Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Call for Artists: Stellar Beans Coffee House & Edibles



For the month of February, Stellar Beans will be showcasing art made by the partons of their establishment!  This art show is for artists who have not previously participated in an art show but would like to have the opportunity to show their art in a public setting.  New artists - here is your chance to get your art on Stellar Beans’ walls without the pressure of having to fill the space on your own!  You can show 1 piece or several pieces (depending on response).  We want to include as many new artists as possible so please contact Danita Nolan at Stellar Beans if you are interested.  Any form of visual art can be submitted, including photography.  All art must be ready to be displayed when it is dropped off on February 1, 2013.  All art must be original work.   Email: stellarbeans@yahoo.com (337)564-5739.  

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Calcasieu Cinema International present "Lucky"


Calcasieu Cinema International continues the second season of its film series with the South African film Lucky. The award-winning 2011 film will be offered free to the public this Friday 25 January, at 7 p.m., at Central School auditorium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  

Lucky (not to be confused with a comedy with a similar title) tells the story of a young boy in South Africa who loses his mother to the AIDS epidemic and must fend for himself while searching for family and security.  It is, as one reviewer points out, the story of those “people who slip through the cracks,” and, as the boy’s name suggests, chance plays a large role.  However, it is sheer persistence that ultimately makes Lucky a winner.  Along the way, Lucky is rescued by an elderly Indian woman who is prejudiced, plus he must deal with an uncle who has his own motives for wanting Lucky. The young boy’s ability to bring out the best in the adults illuminates director/screenwriter Avie Luthra’s depiction of life in modern South Africa.  Giving this film its power are the young boy’s determination and the simple, effective storytelling. 



Discussant for the film will be Dr. Jayendra Patel, a second-generation Tanzanian whose family originally hails from India.  Born and brought up in East Africa, Dr. Patel studied in India and subsequently practiced psychiatry in Africa before he moved to USA.  He is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and currently practices psychiatry at Lake Area Psychiatry in Lake Charles. He and his family have enjoyed the cultural richness of the Lake Area for about 3 years.   Inviting the audience to join him, he will examine some of the rich, complex relationships in the film. The generous sponsors for this film are Dr. Amir and Elphy Shah.  Free popcorn and drinks will be provided!  

Calcasieu Cinema International, a branch of the Council for International Concerns, offers the series 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.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

LAKE CHARLES CIVIC BALLET TO PERFORM ASSEMBLÉ 2013




AssemblĂ© 2013 reaches across the bounds of ballet and dance to blend together a wide range of talent in the local artistic community. The performance features the work of several artists. Among the pieces featured is the comedic ballet Graduation Ball, set to the music of Strauss. Also presented is The Fable, an LCCB original, choreographed to music specifically composed for this ballet by the late Keith Gates. 





Photo by Romero & Romero Photography, Adrian Durham and Julia Basone 
taken from a scene in Graduation Ball

“The mission statement of LCCB is to provide a complete theatre experience with an emphasis on classical dance training and performance in Louisiana as a creative outlet for choreographers, composers and artists,” said Lady Holly Hathaway Kaough, Artistic Director for LCCB. She adds, “AssemblĂ© 2013 achieves that tremendous goal in ways that will move and entertain all who see it, both fans of ballet and those who are new to the art form.”

“The Arts Council is proud to support the efforts of the Lake Charles Civic Ballet because their mission falls in line with our own mission to develop the arts and tap into the potential of Southwest Louisiana,” said Erica McCreedy, Executive Director of the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA. She adds, “The Company’s ambition to cross-pollinate with other art forms and plug into trends in the national arena marks them as both progressive and steadfast in identifying how to better the arts community of the region.”
                                         
Performance dates of Assemble 2013 at the Rosa Hart Theatre in Lake Charles, La. are Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 17 at 3:00 pm. Tickets for both shows are available starting January 28 by contacting The Civic Center Box Office/Ticketmaster at (337) 491-1432 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are priced at $26.50 for Preferred Seating (Sections A-D) and $16.50 for General Seating, including balcony seats. 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Modernist Masters from the New Orleans Museum of Art


On Friday January 11, from 6pm to 8pm, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum will open Miro, Matisee, and Picasso: Works from the New Orleans Museum of Art.  Featuring 24 original pieces by Miro, Matisse, Picasso, this is a once in a lifetime chance to see the work of these modernist masters up close.  


Susan Reed, Devin Morgan, Randy Lanza of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum inspect Picasso's Corrida, 1953 and Wood-Owl Woman, 1951, two of five original works by Pablo Picasso.  

Exhibit Programs include: 
  • Free school tours for Calcasieu Parish schools beginning January 15th at 9:30am or 12:30pm.  Please contact the museum at 337-439-3797 or impmuseum@bellsouth.net to schedule a school tour.  
  • A Lunch & Learn event Wednesday February 6th at 12:00 noon in the Gibson Barham Library.  There will be a lecture given by McNeese Art Historian Bridget McDaniel and box lunches by Jo's Party House.  Lecture and Lunch will cost $10.  Please call to make a reservation, seating is limited.
  • Museum after hours, Thursday January 31st from 6pm to 8pm.  The museum will extend its hours for an evening viewing.  

The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10am to 5pm.  Admission is $7 for Adults, $5 for Seniors, $2 for Children, and FREE for students & Museum Members.  For more information call 337-439-3797.







Thursday, January 3, 2013

50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic


The City of Lake Charles will open the traveling exhibition “50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic.” The opening reception will take place Friday, January 25 from 5:30-8pm at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. All ages are welcome at no charge and refreshments will be served.


(North Atlantic Ocean, with 10,000 watts of light and a pair of new submersibles, the Titanic comes to life two and a half miles down. photo by Emory Kristof, 1991)

The exhibition showcases some of National Geographic’s most compelling photographs. From Steve McCurry’s unforgettable Afghan girl to Nick Nichols’ iconic image of Jane Goodall and chimpanzee to Thomas Abercrombie’s never-before-seen view of Mecca, the exhibition includes some of National Geographic magazine’s most-remembered and celebrated photographs from its more-than-120-year history. In addition to seeing the photographs as they appeared in the magazine, visitors to the exhibition will learn the stories behind the photos and more about the photographers themselves. For some images, visitors will be able to see the “near frames” taken by the photographer: the sequence of images made in the field before and after the perfect shot. The exhibition is based on the popular iPad app released by National Geographic in 2011 and featured by iTunes as an iPad “App of the Week.” Devices featuring the app will be available in the gallery for visitors to experience. 

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations and one of the world’s leading organizers of large-scale, traveling exhibitions. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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.