Mardi Gras in Central Louisiana

Calendar of Public Events for Mardi Gras Celebrations in Alexandria, Louisiana

Saturday, February 6, 2010 (1:00 PM), Woodworth Mardi Gras Parade, 318-308-7697

Thursday, February 11, 2010 (6:00 PM), Krewe of Antiqua, Olinger Hall, Prompt Succor School, Alexandria, LA, Live Band, Heavy Hors d'oeurves, Senior Citizens: $1, Non Senior Citizens: $3, 318-487-1561

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 (Noon), LSU Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, 318-427-4403

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 (6:00 PM) Krewe of Kolbi Bow Wow Ball, Alexandria Zoo, Sponsored by the Zoo and the Alexandria Animal Shelter, 318-473-6469

Friday, February 12, 2010 (4:30 PM), College Cheerleaders & Classic Cars Parade, Downtown Alexandria - Murray - 5th - Jackson - 4th - 3rd to St. James St., 318-427-6407 or 318-442-9533

Friday, February 12, 2010 (6:00 PM & 7:00PM), Taste of Mardi Gras, Reserved Tables: 6:00 PM, General Admission: 7:00PM, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Alexandria Riverfront Center, Ticket Information: 318-793-4570

Saturday, February 13, 2010 (10:45 AM), AMGA Fourteenth Annual Children's Parade, Downtown Alexandria -Murray - 5th - Jackson - 4th - 3rd to St. James St., 318-443-0520 - Cell 452-2068 - Fax 767-5941

Saturday, February 13, 2010 (2:00 PM), King Cake Party, Alexandria Zoo

Sunday, February 14, 2010 (11am to end of parade) FREE ZONE - Alcohol/Tobacco free area. Enjoy Mardi Gras in a whole New way! Alexandria Mall - Circuit City parking lot. Free food and drinks. Inflatable jumpers/slide, children's activities. Bead bags given to the first 500. All children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No ice chests allowed. No previous consumption of alcohol before entering zone. Bring lawn chairs.

Sunday, February 14, 2010 (2:00 PM) AMGA Seventeenth Annual Krewes Parade, Parade Route: Texas Ave. - Masonic - Memorial -North Boulevard - Alexandria Mall

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 (3:30 PM) Krewe of Provine Parade, Parade Route: Coliseum Boulevard - Hwy28 West

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 (6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) Fat Tuesday Party - That's A Wrap! Ticketed event at The Diamond Grill, 924 Third Street – Downtown Alexandria. Hors d’oeuvres – Cash Bar - Live Music Tickets are $25 in advance -- $30 at the door

FROM: www.alexmardigras.com

“TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION” IS FOURTH FILM FOR SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS

The Arts Council of Central Louisiana presents “Trimpin: The Sound of Invention” with Producer/Director Peter Esmonde as part of the Southern Arts Federation’s Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 7 p.m.

This documentary explores the outrageous work and agile mind of Trimpin, a wildly creative artist/inventor/composer/engineer who uses only his last name. Recipient of a MacArthur Genius Award and many other accolades, Trimpin combines music-making machines and kinetic sculpture with homegrown computer technology. Working six days a week, 12 hours per day, he has no use for galleries and agents, and has neither web site nor cell phone – in fact, Trimpin agreed to be the subject of this feature film only reluctantly. Filmmaker Peter Esmonde set out to document the processes of a highly creative person working in many fields, with a motley assortment of media and collaborators, across a variety of situations. His film deliberately highlights Trimpin’s moments of discovery, relentless problem-solving, and eccentric decision-making. What results is an amusing, kinetic exploration of a creative genius in perpetual motion.

“Trimpin: The Sound of Invention” has screened at a number of prestigious film festivals. In the United States, the film has shown at South by Southwest, Silverdocs, the Seattle International Film Festival, the Independent Film Festival of Boston, the Nashville Film Festival, San Francisco DocFest, and the Newport International Film Festival. “Trimpin” has also screened in London, Barcelona, Gijon, Sao Paolo, and other cities around the world.

The Southern Circuit, now in its 24th year, brings six independently produced films to host cities over the course of eight months, along with the films’ directors and producers, who participate in a question and answer session with the audience after the screening of each film.

A trailer for Trimpin: The Sound of Invention is available on the Arts Council of Central Louisiana’s website at www.louisiana-arts.org, along with trailers for each of the films featured in the Southern Circuit.

Tickets for the screening are $5 and may be purchased at the box office on the day of the screening, or in advance by calling the Arts Council of Central Louisiana at (318) 443-4718. Those with Silver Ticket Passes may attend a private VIP reception with the filmmaker before the show. The filmmaker will conduct a Q & A session after the film.

By: Arts Council of Central Louisiana

GARDENS OF THE AMERICAN ROSE CENTER HOSTS ANNUAL PRUNING PARTY

The Gardens of the American Rose Center is hosting its Annual Pruning Party on Saturday, February 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to help us care for our roses.

Pruning is an important part of rose care that encourages new growth and blooms. Participants’ efforts will directly enhance the beauty of the gardens. Everyone is encouraged to participate, regardless of gardening experience, and may bring pruners, gloves and trowels. Noted Consulting Rosarian Baxter Williams will present a “how to” pruning seminar.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon at Klima Rose Hall. Please contact Ellen Trice at 318-938-5534 for reservations. Reservations are encouraged but not required.

The Gardens of the American Rose Center is the home of the American Rose Society, created in 1974 through the contributions of rose lovers around the world. The 118-acre park contains more than 65 individual gardens with each bed and planting specially designed to demonstrate ways roses can be grown in the average home garden. It is conveniently located just off of I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport, LA.

By: Maria Scott, Director of Communications, American Rose Society

Alive After 5 will kick off with “A Night of Theatre”

The Natchitoches Main Street Program will begin Alive After 5 on February 19 with “A Night of Theatre”.

The first Alive After 5 event, “A Night of Theatre”, will be held on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Natchitoches Arts Center located at 716 Second Street. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The show is free and open to the public but seating is limited. Refreshments will be available to those attending.

NSU theatre students will present an evening of theatrical entertainment combining the talents of singers and performers. Musical Theatre students will sing a wide range of Broadway favorites and the “Out On a Limb” Improv Troupe will perform improvisational comedy scenes between songs. The performances will be suitable for all audiences.

Alive After 5 is a six month series of evening events taking place from February to July. The series includes art events, concerts, theatre and other cultural events which will all take place in the Natchitoches Historic District.

All events are free to the public and tourists and residents alike are encouraged to become more engaged in downtown arts and culture. Additional Alive After 5 events will be held on March 12, April 9, May 22, June 12 and July 4.

Alive After 5 is supported by a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Additional funding is provided by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission.

For more information about Alive After 5, call the Main Street Office at (318) 352-2746 or toll free at (866) 941-MAIN.

By: Leslie Smith, Main Street Manager, City of Natchitoches

Mardi Gras Magic set for Feb. 13 Krewe of Wag-uns parade seeking participants

The City of Natchitoches will celebrate the Mardi Gras holiday with Mardi Gras Magic on Saturday, Feb. 13. The Natchitoches Historic District will be converted to an array of Mardi Gras celebrations similar to the scenes of New Orleans.

The Krewe of Wag-uns Parade, featuring pets, children, Mardi Gras music, costumed characters and other community entities, will take place at 2 p.m.

Any school club, civic organization spirit group or neighborhood is invited to participate. Participants may bring throws and candy, but they are not required, and there is no entry fee for the parade. Decorations will not be provided for the parade.

Pets should be on a leash and owners must be present at all times. No ATVs are permitted. Golf carts are permissible if driven by an adult. Children can ride scooters, bicycles, wagons, battery operated toys, etc. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Line up for the parade begins at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 411 Second Street.

The parade will leave the church parking lot and head north on Second Street, turn right on Touline and then travel north on Front Street. The parade will disband at the Bank of Montgomery parking lot, located at 814 Washington Street.

Awards will be given for the best pet costume and best decorated entry.

For more information about the Krewe of Wag-uns parade, please contact the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 352-2746 or email lsmith@natchitochesla.gov.

Kent Plantation House is hosting "African American History Through the Eyes of Our Youth"

Kent Plantation House is again hosting “African American History Through the Eyes of Our Youth”, an art competition for children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Any form of art pertaining to African American History is acceptable. The exhibit is separated into grade level categories and judged by local artists.

Deadline for entries is 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27th. All art pieces should be delivered to the Kent House Office in the Visitors Center.

Entries will be judged and prizes awarded at the Opening Reception on Friday, January 29th at 6:00 p.m. The reception, free and open to the public, will be held in the all-purpose room of the Kent House Visitors Center located at the rear of the complex. Refreshments will be served.

The entries will be on exhibit at Kent Plantation House through the month of February, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There is no admission charge to view the exhibit.

For additional information or an application, please contact Kent Plantation House at 318-487-5998.