Texas Ave Maker's Fair returns to corner of Tex Ave and Common St, 10am to 5 pm, Sat, Nov 5

Danielle Hillman, Amy Lynn Scott, Texas Ave Maker's Fair, Spring 2011, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Texas Avenue Community Association presents the Texas Avenue Makers Fair, says April Dahm, at the corner of Texas Avenue and Common Street in downtown Shreveport.

Vendors will be selling a wide assortment of hand-made, re-purposed, or reconstructed items ranging from clothing and fashion accessories to toys, food, and art.

Admission is free and abundant free parking is available near the event.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring cash, as many vendors will not be able to process credit or debit card payments.

Extensive list of vendors list here.

Dia de los Muertos exhibit continues at minicine, 846 Tex Ave, during Tex Ave Maker's Fair, Sat, Nov 5

Dia de los Muertos minicine, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Papel Picado hung from the rafters, a large, art-filled ofrendas by Conchita Iglesias McElwee and large display of clay art by Mexican artist Juan Ramon Soto will remain on view at minicine?, 846 Tex Ave, during the Texas Ave Maker's Fair, says Iglesias McIlwee.

Dia art by artists from Norway and New Orleans as well by local artists, including Micah Harold and Megan Porter, is also part of the display.

Video here.

Shreveport Opera presents The Merry Widow Saturday October 29, 2011

The Merry Widow takes the stage at Riverview Theatre Saturday night as Shreveport Opera presents the enduring and endearing opera that provides us with a rousing tale of money, debt crisis and love woven together with beautiful music and comedy that will have you humming along and laughing with your neighbor.

Jerry Shannon conducts the Shreveport Symphony from the pit.  Michael Mayes, Katrina Thurman and Eric van Hoven star as Danilo, Hanna (the widow) and Camille respectively.

Time of performance 7:30 PM                                For Tickets 318.227.9503

Saturday, October 29, 2011                                        

Riverview Theatre                              

for additional photos - www.shreveportmusicians4ever.blogspot.com     photos by sjwRogers

Storyteller upon the Spirit of the Red River produces a Spooky Cruise on Halloween; see half price offer at DealChicken.com

A Fancy Engineering Project on Cross Bayou, a photo by Kathryn Usher on Flickr.

Looking for something different to do this Halloween? Red River Cruise’s Annual Spooky Cruise is back, and the DealChicken’s got the scoop on savings.

For $20 you and a friend can celebrate the spookiest night of the year on a Halloween Cruise—half off the regular $40 price.

A spooky storyteller will be on hand to make your Halloween cruise eggceptionally memorable.

Established in 1995, the Red River Cruise company's Spirit of the Red is a U.S. Coast Guard-certified, 35-passenger vessel. Atop the spacious observation deck, you'll hear about the history of the Red River.

The Merchant, not DealChicken, is solely responsible for this Deal. This Deal is subject to the Terms of Service and HOW DEALCHICKEN WORKS.

The Spirit of the Red River Cruise Captain Sandy Jackson operated his first towboat when he was just 12. The experience managed to hook him on life on the river, and he obtained his captain's license when he was only 20. Jackson joined the U.S. Navy and served four years in Vietnam. Upon his return, he resumed cruising on the river.

Photo by Kathryn Usher.

Call to artists from Bossier Arts Council: two and three-dimensional masks ; deadline Dec 16 for Dec 20 exhibit

Masks, Magnet fine arts survey, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Join Bossier Arts Council in initiating the Carnival Season by submitting to a Mask Themed exhibit / fundraiser for the Bossier Arts Council, says Theresa Ratcliff.

Prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, as well as People’s Choice in Both 2D and 3D categories.

Because this is a fundraiser, there is an entry fee of $10.00 per artist to help cover expenses.

1. 2D: This category allows artists to submit any 2D mask related/themed artworks in the media of their choice - including graphics, paintings, photography...

For this competition, Please do Not sign your work on the Front – sign on the back only! There will be a special competition to see who can correctly identify the most artists by their work. If your artwork has already been signed, we will find a subtle way to cover the signatures until the competition is completed.

2. 3D - Artists submitting are asked to create 3D carnival style masks using the medium of their choice. Please do Not sign your creation where visible - there will be a competition throughout this event to see who can correctly match the most artists to their mask.

Drop off: December 16th between 2:00 and 6:00
Exhibit: December 20th – January 20th

Awards Ceremony and Closing Reception: January 20th at 6:00 pm.

All entries must be Mask Themed 2D or 3D art. All media, such as acrylic, collage, oil, pastel, photography, sculpture, etc... accepted. All works must be ready to hang or display. Please bring all works wrapped in paper (or otherwise covered) so that the artist is kept secret!!

All questions or concerns should be directed to Theresa via email at artists@bossierarts.org or theresacrat@yahoo.com or by phone at 318-393-3601.

Dia de los Muertos Shreveport: minicine, 10.29.11; afternoon Dia de Los Muertos in Columbia Park, 1 to 4 pm

Dia de los Muertos Shreveport / minicine, 10.29.11, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Dia de Los Muertos exhibit beginning at 7 pm, Sat, Oct 29 ($5), is going to be a shakin' calacas.

From large work fresh off the table by Megan Porter to intense flights of sexuality and mystery by Micah Harold, this Dia will both bow to the Mexican tradition and cut its own path through the zacatecas.

Produced by Conchita Iglesias McElwee - she is a past master at the art of Dia - alongside Adam Davis, Mallori Brandon and others, this event at minicine, 846 Texas Ave, is a smart follow-up to the international MSPS New Music Fest.

The minicine team is raising the rope for local artists. It has come to pass that shows like Dia 2011 are including artists from Europe (2 artists from Norway, in this case) and other parts of the Americas (New Orleans and Mexico) and New Zealand.

No longer are local artists playing in the parochial back yard. The competition is officially global.

And the minicine energy is supporting the global perspective. Check out the high flying papel picado in the rafters of 846 Texas. See the poster by Ben Moss. Check out the dolls from the Crescent City.

Music. Food. Participation. Buying art. You'll never regret a penny spent.

The Dia celebration in Columbia Park on Sat, Oct 29, is produced by Voces Castellanos for students and families.

Party on Texas St 5:30 - 8 pm Thurs, Oct 20: art, food, crafts, trolley, Prevailing Winds Orchestra

TNT, October, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

While there is a cornucopia of artisanal vendors waiting for those seeking unusual crafts in the 700 block of Texas St on Thurs, Oct 20, let me pitch my favorites to you . . .

- Su Stella, a woman with a sense of humor and huge work ethic and expertise in jewelry and pithy books.
- Poetic X, a spoken work artist of distinct skill and grace, Poetic is an award-winning speaker and spell-binding rhymer.
- Linda Gaston, a designer and painter of sinuous style; she made the parade sash that I've worn while second lining in recent years. It's a perfectly well-sewn and righteously-decorated piece of work.
- Tiffany Walker of T-Shemise Fashions has been a continual explosion in the world of custom clothing.
- Lynn Laird, a very active painter and designer. For a while she was the only local artist purveying the art of scrimshaw.

On the Thurs Night Trolley -

- Southern University Museum of Art Shreveport, or SUMAS. Filled with impressive African art plus work by featured regional artists, this 2-story art center is one of Shreveport's best-kept secrets.
- The Norsworthy Gallery is a jewel and owners Chris and Christine Bailey are thoughtful and gregarious hosts.
- Prevailing Winds Symphonic Band is composed of professional and top amateur musicians and performs marches and overtures that will make you smile.

Free. All Ages. Info at Artspace.

Cohab & The Robinson Film Center cohost TEDx Red River Series beginning Wed, Nov 2, 6 - 7:30 pm

Brandon Oldenburg, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Here at Cohab, we're excited to be teaming up with the Robinson Film Center and Moonbot Studios to bring a Series of TEDx events to Shreveport-Bossier," says John Grindley.

"TED embodies creativity in (T)echnology, (E)ntertainment, and (D)esign and "Ideas Worth Spreading".

The TED movement is happening all over the world, but up to this point North Louisiana has not been a part of the TED dialogue. All of that is changing with a group of TED believers aligning forces to bring TEDxRed River to life.

We'll begin on November 2nd with a series of TED talks led by Moonbot Studios' own Brandon Oldenburg at the Robinson Film Center's Multi-purpose spaces on the 2nd floor."

Annual graveside jam at Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery, Blanchard-LatexRd near Mooringsport, remembers Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter; event Sat, Oct 22, noon

Leadbelly poster found by John Reynolds, NYC, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Article by Katy Ray for visitsouth.com


"It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home…"

The great American songwriter and folk singer Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) was thinking about his hometown of Mooringsport, La. when he sang these words at the turn of the twentieth century.

On October 22, 2011 at noon, you have the chance to visit Leadbelly's grave and hear this song (and others) performed by north Louisiana musicians in the Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery right there in Mooringsport, at the annual pilgrimage known as the Leadbelly Era Celebration.

If you don't know who Leadbelly is, chances are you know the songs he wrote or performed. "Cotton Fields Back Home" is an old favorite of our grandparents and great-grandparents—probably ingrained in the memories of even the youngest modern Southerners. And Leadbelly wrote many songs that became part of the Great American Songbook. "Midnight Special," "In the Pines," "Black Betty," "Goodnight Irene," "Birmingham Jail"... The list goes on and on.

To summarize, he was an iconic traveling musician who, like his compatriot Woody Guthrie, wrote songs documenting American life in the 1800s and 1900s. He was a fascinating character with a colorful personal history.

And every fall, the musicians of his home region gather together at the foot of his grave, in a humble church cemetery, to pay homage to the great musician buried beneath there. All are welcome, and welcome to bring their own instruments and join their voices to the chorus.

It's a low-key affair, but truly special and sweetly spiritual in nature. It's worth the short drive through the beautiful countryside to commune with nature, some top-notch musicians and fellow music lovers (about 45 minutes outside Shreveport).

Leadbelly Era Celebration
Saturday, October 22, 12pm-1pm
Free admission. All are welcome.

Directions: Take I-20 Exit 3 (LA -169), North 10 miles to Caddo Parish #6. (a.k.a. Blanchard-Latex Rd.). Turn left on Caddo Parish #6, drive 2.6 miles to Shiloh Baptist Church.

Horton Foote's "Dividing the Estate:" timely advice about oil lease $$ from Shreveport Little Theater, Nov 3 - 13

Estate 3, a photo by peopleslight on Flickr.

Dividing the Estate, a comedy by Horton Foote, is coming to Shreveport Little Theater Nov 3, says Robert Darrow.

Foote is best known for his screen adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and his play and screenplay, “Trip to Bountiful”.

Dividing the Estate, which was produced on Broadway in 2008, is set during the 1987 oil bust and recession in the fictional small town of Harrison, Texas, outside of Houston. The timely story deals with greed, avarice and entitlement issues that accompany a dysfunctional family’s prospects of riches from oil and natural gas leases.

The siblings fight over whether they should divide the estate while their elderly mother is still alive in order to avoid inheritance taxes.

SLT’s cast includes Marcia Cassanova as Stella, the matriarch, and Virginia Walker, Heather Bryson and John Kerry as the siblings with Eric Whitt, Charles Montgomery, John Daniel, Marcelia Jackson, Jori Jackson, Audra Caitlyn Moss, Wallace Rakoczy, Rachel Harris, and Karly Pokorski.

The creative team and running crew includes Robert Darrow, director, Rebecca Woodruff, stage manager, Tom Serio, set designer, David White, lighting designer, and Peggy San Pedro, costumer.

The production dates are November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. and November 6, 13, 2011 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for seniors, students and active military, $17 for adults, and $10 student rush. Tickets may be purchased at box office, 812 Margaret Place, from noon – 4 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 424-4439.

Bobby Bridger, troubadour, at 555 Herndon on Sun, Oct 16, 7:30 pm in Big Oak Yard Concert; Tchai opens

Bobby Bridger, troubadour, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Singing and telling stories is Bobby Bridger's life. He is deeply concerned with the philosophies and intersections of Native American and European American culture.

The ambient trio Tchai (Chappell, Hardy & Trudeau) will open the back yard concert and will jam afterwards.

Big Oak Yard Concert hosted by Bruce Allen and Kristi Hanna in their vast back yard.

$15: music, plus drinks and snacks.

Please bring lawn chairs.

The Art of Racing in the Rain author Garth Stein speaks at Caddo Magnet High on Thurs, Oct 20, 6:30 pm; free and open to the public

ARR International Covers // Italian, a photo by ColdTrackDays.com on Flickr.

Award-winning author and documentary film producer Garth Stein will give a free
lecture to the public at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 20th at Caddo Parish Magnet High School, says Kris Clements.

His best known book, The Art of Racing in the Rain (Harper, 2008),
is a New York Times bestseller that has been published in 30 languages.

Blending a story about championship auto racing and family, life and death, betrayal
and enduring hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is narrated by the funny and loveable family dog, Enzo, who provides a look at the wonders and absurdities of human life.

Caddo Parish Magnet High School
1601 Viking Drive
Shreveport, LA 71101
318.221.2501
mrounds@caddo.k12.la.us

Review: MSPS New Music Fest draws five hundred to historic if nearly hidden downtown waterworks in Shreveport: McNeil St Pumping Station

MSPS New Music Fest, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The two-story building at McNeil St Pumping Station was a cathedral for the final hour of the MSPS New Music Festival on Friday.

Canadian sound artist Tim Hecker unleashed torrents of sampled signal into massive speakers inside the building that houses the flywheels and towering steel pumping mechanisms. The result sounded like overlapping storms from 3 cathedral organs. The high banks of window panes in the Pump Room oscillated in the orchestral wabe.

People of all ages wandered wonderingly through the romantically dark facility. Indirect and colored lights illuminated coves, valve assemblies and the steps that connected the labyrinthine hallways of the several buildings.

Performances unfolded in the vat-filled Filter Room. Installations pulsed in the picnic area (the Occidentalists' inflated and illuminated parachute was an icon) and hummed (film by Dacoda Montana animated several cement walls) and clanked in the sky above the Settling Basins (Eli Keszler vibrated and amplified the wires that he strung from an exterior tower to the ground).

Sited amidst the numerous alcoves were caterers' posts. My favorite was the vast oak tree in the picnic area from which hung fresh fruit; crowd favorites were the pork room and the juice bar.

There was a listening station in the octagonal Laboratory. Among the 13 recordists' work was a piece by Desire Obtain Cherish.

Fans of esoteric music such as Christian Greenwood, visiting from Los Angeles, and Joel Boultinghouse, MSPS volunteer from Shreveport, chatted with obscure new music heroes such as composer Mark Fell, a Londoner fresh from a tour of France.

Some 30 volunteers and minicine board members assembled the extensive network of lights and sound facilities, said David Nelson.

Curators Robert Peterson and Robert Greenwood and visioneer David Nelson have plans to repeat the fest next year. They want to make the performers available to the audience over several days of performances and talks.

The minicine team has taken an off-the-beaten-path site and shown the city that it - also called the Shreveport Waterworks Museum - is a world-class performance complex. With quietly deluxe style minicine transformed a moribund historic center into a sensual wonderland.

Imagination. Teamwork.
Art and value added.

Academy of Children's Theater presents "A Little Princess" Nov 11-12 & 18-19, 7 pm, and Nov 13 & 20, 2 pm, East Bank Theatre

"A Little Princess:" Caroline Adkins, Lily Whitaker , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Academy of Children’s Theatre will present its production of A Little Princess Nov 11-12 and 18-19, at 7 p.m.
and Nov 13 and 20, at 2 p.m. at the East Bank Theatre, says Cynthia Whitaker.

Based on the classic children’s book by Frances Hodgson Burnett,
A Little Princess is a Victorian fairy tale telling the story of Sarah Crewe, who is placed In Miss Minchin’s Seminary.

The production is written and directed by Cynthia Hawkins Whitaker with sets by Eugen Crook and Heather Hooper and costumes by Peggy San Pedro.

It features 30 of the area’s top young actresses and stars Bryan Wooley, Courtney Van Eaton, Lily Whitaker, Christian Dantes, and introduces Caroline Adkins as Sarah Crewe.

Tickets,$15.00 each.
Reservations: 741-8310. All tickets include a character meet and greet and autograph signing after the show.

Velo Dendro Shreveport: Sat, Oct 22, 8:30 am at Columbia Cafe; A BetterShreveport's bicycle tour of trees in 3rd relaxed year

Velo Dendro Shreveport, 2010, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Velo Dendro is a bicycle tour of Shreveport's trees sponsored by A Better Shreveport. A relaxed ride, it has drawn 80 to 100 riders per event in its first 2 years," says Dr. Hallie Dozier.

Registration and last-minute air for tires at 8:30 am at Columbia Cafe. Fee is $10 and includes T-shirt, snack and lunch.

The tour is led by LSU forester Dr Hallie Dozier, a former Shreveporter. Matthew Linn, proprietor of Columbia cafe, is tour co-producer. Robert Trudeau and Garrett Johnson are the coordinators for 2011.

Those taking the entire tour will return to Columbia Cafe for lunch, which is included in the $10 registration fee.

"The tour visits Betty Virginia Park before winding through old Broadmoor, taking a break at Centenary College and going via Olive St to the Stoner Boat Launch (stop for water & fruit). There the group spins down the Fant bikeway to downtown. Group photos will be shot near Riverview Fountains. Thence we return to Columbia Cafe," says Trudeau. He and Dozier recently rode the route and found it "lyrical."

More info or to volunteer: trudeau11@gmail.com.

A Better Shreveport is overall sponsor of the event. Joining as sponsors are Pratt Industries, Columbia cafe, the Bike Pedaler and River City Cycling.

Tribute to the Hayride, Hank and the movie "The Last Ride" at the Strand Theater, Sun, Oct 16, 2 pm to 5 pm

Tribute to the Hayride & Hank: Strand Theater, Sun, Oct 16, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shreveport and the Louisiana Hayride will celebrate Hank Williams with a free concert, Sun., Oct. 16th, 2 pm to 5 pm, says Johnny Wessler.

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Hayride Foundation. It will be held at the historic Strand Theatre.

Performers include Hank’s daughter, Jett Williams, The Cox Family, and lead actors from the new movie, which is a story about Hank Williams, called “The Last Ride.”

Other performers at this Hank Celebration, include actors from the movie, “The Last Ride,” who are singers and musicians as well.

Henry Thomas, who played the young boy in E.T., stars as Hank in the movie. Jesse James plays the role of the driver of Hank’s Cadillac.

“The Last Ride” opens in Shreveport at Cinemark Tinseltown 17, Oct. 21st.

MSPS New Music Fest at minicine? Shreveport on Th, Oct 13 and at McNeil St Pumping Station on Fri, Oct 14, 7 - 11 pm

Interview: Christopher Alexander.

Review: "Fantastic Mr Fox" an artfully wild experience involving puppets and the audience at Artspace Shreveport through Nov 27

Fantastic Mr Fox / Artspace Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Wearing long jeans and a t-shirt to the 2-hour puppet show called "The Fantastic Mr Fox" was smarter than I knew.

For on Saturday night "Mr Fox" was an adventure in which the audience's climbing, scrunching, hiding, and sliding was part of the entertainment.

"Fox" felt like a ride on a Potteresque night train in which each lurching train car
reveals an inventive drama that mixes distress with disportment.

Too, it was a bit like a Bill Joyce book come to life - each room featuring surreal perspective and droll detail such as warped cabinets and lamps. And a stream of sly jokes (a special edition of Fox News was witty) kept the adults alert.

While I fully recommend the experience, I am not saying that it is a pristine production. "Fox" takes place underground in a rough-hewn world constructed of cardboard and wood. Some of it is properly and humorously painted, and some of it is not.

"Fox" seemed like an off-off Broadway show because the mufti-clad puppeteers were not hidden - they were omnipresent and kept the puppet figures in constant motion.

The puppets - "Fantastic," his son and his wife - were bursting with body language. If the actual puppet figures were larger - they are realistically skinny - I think the show would have been even more effective.

The soundtrack was one of my favorite elements. Beatlesque tunes written and recorded by the creators of "Fox,", SFX and symphonic flourishes were expertly added to each tableau.

And the voice of New Orleans musician Johnny Vidacovich as "Fantastic," the charming n'eer-do-well, gave the audience a soulful and vivid hero.


See tickets ($20 ea) and schedule of performances, of which several are sold out, at Artspaceshreveport.org.

- Those who want to see the show but don't feel the gymnastic parts will work for them can take an alternative walking path between scenes.
- In-betweeners can grab knee pads and enjoy a modified trek. Rough-and-tumble types may be OK wearing shorts but we steadfastly recommend long jeans.

See more photos from Sat night with "Fantastic."

Shreveport's annual Red River Cleanup, Stoner Boat Launch, Sat, Oct 15, 8 am to noon

Cross Bayou, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

2nd Annual Red River Cleanup

Saturday, October 15 · 8:00am - 12:00pm

Stoner Boat Launch
Clyde Fant Parkway at East Stoner Avenue
Shreveport, LA

Registration: 8 a.m.

Free Lunch: Noon - Huge thanks to Gumbo to Geaux and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Contact us:
Crystal Whitman, Nancy Larned
www.redrivercleanup.com
lisa@redrivercleanup.com

Join us and these amazing commmunity partners ~ be a part of this great opportunity to do something good for our community!

Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society
Ark-La-Tex Chapter of the Arkansas Canoe Club
Shreveport Green
Shreveport Sail & Power Squadron
Ashley’s Building and Construction
Bossier High School
Bossier Parish Water Rescue
Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
BPCC
Buffalo Wild Wings
Caddo Parish River Patrol
Custom-Bilt Cabinet
Garison Electric
Gumbo to Geaux
John Shirley Insulation
Kennedy’s Karate USA
Pratt Recycling
Red River Waterways Commission
Reeves Marine
Shreveport Parks and Recreation
The Simple Church
Ouachita Independent Bank
Garison Electric
Teva
Tubbs Hardware
Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters

www.facebook.com/redrivercleanup

Folk music at Fairfield Studios: the Jeff & Vida Band on Sat, Oct 15

Jeff & Vida Band, a photo by Donna Gisi (Portraits4Peace) on Flickr.

"Revel wraps up this weekend: It's time to reserve for the "sure-to-be-super" Jeff & Vida Band concert Saturday, October 15," says Jim Huckabay.

"A powerhouse duo in their previous two shows here—this time around Jeff Burke & Vida Wakeman are bringing reinforcements for a complete 4 (or 5?) piece presentation.
Reserve your place and tell your friends (we still have some seats) about one of our most popular & respected acts!"

Reservations at www.shreveporthouseconcerts.org or email: reservations@fairfieldstudios.com or call 219-7688

Two celebrations of Dia de los Muertos in Shreveport on Sat, Oct 29: Columbia Park and Tex Ave

Design: Ben Moss, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Plans are moving forward for Voces Castellanas's Day of the Dead - Festival of Life - to be held in Columbia Park on Sat, Oct. 29 --- from 1:00 to 4:00pm," says lee Spruell.

"Yesterday I was at Caddo Middle Maganet helping my friend Raquel Martinez teach her Spanish students traditional songs in Spanish and Mexican folkloric dances" adds Spruell. "They will perform for their school's October Fest on Oct. 12 and then again for Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 29 -- the celebration of Hispanic culture shines brightly in Shreveport."

"Tres Mexicanos (Conchita, Mallori and Adam) and minicine? are proud to present Dia de los Muertos 2011," says Conchita Iglesias McElwee.

"What a night of remembrance, festivities and fun we have planned!! So many things going on that it is hard to put it all here! We have over 35 artists from all over the world participating in this show!

We will have the gallery space open as well as our outdoor space. In honor of the spirit of Dia de los Muertos come dressed as your favorite dead person or animal!

We will have a community ofrenda (shrine) to celebrate those we have loved and lost.

We will have interactive art where you can paint a sugar skull wall.

Music provided by:
Twang Darkly (Shreveport, LA)
Kern Courtney / Naked Vinyl (Shreveport, LA)
Skye Carrasco- (Boston, MA)

Taqueria La Michoacana will be selling their awesome tacos and burrittos!

Juan Ramon Soto from Guadalajara, Mexico will be on hand painting and selling his clay art!"

So long and thanks, Steve Jobs. Best to your family.

Boy and his eMac. photo Talbot Hopkins, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Talked to my son, Adolph, about our earliest Apple computers. Began buying them in the early 90's. My first 2 were hand-me-downs from my children.

In 1984 I was shopping for our first computer. Both of us remembered a visit to a store that sold the Macintosh near El Chico's Madison Park. Because of the expense I passed on the Mac. Bought a California brand called a Kaypro.

One of our best Apple stories is about the eMac that ran for 11 years; not a moment's problem. There was an iBook that was schlepped across Europe and the US. It has been rebuilt and is still running.

Today I must give honor to my little MacBook. Have edited a ton of video and sound on it and filled several external hard drives. It's a tough one.

The new iMac is impressive, too.

I never did like the iPod. Had several of them and they were a pain in the rear end.

I don't quite know how I live without an iPhone. My children consider them, like, essential.

Waiting for another generation to go by before getting a magic carpet iPad.

So long and thanks, Steve Jobs. Amazing work, sir.

Best to your family.

Zzzzzttshhhhhh: McNeil St Pumping Station, Shreveport, site of international New Music Festival on Oct 13, 14

MSPS: Oct 13, 14, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Artists from Germany, the UK, Iceland and Canada will present startling washes of sonicalia at the McNeill Street Pumping Station New Music Festival 2011, a curated exhibition of site-specific sound art, says Robert Peterson.

Two nights:

10.13.11 ~ Prelude
minicine?, 846 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101
7pm - 11pm Donation $5... 12 & under, free....

10.14.11 ~ Architectural Explorations in Sound
Shreveport Waterworks Museum, 142 N. Common St. SHV, LA 71101
7pm - 11pm Donation $10... 12 & under, free....

The M S P S N e w M u s i c F e s t i v a l 2 0 1 1 will exhibit site specific performances, installations and recorded compositions.

The theme of the exhibition is “Architectural Explorations in Sound” in response to the pumping station house where the festival will take place and the wealth of acoustic information to be gleaned from the brick, glass and iron within the interior of the space.

More on the fest here.
Visit the

McNeill Street Pumping Station from McNeill Curatorial on Vimeo.

">McNeil St Pumping Station!

Shreveport welcomed into the association of civilized entities by Los Angeles comic Bruce Vilanch, fresh from the 3rd Annual North LouisianaGay & Lesbian Film Festival

Cedric Glover, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"I met the mayor of Shreveport, La. recently. He weighs 400 pounds, is about as black as it gets, and is straight. His name is Cedric," writes Hollywood wit Bruce Vilanch in a Huffington Post column.

"I met him at the Lesbigay Film Festival. That's not its real name, of course, although his real name is Cedric. Its real name is something far more exotic and abbreviation-able (SLBGTFF, or letters along those lines), but it's a lesbigay film festival, all right, and I was one of its opening-night attractions. In Shreveport. Louisiana. Where people once wore hoods and strung 400-pound black men up, and probably just left the bodies of other undesirables to be be disposed of by crocs in any of the many neighboring lakes."

More on Shreveport's perceived evolution here.

Duck park issues, rehab and the community: Daniel Gehrig on KSCL, fm 91.3, at 5 pm on Mon, Oct 3

Daniel Gehrig, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shreveport's beloved Duck Park needs a rehab, says environmentalist Daniel Gehrig. Tune in to Kscl fm, 91.3, for an on-air chat with Gehrig on Mon at 5 pm. Gehrig, an employee of Louisiana Environmental Solutions, is a consensus builder; he is bringing together several community-minded groups for the effort.

Stand by for a Shreveport-wide Duck park clean up day.

Also on the 5 pm show, Time for A Better Shreveport, hear Centenary College prof Annie Blazer offer background on filmmaker Naimah Fuller. Her movie about the migration of Black Americans, entitled "Home," airs at RFC in Shreveport, Wed, 10-5-11, 7:30 pm.

Stream the show at http://kscl.fm/.
Questions or remarks during the show: 869 5297.

Time for A Better Shreveport is hosted by Robert Trudeau, Carolyn Manning & Loren Demerath.

Visit the ABS open meeting at 6 pm every Mon at Centenary Square, across King's Hwy from George's Grill.

http://abettershreveport.blogspot.com/

Black Americans migrating again: filmmaker Naimah Fuller at RFC in Shreveport, Wed, 10-5-11, 7:30 pm

Filmmaker Naimah Fuller in Shreveport 10-5-11, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Naimah Fuller, an award-winning media artist and independent filmmaker, will be visiting the Centenary campus as an Attaway Scholar from Oct. 5 through Oct. 7, says Annie Blazer.

Fuller will host a showing of her documentary at Robinson Film Center.

Born in rural Georgia, Fuller’s love of cinema began at an early age, as her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all photographers. Pursuing this passion, she majored in commercial photography at the Arts & Crafts Institute in Detroit, Mi.

After studying filmmaking at the Studio Museum in Harlem and working on movie sets, she embarked on a seven-year stint as a producer-writer at WABC-TV. These experiences led her to become the producer, director, writer and cinematographer of her current documentary project: Home: The Great Migration of the 21st Century.

7:00 p.m.
Robinson Film Center
Screening of
Home: The Great Migration of the 21st Century
Questions to follow
Free and open to the public

"All of the tech companies in the region are going to be presenting:" Thurs, Sept 29, 5:30 - 7 pm @ CoHabitat Shreveport

CoHabitat Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Got tech skills? Then make plans to attend the launch of TechRouler, a coalition of North Louisiana companies that have a common need for tech-skilled talent, says Angie White.

TechRouler will unveil its new website at the event and attendees will have the chance to mix and mingle with partner company representatives."All of the tech companies in the region are going to be here presenting," says Rob Gaudet.

The launch party will take place at CoHabitat, the region's coolest workspace for solo creative workers. It is on Commerce St, historic downtown Shreveport.

Thurs, Sept 29, 2011, 5:30-7:00 pm
CoHabitat, 610 Commerce Street,

Great companies, doing exciting things, in need of talent, here in North Louisiana - this is big!

Info-
318-677-2536

Arts & crafts street fair, 700 block of Texas St, on Thurs, Oct 20, 5 pm to 9 pm

Smile, Shreveport / Trudeau 08, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Takin' it to the Streets! says Bonne Summers, is a Fall Sidewalk Arts, Crafts
and Unique Finds Street Fair & Art Gallery Walk Night.


Artists and Vendors...
Bring your funky stuff for a funky fall night in funky Downtown funky Shreveport.

Cost: Free!

- Bring your own set up for a 10x10 space
- Set up at 3:00 p.m.
- Vendors responsible for their own sales tax reporting.

Thursday, October 20th
Thursday Night Trolley Night
5 pm – 9 pm
700 Block of Texas Street

Prevailing Winds Orchestra * Food * Art * Fun * Haggling * Creative Discourse

Contact Bonné - 673-6508 or
bonne@shrevearts.org to receive
more information or reserve a spot.

DJ's bring electronic music to the river front for teens; basic mixing lessons offered for those who would like to roll upon the river

DJ's entertain on Shreveport's river front / photo Michael Britton, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"All week long I will be hosting an amateur level dj lesson every night, starting at 6-10," says David Michael Clark.

"This week will be completely free. Mainly to find serious interest in developing a team of solid dj's and producers. Could soon be having lessons on production for Ableton live from beginner to advanced by a well known and highly trained producer. This will be established within the next two weeks so let me know ASAP if you are interested so I can fill you in on the location and price details. FL studios is also a possibility if the desire is more suitable for the masses."

Hit up David Michael Clark on Facebook. Also see him for spin poi lessons - at a modest fee.

Tribe Called Quest doc gets one night at RFC, Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.

(L to R) Q-Tip, Phife Dawg,  and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest.

The new documentary Beats Rhymes & Life chronicles the rise to stardom and (years later) the storied implosion of legendary hip-hop outfit A Tribe Called Quest. It plays one screening only Tuesday, Sep. 27 at 7:45 p.m. at The Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport.

Among true hip-hop fans, Tribe are recognized as perhaps the most innovative and beloved hip-hop act of all time. Personally, I am obsessed with two seminal albums that they released back-to-back: 1991's The Low End Theory and 1993's Midnight Marauders. I still find it impossible to conceive that one group - essentially a duo (what did Ali Shaheed Muhammad do?) - created these two albums in the course of less than two years.

My two desert island Tribe songs would be "Buggin' Out" (listen via Youtube) and "Electric Relaxation" (listen via Youtube). To me, their music represents an era of hip-hop during which record labels were still willing to license samples, allowing hip-hop to exist, for a while, as a truly postmodern art form (original music constructed from samples).

Watch the trailer.
Buy tickets.

Young Frankenstein The Musical inherits the Strand Theater, Shreveport, on Th, Oct 20, 7 pm

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, a photo by Young Frankenstein The Musical on Flickr.

The classic Mel Brooks movie is alive ...and it's headed here, says Danny Fogger.

All the favorite moments from the classic film are promised, plus brand-new show-stopping numbers for the stage. This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that's Fronkensteen) as he attempts to create a monster--but not without scary and hilarious complications.

The brains behind the laughter is menius and three-time Tony winner Mel Brooks himself--who wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book.


For tickets and more information: http://www.thestrandtheatre.com or (318) 226-1481

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra: special for students on season-opening Sat night, Sept 24, 7:30 pm, Riverview Theater

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra: standing ovation, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Special price for students on Sat night," says Cathy Sholar, "at the ticket window in the lobby of Riverview Theater: $10 cash (rather than the usual $12)."

Tickets for the opening concert, 7:30 pm on Sat, are going rapidly, says Sholar.

More, such as tickets and parking, at shreveportsymphony.com.

Fantastic Mr Fox, Artspace Shreveport, opens Sat, Sept 24, needs volunteers this week, T-Th, anytime between 9 am and 9 pm

Fantastic Mr Fox, Artspace Shreveport: Holladay Jackson, Theresa Andersson, Johnny Vidacovich, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Elizabeth Holladay Jackson says,"Hey Shrevies, we need some help finishing tunnels and stuff at Fantastic Mr Fox, so if you or anyone you know can drop by Artspace anytime Tuesday- Thursday to help us out, we'd really appreciate it!" I think she means after 9am... or anytime before 9pm... Sounds like they need lots-o-volunteers," says Minicine.

David Amram, musician extraordinaire, in week-long Centenary College residency topped by performance with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra on Sat, Sept 24

Levon Helm Band/David Amram, a photo by David Swift Photography on Flickr.

David Amram is a musician and composer whose career begins with jazz and the Beats in NYC and travels across to the classical and jazz music of today.

Amram chats and jams this week in Shreveport, says Bruce Allen.

Monday night 9/19 at 7:30 -9:30: Centenary, Feazel rehearsal hall, with a short recital by David Amram --Todd Gabriel and Gay Grosz are playing, plus Tom and Sally Hundemer and then a semi-organized improv session. Open to public.

Tuesday afternoon 9/20 at 4:00-5:00: Renzi Center-Afterschool Art Center. Dorothy Kristin Hanna--visit with the kids and teachers. Open to public.

Tuesday night 9/20 at 7:30-9:00: Kilpatrick Auditorium - Convocation and informal jam session, , w/local poets and musicians. Open to public.

Saturday morning 9/24 at 10:15-10:30-1:00 Riverview Theatre SSO Rehearsal - tickets available at Shreveport Symphony www.shreveportsymphony.com - 318.222.7496

Saturday night 9/24 at 6:15: preconcert talk w/M. Butterman; SSO Concert at 7:30, performing Amram's "In Memory of Chano Pozo" Riverview Theatre - Tickets available at Shreveport Symphony www.shreveportsymphony.com - 318.222.7496


Sunday afternoon 9/25 3:00 PM - Robinson Film Centre presentation of "David Amram: The First 80 years", a documentary film biography of David Amram followed by a Q&A with David Amram and the film's director/producer Lawrence Kaman

Don't miss an opportunity to see and hear this talented musician-composer, say musicians Sally Horak and Susan Rogers.

The Magnolia Special, created by JT Nesbitt and Bienville Studios, New Orleans: a CNG vehicle designed for coast to coast run

Magnolia Special, Bienville Studios, New Orleans / photo Amy Jett, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"A first in automobile design and construction, the Magnolia Special was from inception a dedicated compressed natural gas vehicle," says former Shreveporter JT Nesbitt III.

Nesbitt has been a French Quarter resident for years now, pulling inspiration for his dramatic motorcycle designs and astonishing car projects from the Crescent City. His site, Bienvillestudios.com, provides background and a feast of project photos.

The Magnolia Special is about to be tested in a spectacular way. Says Nesbitt, "On Oct 15, after completing the testing, The Magnolia Special will embark upon a coast to coast record-setting run, New York to Los Angeles. She has been built with this purpose in mind. Every engineering decision has been inspired by the desire to produce a long distance endurance race car that extols the virtues of a clean burning domestic fuel."

Nesbitt says he is shooting for a 50-hour coast-to-coast run. The car's range is some 600 miles. CNG costs are about $1.20 a gallon at the moment.

That Chesapeake Natural Gas declined to support the vehicle frustrates Nesbitt. He has won editorial support, however, from Wired.com, who ran an admiring feature on the Magnolia in the Sept 2 edition. This week he's being covered by Jalopnik.com in a story called "How to make a green car sexy."

In Shreveport we are struck by the similarities between Nesbitt's historic and swoopcious sense of design and those expressed by William Joyce in books like Dinosaur Bob.

Like Joyce, Nesbitt is a long-time artist, a capable painter and Bayou State guy of world-class imagination.

Bethany Krull exhibit, Meadows Museum, Shreveport: artist talk on Sun,Sept 18, 2 pm

Bethany Krull exhibit, Meadows Museum, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

A public gallery talk by sculptor Bethany Krull at Meadows Museum of Art Shreveport, says Diane DuFilho, will be presented Sun, Sept , 2 to 3 pm.

See more on New York artist Bethany Krull.

Pianist Anna Bulkina joins West Edge Quartet at Frost Chapel, First Baptist, Sun, Sept 18, 3 pm

Pianist Anna Bulkina, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The West Edge String Quartet will feature Anna Bulkina, the 2009 Wideman Gold Medalist in a concert, Sunday, September 18, 2011, at 3 pm.

The program, says Lester Senta Wilson, will include Beethoven, Piano Sonata, Op 31, No 3
Busoni, Toccata, K 287
Shostakovich Piano Quintet, No 8 in C minor

In addition to the Wideman Competition, Anna Bulkina is a medalist in the following competitions: Busoni International Piano Competition, China International Piano Competition, Twenty-six International Piano Competition "Valsesia Musica" Italy, M T N A Young Artists Competition and Sorrento International Piano Competition.

Conference for students and professionals in media set for Saturday

Photo from louispagan.com, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Does your work or schooling involve working with the media? If so, plan to attend the Chesapeake Conference for Media and Communication presented by the Shreveport Journalism Foundation on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Bossier Parish Community College’s Emmett E. Cope Student Service Building.

This educational opportunity is designed to examine the current state of communication and the future of media while providing tips to enhance your skills and build relationships.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and is $10 for students and $20 for professionals; however, free registration is available for those students receiving college credit for attending.

“I think this is going to be really valuable training for the local professionals and students,” said Kacee Kirschvink of The Shreveport Journalism Foundation and conference coordinator. “We haven’t had this type of conference here in years, and it’s an inexpensive way to get the training without having the expenses of travel…and to get really good knowledge of what’s going on in northwest Louisiana.”

An array of speakers including Randy Bain of KTBS; Mary Nash-Wood with the Shreveport Times; Managing Editor Sean Green of the Bossier Press Tribune and the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s Chris Jay will cover topics from journalism going high tech, to freedom of information, to what is news and ethics these days anyway.

A welcome from Gregg Trusty, president of the Shreveport Journalism Foundation and Karen Musgrove, director of Public Relations at BPCC, will kick off the day’s workshops.

Lunch is included and will be provided by Chef Elizabeth Dickson of BPCC. The menu will be stuffed chicken breast with Creole sauce, rice, broccoli, salad, rolls and key lime pie.

Corporate sponsors include Chesapeake Energy, SWEPCO and Bossier Parish Community College. For more information about sponsorships, call (318) 780-7615.

Author-illustrator William Joyce not believed to be injured in jet pack flight; announces new book called The Man in the Moon

William Joyce Moonbot Jetpack from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

PACE announces 3rd North LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival with celebrity guest Bruce Vilanch

PACE, “People Acting for Change and Equality,” announces its 3^rd annual North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival to be held September 16-22, 2011, at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport, LA, with celebrity guest Bruce Vilanch.

Six-time Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch is one of the most sought-after comedy writers in Hollywood. Within the industry, he’s known as the big guy who writes for everyone. To the public, he’s probably best known as a celebrity panelist and head writer for Hollywood Squares for four years, sitting in the square next to his friend and client Whoopi Goldberg, who stole the show with Vilanch’s one-liners. He spent two years as Edna Turnblad on tour and on Broadway in the smash musical adaptation of the John Waters filmHairspray. He scripted most of the Academy Awards telecasts over the last decade.

Opening night festivities on Friday, September 16, will include a lavish reception with Bruce Vilanch visiting with attendees and providing a preview of the stand-up act he’ll deliver the following night, Saturday, September 17 during the festival. On Friday, after the reception, Vilanch will introduce the filmGet Bruce with a Q & A to follow. Get Bruce is an affectionate and hilarious tribute to Vilanch with appearances by some of the many celebrities that he has written material for such as Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Carol Burnett, and Whoopi Goldberg. When entertainers want to be sure to say something funny, they “get Bruce” to write for them.

Other films showing during the week-long festival are Undertow, Wish Me Away, Hollywood to Dollywood, Leave It on the Floor, Gen Silent, Thy Will Be Done, and a collection of original submission short films. Some of the films will be followed by panel discussions. Hollywood to Dollywood executive producers and lead actors Mike Bowen and identical twins Gary and Larry Lane will close out the film festival on Thursday, September 22 with a Q & A after their highly entertaining film which documents their road-trip to try to present a script to their idol Dolly Parton. The Korner Lounge will host a Dolly-themed after-party following the Q & A.

Festival passes and individual tickets to all events can be purchased at the Robinson Film Center (617 Texas St., 318-459-4122; www.robinsonfilmcenter.org) beginning August 15. For additional information see the film festival web site: www.nlglff.org.

A pre-festival event will take place on Thursday evening, September 15, at minicine.

Any individual, organization or business interested in becoming a sponsor of the film festival should contact Bryan Sullivan at hairchem@aol.com before the deadline of Monday, August 8.

For more information about PACE, north Louisiana’s leading advocacy organization for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, go to www.pacelouisiana.org.

###

Contact information

Baylor Boyd, Film Festival Chair

318-402-6601

baylor_boyd@yahoo.com

Adrienne Critcher, Communications Director

318-869-3930 or 318-393-6556

critcher@earthlink.net

Cardboard, paper and glue: New Orleanian Arthur Mintz discusses the creation of the participatory Fantastic Mr Fox at Artspace Shreveport on KSCL at 5 pm Mon, Sept 12

Arthur Mintz, OffBeat Magazine November 2010, a photo by Offbeat Magazine on Flickr.

"Akin to a Broadway Production and like no theatrical experience ever offered before in this area, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council is bringing the literature of author Roald Dahl to life through an interactive theatrical puppet experience at artspace this fall with Fantastic Mr Fox," says Julia Foley.

"Children and adults will climb, crawl, slide and travel through the tunnels to experience the show created through the imagination of New Orleans theatrical team, Hi-Yah! Productions. The show encompasses three floors of artspace and tunnels through thirteen sets made of recycled cardboard. You have to see it to believe it!"

Hear the creator of the show, Arthur Mintz, discuss the production on KSCL, 91.3 fm, on Mon, Sept 12, at 5 pm.

Mintz is one of a series of community figures being interviewed each Mon at 5 on the program Time for A Better Shreveport. Hosts are Carolyn Manning, Loren Demerath and Robert Trudeau,

Stream the chat at KSCL.FM.

North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Sept. 16-22, Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport

head shot, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Be part of the civil rights movement of our time by simply doing something very entertaining—participating in the Opening Weekend activities of the 3rd annual North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and attending some of our films," says Adrienne Critcher.

Friday, Sept. 16, Opening Night
6-7:30 pm: Reception with celebrity guest Bruce Vilanch, Hollywood comedy writer and performer (of Hollywood Squares as both panelist and head writer; head writer for a decade for the Academy Awards shows)--$30
7:45 pm: film “Get Bruce” with an intro before and Q & A afterwards with Bruce Vilanch; “Get Bruce” features Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Bette Midler as they describe how entertainers who want to be funny “get Bruce” to write for them—regular RFC ticket prices

Saturday, Sept. 17
7:15 pm: Bruce Vilanch does his hour-long stand-up comedy act; we hear he’s LOLROTFLMAO funny--$20

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7 pm
Original Shorts Program

Thursday, Sept. 22, 7:30 pm
The lead actors and producers of highly-acclaimed “Hollywood to Dollywood” will attend and do a Q & A; “Dolly-themed party” afterwards at the Korner Lounge

Films running Sept. 16 – Sept. 22 (some with panels):
“Undertow” won a 2010 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award
The remaining films are all making the rounds across the nation (and in some foreign countries) on the 2011 film festival circuits:
“Hollywood to Dollywood”, “Wish Me Away”, “Thy Will Be Done”, “Leave It On The Floor”, ”Gen Silent”

Tickets? Robinson Film Center (318-459-4122 or www.robinsonfilmcenter.org). See the film festival web site for details: www.nlglff.org.

Three generations of art from the Atwood family opens at Karpeles Museum on Sun, Sept 11, 1:30 pm

Todd Atwood painting, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"There will be an opening reception Sun, Sept 11, 1:30 to 4pm, at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 3201 Centenary Blvd, for: "The Atwoods: Olga, Terry and Todd - Three Generations of Artistic Vision in Multiple Media," says Jean Glabus.

Free.
Hours: Wed through Sat 10am to 4pm.
318 861 7615

The artwork & photographs will be on display through September 30th.

MSPS New Music Festival announces roster for Oct. 14 show

A view of the main room at the McNeill Street Pump Station,
snagged from an anonymous Flickr profile.

On Friday, October 14, Shreveport's historic McNeill Street Pumping Station (142 North Common Street) will host the 2011 MSPS New Music Festival, an evening-long showcase of site-specific performances, installations and recorded compositions by some of the world's most revered experimental musicians and sound artists. The roster of performers has been finalized, and includes the likes of ambient music legend Tim Hecker, multimedia artist Mark Fell, and a smorgasborg of about 26 others, including locals like Pete Fetterman and Dacoda Montana. The theme of the exhibition is “Architectural Explorations in Sound” and the concept of the entire show is to "play the building" as an instrument. At a planning meeting last night, event co-curator Bob Greenwood said that two performers were planning to string 100 foot-long piano strings between buildings at the Pumping Station and pluck them using pulleys of some sort. Another act will perform utilizing an eight-channel mix - an 8.1 surround sound system.

The fest will run 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Admission will be $10. Carpooling is highly recommended. If you're not familiar with the McNeill Street Pumping Station, an 1887 steam-powered water works that was retired in 1980, take a look at their website. To get a sense of the beauty of the building, I recommend checking out this Flickr photoset.

Visit the McNeill Street Pumping Station website
Visit the MSPS New Music Festival 2011 website
"Like" the festival on Facebook

Texas Ave Maker's Fair, Shreveport, comes together on Nov 5; crafters'registration opens Sept 9

Maker's Fair, Shreveport: Conchita Iglesias, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Registration for the November 5th Texas Avenue Makers Fair will open tomorrow, Sept 9th, at 9:00 am," says April Dahm.

Get more info and register at texasavemakersfair.com "Registration will close on November 1st at midnight. We are expecting to sell out so please register early!"

Dancing, Louisiana-style? enjoy the Cajun-Dixon Line Band, Shreveport, at Lake St Dance Hall on Sat, Sept 10, 7 pm to 11 pm

Cajun-Dixon Line Band, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Cajun-Dixon Line Band will be playing again at Lake Street Dance Hall, this Saturday night, September 10, from 7:00 to 11:00, says Chris Webb.

"We are looking forward to more great Cajun dancing! Corner of Lake & Marshall Streets downtown, parking in the rear. Allons danser!"

Lake Street Dance Hall
425 Lake Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 222-2256

LSUS Animation Program Co-Hosts with Moonbot Studios on Wed, Sept 14, 7 pm, LSUS UC Theater: behind the scenes with Morris Lessmore

Cool Toys Pic of the day - The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, a photo by rosefirerising on Flickr.

The Animation & Visual Effects program at LSU Shreveport and Moonbot Studios will host a behind the scenes look at the award-winning, animated, short film “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” on Wednesday, September 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the LSUS University Center Theater.

Moonbot Studios will also be discussing their interactive book App based on the film, both of which are available on iTunes.

The event is free and open to the public. Please visit www.lsus.edu/ave or the blog, http://lsusave.wordpress.com, for more information.

Centenary Book Bazaar sponsored by the Centenary Muses opens Friday at 4 pm, the Gold Dome

Book House staff, Centenary College, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Centenary Book Bazaar sponsored by the Centenary Muses is in its 24th year, says David Henington.

Opens this Friday at 4 PM. Gold Dome. Bring your own boxes and bags if you plan to make a haul.

Books are accepted 24/7 365 days of the year at the 'Book House' across from George's Grill. Bins in front of the window with the Book Bazaar banner.

Thanks for your support for 24 years.
Money supports student projects!

Book House staff: Zoe Ramsey, Nancy Rosenblath, Rita Rodgers, Paul Madden, Grace Bareikis, Patricia Leath.

More at Centenary Book Bazaar.

Billy Bretherton, aka Billy the exterminator, wins plaudits in NY Timesarticle; judged to be one of TV's "Gnarly Five"

billybadass, a photo by river-rider on Flickr.

In a NY Times article on five of TV's intense personalities entitled "Television’s Men of Substance, Not Decoration," Neil Genzlinger writes, "Let’s start with the No. 1 Gnarly, for my money the most interesting guy on television today: Billy Bretherton. He’s the central figure on “Billy the Exterminator,” a critter-catching series now in its fourth season on A&E. When it first hit the air, the show was called simply “The Exterminators,” but it soon became obvious that when you have a guy with this much gritty charisma in your shop, you ought to flaunt it.

Mr. Bretherton, whose wardrobe leans toward black, accented with black, black and black, is the frontman for a family-owned pest-control business called Vexcon in Louisiana, a state rich in animals that you don’t want living in your eaves or basement. Demands for his services, though, have apparently spread: this season he has been going on the road, to deal with bees in Florida, geese in North Carolina, javelinas in Arizona."


Congrats, Mr Bretherton.

Recommended: Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson in the self-consciously Irish cop story, The Guard

Brendan Gleeson, a photo by edelweisskoenig on Flickr.

The Guard is a Gaelic takeoff on Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. If formulaic, it's an entertaining hour and thirty-six.

Laughs filled the room at Robinson Film Center this week as portly Brendan Gleeson developed his obnoxious-but-loveable cop character.

It's a guy flick, I'd say. The schtick is gore aplenty with deadpan commentary from the not-easily-understood Irish.

The back and forth between the outrageous Irish guy and the low key African-American FBI agent, Don Cheadle, is played flat. As is the entire film. The viewer is not going to be handed the laughs; grab them as they slip by.

Cannot agree with rottentomatoes.com, where a ranking of 94% has been conjured. Yet I laughed out loud, repeatedly, and probably would have enjoyed more laughs if RFC had turned on the subtitles.

Flash and Dale lost in the ether above Shreveport: new acrylic and collage composition from painter Tony Reans

Tony Reans, acrylic & collage on canvas, 2011, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"This piece is panel #5 out of 5 for one Sunday comic in 1937, the exact date of which I'm not sure," writes painter Tony Reans.

"Flash and Dale are looking for their friend and fellow earthling, Dr. Hans Zarkov,
who is lost in a jungle on the planet Mongo.

As a terrible storm approaches, Flash is suddenly attacked by a killer "living vine," which wants to strangle him to death for apparently no reason. You know how those pesky living vines can be.

Dale tries to help him, of course, and is attacked by the vine as well.

As the two are just about done for, a lightning bolt strikes the vine and kills it, saving our heroic lovers. Call it divine providence.

I've included panels 1 through 4 in the collage around the outside of this painting, so a viewer can, if he or she so wishes, read the whole story. Pretty cool.

And as always, those beautiful newspaper comics from the 1930s have a deep, rich patina and the colors are still vibrant and warm even after all these years."

A Love Like Ours
36" x 36" x 2.5" Acrylic and collage on canvas, August 2011

Tony Reans Fine Art & Photography
327 Yolanda Lane / Shreveport, LA 71105
(318) 453-2952

DJ Quickie Mart and Friends at Fatty Arbuckle's, Saturday Night at 10 p.m.

DJ Quickie Mart will preside over a hip-hop/dubstep/ghettotech
showcase at Fatty Arbuckle's on Saturday night.

Local boy makes good hip-hop/dubstep/electronic music, and makes time to share it with a hometown crowd. Shreveport native and Los Angeles/New Orleans resident DJ Quickie Mart, who (as always) appears to be in the midst of a never-ending world tour, will bring his unique fusion of hip-hop, grime, and dubstep to Fatty Arbuckle's Pub on Saturday night. The show will kick-off around 10 p.m., so there's time for both LSU football and an off-the-chain DJ performance. The show will also feature Corey G, Piranha, Mr. Smith, Shorty D Techknowledge, and Ronnie Lopez, and will last "all night long."

Fatty Arbuckle's Pub is located in the Red River Entertainment District at 450 Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. Admission prices aren't listed anywhere, but cover is usually $10 at a larger show at Fatty's. 21+.