Calcasieu Cinema International Presents "A Peck on the Cheek"

There will be a free screening of the 2002 Indian film "A Peck on the Cheek" this Friday, 28 September, at 7 p.m.  Central School auditorium in Lake Charles, Louisiana, will be the venue for the start of the second year of Calcasieu Parish's international film series. 

 

  A Peck on the Cheek goes beyond the romance and music of Indian film to confront difficult relationships and familial bonds.  With the aid of her adoptive parents, 9-year-old Amudha searches for her birth mother in war-torn Sri Lanka.  Facing rejection and possible conscription as a child soldier, Amudha goes on a journey that changes several lives.  Director Mani Ratnam's film is stunning in its honest portrayal of love and life's tough choices. 

   Dr. Kashi Yadalam, a native of  India, practices psychiatry and conducts research at Lake Charles Clinical Trials.  He and his family have enjoyed the cultural richness of the Lake Area for over twenty years and actively support the Banners Series. 

He is pleased to be a co-sponsor and to lead the discussion for the movie. Inviting the audience to join him, he will examine some of the rich, complex relationships in the film.  Free popcorn and drinks are provided. 

Calcasieu Cinema International, a branch of the Council for International Concerns, will present the award-winning film in partnership with McNeese State University's Office of Diversity, Banners Cultural Series, Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, Lake Area Psychiatry, The Hearing Center, Common Ground/CultureFestLouisiana, and Lake Charles Coca-Cola.

   For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese.edu or jkprjs@gmail.com

Itinerant Theatre World Premiere: Cleoma ~ A First

Itinerant Theatre announces its second Bicentennial Year production, the world premiere of Cleoma ~ A First.  This one-woman play, written by Lake Charles native Carolyn Woosley, is from her 13 play cycle Louisiana Women.  Cleoma will be performed as a staged reading by two-time Grammy-nominated musician, Ann Savoy.  Cleoma will be performed at Imperial Calcasieu Museum at 204 W. Sallier St. Lake Charles, La.  Performances will be held at 7pm, Thursday - Saturday, Ocotber 4-6.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  





A Q&A with author and actress follows the Thursday night premiere.  Opening Friday night is Things From Our Past by Angela Wubben, a one-half hour dramatization of life in rural Acadiana.  After the Friday performance of Cleoma, Ann Savoy will introduce her new CD of Cleoma Falcon music.  Ms. Savoy will sign CDs and host a Q&A on its making.


Following the Saturday performance, the Grammy-nominated female troupe, The Magnolia Sisters, will play two sets of a blend of musical genres authentic to SWLA. This musical event begins at 8:00pm, outside at The Annex.  An additional $10 ticket is charged.  

Cleoma (Cleoma Breaux Falcon) and her husband Joe Falcon were the first Southwest Louisiana musicians to be recorded (Columbia Records 1928).  Cleoma was an iconic rule-breaker.  Women did not perform music in public, either before or after her, perhaps until Marc and Ann Savoy of Eunice, La.  Set in Crowley in the 1930s, Cleoma gives the audience a taste of life in the rough-and-tumble dancehalls of SWLA during a time of change as Acadiana’s music meets up with “hillbilly” and other musical forms.  Songs, woven throughout the play, will first be interpreted into English by a “reader” who will be on stage with Ms. Savoy.

Producers of Cleoma ~ A First are Joy Pace and Carolyn Woosley.  Ms. Woosley is Director. Ann Savoy is costume designer. Leslie Berman is sound designer. Technical consultant  is Norman McKnight. A grant by the Convention & Visitors’ Bureau of SWLA helped make this production possible.  Tickets for Cleoma are $10. A separate $10 is charged for the Saturday night Magnolia Sisters concert, with $5 discounts for those who attend any Cleoma performance.  To purchase all tickets, visit the website www.itineranttheatre.com , call 337-436-6275 or at the door.  Tickets for Cleoma are limited to 60. Tickets for The Magnolia Sisters are unlimited.
            Itinerant Theatre is dedicated to providing an affordable, professional forum for the performing arts and artists and productions for artistically underserved audiences.  For information call 337.436.6275, visit Facebook or the website: www.itineranttheatre.com                    

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First Friday Reading Series Presents Phd. Candidate J Bruce Fuller

On Friday October 5th, at 7pm the First Friday Reading Series returns with a free reading by J. Bruce Fuller of the Ph.D. program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  The reading series, co-sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, is held at the Porch Coffee House & Cafe in Lake Charles.

J. Bruce Fuller is from Louisiana, and currently teaches at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette where he is a Ph.D assistant in poetry.  His chapbook 28 Blackbirds at the End of the World was published by Bandersnatch Books in 2010, and he has had three limited edition broadsides published by Yellow Flag Press.  His poems have appeared in Crab Orchard Review, Yankee Pot Roast, Louisiana Review, The Lilliput Review, The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, as well as Improbable Worlds: an Anthology of Texas and Louisiana Poets (Mutabilis Press), edited by Martha Serpas.  His translations of Javier Lentini's poetry have recently appeared at Aldus, Brown University's journal of translation. 

The First Friday Reading Series occurs on the first Friday of each month and presents a wide range of published poets from across Louisiana The Porch Coffee House & Cafe is located at 4710 Common Street in Lake Charles.  For details, contact the Arts Council at 337-439-2787.

Gallery Promenade list of Locations and Artist

The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana is pleased to announce the list of participating artists and art spaces participating in this years Gallery Promenade.  Gallery Promenade is designed to give residents and visitors of Southwest Louisiana an evening in the fall when galleries, art venues, and museums across the Lake Area work in a coordinated effort to open their doors and take part in an extensive promenade of current exhibits and local art. 

Gallery Promenade 2012 will include;

Gallery By the Lake, 106 West Pryce St.

Nancy Peace, Kay Andrews, Ellen Anthony,  Peggy Borel, Peggy Bower, Milton Carleton, Nany Czejkowski, Anne Dentler, Lois Derise, Jody Domingue, Barbara Dugas, Marcia Dutton, Katherine Flaherty, Beth Fontenot, Alyce Gilmore, Barbara Haviland, Barbara Holt, Yelena Koehn, Debbie Lavergne, Jock McGregor, Cindy Ottenweller, Patsi Prince, Lynne Rawley, Linda Ritchie, Nell Scott, Jennifer Widener, Carolynn White, Sue Zimmermann. 

Nancy Peace, WWII Navy Medic, Oil, Gallery by the Lake

The Children’s Museum, 327 Broad St.

Jon Meaux,  Michalangelo Villiamil, Sarah Dupre,

Sarah Painter, Meagan Green

The Harrington Gallery, 210 Tamarack Street, Sulphur

Susan Hebert

1911 Historic City Hall, 1001 Ryan St.

1st Floor- Artisan’s Gallery, 1911 City Hall First Floor, 1001 Ryan St.

Anita Ahrens, Melinda Antoon  Blane Bourgeois, Sally Cappel, Marilyn Cox  Ron Gibson, Kathy Gardiner Hebert, Emma Hughes, Charlene Kaough, Carrie Kudla, Charlotte LaBarbera, Pat Love, Donna Artigue Price, Geoff Russell, Anne Shirley, Gloria Wegener, Bobbi Yancey, Gloria Yang, Sue Zimmermann

2nd Floor - Dr. Bennett Sewell 

3rd Floor - Francis Pavy

Atomic Heart Tattoo, 4309 Common St.

Casey Page, Zach Brown, Christy Scothorn, Maura Cole

The Frame House & Gallery, 1640 Ryan St.

John Olzey, Alvin Baptiste

 Stellar Beans, 319 Broad St.

Art du Lac: Johnny Segura, Jacqueline K Segura,  Valerie Noland Smith, Stacey Bearden

Historic Calcasieu Marine Bank, 844 Ryan St.

Art du Lac: Cheri Cowen, Monica Hebert, Kevin Leveque, Julie Dallas, Rex Alexander, Lyd Faquher, Julie Groth, Jacqueline K Segura,

Katherine Petty

Cheri Cowen, Oil on Canvas, ArtDu Lac

Yayi Gallery, 610 Alamo St.

Yajaira (Yayi) Raba, Paula Lavergne, Suzy Trahan

505 Bazaar, 314 Broad St.

Vickie Singletary

Henning Cultural Center, 923 Ruth St, Sulphur

Sean Hicks, Jim Ferguson, Shawn Ardabili, Ben Lawrence, Eric Manuel, John Davis, Chris Walkin, Charity Nolen, James Jessen, Johnny Segura, Bill Holton, Kathryn Reeser, John Martel, Justin Henry, Jennifer Manuel, Thom Trahan, Dreek Owen, Christy Scothorn, Alex Landry, Jim Slagle, Erin Casteel, Michael Casteel, Hannah Chaney, Craig Cooley, Re Ratliff, Asia Ardoin, Bill Elliott, Jacob Hughes, Jess Romero, Georgina Graves, Kelly Fruge, Emily Bov

The Art Shop, 706 Ryan St.

David Dewees, Charlie Hinchee, and others

Central School, 809 Kirby St. 
Second Floor

Kenneth Lavabit, Trina Lavabit, Carol Loman 
Black Heritage Gallery - Reflections Exhibit 
Art Associates Gallery - Kevin Leveque 

Kevin Leveque, Muse, Pastel, Art Associates Gallery

Third Floor - Studio 347 Susan Cole, Benita Corley, Theresa Dewey, Imogene Dewey, Tom Jacobson, Ruth Shelton, Diane Brocato

Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 W. Sallier St.

George Rodrigue, 200 Years: The Faces & Places of Louisiana

Alexander Art Studio, 900 Ryan St. Candice Alexander

For more information regarding Gallery Promenade Please contact the Arts & Humanities Council at 337-439-ARTS or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org

Casting Call for ACTS Theatre's production of "A Christmas Story"

ACTS Theatre is looking for 3 men, 2 women, 5 boys, and 2 girls to act in their production of A Christmas Story.  Auditions will be held on September 23 & 24 onstage at ACTS Theatre.  Registration is at 6pm, auditions will begin at 6:30.  

The Louisiana Choral Foundation

Please note:  Due to consideration for The Lake Charles Symphony as well as the desire to attend their Saturday evening concert, Louisiana Choral Foundation has changed the night of their Dinner Musical Revue to Friday, September 21.


The Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale launches its 2012-2013 season with a Dinner Musical Revue entitled “Louisiana – The Brightest Star” on Friday, September 21 at 6 PM.   Guests will be treated to an original musical revue performed by members of the Chorale celebrating Louisiana’s  Bicentennial.   A dinner featuring  flavors of Louisiana will be served to the live music of Chris Miller and Bayou Roots. The celebration gala will be at Paxton Hall of First United Methodist Church at the corner of Kirkman and Broad Street in Lake Charles from 6-9 PM.  Tickets for limited reserved seating ($35 a person) are available at Swicegood Music or by calling 337 491-9348.  

 Karl  Boellert  as Thomas  Jefferson and  Cheryl  Gott  are  cast members of Louisiana  Choral  Foundation’s  Dinner  Musical  Revue  celebrating  Louisiana’s Bicentennial.

   

Jazz in The Arts

The next Jazz in the Arts program will be held on Sunday September 16th in the Ben W. Mount theatre at 5pm.  The concert will feature husband and wife duo Saxophonist Patrick Sheng and Trombonist Crystal Hayes-Sheng.  The tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door and can be purchase at the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, or by contacting Pat Daigle at 337-794-5744.  

Debra Monroe Fiction Reading

Highly acclaimed fiction writer Debra Monroe will give a fiction reading in the Stream Alumni Center on the campus of McNeese State University on September 22 at 730 pm.

Debra Monroe is the author of four books of fiction, The Source of Trouble (1990), A Wild, Cold State (1995), Newfangled (1998), and Shambles (2004); and one memoir, On the outskirts of Normal: Forging a family Against the Grain(2010).  

Her books have won numerous awards, including the Flannery O'Connor Award, the John Gardner Fellowship, The Violet Crown Award, the Quarterly West Novella Competition, and more. The public is invited to attend what is sure to be a wonderful night.  

Thrive Magazine Call for Artists

Thrive magazine is on the hunt for some local visual artists to submit art for their 2013 calendar.  13 Artists will be selected, each month will feature an artist along with a write up about the piece and the artist.  All types of work and subject matter will be accepted.  Submissions must fit 9"x8.25" (WxH) area and be 300dpi.jpg, along with a short description of yourself, your entry (75 words or less), and a photo of yourself.  Submissions can be emailed to edit@thriveswla.com

John Guidroz CD Release Show

After over a year of production, John Guidroz will be releasing his debut album Yesterday's News tonight, September 7th at Luna Live.  Recorded, produced, and mixed locally here in Lake Charles at EMF studios (Lake Charles Music) with production guru Matt Moss, Yesterday's News serves as a testament to all the great work going on among musicians here in Lake Charles.  Guidroz is one of a number of local musical artists who have albums nearing the end of production, or newly released.  If anyone tries to tell you there is no music scene here in Lake Charles, be sure to tell them about all the albums our community has coming down the pipeline.  Other upcoming/new releases include; When The Word Was Sound, Sinners, The Lochness Mobsters, Go Granny Go, and The Loaded 44rs just to name a few.  

The Show kicks off tonight at Luna Live at 9pm with the Good Wood, followed by Wendy Colonna, John Guidroz will follow with a full band lineup consisting of himself, Matt Moss, Kris Harper, Jacob Robles.  A $10 cover charge will get you a copy of the album, and access to a great night of homegrown original Lake Charles music.  

McNeese State University's Department of Performing Arts is hosting its first  Piano Festival from Friday, September 7 through Sunday,    September 9.  

The   main clinician for the event is Professor Nelita True, from The             Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.  Ms. True has been              described in Clavier Companion  as "One of the world's most sought-after and  beloved pianist-teachers."

We are excited to have her visit McNeese!

The following is the updated festival schedule.  All events will take place in the                            Shearman Fine Arts Theatre.

Friday, September 7th:

6:45pm: pre-concert lecture, McNeese professor, Dr. Bryan Proksch

7:30pm: piano concert, McNeese professor, Lina Morita

Reception to follow

Saturday, September 8th:

11:00am: lecture, McNeese professor, Dr. Christy Vogt-Corley

2:00pm: master class, guest pianist, Professor Nelita True, The Eastman School of Music,          Rochester, NY

6:45pm: pre-concert lecture, Dr. Bryan Proksch

7:30pm: piano concert, guest pianist, Sergio Monteiro, Assistant Professor of Piano, Oklahoma City University

Reception to follow

Sunday, September 9th:

11:00am: master class, Sergio Monteiro

2:00pm: festival participants' concert

Reception to follow

Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only, please):

$5: each lecture, each master class

$10: pre-concert lecture and concert

$30: festival pass

Admission is free for MSU students, pre-college students

Please contact Lina Morita at 475-5022 or at lmorita@mcneese.edu with any questions.

Art Exhibition Enhances Experience through Social Media

The City of Lake Charles will host “It’s What You Make of It” by Bennett Sewell, MD at Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. Join us for a special opening reception with Dr. Sewell and his cast of characters in the second floor gallery during the annual Gallery Promenade event on September 28 from 5-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The exhibition will run through January 12, 2013.

Dr. Bennett Sewell is a retired physician living in Shreveport, the nephew of famed Louisiana artist Clyde Connell, and a storyteller. He uses found objects, scrap metal and wood, to construct unique sculptures that resemble dogs dressed as people who take on human mannerisms and personality traits. These metaphors are coupled with a monologue that accompanies each sculpture to highlight the human condition. Many of the sculptures will also be accompanied by the character’s dialogue through listening stations.

This exhibition will also entertain and enlighten by utilizing social media to reach out and engage the audience. To meet the characters, go to www.facebook.com/BennettSewell and enter comments about their personality and/or behavior. Comments can be it insightful, humorous, or a memory link to a previous experience you’ve had in real life. 

A couple of his characters who frequent the Dew Drop Inn Beauty Shop and Extreme Makeover Salon are Billie Bell the “casserole lady”, and Hattie Mae who has a little something to say about everyone. Hattie Says, “I’m so happy for you join me in talking about the behavior of my siblings and neighbors. I’ve been living with them a long time and frankly sometimes I could use some help. We all should have fun and learn something.  For example, if you’ve raised children, does Viola speak to you or do you have anything to say to her?  What might you say to Henry about common traits? You may just wish to compliment Mavis about her hair or her show. Like one of my siblings said, ‘You never know what you get until you give it a go.’ My family and I also would like to extend our personal invitation to you to come to the opening on September 28^th. Yours in the bond of fellowship, Hattie”

Dr. Sewell says “My work is about living; it is about what people make of it. So many of our fundamental ways to live are formed early without the benefit of experience. These decisions are many times fixed in place by childhood emotions and not by rational thinking.  The behavior that results is fascinating to watch and to recreate in a metaphorical sense.  I use dogs anthropomorphically because they naturally exhibit human characteristics.  I use objects that people have used, animal bones, and parts of wood in what I construct.  The final structure says something about behavior, as does the accompanying dialogue. I do all of this because it is fun to think about how we live, to have new thoughts and to create something from that experience.”

Also on exhibit will be “Retrospective” by Francis Pavy through November 10 and “The Artisan’s Gallery” through October 27.  Historic City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.  For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.

Upcoming Events at the Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum is happy to announce the following activities are scheduled for September!

Fun Friday, September 7: Play Dough

We will continue with this program and offer it in the afternoon. Join us every Friday in the ArtSpace anytime between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for fun activities!

Saturday, September 8: Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show

“What can you do with pressure? At 11 a.m., Sasol’s Theresa Bell will perform experiments that demonstrate the cool things that can be done with pressure. Examples include: Inflate a balloon with lemon juice and baking soda, the balloon blow-up challenge or the hanging water experiment.

Fun Friday, September 14: Finger Painting

Join us anytime between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the ArtSpace!

Thursday, September 20: Adventures of the Senses

This is a program for families with autism spectrum disorders. It is an after-hours opportunity to come and enjoy the museum with families dealing with similar impairments. It also allows parents to help their children develop language and social skills. This program is from 5-6:30 p.m. Admission fees paid by SWLA Autism Chapter.  Donations are welcome.

Fun Friday, September 21: Paper Plate Mask

Join us anytime between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the ArtSpace!

Monday, September 24: Giant Guitar

This is your chance to become a rock-and-roll musician by painting your own giant guitar! Class begins at 11 a.m. and is limited to 20 children.

Fun Friday, September 28: Play Dough

Join us anytime between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the ArtSpace!

Friday, September 28: Gallery Promenade - Opening Reception from 5-8:30 p.m.

We will feature young local talents: Sarah Dupre, Michel Villamil, Meagan Green, Jon Meaux and Sarah Painter.

The Children's Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for children and adults. Call 337-433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org for a complete list of admission fees, memberships and birthday party information.

Join us for a panel discussion with community leaders!  Led by moderator Brenda Bachrack, we will explore  issues relating to civility, compassion, and community in the context of Kathryn Stockett's book The Help.  Sunday September 9th at 2:30pm in the DeBakey meeting room of Central Library