HEartBEAT

Thursday, October 17, 2013

ArtsFest Returns!

On Saturday, October 26^th, ArtsFest returns to engage area

children in a free arts festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lake Charles Civic Center’s Coliseum. This event is hosted annually by the Arts Council of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles, and it encourages creative expression through hands-on art projects.

2013 will bring the year of Fairytales, Myths & Legends,

and local organizations and businesses will host booths where children can create fun and creative pieces of art that tell stories of pirates, princesses, fairies, and even a few scary monsters. Children can take home all of their art projects which cover a wide range of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, and crafts. ArtsFest will also showcase live music, face painting, the wildly popular one-on-one pottery demonstrations, and performances by Lake Charles Dance Academy and Young Band Nation.

In the spirit of Halloween, children are encouraged to come

dressed in their Halloween costume. The annual ArtsFest Costume Contest at 11:30 a.m. will award four free tickets to the family-friendly Spooky Timbers trail at the Lost Hollows to children with the most creative and original costumes. Winners of the ArtsFest Art Contest, which has been accepting entries from SWLA schools for several weeks, will be announced at the event as well.

ArtsFest is sponsored by the City of Lake Charles, Arts

Council of SWLA, Union Pacific, Office of Cultural Development, Parker Brand Creative, and FOX29/Lake Charles CW. For more information about ArtsFest, call the Arts Council office at (337) 439-2787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Gallery Promenade 2013

This Friday, September 27^th, from 5PM – 9PM, marks the 17^th annual Gallery Promenade, which celebrates the art spaces all across the lake area. For one night, galleries, museums, art studios and unconventional art spaces will open their doors to the public, free of charge, to celebrate their year-round efforts at promoting the best culture of the region. J&R Carriage will offer free carriage rides (Please give them a donation as a thank you!) along Ryan Street and to Central School (809 Kirby St) and there will also be pedicab rides available in downtown Lake Charles. All locations will offer a free reception, with most offering a little something extra special. Maps will be posted soon, and will be available at all locations.

Here is the full list of locations and activities:

Alexander Art Studio, 900 Ryan Street, Suite 102: Featuring the work of Candice Alexander, Meagan Green, and Lindsey Katharine Johnson

(Meagan Green, Salivary Cycle AD, Mixed Media, Alexander Art Studio)

Henning Cultural Center, 923 Ruth Street, Sulphur: Featuring a dual exhibit by Jack Amuny and Mark John

At Central School, 809 Kirby Street:

Art Associates Gallery, Central School, Suite 208: “A Louisiana Treasure,” works by primitive artist Alvin Batiste, and early Christmas sales of the locally produced cookbook, From Palate to Palette.

Black Heritage Gallery, Central School , Suite 207: “Metal Health Series” new works by Adrian Fulton, and featuring live Jazz music by Gervis Guidry.

Dewey Fine Art, Central School, Suite 347 and 3^rd Floor Art Hall: The work of Imogene Dewey, Theresa Dewey, Students & Friends. The group will also offer demonstrations of various techniques, plus one-night-only discounts on workshops, classes, fine art, and prints.

Itinerant Theatre, Central School, Suite 339. Live “Jesus Christ Superstar” rehearsals.

1^st Floor Art Hall: Central School, Suite 306, and 1^st Floor Art Hall. Artwork by Carolyn White, and Kevin Leveque

2^nd Floor Art Alcove: Central School, The works of Jacqueline Segura, Johnny Segura, Daniel Castro, Peggy Borel. Artwork, photography, book signing, and more.

Steve Schindler Photography, 949 Ryan Street, Suite 240: Works by Steve Schindler who will also be offering 10 free giveaways for a $250 session.

1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan Street: ” Abraham Lincoln: The Image”

Artisans’ Gallery, 1911 Historic City Hall, 1001 Ryan Street: New work by Anita Ahrens, Melinda Antoon, Blaine Bourgeois, Sally Cappel, Marilyn Cox, Beth Fontenot, Ronald Gibson, Kathy Gardiner Hebert, Emma Hughes, Charlene Kaough, Carrie Kudla, Charlotte LaBarbera, Pat Love, Judy Momenzadeh, Donna Artigue Price, Geoff Russell, Gloria Wegener, Bobbi Yancey, Gloria Yang, and Sue Zimmermann, with several chances to win original arwork.

(Sue Zimmermann, Trio, Artisans Gallery)

McNeese Visual Arts, Grand Gallery & Shearman Fine Arts Center, 4205 Ryan St.: McNeese Annual Faculty Exhibition with Ken Baskin, Marty Bee, Meghan Fleming, Heather Kelley, Lisa Reinauer, Lynn Reynolds, Larry Schuh, Gerry Wubben, Lewis Temple, Robbie Austin, Cynthia Howes Baskin, Amanda Hext. Also, on the 2^nd Floor Mezzanine: “Mysterio,” an exhibition of eclectic works and curiosities.

(Ken Baskin, Crown Gear, McNeese Faculty Exhibit)

Stellar Beans, 319 Broad St.: Featuring the work of Damon Lombard, John Martel, and live music by Tim Norris

The Children’s Museum, 327 Broad St.: Art pieces by John Martel, Ramsey Ayers, Sean Hicks, Desiree Burgess, Jon Meaux, Caitlin Richard and Lindsey Johnson

(John Martel, Hare, Children's Museum)

The Frame House Gallery, 1640 Ryan St.: “When Contemporary meets Traditional” featuring Sarah Griffith, Ronnie Collins, Stella Waits, Marilyn Cox. Also, chances to win 3 wonderful prizes by local artists.

The Harrington Gallery, 210 Tamarack St., Sulphur: “Inspirations in Clay” by Cindy Fails, and a door prize by local artist.

Arts’ Desire, 1322 Ryan St.: Featuring the work of Raejean Clark, Michelle Reed Watson, Robin Jones, and Brenda Lafleur, they will also feature the Blank Canvas Project, with special guests, and live demonstrations.

From the Attic: Home & Seasonal Decor, 3505 Country Club Rd. –Featuring original works by Erica McCreedy, Lance Thomas, Louisiana’s Artist of the Year Erin Barker, Danielle Nester, and Mindy Schwarzauer, with live music, store giveaways, and raffles.

Dharma, 329 Broad St.: McNeese Student Art Association, “N.Y.T.H.S.” with a live music afterparty.

505 Bazaar, 314 Broad St.: The art of Ellen Anthony

Pujo Street Café, 901 Ryan St.: The work of Art Du Lac

The Art Shop, 706 Ryan St. Artwork, and bicycle rentals.

“Before I Die” Public Art Wall, 314 Broad St. –An interactive art display produced by Charles Talen and Euric Fuselier

("Before I die",Charles Talen Euric Fuselier, Public Art Wall, 314 Broad Street 505 Bazzar,

photo by Daniel Castro)

Gallery By the Lake, 106 W. Pryce St. “30^th Anniversary, ALA Alumni” featuring Nancy Melton, Ann Hoffpauir, Tony Forrest, Imogene Dewey, Valerie Smith, Brenda LaFleur, Helga Gravitt, Sue Didelot and Kevin Leveque, Ellen Anthony, Sheila Babineaux, Pat Craft, Nancy Czejkowski, Anne Dentler, Lois Derise, Marcia Dutton, Barbara Haviland, Barbara Holt, Debbie Lavergne, Jock McGregor, Judy Newman, Nancy Peace, Patsi Prince, Linda Ritchie, Liz Tomlinson, and Sue Zimmerman

Laura Kelley Photography, 329 Broad Street: Featuring the work of Laura Kelley

Please call the Arts Council SWLA for details at 439-ARTS.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Jazz in the Arts Presents Jazz: The Soundtrack of a Movement

On Sunday, September 15th the Jazz in the Arts Foundation will present local music legends Chester Daigle with Darol King & Company in concert at 5 p.m. at the Central School theatre. This presentation titled, Jazz: The Soundtrack of a Movement, will feature an exciting night of Jazz from the Civil Rights movement.

Jazz in the Arts is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Arts and Humanities Council, and it is dedicated to promoting and developing jazz performance and education in Southwest Louisiana. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For details, contact the Arts Council at 439-2787 or Pat Daigle at 794-5744.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Itinerant theatre begins free monthly coffee house theatre series

Itinerant Theatre introduces its free, first-Saturday-of-the-month series “Coffee House Theatre” with a premier reading of the one-woman play, “Elizebeth” on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Director is Joy Pace. Co-host is Stellar Beans Coffee House & Edibles. Performance begins 7:00pm at Stellar Beans, 319 Broad St., Lake Charles, La.

“Elizebeth” is one of the composite of one-woman plays collectively titled Louisiana Women written by Carolyn Woosley. Elizebeth Thomas Werlein, a native of Michigan who married into the renowned New Orleans Werlein family, is best known for her vigorous, colorful and successful effort to save New Orleans’s slum-like French Quarter from almost certain demolition before World War II, as well as for the belief that she is, allegedly, the first woman to have flown in an airplane as a passenger.

The role of Elizebeth will be read by Carolyn Woosley in Ms. Woosley’s premier acting performance. Joy Pace is Director and Producer. There will not be an intermission. Seating is limited.

Itinerant Theatre, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in the Lake Area, is dedicated to providing an affordable, professional forum for the performing arts and artistically underserved audiences so as to generate broader audiences for live theatre and the performing arts and also professional development for performing artists. For information call 337.436.6275, visit Facebook, Twitter or www.itineranttheatre.com .

Friday, August 30, 2013

Calcasieu Cinema International kicks off 3rd Season

There will be a free screening of the 2012 Indian film English Vinglish on Friday, 20 September, at 6p.m. in the Historic Central School auditorium.

Written and directed by Gauri Shinde as a tribute to Shinde’s mother, the film follows the main character, Shashi, a woman who feels limited by her lack of understanding English. Moving past her insecurities, she signs up for English classes during a trip to New York, then reconnects with family in a healthier way. As one critic notes, “….there’s grit…tempered with compassion and dignity.”

Sponsored by Mrs. Rita and Mr. Bal Sareen, English Vinglish is presented by Calcasieu Cinema International, a branch of the Council for International Concerns, 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, and Common Ground/CultureFestLouisiana.

The audience is invited to join in a guided discussion afterward, which will be led by Dr. Ram Nileshwar and Ms. Ankita Choudhary. A taste of Indian food will be shared, and free popcorn and drinks are provided. For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese.edu or jkprjs@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Fluid Land Exhibit

Meghan Fleming's exhibition titled "Fluid Land: Cartographic Drawings of a Southwest Louisiana Landscape" will be on display at Art Associates Gallery in Central School from July 26th - August 22nd. An opening reception will be held from 5pm-7pm on Friday July 26.

(Erosion, India ink on paper, by Meghan Fleming)

The Drawings in the exhibition are a part of a larger project "Marsh Views" which Fleming has been working on for the past three years. The goal of "Marsh Views" was to gather visual data of the marsh through photographic images, conduct research with wetland experts, and produce a series of drawings about land loss and restoration. Fleming used aerial maps of the marsh spanning from 1998 to 2010 as source material for her drawings. The project was part of a collaboration with the Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC) and funded by a US Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Grant #68-7217-10-006.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information contact the Arts Council at 337-439-2787.