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+.

Brandy Watkins one of Fourteen at Art Car Museum, Houston; opening Sat, Sept 10, 7 to 10 pm, 140 Heights Blvd

Brandy Watkins at Art Car Museum, Houston , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Music's by Jo Bird and Margaret Lejeune, from Two Star Symphony at the opening event of Fourteen, featuring that many female artists at the artcarmuseum.com on
Sat, Sept 10, from 7-10pm

"Fourteen is a group exhibition of Texas artists whose works encourage political, social or spiritual consciousness" says the art car.

Art Car Museum, 140 Heights Blvd (713-861-5526) is open Wed - Sun, 11 am to 6 pm. Admission free.

Also on display: "Psychedelic Surfer Dude," a 1963 Porsche 356B art car painted by Robynn Sanders and owned by David Duthu.

Blues and Southern Soul at Shreveport's Festival Plaza on Sun, Sept 4, 5 pm to 11 pm

Blues & Southern Soul in Shreveport on Sun, Sept 4, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Music producer, community activist and percussion master Ron Hardy, of Playaz & Playettes, Inc, presents an annual blues & r'n'b throwdown on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

It's called Blues and Southern Soul this year and is a classic evening of BBQ and shuffle. It's a roadhouse experience under the shade of the open pavilion at Festival Plaza.

Blues Fest in Shreveport: highly recommended.

5 pm to 11 pm.
$25. Advance: $20.
318.424.9297

A Hollywood on the Red resource: TASA, The Art and Soul of Acting, with Mary Thoma, Shreveport

Mary Alfred Thoma, TASA, Shreveport on Flickr.

"We have some really great classes available and I would really like to be sure that all actors around town know what is here!," says Mary Thoma, hard-working actress and proprietor of TASA, the Art and Soul of Acting.

"We have classes in improv, on camera , commercial work, stage combat, Meisner technique, auditions, etc! For both theater and film.

I also offer some partial barter and one or two full barter options for actors without financial resources every session!"

Photo Michael Boyd.
More at TASA.

Tell SPAR that you'd definitely like a dog park, says Cynthia Keith and the Shreveport Dog Park Alliance

ABetterShreveport.org: Cynthia Keith, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"SPAR and the City Council are in the 30 day public comment phase regarding our application to have a dog park at Hamel's Memorial Park."

"Please see the link below for comments," says Cynthia Keith. "Tell your friends to comment, too. A resounding YES would be appreciated."

Shreveport Dog Parks :: Shreveport Public Assembly & Recreation
More at Shreveport Dog Park Alliance on FB.

Party at Artspace Shreveport to open the exhibit, the Fantastic Mr Fox, on Fri, Sept 9; hear New Orleans musicians Theresa Andersson and Johnny Vidacovich

Fantastic Mr Fox, Shreveport / Artbreak '11, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Be the first to peek inside the Fox tunnels!" says Julia Foley.

"Meet the creators - Arthur Mintz, Rene and Jacque Duffourc - and actors, listen to music by Theresa Andersson & Johnny Vidacovich, enjoy Foxbites and Foxtail Cocktails!"

$10 Admission.

Friday, September 9th, 5:30-8:00 pm!

Eds note: Be aware that drummer Johnny Vidacovich is one of the Crescent City's legendary drummers and that Theresa Andersson is a popular New Orleans singer. Do not be surprised if the Fox creators join in the music making, too.

The Science of Generosity exhibit travels from Notre Dame University to Shreveport's SciPort

SciPort pendulum, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Cutting edge research from the University of Notre Dame’s Science of Generosity initiative will be featured as a permanent exhibit at a preeminent science center in Louisiana, says Ann Fumarolo.

Representatives from Notre Dame, The Community Foundation of North Louisiana and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center today announced the creation of the permanent exhibit, which was made possible through a $43,884 grant from The Foundation.

"For the first time ever, scientific research that quantifies the impact of philanthropy on the individual and society is accessible in an interactive exhibit," said Paula Hickman, executive director of The Community Foundation of North Louisiana. "We are pleased to share with the public what we have known all along: generosity positively transforms the donor as well as the recipient."

See more at Univ of Notre Dame.

Author John Corey Whaley of Springhill chats about his young adult novel, Where Things Come Back, at Broadmoor Library at 11 am Sat, Aug 27

whaley3, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Author John Corey Whaley, of Springhill, chats about his young adult novel, Where Things Come Back, at Broadmoor Library at 11 am Sat, Aug 27, says Levette Fuller.

Asking questions in the session will be Robert Trudeau, teacher, artist and blogger.

It's free. And Corey is a fluent, warm and thoughtful lad.

Shreve Memorial Library Debuts Graphic Novel Collection

Shreve Memorial Library Debuts Graphic Novel Collection
Originally uploaded by Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side

Yesterday, the downtown/main branch of Shreve Memorial Library debuted their new graphic novel collection during an event called "Zoom! Bang! Kapow!: A Graphic Novel Explosion." The collection, which includes $25,000 worth of graphic novels ranging from illustrated classics to Japanese Manga, has an interesting story of its own. Librarian Levette Fuller won the collection while attending the 2011 American Library Association Annual Conference. Fuller was one of 15,000 librarians who entered the contest, and one of 100 finalists. The books are now available to be checked out.

Looking for a good excuse to head downtown and browse the collection? Local author John Corey Whaley will read from and sign his acclaimed new novel "Where Things Come Back" at the library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. Shreveportblog's own Robert Trudeau will be hosting. Here's more info on the reading.

Here's the facebook invite to John Corey Whaley's reading, if you'd like to invite friends.

Art participation: hands-on experience in the mystotubal world of the Fantastic Mr Fox, Artspace Shreveport

Jacques Duffourc, Fantastic Mr Fox, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The creators of the Fantastic Mr Fox exhibit/experience at Artspace Shreveport are in need of volunteers with a creative impulse to help finish the sets for this amazing production, says Julia Foley.

If interested, stop by artspace, 710 Texas St., downtown Shreveport, and lend a hand between noon and 7 pm any day.

"It is really fun to work with these guys," testifies Foley, "and you can be part of bringing the story to life!!"

The Mr Fox guys are New Orleanians Rene and Jacques Duffourc and Arthur Mintz.

Call 318-673-6535 for more info.

Melons! Okra! Sat, Sept 3, final day of summer season for Shreveport Farmers' Market

Shreveport Farmers' Market, a photo by Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side on Flickr.

The final Shreveport Farmers’ Market of the summer will be Sat, Sept 3, says Noma Fowler-Sandlin.

Melons, okra, eggplant, squash, peppers, beans, peas, pears, peaches, meats, canned items, and baked goods are still available to stock your freezer, cupboard, or pantry during the interim between the summer and fall markets.

The farmers’ market will reopen for the fall on October 22, and run on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon through November 19.

More information is available at www.shreveportfarmersmarket.com, or by calling (318) 455-5788, or emailing farmersmarket@redriverrevel.com. An application for potential vendors is also available on the website.

Robin & the Seven Hoods, Shreveport, performing for Krewe of Gemini coronation at Riverdome on Sat, Aug 27

Robin & the Seven Hoods, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Hey, mister! It's carnival time for the Gemini, says Bruce Flett.

Krewe of Gemini Royalty Coronation
Horseshoe Riverdome
Sat, Aug 27, 7pm til Midnight
Emcee Dr Bob Robinson
dinner, silent auction
Music by Robin and the 7 Hoods
Free to paid up Gemini members
$45 to non members
BLACK TIE

Marc-Andre Bougie conducts the Shreveport Chorale and Orchestra and Texarkana Regional Chorale in a Haydn mass at St Pius X Catholic Church on Sun, Aug 21, 4 pm

Mozart Requiem, St John's, Shreveport: conductor Marc-Andre Bougie, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"A glorious rendition of Franz Josef Haydn's Mariazeller mass will be performed in the beautiful new sanctuary of St. Pius X Catholic Church on Sunday, August 21, at 4:00 pm" writes John Goddard.

Conductor Marc-Andre Bougie will lead the Shreveport Chorale and Orchestra and the Texarkana Regional Chorale.

Free admission.

St. Pius X is located on the north side of Shreveport.
From downtown Shreveport follow Market Street (LA Hwy 1 and US Highway 71) north past Interstate 220.
At the Hwy 1 and Hwy 71 split, follow Hwy 1.
St. Pius is the first driveway to the right.
From Interstate 20 take the Market Street (North) Exit and follow the directions above.

Meadows Museum opens 2011-2012 exhibit season Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

A piece from the series "Dominance and Affection"
by Reading, Pa.-based artist Bethany Krull.

It's been an amazing couple of years for Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College. As an art lover, I've personally been wowed again and again by exhibits like "Visions and Visionaries" by David Holcombe, "Copley to Warhol: 200 Years of American Art," and Bennett Sewell's kick-ass "It's What You Make of It." Diane Dufilho and her staff at the museum are on a roll. From the looks of things, that winning streak will resume 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, August 21, as the Meadows Museum of Art opens two complementary exhibits: Bethany Krull's "Selected Ceramic Works from the Series ‘Dominance and Affection’, ‘Signal’ and ‘In Servitude’” and Dr. Ed Leuck's “Species in Crisis: Endangered Flora.”

Both exhibits tackle the topic of how humans relate to and interact with the natural world. I'm most excited about Krull's sculptures, which are porcelain and cast bronze meditations on the relationship between human "owners" and the pets we say we love. Take a look at the "Dominance and Affection" series on her website. It's pointed, powerful stuff.

Swing by Sunday afternoon. There will be air conditioning, art, and coffee - what more could you possibly need?

p.s. The entire 2011-2012 season's exhibit schedule is up at the Meadows Museum website.

Deadtown, rockabilly & blues out of Austin, Tx, plays at FattyArbuckles Fri, Aug 19; singer is Shreveporter Julian Dossett

Julian Dossett / Deadtown, Austin, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Julian Dossett grew up in Shreveport and became a spinner of tales behind guitar and mic.

His strengths are similar to those of his singer-guitarist dad, Stanton Dossett. Both have smoky if plaintive voices suited for singing stories in front of a band. In the case of Stanton, the band is Junior III.

The younger Dossett went to Austin to make his name and go to school. I'm not up on his schooling, but his band, Deadtown, is happening.

A reviewer at psycho.rockabilly-online said of their new CD: "“Deadtown” is one of the cornerstones of Austin’s growing post-psychobilly/metropabilly scene. A small number of bands who believe that tradition and evolution need not contradict each other. They’re also the first of the fore mentioned bands to get a CD out. It’s only six songs long, but it still manages to be a solid kick in pants, aimed squarely at critics of the Austin scene."

Catch them at Fatty's on Fri, Aug 19.

If you can swing dance you're in for a treat (this reviewer caught them at Artspace Shreveport on Th). The Deadtown swingin' steel guitar, humpin' bass and stingin' lead guitar over Julian's "hobo growl," equals a dance party.