LPB documentary of the Bicentennial of Louisiana

The Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library is pleased to host LPB's documentary of the Bicentennial of Louisiana narrated by New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. on Wednesday October 24.  The film will take us through the state's historical past to the present with wonderful points of interest.  There will be a panel from LPB for an informative question and answer to follow.  The showing will be from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library 411 Pujo Street, contact (337) 721-7110 for further details. 

the first annual Arts & Cultural Symposium: The Business of Art.

Mark your calendar for Thursday November 8th for the first annual Arts & Cultural Symposium: The Business of Art.  The SWLA Economic Development Alliance, Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Lake Charles, and the Arts & Humanities Council are joining forces to present an annual summit on the economic value of the arts for our area.  Admission is $10 with lunch included.  Contact the Alliance by November 1st at 337-433-3632

Calcasieu Cinema Presents - "The Middle of the World"

Celebrating the second CultureFest Louisiana, Calcasieu Cinema International kicks off festivities with a free screening of the Brazilian film “The Middle of the World.”  A generous donation by Dr. Carrie Chrisco makes possible this event, to be held Tuesday 23 October, 7 p.m.,  in Room 101, Frasch Auditorium, on the MSU campus and across from the McNeese Library.  Signs will help direct patrons. 

This 2002 film has gained international attention for its exploration of the individual’s basic survival,   of family dynamics, and of the individual as part of a larger culture.  Referred to by one reviewer as “a road movie on bicycles,” “The Middle of the World” is based on the real experiences of an unemployed man and his family, who travel over 2,000 miles on bikes to find a good job and the good life.  TV Guide says “it both opens a window onto another culture and …speaks the universal language of teen angst.” 

Dr. Steven Rainey, Professor of Geography at McNeese, will lead discussion for this film.  Dr. Rainey is engaged in research regarding land management and the impact of hydroelectric dams in Brazil’s western Amazon.  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.  Snacks and drinks will be provided!  For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese.edu or jkprjs@gmail.com.

Festival of Words celebrates written, spoken word

            The Fifth Annual Festival of Words — featuring author readings, public readings, community and school creative writing workshops, drive-by poetry in the streets and more — will take place Nov. 8-10, 2012, in Grand Coteau, Sunset, Arnaudville and surrounding communities. The event celebrates the written and spoken word and includes well-known authors such as Jarvis DeBerry, Kelly Harris, Randall Kenan, Patrice Melnick, Bonny McDonald, Chancellier “Xero” Skidmore and Louisiana Poet Laureate Julie Kane.

WORKSHOPS: Authors will lead community poetry and fiction writing workshops during the week of the festival and its final day, Nov. 10. 

LITERARY READINGS: Readings by featured authors and spoken word artists will take place in the community centers of Grand Coteau and Sunset. Readings are free, but donations welcome.

AUTHORS IN THE SCHOOLS: The Festival of Words brings authors to the local schools to conduct creative writing workshops in October and November. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS: On the Festival’s final day, Saturday, Nov. 10, there will be Drive-by Poetry, live poetry performances from both youth and adults, in area cafes and gift shops of Grand Coteau. There will also be original performances on the outdoor Community Stage, tours of the old St. Peter Claver High School and Christ the King Church in Grand Coteau, oral history sessions and booksignings by local authors at the Book Fair, sponsored by the Writers’ Guild of Acadiana, among other events.

For a complete schedule, visit festivalofwords.org. For more information, contact Patrice Melnick at (337) 662-1032 or email festivalwords@gmail.com.  

Call for artists - The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

CALL FOR ENTRIES!  The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will begin accepting crafts applications for its 2013 event on Friday, October 12 at 12:00AM (midnight).  

The Festival will once again showcase three unique craft areas: Congo Square African Marketplace:  features unique, handcrafted artwork that reflects cultural influences seen throughout the African Diaspora.  Presentations by artists and vendors resonate with the rich African-Caribbean cultural legacy in Congo Square.  Contemporary Crafts:  presents work by both Louisiana and the nation’s most talented contemporary artists.  It features original, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind designs and limited-edition works, accepting applicants from all crafts media and disciplines.  Louisiana Marketplace:  introduces Festival-goers to a variety of handcrafted works by only Louisiana artisans and craftspeople.  The Marketplace showcases works that express various aspects of the state’s unique cultural heritage.  

Apply at www.nojazzfest.com click on the “Apply to Crafts” link or go directly to www.zapplication.org.  The application fee is $30.00, the deadline is Wednesday, November 28, 2012.  For more information contact: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Crafts Department 336 Camp Street,  Suite 250, New Orleans, LA 70130.  Phone (504) 410-4100, fax (504) 558-6121 craftsadmin@nojazzfest.com .  

Wheels of Hope Charity Bike Ride benefits local children with autism

Wheels of Hope Charity Bike Ride is “letting the good times roll” on Saturday, October 27, 7:30 a.m., at St. Theodore Holy Family Catholic School in Moss Bluff.  

This fully supported bike ride is a fundraising event for St. Nicholas Center for Children, a local non-profit dedicated to providing services to children with autism and developmental delays.  The ride features the beauty of Sam Houston Jones State Park and 5 of SWLA’s most beautiful bike routes, ranging from a 10 mile family route to a 75 miler.  Each rider will receive a rider bag, t-shirt, and enjoy fully stocked break points and the support of SAG vehicles during the ride.  After the ride, there will be a “Taste of Louisiana Rider Celebration” with gumbo, boudin, and jambalaya. The top ten fundraisers choose from prizes that include an iPad, bicycle, and 50” TV.  

Advanced registration is $35/adult and $15/child at Capitol Cyclery on Friday, October 26, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., or online right now at active.com.  Race Day registration is 6:00-7:15 a.m.  

Registration forms, fundraising updates, prizes, and routes are at www.wheelsofhopelc.com  Questions? Call Lee at 337.540.2446.  

Call for Artists - The George Rodrigue Foundation

The George Rodrigue Foundation is pleased to announce its Call for Entries to their 4th Annual Art Contest!  The 2013 art contest theme is "Louisiana's Culinary Heritage" and they have teamed up with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF).  

All winning entries of the 2013 Scholarship Art Contest will be used in a new Louisiana Culinary Heritage Cookbook to be published by GRFA and LRAEF!  The annual art contest offers one-time college scholarships and awards totaling over $45,000 to the top ten (10) senior and top five (5) junior winners. In three years The George Rodrigue foundation have awarded $130,000 in awards!  All Louisiana juniors and seniors attending public and private high schools, home schooled students and GED students may enter the contest.  Deadline is February 20, 2013!  For more information visit http://www.georgerodriguefoundation.org/artcontest