JAZZ ON THE RIVER 2009

"A Continuum of New Orleans Jazz "
April 18, 2009

6:00 p.m.
Alexandria Amphitheatre

PERFORMANCES BY
Michael Ward
Dorsey Summerfield
The Bontempian Big Band
With Wilmer Christophe Orchestrating


Jazz on the River is sponsored by the Arna Bontemps African American Museum, co-sponsored by the City of Alexandria and partly funded by GAEDA. This project is also supported by the Alexandria/Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cleco, Cenla Focus, The Alexandria News Weekly, Capital One and Paragon Casino Resort.

The concert is free and open to the public. A limited number of tables with seating for ten will be available for reservation at $200.00 to help offset the cost of the concert. For more information, contact the Museum at 318-473-4692.

Source: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Southern Forest Heritage Museum

Heritage Day Entertainment
April 17 & 18

Schedule
April 17
6:30 p.m. Albert and Gage- Dinner Concert

April 18
9:30 a.m. The Southern Plainsmen
10:30 a.m. The Harrells
11:30 a.m. Tunica-Biloxi Indians, Legend Keepers
12:30 p.m. Louisiana Baptist Children's Choir

www.forestheritagemuseum.org, 318-748-8404
Education Center - 318-748-8400
77 Long Leaf Road, P. O. Box 101, Longleaf, LA 71448

14th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival

The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival will be held on Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank on April 3-4, 2009.

The Festival schedule includes a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the legendary James Burton; Grammy award winner Anders Osborne; New Orleans favorite Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his band Orleans Avenue; and “the ultimate Eagles experience,” Seven Bridges Road. Local favorites Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs will also be performing at the Festival.

Food vendors will be available throughout the weekend offering festival food faire.

The 2009 Jazz/R&B Festival will be a two-day long event beginning Friday evening with NSU College Night beginning at 6:00 p.m. Saturday will kick off at 11:45 p.m. with entertainment on two stages.

The Natchitoches Star competition winner will be announced during the Festival and the three finalists will perform throughout the day Saturday. A rock-climbing wall will be the highlight of the numerous children’s activities that will be available throughout the festival day.

There will be VIP parking available for motorcycles, and festival attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Admission to the festival will be $8 per adult, $4 per student/military personnel with I.D., and children 12 and under free if purchased in advance. The tickets prices the day of the festival will be $10 per adult, $5 per student/military personnel with I.D. and children age 12 and under free. Tickets will be good for both days.

For more information, call the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714 or visit www.natchjazzfest.com.
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Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival 2009 lineup

With a hitmaking country/R&B artist with a dozen top ten hits to his name; a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the top guitarists in the world; a Grammy award winning Rock, R&B, and Blues singer/songwriter; the hottest Jazz, Rock and Funk performer out of New Orleans; and a tribute to perhaps the greatest American rock band of all time, the 2009 Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival truly promises "something for everyone." The Festival which will be held April 3rd and 4th on the historic and picturesque downtown riverbank in Natchitoches, will begin with NSU College Night on Friday, and continue with music on three stages all day Saturday beginning at noon.

Featured performers at this year's Festival include country star T. GRAHAM BROWN. Brown has been writing and recording hit records for over twenty years and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country songs chart. Three of these singles -- "Hell and High Water", "Don't Go To Strangers", and "Darlene" reached number one and eight more reached the top ten. T. Graham Brown has received a CMA award for his efforts.

While Brown's hits have been on the country charts, his influences are grounded in rhythm and blues and is well known as a crossover artist.

JAMES BURTON is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was named by Rolling Stone magazine as "one of the top guitarists of all time." Having played on countless records as a session musician, Burton found his greatest fame first as Ricky Nelson's guitarist making regular appearances on The Ozzie and Harriet Show, and then Elvis Presley's lead guitarist and band leader from 1969 until Elvis' death in 1977. Burton was also John Denver's lead guitarist for several years and has played with many major artists including Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis and George Harrison. Pete Townsend of the Who once called Burton: "The most important guitarist in American music history." Burton was also a guest performer on Brad Paisley's most recent album.

Burton holds the "James Burton International Guitar Festival" every year which raises money to purchase guitars for children in schools and children's hospitals. Burton will be performing with Natchitoches group Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs.

Singer/songwriter ANDERS OSBORNE has made the Festival a part of his "Southern Troubadour Tour 2009." Osborne was born in Sweden. As soon as he was old enough, he moved to New Orleans where he has become a widely respected and Grammy winning Rock, R&B, and Blues guitarist and vocalist. Osborne has recorded nine albums and since 1994 has been working as a professional songwriter and producer in Nashville. His song "Watch The Wind Blow By" was recorded by country music star Tim McGraw and Hit No. 1 on the country charts.

TROY "TROMBONE SHORTY" ANDREWS and his band, ORLEANS AVENUE are easily the hottest and more eclectic musical act in New Orleans. Trombone Shorty's versatility is illustrated by the fact that he is up for "Artist of the Year" and "Best Trumpet Player," and he and his band are up for "Best R&B Funk Artist" in the annual Best of the Beat Music Awards in New Orleans, while he previously won the award as "Performer of the Year" and "Best Contemporary Jazz Performer," Trombone Shorty and his high energy band receive rave reviews wherever they play and he has toured with Lenny Kravitz and performed with U2, Green Day, Dr. John, and many others. The Edge, U2's guitarist, described Trombone Shorty's unique blend of Rock, Funk, R&B, Jazz and Soul as "Unbelievable! It is just not anything you are going to hear anywhere else."

SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD -- "THE ULTIMATE EAGLES EXPERIENCE" has been described as "the closest you will come to seeing a live Eagles concert without paying $200 for a ticket." Seven Bridges Road is made up of musicians from Nashville and the Dallas area who have played many types of music with many bands over the years, but who have all shared one passion: the music of the Eagles, perhaps America's greatest rock and roll band. Seven Bridges Road has faithfully and lovingly recreated many of the Eagles' greatest hits from "Hotel California" to "Take It To The Limit" and performed them with a sound and style that is eerily similar to the Eagles themselves and Eagles fans who have seen Seven Bridges Road show gushed: "If you close your eyes, you might just think you are at an Eagles concert."

The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival will have continuous music on three stages on Saturday, April 4th and there will be plenty of food and activities for the children. For more information, go to www.Natchjazzfest.com.


By Latisha McDaniels, Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Easter on the farm

Celebrate Easter at PaPa Simpson's Farm in Arcadia, Louisiana on Saturday, April 4, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at MiMi's Country Cupboard. Bring out the youn'uns for spring activities down on the farm.

Enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt with prize eggs at 10:30 a.m.; a hayride at 11 a.m.; and pig races at 11:30 a.m. There will be new spring baby animals available for petting and pictures.

PaPa Simpson's Farm is a working dairy farm. Six generations have called the farm home. Agriculture is their way of life and they want to share it with everyone. The tour allows visitors to experience daily life on a farm. Visitors are educated on the animals, crops, vegetable garden, fruit trees and berries. There is also a lesson in history and geography. The most important that the family wants to share with others is the beauty of the rolling hills, trees, pastures and their way of life.

MiMi's Country Cupboard offers several items for sale. Purchase your very own PaPa Simpson's Farm t-shirt, or one of these farm fresh foods: cheddar cheese, jelly, sweet pickles, dill pickles, cinnamon pickles, pickled okra, salsa, candied jalapenos, pepper sauce, seasonal flowers, sugarcane stalks, herbs and fresh eggs.

PaPa Simpson's Farm is available for birthday parties, company picnics, fishing at the catfish pond, educational tours and family tours. The farm is also open for day care centers, nursing homes, church groups, clubs, companies, reunions, individuals, or families.

The cost of the family tour is $8.00 per person; children one and under are free. Reservations may be made by calling 318-263-2383 or 318-278-0883. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy some fishing in the catfish pond after the tour.

Directions to PaPa Simpson’s Farm: Take Interstate 20 Exit 69 in Arcadia, travel Highway 151 North for 2 ½ miles; Turn left at Alabama Baptist Church onto Rich Road and follow the signs to MiMi’s Country Cottage. Please do not turn in at the gate that says “PaPa Simpson’s Farm.” Drive to the top of the hill and you will see MiMi’s Country Cottage. This is where the tour will start. The farm is located approximately 4 ½ miles from exit 69.

Future family tour dates are April 18, 2009 May 16, 2009, June 13, 2009, and July 18, 2009. In the fall the farm hosts a family fun day in October and there are special events at Christmas and Easter.



Source: PaPa Simpson's website http://papasimpsonsfarm.com/

Gardens of the American Rose Center hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children should bring Easter baskets for the prize-filled egg hunt which is divided by age groups. Guests may also take part in Easter-themed games and photos with Peter Cottontail before and after the egg hunt. Parents must accompany children to the event, and an adult must remain with each child under age 5 throughout the activities. Admission is $10 per car load. For more information, please contact Maria Scott at 318-938-5402 ext 101. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 5.

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GARDENS OF THE AMERICAN ROSE CENTER
HOSTS EARTHKIND™ ROSE SYMPOSIUM

The Gardens of the American Rose Center is hosting an EarthKind™ Rose Symposium and Rose Sale on Saturday, April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EarthKind™ roses produce spectacular blooms without the use chemicals and with very little water and pruning.

Speakers include: Dr. Steve George, Associate Professor & Horticulture Extension Specialist, Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Dallas; Claude Graves, member of the Dallas Rose Society and Heritage Rose Foundation; Mark Chamblee, owner Chamblee Rose Nursery in Tyler; Gaye Hammond, nationally recognized rosarian of the Houston Rose Society; Dr. Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter, Consumer Horticulturist and Dr. Allen Owings, Professor of Horticulture - Nursery Crops and Commercial Landscaping, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station.

Seating is limited and registration is required. Early registration is $75 has been extended to March 28, and then registration is $85. Registration includes garden admission, program materials, access to EarthKind™ specialists, lunch, snacks and an EarthKind™ trial rose. For more information, please contact call Ellen Trice at 318-938-5402.

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, Advertising/Marketing Manager, 318-938-5402 ext 101
Photo Credit: ARS website

Spring in Natchitoches

Enjoy a parade and live entertainment in downtown Natchitoches. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to join in the parade beginning at 1st Baptist Church on Second Street. All events are free. For more information about the parade call 318-352-5304.

Saturday, March 14th: St. Patrick's Day Celebration & Pub Crawl
The Pub Crawl begins at 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Visit Antoon's Restaurant, Pioneer Pub, Mama's Oyster Bar & Cane River Bar & Grill for your chance to win $100's of prizes in the Pot O' Gold. All events are free, except for your drinks. Drawing is scheduled at 10:15 p.m. at Cane River Bar & Grill. Musical entertainment provided by 7 Hours To Southland, 9 p.m. - Midnight. For more information about the pub crawl call 318-581-2008.

Saturday, March 28th
Bloomin' on the Bricks
The 9th Annual Bloomin' on the Bricks, sponsored by the Natchitoches Main Street Program, will display the beauty of springtime on Saturday, March 28. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the riverbank in Natchitoches' downtown district will be alive with merchants selling and displaying items related to garden and lawn care, a demonstration area, live entertainment and food booths. A children's tent will have springtime activities for kids to enjoy. Admission for the festival will be $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more information call 318-352-2746 or 866-941-6246.



Art Along the Bricks
The Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery celebrates artistic creativity each year with the Art Along the Bricks event. Visitors and art lovers can walk along Front Street to see the fine art and craft exhibition and sale the 8th Annual Art Along the Bricks offers. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 318-352-1626 or visit www.natchitochesartguild.org.



On The Bricks & 50s & 60s concert!!!
Enjoy great bargains up and down Front Street and the side streets as the shops put their best buys on the sidewalk for this great springtime event.

The day continues into the evening as "Shake, Rattle & Roll" hits Front Street; north end in front of Antoon's. Four members of the oldies group will take audiences back to the '50s and '60s with their spirited rock-n-roll and doo-wop melodies from 6 - 9:00 p.m. on the downtown riverbank. This event is free and open to the public, reserved seating will be sold. Call 318-352-1993 for reservations. Hosted by the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association.

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Cane River Green Market to open April 25
Ribbon cutting will kick off the 2009 season

Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches’ local farmer’s market, will open its 2009 season on Saturday, April 25 on the downtown riverbank.

Local dignitaries, Green Market vendors and patrons will be on site at 10 a.m. to cut the green ribbon to kick off the 2009 season. The public is invited to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

In celebration of Earth Day, free mulch and bags will be provided while supplies last. Market goers will also have the opportunity to bring their recyclables to the market for collection.

Live musical entertainment will be provided by The Back Porch Band from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will also be able to participate in Earth Day and spring craft activities.

“Reading on the River”, a fun day of book-related activities for parents and children, will also take place in conjunction with the Green Market. Educational booths will provide crafts, games and reading activities for children. Upon completion of activities, participants will be able to choose a book to take home from the book zone. The Natchitoches Parish Library Bookmobile will also be present.

Besides fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, customers can choose from a selection of “value-added products” including farm fresh eggs, baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, honey, fresh flowers, herbs, organic produce and much more.

Crafters will sell their hand-made items during the market’s opening day and every Saturday during the season. The market will feature such hand-made crafts as woodwork, artwork, jewelry, stained glass, soaps, pottery and more.

The Green Market will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 25 through July 25. There will also be special harvest markets in the fall.

In conjunction with the market’s opening, Keep Natchitoches Beautiful will sponsor a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25 as part of Keep Natchitoches Beautiful Month.

Those groups or individuals who participate in the citywide cleanup will be treated to beverages at the Green Market. For more information about the cleanup or to participate, please call Keep Natchitoches Beautiful at 318-357-3822.

All activities of the Cane River Green Market are free to the public. For more information about any of these activities, please call 866-941-MAIN or 318-352-CRGM or visit www.canerivergreenmarket.com.


By: Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce
Photo Credit: Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce