Jazz in the Arts Youth Summer Jazz Workshop

Jazz in the Arts Youth Summer Jazz Workshop, beginning May 29, is a hands on performance clinic for aspiring middle and high school jazz musicians.  The workshop will emphasize practical playing experience through a variety of classes, clinics, and performance activities for the jazz musician.  All participants will be placed in performance ensembles that stress a combination of reading music, improvising, and collaborative music making.  Participants will leave the program with a greater understanding of harmony, melody, and jazz styles.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in two public jazz concerts with the workshop faculty.  

For more information visit www.jazzinthearts.org or call Pat & Chester Dailge at 337-794-5744

Calcasieu Cinema International Presents "The Human Resources Manager"

On Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. there will be a free screening of the 2010 Romanian film The Human Resources Manager in the Central School auditorium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  This award winning film explores the value of a person and the nature of humanity itself.  

Calcasieu Cinema International a branch of the Council for International Concerns, will present the film in partnership with McNeese State University's Office of Diversity, Banners Cultural Series, Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, and Common Ground/Culture Fest Louisiana. 

The Human Resources Manager is, according to director Eran Riklis, "a road movie" that is both physical and emotional.  The HR manager of the biggest bakery in Jerusalem is experiencing family problems and is in a rut in his career.  When a worker is killed by a suicide bomber, the manager goes on an odyssey to bring the body to rest.  Other characters join him along the way, and the tragedy takes on comedic overtones as the manager discovers the value of a human life.  

The audience is invited to join in a guided discussion afterward, which will examine the themes of humans as resources and of displaced people and cultural identity.  Free popcorn and drinks are provided.  For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese.edu or jkprjs@gmail.com.     

Jazz Jam Session

The Month of April is "Jazz Appreciation Month".  To celebrate jazz month and its heritage Jazz In The Arts, Arts and Humanities of SWLA, and Coca Cola are sponsoring a JAM SESSION with some of your favorite jazz musicians and jazz vocalists from local and surrounding areas.  The JAM SESSION will be held on Sunday, April 14th at 3:00 p.m. at Central School Arts and Humanities Ben Mount Theatre.  ADMISSION IS FREE.

When you're done with there, it's not over yet!  Top your day off with the Banners Cultural Series, "Dali Quartet" concert at the F. G. Bulber Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.  For more information visit Banners Cultural Series website at www.banners.org.

Louisiana Choral Foundation: Voices of the People

Louisiana Choral Foundation's Masterworks Chorale will present two spring concerts entitled "Voices of the People."  Amazing brass and choral music of Moravian settlers in early America will be featured at the McNeese State University's Ralph Squires Recital Hall Friday, April 26 at 7:30pm and Sunday, April 28 at 3:00pm.  Tickets may be purchased from chorale memebers, Swicegood Music, at the door, or by calling (337) 491-9348.  Tickets will cost $15 for adults, and $5 for students.  For more information visit www.lachoral.org

Millennium Park Grand Opening

The City of Lake Charles will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Millennium Park, located at the south end of Bord Du Lac Drive, on Saturday, March 23, at 10a.m., at the main entrance shade pavilion.

During the festivities, the City's Recreation and Park's Department will provide free face-painting, a children's train ride and character balloons.  Millennium Park consists of the community-rebuilt playground area along with other new components including a splash park, shade pavilion, fossil dig, walking paths and other amenities.  

The hours of operation for the park will be as follows: Summer Season: April - October, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Winter Season: November to March, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The public is encouraged to attend the event. 

Jazz in the Arts

On Sunday March 17th, Jazz in the Arts returns to Central School with a concert featuring Saxophonist Marcus Davis, Jazz Singer/Drummer Ronald "Ronnie" Rocio along with his wife Jazz Singer Nandria. 

Saxophonist Marcus Davis has performed at the 53rd Presidential Inaugural Ball, at the Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball, and has played alongside the likes of Tramaine Hawkins, The Temptations, and Mikki Howard to name just a few.  

Jazz Singer/ Drumer Ronald Rocio has performed as the opening act for Bobby Bland, Natalie Cole, and Ray Charles among others. 

For more information call: The Arts Council (337) 439-2787 or call Pat Daigle (337) 794-5744.

Calcasieu Cinema International Presents Hospitalite

Friday Feb. 22 at 7pm Calcasieu Cinema International will present a free showing of Koji Fukada's film Hopitalite in Stokes Auditorium, Hardtner Hall of McNeese State University.  

Hospitalite is a seemingly comic take on modern Japanese life, with darker undercurrents and references to ongoing problems with suspicions of outsiders, vagrants, and Western values and behaviors.  

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/CultureFestLousiana, and Lake Charles Coca-Cola.  For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese.edu or jkprjs@gmail.com.