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.  

Tipitina's Co-Op comes to Lake Charles

The Tipitinas Lake Charles Co-Op is a do it yourself collective with a mission to provide business resources to entertainment professionals, especially musicians.  Currently in conjunction with Studio Network L.L.C., Tipitina's have rehearsal spaces available to rent on a month to month basis right here in Lake Charles. 

Amenities include; Low cost rooms starting at $40 a month, no long term lease, 24/7/365 access, HVAC in every room, convenient location, easy parking, clean & secure, soundproofed room, managed by and for working musicians.  For more information contact lakecharles@tipitinas.com or call 337-433-5779.  

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.