Wed, August 13 at the Barnwell Center on the Riverfront," says Bruce Flett. "Mayor Cedric Glover and leaders of the music community will be there. All interested musicians should attend. Brady Blade, Jr will be there!"
Says Jay Bratlie of Dirtfoot: "Brady Blade and the City of Shreveport are holding a Musicians Town Hall meeting so locals in the music industry can meet each other and network. Anyone who works with music: players, sound guys, club owners, whoever, is invited."
"Dirtfoot will be performing a short set. Come take part in a meeting that will help build a core for future music industry work in this town."
318.673.5050 / mayor@shreveportla.gov
Says Jay Bratlie of Dirtfoot: "Brady Blade and the City of Shreveport are holding a Musicians Town Hall meeting so locals in the music industry can meet each other and network. Anyone who works with music: players, sound guys, club owners, whoever, is invited."
"Dirtfoot will be performing a short set. Come take part in a meeting that will help build a core for future music industry work in this town."
318.673.5050 / mayor@shreveportla.gov
An Evening of Art with architect Mike McSwain at Bossier Arts Council on Fri, Aug 15, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
While many will know that architect Mike McSwain has made a name for himself designing the Bill Joyce office, Howdy, Inc, and the Robinson Film Center, few will know that he has been a painter. One of the few places that his paintings have been shown: the Montessori Art Auction in its heyday. McSwain may discuss his art as well as his architecture Fri at Bossier Arts Council as part of the West Edge Evening of Art series. If he doesn't, the audience may bring it up in the Q & A.
An Evening of Art has been one of the snazziest projects of the West Edge Artists' Co-op. Guests like Jerry Wray and Michael Harold have presented their history and philosophy of art in these sessions.
Doors at the Bossier Arts Council's annex on Barksdale Blvd. open at 5:30 pm and McSwain's talk will begin at 6:30 pm.
Refreshments.
No charge.
An Evening of Art has been one of the snazziest projects of the West Edge Artists' Co-op. Guests like Jerry Wray and Michael Harold have presented their history and philosophy of art in these sessions.
Doors at the Bossier Arts Council's annex on Barksdale Blvd. open at 5:30 pm and McSwain's talk will begin at 6:30 pm.
Refreshments.
No charge.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Dance stage part of the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival, presented Oct 25 - 26 in West Monroe by Doyle Jeter
Amazing music maven Doyle Jeter, proprietor of Enoch's Irish Pub in Monroe, never stops scheming about bringing vivid music to Louisiana. Thus he created the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival some 4 years ago.
Held October 25 - 26 at the Hamilton Expo Center, West Monroe, Jeter presents "performances by some of the world’s most renowned Celtic musicians and storytellers; workshops on Celtic language, instruments and history; a dance stage and children’s stage; Highland games; Celtic wares and exhibitors; food and beverage, and more!"
He continues, "As founder of the festival, I am constantly asked why we feel a Celtic festival should be held in Northeast Louisiana. More often than not, this question is asked by someone who has grown up in our region, and who has a surname like Kelley, Murphy, Collins, Whatley, McKeithan, Riley or Sullivan! My answer is: “Have you ever looked in a local phone book or visited one of the cemeteries in our area? Are you not aware, man, that your name is Irish?!" After a bit of ribbing, I go on to explain that at least 76% of our area can claim Scots-Irish, Irish, or Welsh heritage, and that Northeast Louisiana was actually listed on an 1851 map as "Celtic Louisiana"!"
Held October 25 - 26 at the Hamilton Expo Center, West Monroe, Jeter presents "performances by some of the world’s most renowned Celtic musicians and storytellers; workshops on Celtic language, instruments and history; a dance stage and children’s stage; Highland games; Celtic wares and exhibitors; food and beverage, and more!"
He continues, "As founder of the festival, I am constantly asked why we feel a Celtic festival should be held in Northeast Louisiana. More often than not, this question is asked by someone who has grown up in our region, and who has a surname like Kelley, Murphy, Collins, Whatley, McKeithan, Riley or Sullivan! My answer is: “Have you ever looked in a local phone book or visited one of the cemeteries in our area? Are you not aware, man, that your name is Irish?!" After a bit of ribbing, I go on to explain that at least 76% of our area can claim Scots-Irish, Irish, or Welsh heritage, and that Northeast Louisiana was actually listed on an 1851 map as "Celtic Louisiana"!"
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Best and brightest in the region: Louisiana Dance Theater, Shreveport, schedules auditions on Mon, Aug 11, for ages 8 through teens
Auditions for Louisiana Dance Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season will be held Mon, Aug 11, at Carol Anglin Dancenter at Pierremont Mall, says Mrs. Anglin.
Louisiana Dance Theatre available positions include:
- Corps de Ballet division (ages 14 and older by Sept 1),
- Youth Ballet division (ages 12 - 13 by Sept 1)
- Trainee division (ages 8 - 11 by Sept 1).
Monday’s schedule for all prospective and returning members:
4:00 – 5:15 pm…audition for dancers ages 8 - 11
5:30 – 7:00 pm…audition for dancers ages 12 and older
LDT’S '08-09 auditions are open to dancers throughout the Ark-La-Tex who have a minimum of two years of classical ballet training. The audition class will include ballet, modern, and jazz dance.
Members of LDT will participate in the company’s '08-09 season of performances including the Red River Revel, the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker; LA: DANCE ALIVE!, SRAC’S ArtBreak, and Stars of Tomorrow 26th Annual performance at the Strand Theatre.
LDT members 12 and older who qualify will attend the 2009 Regional Dance America/SW Festival at the Stafford Centre, Houston, TX.
Dancers have the opportunity to attend the Louisiana Dance Foundation’s month-long 26th Annual Summer Dance Festival to train with internationally renowned guest artists.
Company members sign a one-year contract from Aug 20, 2008 – July 31, 2009, that adheres to the standards as set forth by Regional Dance America and the Louisiana Dance Foundation Board of Directors.
Louisiana Dance Theatre is the resident dance company of Louisiana Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization chartered in the state of Louisiana in 1984. LDT became a member of Regional Dance America in 1991 and was named an Honor Company in 1995, becoming Shreveport’s first and only regional ballet company. The local company received RDA’S prestigious Stream Award in 2004
.
In addition to local performances, Louisiana Dance Theatre has performed throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas in Houston, Dallas, Galveston, Amarillo, Abilene, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio; Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C (Kennedy Center); Pittsburgh, PA; in Russia; and in three European Tours of Austria, Germany, and Italy where LDT was one of four American companies invited to perform at Tanzsommer International Dance Festival (1999, '04, & '08).
Louisiana Dance Theatre was recently invited by the Dallas Dance Council and Dallas Morning News to perform at the 2008 Curtain Call Festival on Sept 27 & 28.
Members of Louisiana Dance Theatre have progressed to college and professional careers in internationally renowned institutions and companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Jacob’s Pillow, Julliard, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Boston Conservatory, Marymount Manhattan, Boston Summer Dance Festival, Pennsylvania Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Miami’s New World School of the Arts, New York University, and more.
Applications are available at Carol Anglin Dancenter at Pierremont Mall. Contact Mario Harper at (318) 861-3006.
Louisiana Dance Theatre available positions include:
- Corps de Ballet division (ages 14 and older by Sept 1),
- Youth Ballet division (ages 12 - 13 by Sept 1)
- Trainee division (ages 8 - 11 by Sept 1).
Monday’s schedule for all prospective and returning members:
4:00 – 5:15 pm…audition for dancers ages 8 - 11
5:30 – 7:00 pm…audition for dancers ages 12 and older
LDT’S '08-09 auditions are open to dancers throughout the Ark-La-Tex who have a minimum of two years of classical ballet training. The audition class will include ballet, modern, and jazz dance.
Members of LDT will participate in the company’s '08-09 season of performances including the Red River Revel, the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker; LA: DANCE ALIVE!, SRAC’S ArtBreak, and Stars of Tomorrow 26th Annual performance at the Strand Theatre.
LDT members 12 and older who qualify will attend the 2009 Regional Dance America/SW Festival at the Stafford Centre, Houston, TX.
Dancers have the opportunity to attend the Louisiana Dance Foundation’s month-long 26th Annual Summer Dance Festival to train with internationally renowned guest artists.
Company members sign a one-year contract from Aug 20, 2008 – July 31, 2009, that adheres to the standards as set forth by Regional Dance America and the Louisiana Dance Foundation Board of Directors.
Louisiana Dance Theatre is the resident dance company of Louisiana Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization chartered in the state of Louisiana in 1984. LDT became a member of Regional Dance America in 1991 and was named an Honor Company in 1995, becoming Shreveport’s first and only regional ballet company. The local company received RDA’S prestigious Stream Award in 2004
.
In addition to local performances, Louisiana Dance Theatre has performed throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas in Houston, Dallas, Galveston, Amarillo, Abilene, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio; Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C (Kennedy Center); Pittsburgh, PA; in Russia; and in three European Tours of Austria, Germany, and Italy where LDT was one of four American companies invited to perform at Tanzsommer International Dance Festival (1999, '04, & '08).
Louisiana Dance Theatre was recently invited by the Dallas Dance Council and Dallas Morning News to perform at the 2008 Curtain Call Festival on Sept 27 & 28.
Members of Louisiana Dance Theatre have progressed to college and professional careers in internationally renowned institutions and companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Jacob’s Pillow, Julliard, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Boston Conservatory, Marymount Manhattan, Boston Summer Dance Festival, Pennsylvania Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Miami’s New World School of the Arts, New York University, and more.
Applications are available at Carol Anglin Dancenter at Pierremont Mall. Contact Mario Harper at (318) 861-3006.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Kenny Bill Stinson at Jayne Marie with the Bluebirds on Fri, Aug 8, 7 pm to 11 pm
"Louisiana Legend Kenny Bill Stinson is returning to Shreveport for the first time in almost 2 years," says Bruce Flett.
Stinson will play Jayne Marie's lake-view upstairs room Fri, Aug 8, at 7 pm. The Bluebirds will accompany.
In the 70's and 80's Stinson crisscrossed the region like crazy and we got to know him as a blues and roots rock singer who could perform New Orleans style as well as pound the boogie woogie a la Jerry Lee Lewis.
A perennial favorite at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Kenny Bill now lives in Downsville, Louisiana, at the "Stinsonian," notes Flett.
"In 1996 Kenny Bill and the Bluebirds were the backup band for Margaret Lewis Warwick at the Atlanta Olympics in Centennial Park. They were on one of the main stages about 2 hours before the bomb went off," remembers Flett.
Stinson has released 2 CDs and has toured with Charlie Rich, Lil Band o'Gold, and Rodney Crowell.
He has been featured on national television and radio shows, including PBS' River of Song and NPR's American Routes.
Jayne Marie on Cross Lake
318 631 0919
Free Admission
Stinson will play Jayne Marie's lake-view upstairs room Fri, Aug 8, at 7 pm. The Bluebirds will accompany.
In the 70's and 80's Stinson crisscrossed the region like crazy and we got to know him as a blues and roots rock singer who could perform New Orleans style as well as pound the boogie woogie a la Jerry Lee Lewis.
A perennial favorite at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Kenny Bill now lives in Downsville, Louisiana, at the "Stinsonian," notes Flett.
"In 1996 Kenny Bill and the Bluebirds were the backup band for Margaret Lewis Warwick at the Atlanta Olympics in Centennial Park. They were on one of the main stages about 2 hours before the bomb went off," remembers Flett.
Stinson has released 2 CDs and has toured with Charlie Rich, Lil Band o'Gold, and Rodney Crowell.
He has been featured on national television and radio shows, including PBS' River of Song and NPR's American Routes.
Jayne Marie on Cross Lake
318 631 0919
Free Admission
Monday, August 04, 2008
Deep Roots, the life and legacy of Clyde Connell, opens at Artspace Shreveport on Fri, Sept 19
The show "Deep Roots, the life and legacy of Clyde Connell," opens Fri, Sept 19, at Artspace Shreveport. You can follow the planning and development of the show at the Clyde Connell blog.
"What a great idea. This is the first time I've watched an exhibit being built," wrote Kathryn Usher when she recently found the blog.
"Is this what's missing in the artist/art collector relationships in SB Land? Do we need to do more relationship building even before the show opens?"
"Deep Roots" will be both a Clyde Connell retrospective and a legacy show. Upstairs there will be a large display of art by Clyde's descendants. Among the artists who are progeny: her son, Brian Connell, grandson Dixon Ent, great-grandson Anthony Colvin, nephews Dr. Pat Sewell and Dr. Bennett Sewell. The curator and another of the artists is great niece Talbot Hopkins Trudeau.
Artspace artistic director Bill Joyce believes the show will find a goodly audience. "The struggle, pain and successes in her life have the elements of an involving story," he notes. "Everyone will relate to her," he believes.
In brief the show will establish that Clyde Connell, a woman with a man's name, was one of the greatest-ever Louisiana visual artists. Born in a large plantation house to a large plantation family in 1901, she lived her long life - she died in 1998 - almost entirely in Caddo and Bossier Parishes.
Her sculpture, nonetheless, was exhibited in NYC, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Paris (see illustration) and Geneva. Her unusual life was captured by author Charlotte Moser in the book Clyde Connell: the art and life of a Louisiana Woman.
"What a great idea. This is the first time I've watched an exhibit being built," wrote Kathryn Usher when she recently found the blog.
"Is this what's missing in the artist/art collector relationships in SB Land? Do we need to do more relationship building even before the show opens?"
"Deep Roots" will be both a Clyde Connell retrospective and a legacy show. Upstairs there will be a large display of art by Clyde's descendants. Among the artists who are progeny: her son, Brian Connell, grandson Dixon Ent, great-grandson Anthony Colvin, nephews Dr. Pat Sewell and Dr. Bennett Sewell. The curator and another of the artists is great niece Talbot Hopkins Trudeau.
Artspace artistic director Bill Joyce believes the show will find a goodly audience. "The struggle, pain and successes in her life have the elements of an involving story," he notes. "Everyone will relate to her," he believes.
In brief the show will establish that Clyde Connell, a woman with a man's name, was one of the greatest-ever Louisiana visual artists. Born in a large plantation house to a large plantation family in 1901, she lived her long life - she died in 1998 - almost entirely in Caddo and Bossier Parishes.
Her sculpture, nonetheless, was exhibited in NYC, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Paris (see illustration) and Geneva. Her unusual life was captured by author Charlotte Moser in the book Clyde Connell: the art and life of a Louisiana Woman.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Nancy Ferrari on the backgound of her fanciful vessels on display at Bossier Arts Council
Elsie Faith, when asked how long it took to paint a particular watercolor piece, answered, " three hours--but I spent 50 years learning how to do it".
Thus writes artist Nancy Ferrari of her work on display at the Bossier Arts Council Gallery. She continues:
I, too, am a mature artist, but working in clay. Mediterranean by ancestry, my interest in creating art was kindled in the sensual sights and sounds of Turkey, where I took a pottery class as a military housewife with two children. I continued to try to soak up every drop of knowledge about the craft by taking classes at the Creative Craft Alliance when we moved to Shreveport. Now, I mentor others learning to express their creativity in clay by networking with other clay people.
My pottery is made by hand in slab form or on the wheel. An individual piece may be composed of several clay pieces joined, or I may shape it, allowing for shrinkage, so it can accommodate a driftwood handle. One feature that is my trademark is carving in the greenware stage to provide sculptural depth to the work.
Although many of my pieces are functional, I started out with gigantic, Romanesque goblets and sets of liqueur carafes with tiny cups because I wanted clients to enjoy the pieces as they enjoyed their lives--I also sometimes do nonfunctional work such as framed wall hangings featuring segmented low relief carved fish. The work is always sculptural and enriched by influences from many cultures. For example, now I make bowls and platters that have stylized oriental feet. This came from my interest in learning the proportions and structure of bonsai pots and bases. Other interests feed into the development of my pottery. My years in jewelry design and making (silver and copper with stone setting) taught me the power of detail in the effectiveness of the piece.
Gardening saturates my mind with natural shapes and patterns from which to draw.
Perhaps my work, which celebrates eating, drinking, and serving interesting dishes to friends and family, is a reflection of my Italian heritage. I do not believe in making "dust-catchers" -- my pottery slows you down to savor that amaretto. After all, the simple experiences of our lives can and should be filled with beautiful, sensual things.
Thus writes artist Nancy Ferrari of her work on display at the Bossier Arts Council Gallery. She continues:
I, too, am a mature artist, but working in clay. Mediterranean by ancestry, my interest in creating art was kindled in the sensual sights and sounds of Turkey, where I took a pottery class as a military housewife with two children. I continued to try to soak up every drop of knowledge about the craft by taking classes at the Creative Craft Alliance when we moved to Shreveport. Now, I mentor others learning to express their creativity in clay by networking with other clay people.
My pottery is made by hand in slab form or on the wheel. An individual piece may be composed of several clay pieces joined, or I may shape it, allowing for shrinkage, so it can accommodate a driftwood handle. One feature that is my trademark is carving in the greenware stage to provide sculptural depth to the work.
Although many of my pieces are functional, I started out with gigantic, Romanesque goblets and sets of liqueur carafes with tiny cups because I wanted clients to enjoy the pieces as they enjoyed their lives--I also sometimes do nonfunctional work such as framed wall hangings featuring segmented low relief carved fish. The work is always sculptural and enriched by influences from many cultures. For example, now I make bowls and platters that have stylized oriental feet. This came from my interest in learning the proportions and structure of bonsai pots and bases. Other interests feed into the development of my pottery. My years in jewelry design and making (silver and copper with stone setting) taught me the power of detail in the effectiveness of the piece.
Gardening saturates my mind with natural shapes and patterns from which to draw.
Perhaps my work, which celebrates eating, drinking, and serving interesting dishes to friends and family, is a reflection of my Italian heritage. I do not believe in making "dust-catchers" -- my pottery slows you down to savor that amaretto. After all, the simple experiences of our lives can and should be filled with beautiful, sensual things.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Someone's in the Kitchen with Chef Frank Harris on Tues, Aug 12, at Artspace Shreveport
Someone's in the Kitchen @ artspace, says Bonne Summers, and it is Chef Frank Harris on Tues, Aug 12. The Taste of Northern Italy
that Harris will cook has -
Hor d’oeuvres:
Roman Style Cheese Stuffed Rice Fritters
Tuscan Style Crostini with Chicken Livers
Mussel and Clam Soup with Saffron
Spaghetti with Pesto, Green Beans and Parmigiano Reggiano
Poached Calamari Salad with Basil and Lemon
Pork Shoulder Braciole-stuffed with mint, pecorino romano and orange wedges
with Sweet Potatoes
Italian flourless chocolate cake with orange scented whipped cream
Seating limited. Reservations required.
$75
RSVP: (318) 673-6500
that Harris will cook has -
Hor d’oeuvres:
Roman Style Cheese Stuffed Rice Fritters
Tuscan Style Crostini with Chicken Livers
Mussel and Clam Soup with Saffron
Spaghetti with Pesto, Green Beans and Parmigiano Reggiano
Poached Calamari Salad with Basil and Lemon
Pork Shoulder Braciole-stuffed with mint, pecorino romano and orange wedges
with Sweet Potatoes
Italian flourless chocolate cake with orange scented whipped cream
Seating limited. Reservations required.
$75
RSVP: (318) 673-6500
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