Shreveport Yacht Club continues annual camps to teach ages 8 - 16 to sail on Cross Lake

Let your children learn to sail at the Shreveport Yacht Club. One does not have to be a Club member to participate, says Harold Battarbee.

Junior Sailors, ages 8 to 16: Session #1 runs June 2nd-6th; session #2 June 9th-13th. Classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Classes are hands on, "learn to sail" courses taught by formally-trained U.S. Sailing-certified instructors. General boating skills, weather, sail boat rigging, knots and lines, rules of the road, and basic sailing skills will be taught. Lunch and textbooks will be provided.

Contact Harold to sign up or if you have any questions.

Harold Battarbee, Chair, Sailing Education Committee, Shreveport Yacht Club,(318) 676-9553, hbattarbee@comcast.net

Aaron Butler, former percussionist for Dirtfoot, Redshift, etc, seeks higher road; see his gofundme proposal

Highland Blooms Garden Tour and Art Market, Shreveport, Sat, May 10, 10 am

Art Market is part of the green Highland Blooms Garden Tour on Sat, May 10, says Liz Swaine. Pick up tickets 10 am-2 pm at C & C Electric, 2430 Line Ave. PS- The Art Market is free & open to the public. The garden tour requires a ticket.

River City Rep extends Schubert and Sledge in edgy comedy, Venus in Fur, at East Bank Theater, Bossier City, May 16, 17

River City Rep debuts a production of the Tony Award nominated comedy Venus in Fur, says Patric McWilliams. Charity Schubert has returned from NYC to take the role of Vanda. Logan Sledge plays Thomas, the putative director.

When an actress arrives several hours late to an audition, the director is less than impressed. But Vanda's masterful performance flips the script on Thomas' expectations and turns the session into a tango for dominance between actress and director, woman and man.

Tickets: 318-868-5888 or Brownpapertickets.com.

Neil Johnson photo.

Becker on the Bayou - Forum for Equality and PACE Benefit Fri, May 30, 8 pm, Ernest's Orleans Restaurant

Comedian Kristen Becker is comin’ home. After spending nearly 10 years in her beloved Buffalo, NY, Becker is coming back to Louisiana, the setting of her formative years. With this move she plans to energize and mobilize the equality movement in Louisiana, and soon, the Southwest. Her fervent love of the state and its people has led her back to fight for passage of the Louisiana

Non-Discrimination Act. To spread the word and raise funds for Forum for Equality Louisiana and P.A.C.E. (People Acting for Change and Equality), Becker will be performing at Ernest Orleans Restaurant, May 30 2014, 8pm as part of her 4-city comedy tour, visiting all corners of the Pelican State in spring 2014.

Becker’s wide-ranging comedy is rowdy, political, personal, intelligent, and unrelentingly honest. A comedian who happens to also be an out lesbian,  Becker consistently wins the hearts of all audiences, straight and gay alike, with her unapologetic humor. Her childhood, divided between the Rust Belt and the Deep South, (Shreveport actually) and has left her uniquely able to connect with all manner of people. Her ability to win the affection of such a wide range of audiences is due to her understated southern charm juxtaposed against a raucous and powerful persona.

Kristen Becker is going to use her love of comedy to fight for the right of all people to love. Join her in solidarity and laughter!

Where- Ernest Orlean's Restaurant
When- May 30, 2014 - 8pm

Open Seating - First Come, First Serve 
Limited seating $20 advance $25 at the door
Proceeds donated to Forum for Equality
and PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality)

 FOR ADVANCE TICKETS
http://kristenbecker.com/becker-on-da-bayou/

For more information contact Debora Demaree

Where to get curry chicken, Red Stripes and island music in Shreveport on a Tues: Gordon Nurse and friends at the Brass Monkey, corner of Kings and Youree

"Live and Direct!, says Gordon Nurse, with his Caribbean accent. "Brass! Monkey! Music Jam! Wit Ole! King!Nurse! Red Stripe! 2. Bucks! Info. 318. 754-4231. Early! Curry Chicken!"

How to rebuild the Red River Entertainment District: Pop-Up businesses open Mon, May 12, 7 am

Liz Swaine calls the Red River Entertainment District Pop Up business area, "The first time Southern Soul Food has been sold side-by-side with healthy, locally-sourced gourmet sandwiches and salads, Louisiana heritage cooking, beignets, burgers, Mexican fare, pastries And goat cheese. Seriously, name another place."

The businesses will open on Monday, May 12. The first shop to open on Mon will be Café Camellia, serving beignets and coffee drinks beginning at 7 am.

Pop Up runs May 12-23. For the list of theme days and special events, go to: www.downtownshreveport.com

Adam Simon, Salem producer, likes filming in Shreveport: "someone opened a time machine and these people walked out of the 17th century;" Simon filmed short on Clyde Connell in 1985

Adam Simon, executive producer of Salem, the American witch series on WGN America, likes filming in Shreveport. In an interview for Nola.com, journalist Dave Walker wrote, "Behind and around the stars, Louisiana has provided lots of interesting faces to further ground the series in its period look.

“Sometimes it felt like we were employing everybody in town,” Simon said. “You shoot in Los Angeles and the extras all look like wanna-be failed TV actors. You do it there (Shreveport), and it was if someone had opened a time machine and these people walked out of the 17th century.

“There’s a richness of detail because you have people with real faces. I miss that so much in movies and TV these days. Between the CGI and the plastic surgery and Botox, where are the real faces? This thing is filled with these real faces, and that’s wonderful.”

Simon might have remembered Shreveport from his 1985 visit to Lake Bistineau to make a short film about Clyde Connell, says Talbot Hopkins. Called "Swampsong," the Simon documentary captured the gothic side of winter on the Bossier Parish lake. It was his honors thesis project for Harvard. In it Clyde remembers a woman grieving after a lynching. Simon told Wilmington, Delaware's Cameron Art Museum that "Clyde recalled how on one of their frequent walks through the woods the old woman had wept and wailed and moaned about the violent events. Clyde said these sounds were the sounds she still heard to this day. And I felt this was the ‘twist' in the tale as it were – that the swamp song was not just (or not so much) simply the sounds of the woods and bayous – but the anguished human sounds she heard from this woman, which somehow stood for Clyde as the entire unspoken dark history that lay beneath her feet."

Guitarista Muriel Anderson plays Shreveport House Concert Series on Sun, May 11, 7 pm

"One of the world’s foremost finger style guitarists and harp-guitarists, Muriel Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. She has recorded over a dozen CDs and performs in the US, Europe, and the Far East."

See http://shreveporthouseconcerts.org/reservations.html, EMAIL: reservations@shreveporthouseconcerts.org or 318 933-2514 and please leave a message.

Women needed in Baton Rouge Th, May 8, for Planned Parenthood lobbying; bus leaves Shreveport 6:45 am, returns 9:30 pm

Shreveport women leaders are needed in BR on Thursday, May 8, says Melissa Flournoy. "The Louisiana legislature is really doing damage to women and families. We need women to be present in BR on Thursday to make a powerful statement that legislators should Trust Louisiana Women. Please take the day to make a difference. We need your voice to be heard."

"We are trying to make advocacy easy," continues Flournoy. "Leave the driving to us.We are making arrangements for a bus from Shreveport to leave from the Uptown Shopping Center at 6:45 am to travel to BR and come back by 9.30 pm. Please RSVP to me on Monday if you can come! We need to really demonstrate that there are progressive women willing to stand up!"

Melissa S. Flournoy, PhD
Louisiana State Director, Planned Parenthood
Cell: 504.715.4712
4018 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La

Young business? Simply a business idea? Eyeball the possibilities offered by the Louisiana Startup Prize

Photographer, painter, teacher, dancer: the art of Jerry Davenport at Pamoja Art Society, Shreveport; reception Fri, May 9, 6 pm

Artist Jerry Davenport opens a solo exhibit at Pamoja Art, 3806 Linwood, with a Fri, May 9, reception, 6 to 9 pm. Recommended for a Pamoja good time.

Community pot: donate on Tues, May 6, to Give For Good , sponsored by Community Foundation

Give for Good is a 24-hour online giving challenge led by The Community Foundation of North Louisiana to raise unrestricted dollars for the nonprofits in our community. It is a day of giving to celebrate the nonprofits in our community and a chance to raise thousands of dollars to make our community even better.

It is May 6, 2014 – A national day of giving to celebrate the 100th anniversary of community foundations across the country. It celebrates and recognizes the impact we can make in our community when we Give for Good!

Simone Dinnerstein in Shreveport: Bach concert Sun, May 4, 3 pm, following SSO concert Sat, May 3, 7:30 pm

The Noel Foundation Chamber series completes its season with The Beauty of Bach, featuring pianist Simone Dinnerstein. The free concert is Sun, May 4, 3 pm, at Anderson Auditorium, Hurley Music Building, Centenary College, says Lois Robinson.

J.S. BACH Two Part Inventions Simone Dinnerstein, piano

J.S. BACH Goldberg Variations (excerpts) Arr. D Sitkovetsky Jennifer Carsillo, violin; Borys Smolaga, viola; Ruth Drummond, cello

J.S. BACH Sonata for Violin and Piano in C minor, BWV 1017 Jennifer Carsillo, violin; Simone Dinnerstein, piano

The SSO performance, the series finale on Sat, May 3, Riverview Theater.

Pink Party triangle on Sat, May 3: the Korner Lounge, Central Station and the Shreveport Convention Center

Saturday, May 3, at 8pm the 21st annual Pink Party will open its doors at the Shreveport Convention Center, says PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality). The Pink Party is a fundraiser for Easter Seals; a $10 donation at the door is suggested. Following the Pink Party there will be an after party at Central Station. All proceeds at Central Station will go to the Philadelphia Center.

"This is a 21 and up event, so please be prepared to present your ID upon entry. The Convention Center will have free parking, and there is a free shuttle between The Korner Lounge, Central Station, and the Convention Center. There is absolutely no reason to drink and drive," reminds the organization.

PACE will have a table set up to answer any and all questions regarding what the organization does for the community. "Of course, pink attire is encouraged but not required. Make sure to tell all your friends! This is open to the public; everyone is invited."

Animation academy for Shreveport teens: June 2 - 26, 9:30 am - 2 pm, no fees

Go to www.lsus.edu/laprep or 318 797 5356.

Caddo Magnet High and Caddo Talented Arts Program exhibit at Meadows Museum, Centenary College, Shreveport, opens May 4, 1 pm

Centenary's Meadows Museum of Art will host two local student art exhibitions from May 4 through May 18. The Museum's first floor will be devoted to the work of more than 100 students from the Caddo Parish Talented Arts Program. The entire second floor will feature hundreds of artworks from Caddo Parish Magnet High School.

The opening reception for all the student artists will take place Sun, May 4, from 1-3 p.m. Both exhibitions and the reception are free and open to the public.

Jewelry, food, paintings and prints on the Highland art tour Sun, May 4, 11 am to 4 pm

The Highland neighborhood art sale is back on Sun, May 4, 11 am until 4 pm, says Liz Swaine.

Get a map of the tour at 436 Topeka St.
Selected sites:
• 436 Topeka - paintings, jewelry and the works of Su Stella, iron work by Curt Harville.
• 226 Columbia Street - the Pop Art-inspired paintings of E.d. Stewart.
• 829 Kirby Street - Wendy Tisdale with her custom dream catchers and yarn & fiber art. (You will love the yarn art chair!)
• 1173 Louisiana - Blue Southern Comfort Food- great food, burgers to write home about, art and occasionally, music! Bring your dog, sit in the new dog-friendly fenced patio.
• 424 Dalzell - the Louisiana-themed art of Karen LaBeau, cards & prints by Marci Gatlin-Hicks (Great for Mother’s Day!), artist Debbie Leggett. Paint a pot for spring!
• 2911 Centenary Boulevard - Meadows Museum of Art.

More at restorehighland.org.

Louisiana Tech teen architecture camp in Ruston, July 20 - 25

See details at La Tech U admissions.

Charity Schubert, Logan Sledge in River City Rep's production of Venus in Fur; performances May 8 - 11, East Bank Theater, Bossier City

River City Rep debuts a new production of the Tony Award nominated comedy Venus in Fur, says Patric McWilliams. Charity Schubert has returned from NYC to take the role of Vanda. Logan Sledge plays Thomas, the director.

When an actress arrives several hours late to an audition, the director is less than impressed. But Vanda's masterful performance flips the script on Thomas' expectations and turns the session into a tango for dominance between actress and director, woman and man.

Tickets: 318-868-5888 or Brownpapertickets.com.

Samantha Normand's Fashion Camp for ages 7 - 10 in June

Samantha Normand has been designing and sewing her own clothing since childhood. Last summer the 17 year-old Caddo Magnet HS attended fashion sessions at Chicago Art Institute. She recently presented clothing in a group exhibit at Multi Cultural Center for the South.

Normand is known for innovative designs and for re-cycling. "Her emphasis in her own designs is towards the individual expression more than practical garb," says Brian Landry, Jr.

Highly recommended.

Dick King-directed farce at Shreveport Little Theater: performances of The Game's Afoot through May 4

In the cast: Jan Adams, Lewis Elder, Ginger Folmer, Cara Johnston, Brad Kozak, Debbie Posey, Joe Todaro and Virginia Walker.

April 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2, 3, 2014 at 8 p.m. and April 27, May 4, 2014 at 2 p.m. at SLT, 812 Margaret Place.

Tickets: $17 / 15: 424-4439.

Ravel by pianist Simone Dinnerstein with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra; performance Sat, May 3, 7:30 pm, Riverview Theater

SRAC Juried Roster Artists: meet the Airlift team at meeting Mon, Ap 28, 5:30 pm, Central Artstation

Juried Roster Artists Meeting: Mon, Ap 28, 5:30 pm at Central Artstation, 801 Crockett St, downtown Shreveport.

Special Guests: Airlift. Delaney Martin, Taylor Lee Shepherd and Frank Pahl will speak about their musical house debut at May's UnScene.

www.unsceneshreveport.com/airlift1

Shreveport dance prodigy, nine year-old Calvin Alexander, on Strand Theater stage Sat, Ap 26, in Dance His High Praise

When Shreveport dance star Calvin Alexander jumps, rolls and lands upon the stage, audience members can be forgiven if they gasp with pleasure. For Calvin is age nine. Yet he has world-class dance moves. In fact, he has already spent a year on the road in a touring company of Broadway musical Billy Elliott. He has played the role of the youngest version of Billy, aka Billy Small.

Says Kathryn Alexander, his mother, "He started taking dance at Carol Anglin Dancenter when he was three years old. This includes ballet, tap, jazz and modern. He has been doing this ever since except for the fourteen months he was on tour with Billy Elliot (350 shows). He did not have a dancing role, but but participated in the ballet warm up before each show and had occasional tap and ballet classes with some of the adult cast members."

The son of physician Calvin D Alexander and former nurse Kathryn Alexander, Calvin is preparing himself in a balanced way. Kathryn says, "Cal has also been taking violin through the Centenary Suzuki School for the past five years and tumbling and trampoline through Jill's Gymnastics for five years as well. For the past six months, he has been taking voice/acting lessons from Ron Bermingham at Centenary."

Says teacher Carol Anglin, "Cal approaches every class and rehearsal as though it is the most important performance of his life. Not only is he an exceptional dancer, but Cal is intelligent, musical, focused, driven, athletic, a team player, and steps up to the plate with each and every challenge. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this outstanding young man."

As a member of the junior company of Louisiana Dance Theater he will be onstage Saturday, April 26, at Dance His High Praise at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport. 7:00 pm. Tickets: Strand Box Office, 318.226.8555.

Arts-minded retail center, The Agora Borealis, will replace defunct Lake Street Dance Hall at 421 Lake St.

At the historic and charming 421 Lake St site of the former Lake Street Dance Hall an enthusiastic young building owner named Katy Larsen is gutting and re-doing the space. It will be an arts-minded retail destination called The Agora Borealis.

"The Agora Borealis would like to invite artists to send pictures of their work they would like to submit for admission into our store," writes Larsen. "We have about 3,000 sq. feet of retail space that we hope to fill with all kinds of goods, ranging from furniture, jewelry, decor, lighting, paintings, sculpture and other items. The set up will reflect natural indoor and outdoor settings and will blend all of our artists' products together."

"Not everyone will make the first round of submissions for our grand opening - which may be in May - but please be patient because there will be much change over throughout the seasons. Each contract will be discussed with each artist and signed by both parties before opening. If you are interested or have any other questions or concerns, please contact me at theAgoraBorealis@gmail.com or by phone @318.243.1469." Photo Katy Larsen.

Lithe and modern: Orchesis Dance Company, Grambling, and Louisiana Dance Theater at the Strand Theater, Sat, Ap 26, 7 pm

Dianne Maroney-Grigsby directs the Orchesis Dance Company, Grambling University, and Carol Anglin directs the Louisiana Dance Theater in a production called Dance His High Praise at the Strand Theater on Sat, Ap 26. 7 pm.

Joining them will be Christian Dance Theater and Sumthin Serious Hip Hop.

318 226 8555. $20.

Yoga Nidra, Hatha yoga, hooping and belly dance at Lotus Studio, 446 Olive St, Shreveport

Yoga Nidra class Mondays, 6 - 7 p.m. at the Lotus Studio 446 Olive Street, Shreveport, is one of numerous classes offered in the cozy Highland Shop.

Belly dance, hatha yoga and hooping are also part of the weekly regimen at Lotus.

No Yoga experience is required for Nidra Yoga, says instructor Joy Yeager-Lasher. "Already have a workout regimen in place? This class is a great addition to your routine to help strengthen the mind, which often gets neglected," says Joy. "Yoga Nidra is also known as “Yogic Sleep.” It is a sleep like state that yogis report during meditation. In this practice you will enter the deepest possible state of relaxation while still maintaining full consciousness. You will follow the voice of the Nararator who will guide you through breathing, body part focus, and visualizations. Yoga nidra provides full relaxation of the nervous system; builds a healthy and strong mind; improved learning and concentration; restored emotional balance; relief from insomnia, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and everyday stress."

Class is $12 drop in or 4 classes for $40 in advance. Cash or check only, please.

www.lotusstudiosb.org. 318-617-4076.

Trudeau photo from 2007.

ArtBreak, the free fest at Shreveport Convention Center: Fr, Ap 25, 5 to 9 pm, Sat, Ap 26, 10 am to 9 pm and Sun, Ap 27, noon to 5 pm

ArtBreak is the free public festival April 21-27, 2014, at the Shreveport Convention Center. Friday, April 25, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm Sunday, April 27, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm Visit new site, www.artbreaksb.com, for more

Shiloh Baptist Church, Blanchard Latex Rd, Mooringsport, site of Lead Belly event on Sat, Ap 26, 10 am

Higgs boson and the Hadron Collider: physics prof opens movie "Particle Fever" at Robinson Film Center, Shreveport, on Sat, Ap 19; movie extended to May 1

Robinson Film Center will host Louisiana Tech University physics professor Dr. Lee Sawyer at a screening of the new documentary “Particle Fever” at 5 pm, Sat, April 19 at RFC, says Alex Kent. Sawyer will introduce the film and follow with a Q&A.

Imagine a documentary that captured the moment Thomas Edison turned on the film light bulb: the thrill of discovery, captured for the world to see. That’s what happens in “Particle Fever,” where audiences follow six scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider. Not only does this giant machine represent the most expensive experiment in the history of the planet, but it helps 10,000 scientists from around the world ask one big question: by recreating the conditions that existed just moments after the Big Bang, can we explain the origin of all matter? If confirmed, does the Higgs boson (a.k.a. the God particle) help explain why we exist?

“I am happy to be a part of the screening of ‘Particle Fever,’ a movie that captures the excitement of discovery and wonder for those of us who work in high-energy particle physics,” said Sawyer. “Louisiana Tech is fortunate to take part in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, the largest scientific instrument ever built, and I hope the audience for ‘Particle Fever’ will be able to share in our excitement.”

Tickets, $7.50 ($5.50 for RFC members). Purchase tickets online or call the RFC box office at 318.459.4122. Run time: 99 mins. Particle Fever has been extended to May 1.

Shreveport Farmers Market opens May 31; food source updates on the SFM FB page

While the 2014 Shreveport Farmer's Market opens May 31, the SFM FB page is alive with news of vendors. The page allows food source-minded people to follow regional changes and forge appropriate food connections.

Les Mesdames Nouvelle-Orleans, Karen LaBeau and Panderine Soumas, cross a gumbo pot with a paint brush on Sat, Ap 19, 1 pm, Naked Bean Cafe

La Nouvelle-Orléans Mesdames (New Orleans Ladies), Creole artisan Karen La Beau and Creole culinary artist Panderina Soumas, will present "What Do You Get When You Cross a Gumbo Pot and a Paint Brush?," a unique art and food event, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, April 19 at The Naked Bean Cafe in Shreveport.

The Naked Bean is located in the Highland Cultural District on 451 Kings Hwy. in Shreveport, Louisiana. Enjoy a great cup of coffee, tea, or a light bite from their menu.

UnScene artist and managers open meeting at Central Artstation on Wed, Ap 16, 6 pm

Members of the Juried Artists Roster, Artists Directory, UnScene Artists, and Artists ~

We have received your letter requesting to schedule a gathering of Artists to learn more about the selection process and upcoming opportunities for UnScene.

We look forward to meeting with you on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 pm at the Central Artstation Engine Room. Please help to spread the word to all artists!

See you soon!

Brandon Oldenburg
Artistic Director
UnScene

Fresh tunes: Louisiana's 16 year-old guitar slinger, Matthew Davidson, is a Heartbreaker

From the Beatles and Rolling Stones to Muddy Waters and U2, smart teen Matthew Davidson gets it. His new 5-song release, "Cross My Heart," is danceable and effervescent. It's the kind of pop that will make you drive better and make you look good cutting a rug in your living room.

Beginning as a kid with a hot hand for blues guitar, Davidson is transitioning to vocalist, songwriter and entertainer. Surrounded by rockin' tunes and effective harmonies, Davidson's package kicks."Heartbreaker," his 4:16 master tune, is built on a snappy drum beat with a melody that builds inexorably to a feel good hook. In editing a videotape for his school, Caddo Magnet HS, Shreveport, I listened to "Heartbreaker" more times than you'd believe. It was rich. And remains my favorite cut.

A huge parallel to John Mayer is there, but he must be listening to Herman and the Hermits and the Dave Clark Five, too. And the Young Rascals, for sure.

Two songs on the EP were penned by Davidson, and three songs were co-written with Greg Walton. Musicians on the recording are: Matthew Davidson, guitars and vocals, Greg Walton, keyboard and vocals, Kyle McClanahan, drums, and Jimmy Wooten, bass guitar and drums. The EP was produced by Jimmy Wooten, engineered by Cody Lowery. It was mixed and mastered by Wooten and Lowery at The Pond Studios.

Download his fresh five on iTunes and Amazon. Physical copies can be ordered online at www.matthewdavidson.net or purchased at live shows.

Catch his sharp quartet Thurs, May 15, Spring Concert at Provenance Community, 6 to 8:30 pm, Sat., May 24, at Mudbug Madness, 4 to 6 pm, and Fri., May 30, at Free Fridays Forever under the Texas Street Bridge, 5 to 8 pm.

Black swan, ghosts and bottles of wine: By the Bog of Cats a mesmerizing tragedy at Marjorie Lyons Playouse, Shreveport

By the Bog of Cats is a harrowing tale set on the Irish heath. Fri night at Centenary College a young troupe of actors brought the tragedy to the audience with aplomb.

The restless heroine, Hester Swane, is bitter because her husband of 14 years has left her. In the everyone-knows-all world of an isolated Irish community, he is about to marry the respectable girl.

Burying a black swan, conversing with ghosts, confronting the wedding party with her beauty and her tragic nature, actress Jordan Fell played the demented Hester with steady intensity. While the quality of her brogue made her difficult to understand at times, the key words and elements of her lament were continually clear.

The tale includes a shamanistic figure called Catwoman, played by expressive actress Sandy Rather. On Friday night Rather's shining eyes and embracing smile were framed by an epic coat of cat furs.

The boiling stage energy was intensified by the arrival of actress Heather Hooper, playing the unbalanced mother of Hester's husband. Hooper adeptly played the woman for both pathos and laughs.

And on the topic of comic relief, it must be noted that another master actor, John Bogan, has the minor role of the dodgy priest. On Fri night Bogan's witty timing provided ample relief from the tale of catastrophes.

Josie, the daughter of the heroine, was saucy, obeisant and sympathetic. She was brought to life with capable clarity by 14-year old actress London Todd. Her musicality, diction and appealing appearance tempt one to say a local star was being born on the MLP stage.

Nathan Gauthier and Ashley Frisbee were convincing in their roles of the husband and new bride. Jonathan Slocum and Clint White were articulate in their characterizations of a ghost and the father of the bride. But the driving appeal of the Bog O Cats is in playwright Marina Carr's canny use of the myth of Medea as the ribs of her Irish tale.

Highly recommended if you are weary of bread and circuses.

Sat, Ap 12, at 8 pm and Sun, Ap 13, at 2 pm. Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. MLP box office (318) 869.5242. $15, 10, 5.

Photos of the Fri performance.

Tchotchkes and Artskes: Texas Ave Makers Fair and UnScene Sat, Ap 12, 11 am til 10 pm;

Please see earlier posts, too. Also, The Big Scene.

Emotional roller coaster: contemporary Irish drama, By the Bog O Cats, at MLP on Th, Ap 10 through Sun, Ap 13

"By the Bog of Cats" opens Thurs, Ap 10, and plays through Sun, Ap 13 at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at Centenary College, Shreveport. All shows are at 8:00 except Sunday which is a 2:00 curtain.

It is a contemporary and dark story from acclaimed Irish playwright Marina Carr. Centenary's guest director is from Pittsburgh and specializes in Irish drama; she is Melissa Hill Grande. Set by Don Hooper.

"This is an emotional roller coaster ride for the audience," exclaims drama teacher Heather Peak Hooper.

MLP box office (318) 869.5242.

From the Caddo Parish Penal Farm to the Sierra Nevadas: Seattle-based, Shreveport-born photographer Cody Cobb

"This series was captured during a 221-mile solo hike across the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the state of California," artist Cody Cobb told thisispaper.com. "These photos attempt to communicate the psychological shift that occurs with the disappearance of sunlight while alone in the wilderness."

Not everyone's cup of meat. But at age 29 Cobb is sounding a bit like Ansel Adams.

Born and raised in Shreveport, he is more than an extreme hiker with a camera. His photo landscape photos have have, of late, been shown in Amsterdam (De Fotohal, 2013), NYC (Sundaram Tagore Gallery, 2014), Boston (Miller Yezerski Gallery, 2013), London (Mother London Gallery, 2012) and Moscow (Moscow Museum of Modern Art, 2012).

He is being widely lauded as a first-rank lensman. His photos have been included in a dozen books during the past 2 years.

Cobb described himself as "A photographer and motion designer originally from Louisiana. Sometimes I live in Seattle, other times in a 1995 Subaru station wagon or tent somewhere in the American West."

As a teen he was into woods treks to see places like the abandoned Caddo Parish Penal Farm. "Growing up, I was mostly interested in abandoned buildings and urban exploration," he told Ligature.ch. "My options for this were limited after I moved to Seattle. I started spending more time outdoors and became comfortable spending days and eventually weeks at a time outside."

Cobb was a 2002 grad of Caddo Magnet HS, where he was more into computers than art classes, says his dad, painter Don Cobb. Cody and his sister Alicia, a successful designer (Fossil Watches, Pier One Imports) living in Ft Worth, watched their dad at work in his sign shop as they grew up.

Cobb, the dad, worked on the presses at The Times for 38 years but kept a sign shop on the side. Today he has a thriving business selling on Etsy and at fests like the Red River Revel.

Cody went to the Academy of Art in San Francisco and did his first digital designing for Digital FX in Baton Rouge. After Katrina, he moved to Seattle to work as a motion designer with the top-drawer shop called Digital Kitchen. The projects he worked on included the Xbox 360 game Crackdown, the miniseries The Path to 911, the movie Superman Returns, and commercials for clients such as Yoplait and AT&T.

"Today, he works for himself," says Don. "He'll work for Microsoft for a month, then take off hiking for a month."

As a landscape photog, “I usually have a vague idea of the topography and a detailed understanding of my route and orientation, but the light and landscape is always unexpected. I shoot when I feel moved by that sense of discovery" the artist explains.

His current favorite artists? ?He told globalyodel.com they are Henri Rousseau, Andrei Tarkovsky, Xeno & Oaklander.

Shakin' the Municipal Hayride Auditorium in Shreveport on June 2: Mister Jack White

<br /><br />
Tickets for White’s June 2 concert at the Municipal Auditorium will be available Friday, Ap 11, at 10 a.m. at the CenturyLink Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets (and online at Ticketmaster.com) and via phone, (800) 745-3000, says The Times.

$56 per ticket, fees included. General admission.

Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Campaign for Shreveport-Bossier: A Better Shreveport meeting on Mon, Ap 7, 6 - 7 pm

"Caryn Jenkins will be our special guest at Monday night's A Better Shreveport meeting," says Loren Demerath. "She'll be updating us on ideas for the Cycle and Pedestrian Safety Campaign that she's begun to coordinate."

Says Jenkins, "I spoke with Brian Parsons with the state DOTD Cycling and Pedestrian Commission, and then spoke with Dan Jatres with the Regional Planning Commission in New Orleans. I got some really great tips and info from these guys."

"The campaign will be modeled on successful ones done elsewhere. It could be part of the overall trend in making our cities more bike-able and walk-able. Part of that is the way people are beginning to advocate for their right to bike and walk. Times are changing," notes Demerath.

6:00-7:00 pm, Monday evening at the Wright Math Building, 2907 Woodlawn Ave., two blocks up from the Gold Dome on Centenary's campus.

Map of vendors for Ap 12 Texas Ave Makers Fair / The Big Scene in Shreveport; handcrafted fabulosities

See more at UnSceneShreveport.com and TheBigScene.org. Catch a vibe from snaps of the last Texas Ave Makers Fair. Yet the The Big Scene plans to double or treble what you see.

La Dance Theater of Shreveport, Orchesis Dance of Grambling perform at Emmett Hook Center, Shreveport, on Sat, Ap 5, 7:30 pm, Sun, Ap 6, 3 pm

La Dance Theater of Shreveport and Orchesis Dance Company of Grambling Univ perform at Emmett Hook Center, 550 Common St, Shreveport, on Ap 5 at 7:30 pm and Ap 6 at 3 pm, says Carol Anglin.

$20 / $10. 318-861-3006.

Who is Theresa Andersson and why is she headlining The Big Scene, Texas Ave, Shreveport, on Sat, Ap 12?

Better known in Sweden and New Orleans than in Shreveport, where she currently resides, Theresa Andersson is a singer-multi-instrumentalist at the highest order of musicality. Her voice is rich, whether in high or low register. She routinely and magically sings 3 or more parts of harmony with herself. Andersson uses loopers to multi-track her vocals as well as her drumming and guitar.

To hear Andersson begin one of her songs with a hard-hitting drum beat is to know you're going to have a good time. When she adds violin and guitar to the mix the audience anticipation builds - I've been in her audience several times. And when she begins to add voices, this Swedish native makes smiles happen all across the crowd.

As a song writer - her latest album is "Street Parade" and is nonpareil - she is both poppy and artful. Airing several of her Youtube videos for a group of teens recently I was impressed at how tuned in they became.

Her husband, Arthur Mintz, is the creator of the puppet version of The Fantastic Mr Fox, a hit in both New Orleans and at Artspace Shreveport in 2011. It is clear from her videos that they enjoy working together and cross-cutting snazzy ideas and audacious constructions.

There's no telling what to expect from Andersson on Sat, Ap 12, aside from smart pop that is danceable and mesmerizing. It is expected that she is unveiling a new show. In later April she will be performing in her adopted home of New Orleans and will play Jazzfest on May 2. She has well-known Shreveport accomplices in dance maven Luther Cox and troupe and gospel-mighty Sereca Robinson Henderson. Adding visual spectacle will be painter and animation mensch Joe Bluhm.

Suffice to say that at 8 pm on Sat, Ap 12, I expect you to join me on Texas Ave for her show.

Concerto de Aranjuez features guitarist Jason Vieaux with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra on Sat, Ap 5, 7:30 pm, Riverview Theater

Jason Vieaux, well-traveled guitarist, joins the SSO to present the Concierto de Aranjuez, followed by concertos by two of the most influential Latin composers of the early 20th century, Silvestre Revueltas and Manuel de Falla.

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Jose Luis Castillo, conductor.
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm.
RiverView Theater
Pre-show talk, shuttle parking, online tickets.

Update: UnScene managers and artists on the selection process and upcoming opportunities at Central Artstation; meeting on Wed, Ap 16, 6 pm

Dear Robert, Members of the Juried Artists Roster, Artists Directory, UnScene Artists, and Artists ~

We have received your letter requesting to schedule a gathering of Artists to learn more about the selection process and upcoming opportunities for UnScene.

We look forward to meeting with you on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 pm at the Central Artstation Engine Room. Please help to spread the word to all artists!

See you soon!

Brandon Oldenburg
Artistic Director
UnScene

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Raft, 1251 Dalzell, Shreveport, 71103.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1:30 Josh October

2:00 Yorkshire Fields

2:30 Jasper McAdams

3:00 Engine

3:30 TBA

4:00 The Dubonauts

4:30 Don't Forget Your Dinosaur

5:00 American Wilderness

5:30 Darkunt

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

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

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

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

mali, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highly recommended.

www.fws.gov/northlouisiana/RedRiver/

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

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

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

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

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

Both events free and open to the public.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highly recommended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pardon us for being astounded.

10 bucks.

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

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

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

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

RFC's French movie schedule.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In 1951 National Geographic featured Jean Despujols on Indochina; exhibit at Meadows Museum, Shreveport, Mar 15 to April 20

Jean Despujols, Meadows Museum, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

A fresh look at the importance of French artist Jean Despujols and his paintings of life in Indochina has opened at Meadows Museum, Centenary College, in an exhibit called The Calm Before The Storm: Jean Despujols' Portrait of Indochina.

In 1951 National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution offered major exhibits of Despujols' paintings of life in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. The new exhibit at Meadows Museum of Art celebrates these events.

Despujols is a world class artist and documenter of the 1930's in Indochina. The principal collection of his work - some 360 pieces - is in Shreveport, his home after 1941.

Highly recommended.

Meadows is open Tues, Wed and Fri, noon to 4 pm. It is open Thursdays, noon to 5 pm. It is open on Sat and Sun, 1 pm to 4 pm.

meadowsfriends.org/
318-869-5040

History On Tap pairs beer and historic Shreveport buildings on Thurs, Mar 20, 5 to 9 pm

Traditional mug of beer, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Downtown Shreveport Historic District has more than 200 historic buildings spanning the 1860s to the 1950s, says Liz Swaine. And Shreveport at one time had half a dozen small, but thriving breweries, according to the late Eric Brock.

Thus the Downtown Development Authority, Glazer’s Distributing, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Robinson Film Center will be pairing history & beer in History On Tap on Thurs, March 20.

Three locations downtown – artspace @ 710 Texas, Central Artstation @ 801 Crockett and Robinson Film Center @ 617 Texas, will be the locations for the event.

At each of the 3 venues, you will be able to learn facts about ten historic buildings and sample ten beers.

The event will be held from 5-9 pm and will begin at Artspace, 710 Texas. This is where participants must go to check in, be I.D.’ed and get their special Passport for a night of activities. This is a 21 and older event, please.

For more information about History on Tap, go to: www.downtownshreveport.com

Year of the Horse: Aseana Spring Fest, Sat, Mar 22, noon to 5 pm, 800 Texas Ave, Shreveport

Sophy Rama, Asian Fest, Shreveport, 2011, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The 7th Annual Aseana Spring Festival will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014, 12-5 p.m. at the Aseana Asian Gardens at 800 Texas Ave, says Mary Grace de Joya Vea.

Admission is free but visitors are encouraged to bring money for food, art and more.

Expect authentic Asian cuisine, lion dance, music, band, Asian attire, martial arts, musical instruments, drums, dances and more.

Info and vendor info: mdejoyavea@yahoo.com or (318) 797-4258 or (318) 401-8078.

"Bohemian Cowboy," River City Rep's Cabaret Series, March 21 - 23, East Bank Theater, Bossier City

Cowboy, RCRT, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Phoenix actor Raymond King Shurtz performs his solo musical piece, "Bohemian Cowboy," for three performances at East Bank Theater, says Patric McWilliams. The show is a Cabaret Series performance presented by River City Repertory Theater.

With the help of Hamlet, Hamlet's father, Christ, Clyde King and additional characters, Shurtz's search for his father---who was a cowboy, carpenter, honky-tonk singer, bohemian and disappearance specialist—is an entertaining evening of theatre.

Mar 21, 22 at 7:30 pm; Mar 23, 3 pm
$25
Online tickets: brownpapertickets.com
318-868-5888.

Upstairs at the Naked Bean: Tracey Prator studio party Sat, Mar 22, 7 pm

Upstairs at the Naked Bean: Prator studio, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Work by Shreveport artist Tracey Prator, with guest artist Dawn Gipson, will go on display at Gentle Spirit's Art Pad, upstairs at the Naked Bean Cafe, 451 Kings Hwy, Shreveport. Reception Sat, Mar 22, 7 - 9 pm.

Expect performances by Ian Quiet, Eric Gipson and complimentary wine and cheese. Admission, $5.

318-344-6084.

Baroque Artists of Shreveport perform at St Mark's Episcopal, 3.16.14, 3 pm

Baroque Artists of Shreveport, 3.16.14, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

If citizens don't demand it, transparency in government will never happen; speakers on Wed, Mar 19, 7 pm, CoHab

Transparency in local Government? Mar 19, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Join the Shreve Memorial Library and Cohab in celebration of Sunshine Week as they present "Wanted: Open Government."

If you're a fan of House of Cards, Scandal, The Newsroom, or The West Wing, this program is for you, says Shreve Memorial. Hear true stories of government transparency and accountability from your own community.

Panelists include Elliott Stonecipher (Evets Management, Inc.), Tom Arceneaux (Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts), Alison Bath (The Shreveport Times), Danny Lawler (The Inquisitor), and Jeff Everson (City of Shreveport Council).

Panelists will discuss their perspectives and experience with public records and sunshine laws, followed by Q&A with the audience.

Slip in the back, Jack: Artini volunteers drink free on Sat, Mar 15

martini 1, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"It's volunteers that help make Artini possible," says Leigh Anne Chambers of the Bossier Arts Council benefit on Sat, Mar 15.

"If you are an Artini Aide please arrive 5 minutes before your shift begins with your Artini Volunteer pass. Please dress in accordance with the Artini dress code (cocktail attire), and either wear, or bring comfortable shoes. For questions regarding volunteering duties, dress code, or locations please contact Katie via email katie@bossierarts.org, or by phone, 318.741.8310."

"Volunteering gets you into the event free of charge since you are graciously offering your help and time. After your shift is over, or before it begins, please feel free to enjoy the event, but please be aware that drinking/ eating is not allowed during your shift and can be enjoyed after your shift is over."

Support the Bossier Arts Council via spirits, munchies and music at Artini, Sat, Mar 15, 7 pm, Horseshoe Casino

artini, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shake in a little ice, stir in a lot of ethyl alcohol, and mix in some pickled veggies, right?

The Bossier Arts Council's tini party, the 5th Annual ARTini, has even more: live music, visual art, signature martinis, and socializing.

Super Water Sympathy performs.
Sample deliciousness from 15 area restaurants.

Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, March 15, 2014 at 7pm.
$55 in advance and $65 at the door.
318-741-8310 or purchase online here.
iShuttle will be available for pickup and rides home for free.

Illustration Lynn Laird.

Dan Savage, 2013 Humanist of the Year, speaks at Centenary College on Wed, Mar 12, 7 pm

Dan Savage, 2013 Humanist of the Year, a photo by americanhumanist on Flickr.

Savage Love Live is coming to Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm, says Centenary College.

Dan Savage —co-founder of the It Gets Better Project® Project, internationally-syndicated columnist Savage Love, podcaster, author, media pundit, and journalist—will speak and conduct an audience Q&A.

Tickets, $5 at www.vendini.com

Storytelling in Shreveport: Chris Jay & Sara Hebert's "All Y'all" at 1510 Fairfield, Sat, Mar 8, 7:30 pm

Storytelling in Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

All Y'all live storytelling event, hosted by Sara Hebert and Chris Jay, 7:30 p.m. on Sat, March 8 onstage at 1510 Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport (formerly called Fairfield Studios).

"Nine of your neighbors from northwestern Louisiana will tell true stories lasting 10 minutes or less - without notes - in front of a live audience," says Jay. Stories will be recorded and may be included in future episodes of the All Y'all Podcast.

$10 cash.

The theme is "New 'Round Here." Stories of first times, relocations, revelations, arrivals and more.

hello@allyallblog.com.

The first two episodes of the All Y'all Podcast are at www.allyallblog.com.

Parking for UnScene, featuring the Hallelujah Train, Bright Star Male Chorus and blues bands galore

The Hallelujah Train, a photo by Duke Performances on Flickr.

Ready to catch a beer and scarf hot creole food on Texas St, you first need to secure an UnScene parking spot.

Not to worry. Because it's Saturday, the parking lots surrounding the 700 block of Texas St adjacent to First Methodist Church are free and clear. Parking meters are non-operative. Parking on Milam St or in the giant lot behind First Methodist: it is safe and free.

Trudeau's pick for the most delicious performances in the tent outside Artspace are at 4:45, for the Bright Star Male Chorus, and 5:30, for the Blade family and Zion Church performances as the Hallelujah Train.

SLT's To Kill A Mockingbird extended; performances March 8 through 14

KillMockingbird, SLT, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

To Kill A Mockingbird has been extended at Shreveport Little Theatre, says Robert Darrow. A performance has been added on Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, at 8 p.m.

Robert Darrow directs the American classic.

Robert Young as Atticus, Emma Cate Dailey as Scout, Jackson Driggers as Jem, John Kerry as the Sheriff, Jay Ward as Tom Robinson, Bill Pou as Mr. Gilmer, and Dot Hall as Miss Maudie, the narrator.

Rebecca Woodruff, stage manager, David White, lighting designer, Chris Gonzales, set designer, and Peggy San Pedro, costumer.

Remaining performances are March 8, 13, 14 at 8 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. at 812 Margaret Place.

$15 for seniors, students and active military and $17 for adults. Student Rush tickets are available at curtain time for $10 cash with student ID.

424-4439.

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra plus choirs from NSU, Centenary present Mozart Requiem on Sat, March 8, 7:30 pm

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Mozart’s Requiem, a dramatic choral masterpiece that examines life, is presented by an all-star cast of soloists and the combined choirs of Centenary and NSU, says the SSO.

Also on the bill: To Notice Such Things, an elegant and poetic serenade by Jon Lord, who also happens to be the founder of the rock band Deep Purple.

Saturday, March 8—7:30 PM
RiverView Theater

Tickets.

UnScene blues fest on Sat, March 8: downtown Shreveport map, schedule of bands, noon to 9:15 pm

UnScene March 8 map, schedule, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Stephanie Yu Lusk, Shreveport, honors artist Marlene Yu with campaign for 7 exhibits celebrating 77 years

Stephanie Lusk, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

To honor artist Marlene Yu's life, work, and 70th solo exhibition, I am seeking funds via Kickstarter for 7 exhibitions in her 77th year, says Shreveporter Stephanie Yu Lusk.

"Marlene, my mom, usually manages one major solo show per year. Framing, crating, shipping, installing, de-installing large-scale works and publication costs that are not covered by the individual institutions add up quickly. I am asking for your help to have this upcoming year be her most stellar yet. I think that not only will we be able to accomplish our goal, but Marlene will also be incredibly moved by our collective online response and it will be a huge encouragement for her to keep producing amazing art at her active 77 years of age."

"In a period of 14 days, I was able to sign up 7 institutions in the same city where the Marlene Yu Museum - in the former Travis St YWCA building - will be built. Selections will be made from her 4000+, more than 35 series of works; the art ranges from 16 inches to 37 feet long."

Louisiana State Exhibition Museum, September - November 2014

Robinson Film Center, October - November 2014

Marlene Yu Museum, December 21, 2014 - spring 2015

Bossier Arts Council, January - March 2015

Meadows Museum of Art, month of February 2015

Sci-Port, month of April 2015

Shreveport Regional Arts Council, dates to be determined

"In recognition of Marlene's love of nature, her passion as one of the environmental pioneers in the green movement in the arts, and her non-profit work as Founder and Curator of the Rainforest Art Foundation to increase appreciation of nature through art, the end date of this Kickstarter campaign coincides with Earth Day -- Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 11:59PM CST."

UnScene features Brady L Blade, Sr, and the Hallelujah Train on Sat, March 8; music noon to midnight, 700 block of Texas St, Shreveport

Hallelujah Train, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Music from Buddy Flett, Betty Lewis and the Executives, Donnie Ray, Ernie Johnson, Carl Sims, Vickie Baker, and Bobby Rush, and Brady L. Blade, Sr. & The Hallelujah Train, and Tres Bluebirds will make UnScene March, Sat, March 8, noon to midnight, a blue hole of sonicalia.

UnScene celebrates the artists recorded by businessman Stan the Record Man Lewis. From "Suzie Q" to "Lucy in the Sky with Glasses," Lewis worked the biz with recording sessions, record labels and a chain of record stores.

The show takes place in the 700 block of Texas St. The original Stan Lewis record shop was once the music mecca of that block.

More music: The Matthew Davidson Band and Southern Soul singer Princess Monro Brown.

Swap records with James Gilcrease of Day Old Blues Records.

Karen McCain, Billy Boykin Jr., James Marks, Blair Nefsky, Lisandra DiLiberto Brown, Chris McCaa, Karen LaBeau and more will show in the Juried Arts Market.

The UnScene truck vends souvenirs and original artworks for under $25.

Blue Southern Comfort Food, Soumas Heritage Creole Creations and Big D’s BBQ, Sherry’s Diner, and the Some Like It Hot food truck will serve.

Eagle Distributing/Budweiser presents their Craft Beer selections including Shreveport’s own Great Raft Brewing.

Admission to UNSCENE! is UnMonetized. www.unsceneshreveport.com.

1:45pm: Matthew Davidson Band
2:00pm: Buddy Flett Acoustic*
2:45pm: Betty Lewis and The Executives
2:45pm: Stan Lewis interviewed by Chris Brown*
3:45pm: Tres BLUEBIRDS (Bruce,Kerry,Robert)
4:45pm: Bright Star Male Chorus
5:30pm: Brady L. Blade, Sr. & The Hallelujah Train
6:30pm: Ernie Johnson
7:15pm: Carl Sims
8:00pm: Vickie Baker
9:15pm: Bobby Rush

Moonbot's latest: Morris Lessmore in a short for Dolby Laboratories called "Silent"

Morris Lessmore in "Silent", a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Dolby Laboratories and Moonbot Studios have created an homage to the history of storytelling - especially inasmuch as sound is the fount of the magic - in a 2:39 movie called "Silent."

Morris Lessmore and The Kid are on a journey, one with a number of startling twists. It is charming and over the top.

"Silent" is followed by a well-edited Behind the Scenes film in which Bots William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg, Limbert Fabian and composer John Hunter talk about the production.

Sound designer for "Silent" was Steve Boedekker. He did the sound for the recent and acclaimed feature, All Is Lost.

Rain plan, Krewe of Highland parade: probably to roll one or two hours earlier

Rain plan, Krewe of Highland parade, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Stand by for an update at 9:30 am from the Krewe of Highland on Sun, March 2, at http://www.thekreweofhighland.org/.