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.