Art by James Hunter, Clementine Hunter's grandson, at Columbia Cafe; reception Sun, Dec 3, from 4 - 6 pm

Art by James Hunter, Columbia Cafe
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Folk artist James Hunter's paintings are a vivid mixture of bright colors and memories of what it was like to grow up on a plantation on Cane River in Natchitoches Parish, says Marion Marks.

Hunter is the grandson of folk artist Clementine Hunter. His work was recently on display at the Louisiana State Museum, and his first show outside of the state was at the Stephens Gallery in Northport, Alabama in conjunction with the Kentuck Art Festival.

Says Marks at JamesHunterFolkArt.com, "We are fortunate that her grandson, who spent much time with his Clementine, learned much of her history and also her love for paint. For when he picked up a brush, he brought back to life relics of an almost forgotten past.

James Hunter emerged just recently to pick up where his grandmother left off. And his colorful images of southern life and culture capture images that will never again be seen. As he grew up at Clementine’s feet, he spent almost twelve years in her shadow. He watched, and captured images, which are just now coming to canvas."

Reception: Sun from 4p.m. till 6p.m. at Columbia Cafe, northwest corner of Kings Highway and Creswell Avenue.

Marion Marks: 424-0880

Pianists perform Fri - Sun, Dec 1 - 3, at Centenary College in the international Wideman Piano Competition; concerts open and free

Wideman Piano Competition finalist: Christine Bethanne Johnson
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Once a year a small part of Shreveport resembles New York or Berlin, given the number of high-level musical performers gathered. The place is the Hurley Music Building at Centenary College and the event is the Wideman Piano Competition.

This weekend the small crowds who stop at Anderson Auditorium, Centenary, will hear extraordinary piano solo performances by young performers who've worked for years at an Olympic level.

Last year I had the good fortune to meet Wideman contestant Christine Bethanne Johnson at her host family's Yamaha grand piano. We discussed 20th century music and what I knew of Poulenc and Ravel. I asked for a brief performance of a modern piece from her repertoire. She chose a concerto by Dutilleux.

Told I had to leave soon, Johnson sat at the keyboard with her eyes closed for a couple of minutes. It is my belief that she was mentally running through the complex piece, finding the point at which her playing would match my time requirements. What followed was one of the richest concert experiences of my short life. Her very physical attack against the keys produced a salty wave of melody. We were drenched in music.

Having been baptized in the Wideman experience at the home of Kevin and Mary Virginia Hill, I attended several of the competitions. The lobby at Hurley was filled with an international group of performers and attendees. The performances were cerebral and energizing. Shreveporters who want to live as though they weren't cut off from New York and London might well find their home this weekend amidst those who bring us the Wideman.


Wideman Piano Competition: free admission.
Preliminary rounds begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Starting times for Sunday's semifinals and finals depend on the number of finalists selected.
Hurley School of Music at Centenary College in Shreveport.
Mrs. Lester Senter Wilson and the Shreveport Symphony Guild.

World AIDS Day in Shreveport Wed, Nov 29 & Fri, Dec 1, LSUS

The Obelisk in Buenos Aires...
Originally uploaded by amyceline.

Please join the Philadelphia Center & LSU-S American Humanics Student Organization in commemorating, says Adrienne Critcher,

World AIDS Day

Wednesday, November 29, 2006
6 PM Faces of AIDS Photo Exhibit Opening Reception
(exhibit ends Friday, Dec. 1, 2006)
@ LSU-S Noel Library - 3rd floor lobby area

Thursday, November 30, 2006
10 AM - 1 PM Free HIV Testing
@ LSU-S Business & Administration Bldg., Room 115

6 PM Frontline: 25 Years of AIDS PBS documentary
@ LSU-S University Center Theater

Friday, December 1, 2006 (actual World AIDS Day)
6:30 PM Candlelight Ceremony
@ Betty Virginia Park

Please bring cash to support the food pantry
3901 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport 71106
(between Fairfield Ave. & Line Ave.)
In case of rain - Shreveport Church of HOPE
1714 Highland Ave.

Philadelphia Center @ 222-6633 ext. 25 or
LSUS American Humanics Student Organization @ 795-4262

House Concert series at Fairfield Studios, Shreveport: Randall Williams at 7 pm Sat, Dec 2

House Concert series at Fairfield Studios, Shreveport: Randall Williams

There's no clearer alternative to the bar and concert hall scene than the House Series at Fairfield Studios. No smoke. No idiots. Every nuance of the picking and singing of these well-traveled performers can be enjoyed.

Starts early. Easy parking. Like-minded people with whom to chat during the intermission. I think you can even bring in your own libations.

More info: 220-0400 or reservations@fairfieldstudios.com
$15

This week: Randall Williams, troubador.

Gannett, Alan English, digital site building, you and the future of local media

Bill Joyce, Alan English
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Gannett Co, the nation's largest newspaper chain, is opening its news space to bloggers. Why?

Across America, newspapers are losing circulation and profit. As the media morphs, even as news staffs are cut, the papers are suffering. Gannett has decided to see whether bloggers can add value and vitality to their online package.

Accordingly, Alan English, Times executive editor, and Scott Anderson, new media editor, have signed me as a *community blogger.* There's a link to SptFaces on the online front page. Expect to see a link to ShreveportBlog on the online Times front page in December, says English. It's an arrangement that I proposed to them in June of 05.

English has long been intrigued by the idea of linking to blogs because he's a tech-minded editor. He was the first to publicly recognize the value of SptBlog (Feb 13, 05).

In the meantime shreveporttimes.com has been striving for readability and building an audience. It remains a jumbly site but seems to have a cleaner look each month. So far it has a weak search engine. But the number of daily hits the front page earns is impressive, according to English.

Bloggers are mosquitos. We can do the easy stuff, the hit & runs. And bloggers like me revel in posting images with every story. Newspapers are ponderous, armed tanks. They may be slow and image-poor but the thing is, they make money. Few bloggers have been able to monetize, as we call it.

Somewhere between us lies the cash for both readers and journalists. Managers like English and the Gannett honchos need to rebuild the tank as an all-terrain hybrid. I think a continually updated web site could - somehow - pump up their print product.

So the Times is exploring digital options. Staffers are being given videocams. Cool. Video is not an easy skill to acquire, but it's worthy in a world that gets much of its news from YouTube.

Why isn't each reporter using a blog for quick updates on the stories they're assembling and composing? So far the Times uses staff blogs as a sort of add-on. My favorite Times staffer blog is Alex Kent's Louisiana Movies Blog.

Reporters probably see podcasts as an untenable burden. In the future savvy newsprint reporters will piggyback aural interviews almost as second nature. The online paper is moving in that direction: the Times multimedia production on the Space Center at SciPort is effective.

How much brainpower can Shreveport muster in an effort to renew the news model? A lively and varied media is essential if the quality of life here is to improve. But can we create a sustainable series of digital sites that will both stimulate the public and generate money? We shall see.

Plenty of elbow room in the Big Easy, says Matt Gross in a NY Times Frugal Traveler weekend

french market artist, new orleans
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

In a story called Back to New Orleans, Gently, NY Times Frugal Traveler Matt Gross writes (Nov 26), "This emptiness, disturbing and depressing as it was, turns out to be perversely beneficial for visitors — the city of exuberant indulgence has, almost overnight, become even more affordable. It’s a strange kind of affordability, though: Because tourists have yet to return en masse, the budget options sit wide out in the open, just waiting to be picked. Although rates have actually risen slightly, hotel deals still abound, last-minute reservations at hot restaurants are a phone call away and curbside parking actually exists. The Big Easy may no longer feel big, but it’s easier than ever."

Catch up on the state of the Crescent City via this article as well as the sites listed on SptBlog links: Gambit, Offbeat and Nola.com.

Fresh from the painter's studio: Dennis O'Bryant's commissioned work, Caddo with Duck Mill

2006-11-25 Caddo with Duck Mill / artist Dennis O'Bryant
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

"Caddo with Duck Mill" is, says Marshall, Tx, artist Dennis O'Bryant, "A return to painting Caddo Lake via a commission work for a friend. Shimmering reflections and long shadows; appropriate for this time of year. Your comments and critiques are welcomed.

For a look at more of my work, please visit
Denoart.com and denoart.blogspot.com. "

His work was recently on in the Louisiana Artists exhibit at Barnwell Center. That exhibit came down on Nov 20.

Sharpest show in Shreveport: Eye Twenty group exhibit upstairs at Artspace, 710 Texas

Laura Noland Harter & Enoch Doyle Jeter
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Laura Noland Harter, painter-sculptor, and Doyle Jeter, artist-printmaker, are part of the Eye-Twenty Group, a gang of artists from Monroe, Ruston and Shreveport.

The paintings in the Eye-Twenty Group show at Artspace (Deck the Halls is downstairs, Eye-Twenty's show is upstairs) are the work of visualists who have made the cut. They are the artists who had the technique, the voice, the ability to grow, the sustainability and drive to stay in the art game.

Enoch Doyle Jeter, proprietor of Enoch's Pub, Monroe, and, formerly, Shreveport, was founder of the Eye-Twenty group almost 16 years ago. "It had its beginnings as part of the Seis Barachos show at East Bank Gallery in Bossier in 1989. The core group is made up of the late Donna Service, Bruce Allen, Bob and Linda Ward, Jack Lewis and close to 30 other artists. Eye-Twenty is made up of artists from Shreveport, Ruston and Monroe/West Monroe, Louisiana, and is a means of communication between artists along the Interstate 20 corridor, as well as a means for exhibition and educational opportunities." Jeter adds proudly, "Noted artists Clyde Connell and Deborah Luster have also shown with the group."

In this show, Edmund Williamson's droll fish-eye lens view of a crazy photog in Jackson Square is emblematic of the Eye-Twenty Group: it's witty, self-assured, a piece by an uneqivocally talented painter. Laura Noland Harter's quiet but sassy views of her children demonstrate a subtle grace and subversive eye. Linda Snider Ward's cozy shadowbox unfolding of her life with a beautiful daughter is also the work of a skilled and schooled artist.

Charlie Meeds, one of several Louisiana Tech faculty members in the gang, displays small, highly-detailed pencil portraits of Creole women. Despite their diminution they stand out, and are among my favorite works in the show.

Kristi Hanna's portraits in this show are simultaneously romantic and monstrous. The faces are archetypal and angelic and emanate from the particular cosmos of the dancer-choreographer-painter of the many names (Dorothinia being the latest). See more at Arodasi Studio, 327 N. Market, Shreveport.

Lynn Simmons' color-drenched dreamscape of a child and teddy bear on the tracks as a full-speed train bears down is another painting that leaps from the wall.

When you've seen the show, tell me what you think.

Artspace hours have lengthened, so what's keeping us?

Among the artists:
The Edmund Williamson Art Gallery is at 131 N. Second St., inside Sugar Studios, downtown Monroe (325-6108).
Arodasi Dance Center & Studio
http://www.myspace.com/arodasidancecenter

Artspace:
10 to 6, Tu - Sat
673-6535

Stones' Throw Cafe hosts All Ages Songwriter's Sunday beginning Dec 3, 4 pm to 7 pm

dan garner / photo ron stroope
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

"The maiden voyage of the Stone's Throw Songwriter's Sunday, which is for all ages, with no cover," writes Susan Garner, "will be Sun, Dec 3rd, from 4 pm to 7 pm." It will be hosted by her dad, Dan Garner.

"The Stone's Throw Cafe is at the corner of Line and Jordan in that cool old boxy Motor Hotel. It's owned by my friend Rachel Stone, who is a songwriter, herself. Good coffee, good food, and a good vibe. Hope to see you there!"

The proprietor and picker, Mrs. Stone herself, might be able to perform, might not: "Depends on how busy the kitchen is and how many musicians show up! Dan said since Java Junction closed and they had problems with the a/c at 516, there was no place for the underage musicians to go. That's even more retro...back to the days of a true coffee house?"

They're looking at a weekly series. More info:
myspace.com/dangarner
A Stone's Throw Cafe & Catering, 318-221-8544
Open 7 am to 4 pm daily

Christian Simeon and Outlaw Nation alight at Noble Savage Sat, Nov 25, 9 pm, at end of national tour for CD called Shine

Outlaw Nation in Vancouver
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Christian Simeon, fresh from a tour that took his trio, Outlaw Nation, to Canada and cross America, says they will be performing at the Noble Savage on Sat, Nov 25, and will be doing an instore performance at Sam Goody in St. Vincent Mall, Sun, Nov 26th.

Simeon says, "We are about to release a live DVD and CD at the first of the new year as well. Give our tunes a listen at www.myspace.com/outlawnation."

Here's a click: Outlaw Nation on YouTube.

Eros Jelly, first editions & the skating rink: downtown cheery from Holiday Market at Festival Plaza; shop & skate Fri, Sat, Sun 10 am to 10 pm

Noma's Eros Jelly / photo Neil Johnson

Noma Fowler-Sandlin, artist and food maven, sends an invitation from the farmers, artisans and cooks at Farmer's Market. The Pavilion shopping at lower Festival Plaza is back as Holiday Market.

"The hours for the Holiday Market are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend (Nov 24, 25, 26), then the same hours for Saturdays and Sundays the three weekends thereafter," says Noma. " I'll have jam; Chris'll have collectible books (signed, first editions, art and antique). I don't know what other vendors will be included. And I'll be selling my Eros (Champagne and 24K Gold Leaf) Jelly, which makes a great, flirtatious stocking stuffer."

Some 50 vendors are expected, says shreveporttimes.com. Booths will flank the Red River Revel Ice Skating Rink at the new Pavilion.

Have you tried the skating? The cost is $8 per person for two hours, including skates; $6 each for groups of 10 or more. Hours for the fun on ice: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 3 to 10 p.m. Nov. 24.; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

Skate and shop. Then, for additional cosmic expansion, visit SciPort's trippy new Space Center Building. There you will find 90 new hands-on activities, it says at sciport.org.

See the Ice Rink schedule at redriverrevel.com.

Art for your collection or as a gift: Artspace curator MaryBeth O'Connor has analysis & a ton of art; Artspace hours 10 to 6, Tues - Sat

Artspace director MaryBeth O'Connor was joined by staffers Dawn Back & Derick Jones after Deck the Halls opening night. Some 400 people partied to the sounds of Kellee Johnson and the Chris Worthy Band in a vast roomful of paintings, sculpture & jewelry.


The arrival of MaryBeth O'Connor as director of Artspace benefits art lovers of the region in at least a couple of ways. She has taken firm hand at Artspace and has begun to demonstrate her well-traveled sense of how to show art. And she is now available as a public resource for analysis and choice in art purchasing. What level of value to attach to a Jerry Wray or Bill Gingles painting? Who's got classic appeal and why? Who's up and coming? She's articulate and vibrant; like Michael Butterman at the symphony, she's new and unfettered by Shreveportitis.

"Work will be rotating on a weekly basis," O'Connor says. "We're showing 95 artists who submitted up to 15 pieces each. So I've got work to replace the pieces that sell as well as to refresh the exhibit."

Artspace hours:
Tues through Sat, 10 am to 6 pm
By appointment at 673-6535.
marybeth@shrevearts.org

Hands-on folk art & craft for families at Meadows Museum, Centenary College, Sat, Nov 25 & Sun, Nov 26, 1 to 4 pm

Self portrait by Mose Toliver from the Hennessee collection, now on view at Meadows Museum.

Hands-on folk arts and crafts projects, along with gallery tours and refreshments, will be on the agenda Nov. 25 and 26 when Centenary College's Meadows Museum of Art holds its Family Folk Art Weekend, says Lynn Stewart.

Admission and all activities are free and open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.

Family Folk Art Weekend is presented in conjunction with the current folk exhibitions "Louisiana Collects: The Folk art Collection of Simone N. Henneessee and the late Rev. Dr. R. L. Hennessee of Shreveport" and "Louisiana Collects: Works by M.C. Jones from the Collection of Sam and Jan Wallace of Shreveport."

For more information, contact the Meadows Museum of Art at 318-869-5169. For information about the exhibits see CentenaryNews .

Bowling for Speed & Built for Soup at Flanagan's on King's Highway Wed, Nov 22, 9 pm

My 10 year-old son and his friends like this band. Do Not let him know they're ripping Flanagan's apart on Wed.
Openers are local faves about which more at myspace.com/builtforspeedmusic. Then there's mypace.com/flanaganspub, too.

West Edge Artists Co-op party: having done the Soft opening, it's on to the Grand: Fri, Nov 24, 10 am to 6 pm, 725 Milam St

More at westedgeartists.com or 318.221.6961

Pushing the regional boundaries: Shreveport Artist Fellowship recipients named by Pam Atchison, Shreveport Regional Arts Council

Centenary College's Escaped Images; co-director is Renee Smith-Chevalier.

New neighborhood plan, new theater, national dance recognition: the boundary-pushing Shreveport Artist Fellowship awardees were named by SRAC's Pam Atchison last week. Among them were Ron Hardy, multi-disciplinary artist, who produced and performed on a couple of music CD's last year, produced the Leadbelly Arts Fest and developed a plan to restore historic Allendale, among many activities. Fellowship winner Renee Smith-Chevalier took the Centenary dance troupe Escaped Images to Kennedy Center via her choreography.

Patric McWilliams established Shreveport's first professional Equity company, River City Repertory Theater; McWilliams won the Fellowship in theater. Dorsey Summerfield, Jr, performer and professor for Southern University Shreveport, established a new curriculum in recording arts. Painter Randy Hedgecock was the Fellowship recipient in visual arts and poet Dorie LaRue was the Literary Fellow.

Please see photos at ShreveportFaces.

Jesse Winchester will sing in S'port Fri, Feb 2, 07, LSUS Theater; bluesy Buddy Flett opens

Jesse Winchester will meet Buddy Flett and folk fans - those who care about Robbie Robertson and The Band, among them - at LSUS Theater Fri, Feb 2, says Johnny Palazotta. A veteran producer of Louisiana records, media and musical events, Palazotta has brought many a sweet concert to town, such as Eric Johnson and Dr. John.

Winchester, one of the handsomest singer-songwriters of the 70's, is touring the boites and luxury stages of New England nowadays with forays into the Deep South.

There's pleasant reading at jessewinchester.com.
Check on Johnny Pal's many activities at Louisianasmusic.com.

Flett is a Bluebird as well as witty solo artist and songwriter. He gives an impassioned and vividly musical history of the blues lecture at schools nowadays. Check in with Bluebird activities by getting onto Bruce Flett's droll email newsletter. He's blucebird@aol.com. There's www.thebluebirds.com, too.

Holiday guitar with sustain: Trans-Siberian Orchestra check presentation to Tipitina's Office Co-op, Shreveport

KVKI's Robert J. Wright, Stone City Attraction's Jack Orbin and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Al Pitrelli presented Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op Shreveport director Dan Garner with a check representing their donation to the Shreveport facility for over $5000, says Garner. This was a portion of the proceeds from their concert at Century-Tel Arena on Monday, Nov 13th.

Last year TSO contributed to the Northwest Louisiana Foodbank, said Garner. "We like to give to a local non-profit in the communities where the performance takes place and it's important that we know the contributions will be used locally," observed Larry McGuffin from Stone City Attractions of San Antonio, Texas. The concert doubled the attendance from last year's, he said.

Garner added, " I'd like to personally thank Larry McGuffin for tracking us down to make the donation, Jack Orbin for running herd over everything (and for spending a few moments giving pointers to my daughter, Susan, on the ins and outs of the promoter biz) as well as Al Pitrelli who is not only a jaw-dropping guitar player, but also one really nice guy, for putting on a stunning show and being there to present the check in front of the thousands of fans that showed up to one truly great concert!"

If you're all, like, "Intriguing name, but I don't know that I've ever," Kansas City journalist Geoff Harkness compresses it thusly in The Pitch: "If you think Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a weird name for a band, wait till you get a load of these dudes in concert. Over-the-top doesn't begin to describe TSO's live show, a spectacle of light, sound, smoke, fire and flash pots that makes your average Broadway musical look like open-mic night at the coffee shop. Paired with this visual extravaganza is actual music -- full-blown heavy-metal operas that sound like Iron Maiden realized by a guitar-centric orchestra. And if that ain't freaky enough for you, keep in mind that all of the above is set to a Christmas theme that's safe for kiddies, headbangers and geezers alike, making for an unforgettable night at the hard-rock opera."

More numbers and baroquery at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Orchestra.

Via Colori, street of colors, a Houston art event that offers a model and even turn-key opportunity for other cities

Via Colori, a Street Painting Festival, was one of the many art events this weekend in Houston. It was designed to attract families throughout Houston to observe some 150 artists, professionals and amateurs. who painted original work in a pastel medium. Food, entertainment, children's activities and a Saturday night street party were part of the charity event, held in Sam Houston Park and partly on Allen Parkway. Free to the public, the organizers pointed out that the street painting "provides a vehicle for the community to witness the act of creation, for artists to display their talent, and to raise awareness of the Center's mission to help children with hearing impairments."

Via Colori is a licensed charity vehicle, you'll see if you visit www.viacolori.com. The organization Identifies your fund-raising and festival tasks and shows you how to bring on hundreds of volunteers.

Via Colori is a modern version of a medieval event. In Renaissance Italy, returning veterans of the wars, many maimed, were able to eke an existence out of begging. One of the neater forms of street solicitation was chalking scenes on the streets near the cathedral. Inasmuch as that era was all about religious art, these men created liturgical scenes. They were called Madonnari, owing to the ubiquity of images of the Virgin Mary.

In shady Sam Houston Park, downtown Houston, the art teams and solo practicioners were adept. Many were professionals. One could observe their progress, their dynamic, their errors as well as expertise.

"In Mary Poppins the chimney sweep Bert was a sidewalk artist on the side. He rendered scenes on the parkside streets in late 19th century London," reminded artist Talbot Hopkins.

Via Colori seemed to us a superb art & media event and would not be a bad one for a regional incarnation.

viacolori.com

Super 8 screener Melinda Stone, San Francisco, visits minicine Mon, Nov 20, 8 pm

At minicine? David Nelson has another show, which is nice because renovation will shutter 846 Texas for an extended time. Coming Mon night is Melinda Stone, (San Francisco / Super-Super 8 Film Festival), who, says Nelson, "will screen new work and tell stories from the frontier... A somewhat anachronistic film maker, curator and researcher, Melinda Stone dabbles in it all to create an eclectic show that highlights her on-going interest in land use, amateur filmmaking and outdoor film extravaganzas.

A kind of present day film impresario, Stone borrows from the past and infuses each of her unique shows with sing-alongs and other participatory fare. Stone is currently on tour with a program entitled “I’ll Show You Mine, If You Show Me Yours” – and she stands behind the implied promise. Come find out what she means and check out her recent offerings including selections from her most recent site-specific film events – The California Tour and A Trip Down Market 1905/2005, a brand new sing-along, and Audience Analysis film. A grand time is sure to be had by all, as is always true when Stone visits Shreveport!"

Inasmuch as Under the Ground local films is not going to happen because of renovation, filmmakers are invited to grab complete work and go to 846 tonight. "Show us yours... Do you have a film to screen! minicine? ask any interested filmmakers with a new short (under ten minutes) laying about to bring it down to add to the program for the night... Email us some info and we will include your work... minicine?"

Mon, Nov 20 / minicine?
846 Texas Avenue
8PM / $5 Donation
swampland.org