Times Picks Entertainment - 5/14/09

Black Heritage Gallery Presents Variations on a Theme Through May 29
The Black Heritage Gallery continues its 2009 season with the presentation of "Variations on a Theme”. The exhibit showcases the works of Malaika Favorite and other African- American artist with Louisiana connections. These artists explore diverse subject matter and media. Yet, what they share in common is a cultural connection of history and ideas embedded in the African American community. Therefore, no two artist's works are visually the same; nor do they reflect the same ideology, but they do share the same historical references. The gallery is free and open to the public.

Digital Cameras for Dummies May 11- June 15
This class will give you a better understanding of your camera and digital photography in general. Valerie Smith, a local photographer and member of Associated Louisiana Artists, will be offering this course starting May 11, 2009 through June 15, 2009. This is a 6-week course held on Monday evenings from 7pm-9pm. Cost is $85.00. All you need to bring is your camera, the owner’s manual and the desire to learn and have fun. Class size is limited to 12, so call and make your reservations now. Call The Gallery by the Lake (337)436-1008, or Valerie (337)302-1978.

L’Auberge du Lac Casino’s ‘Party by the Pool’ Concert Series May 7 – June 25
This series includes Seven Mary Three, June 4, and The Molly Ringwalds—80’s tribute band—June 18. Ladies get free admission to Party by the Pool. Gentlemen pay just $5; the cover charge is waived for ‘mychoice’ members. Must be 21 to enter. Please note that the event location is subject to change and/or cancellation due to inclement weather.

Louisiana Sci-Fi Expo Underway June 13-14
Calling all Sci-Fi fans, Con. Du Lac—The Louisiana Sci-Fi Expo will be held at Enos Derbone Recreational Complex in Lake Charles, June 13-14, 2009. The expo will combine science fiction, science fact (NASA and the National Weather Service), paranormal research, medieval arts crafts and combat demonstrations. There will also be mini-renaissance fair, acting workshops and more. Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica, who has been a part of both the original show in 1978 and the recent series on the Sci-Fi, will be a featured guest at this year’s expo. Panels on Star Trek and Star wars will be featured. Attendees of all ages are asked to dress up in their favorite Sci-Fi costumes for an intergalactic costume contest to be held on Saturday evening. Tickets are on sale now through June 5th and are $25. Admission at the door will be $30 and children 10 and younger will get in for free. On Saturday, June 13, Lifeshare Blood Center will be on hand for a limited time and all donors will receive $5 off their admission. For more information on Con. Du Lac, contact Justin Toney at 337-513-8927 or visit www.condulac.net.

L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort's Nevie Beach Club Now Open
Nevie Beach Club is now open for the season with poolside patio dining. Their chefs have completely revamped the menu making it a bit 'lighter' and infused with more local / regional seafood (soft shell crab sandwich, oysters, red snapper po-boy, seafood tacos etc.). Nevie is open 7 days at 11:00 a.m. Calcasieu

Parish's Movies under the Stars May 9
The movies will be at Prien Lake Park. Food and other refreshments will be available at the park. All you need to bring is your family, a few chairs or a blanket to enjoy their full slate of family friendly fare. Finding Nemo—on May 9th. All movies begin at 7 p.m.

Memories of World War II, Photographs from the archives of The Associated Press Through June 13
The show opened Friday April 24 and is scheduled to run through Saturday, June 13, 2008. The public is invited to provide photographs of WWII veterans to be included on the Wall. For additional information email ArtsAndCulture@cityoflc.us.

Acrylic Workshop May 16
Associated Louisiana Artists will sponsor a one day acrylic workshop at the new Creative Arts Center, 106 West Lawrence Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, on Saturday May 16th from 8 to 5 pm. Alexandria artist and former Lake Charles minister Henry Blount will conduct the workshop using tar paper (roofing material) as his "canvas" and instruct attendees in the method of mosaic style painting, a unique method which has brought him many awards throughout Louisiana. April 30 is the deadline to enroll in this limited class. Cost is $50 and $5 for lunch. Supply list is at Gallery by the Lake. Please make checks payable to ALA, and mail to the above address in care of Nancy Czejkowski, workshop coordinator. Questions? Call Nancy at 855-9202, or Gallery by the Lake at 436-1008.

AMSET Lecture Hall to feature Local Artist Bernice Thrall Switzer Through May 31
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) presents a collection of art by local artist Bernice Thrall Switzer (1897-1990) on display in the Quinn Lecture Hall through May 31. Eleven watercolors dating from circa 1915, a self-portrait of Switzer and three Newcomb Pottery pieces that date from the early 20th century are on loan from the artist’s daughter, Beaumont-resident Sue Mann, for the exhibit. Bernice Thrall was raised in Lake Charles, La. She studied art at Newcomb College in New Orleans during World War I (1914-1918) and is considered to be the first woman commercial illustrator in that city. AMSET is located 500 Main Street, Beaumont TX. AMSET Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Noon-5pm. Closed Major Holidays. Cafe Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm. Admission: Free. For more information call: 409- 832-3432.

Spring Watercolor Show Through May 21
The featured artist in this year’s Spring Watercolor Show— Nancy Melton and Friends— is Betty Tilleux Breaux. The Show will open with a Reception on Friday evening April 3 from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Frazar Library at McNeese State University. Dates of the Show are April 3 – May 21, 2009. Nancy can also be contacted through her website: nancymelton.photoreflect.com. New painters are welcome!

Baton Rouge Gallery Features Diniz-Liffmann, Wade-Day and Zietz in May May 3-28
Baton Rouge Gallery will feature a diverse sample o three of its Artist Members. The work of Christy Diniz-Liffmann, Van Wade-Day and Reni Zietz ranges from nature-inspired patterns to celestial skies to a South American trip gone berserk The exhibition is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 12 – 6 p.m. A First Wednesday opening reception will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 in honor of Christy Diniz-Liffmann, Van Wade-Day and Reni Zietz.

McNeese Department of Visual Arts hosts Spring Senior Exhibition April 30-May14
The event is open to the public.The exhibition will be in the Abercrombie Gallery of the Shearman Fine Arts Center at McNeese State University. A reception for the graduating seniors who are featured in the exhibit will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in Abercrombie. The graduating seniors are: Jessilyn Burge, Eunice; Joseph Chretien, Hayes; Ashley Feagin, Westlake; Michelle Lavoie, Lake Charles;Beth McCoy, Lake Charles; Megan Murphy, Sulphur; Ashley Nash, Opelousas;Joshua Nitsch, Lake Charles; John Viator, Sulphur; Andrea Walters, LakeCharles; and Andrea Wyatt, Sulphur. For more information call the McNeese Visual Arts Department at (337) 475-5060.

Cigar Club Upcoming Events
May 8th - Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Event with host Jamie Leibes - 7pm June 16th - Carlos Torano Cigars / Pierre Ferrand Cognac Pairing Event with Hosts Brian McGee (Torano, C.A.O.) and Hugo Chambon (Ferrand)

Bombes2bal May 28
A French group of young musicians from Toulasse, France will perform in an intimate concer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at the Sliman Theatre. This FREE event is sponsored by Iberia Parish Library and Friends of the Library. This group is also being featured this weekend at Festival International. I have attached the details. IF you would like a sample sound clip, please contact Gail Garcia, Iberia Parish Library, at 337-364 -7150. (picture)

Downtown at Sundown is on the Horizon May 15 – June 5
The City of Lake Charles announces the line up for the eleventh annual Downtown at Sundown concert series. The event takes place at the Downtown Merchants’ parking lot at the corners of Ryan and Broad streets from 6-9 p.m. on four consecutive Fridays. The shows feature a variety of music from local and regional bands. Also offered are food and beverage booths, table top galleries, art sales and activities for kids. The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana partners in the planning and receives the revenue from beverage sales; this is one of their main fundraisers. This year’s line up will be: May 15 Boomerang May 22 Soul Vacation May 29 City Heat June 5 The Bad Roads If inclement weather prevails, the concerts will be held inside the Lake Charles Civic Center. For more information, call the City of Lake Charles Arts and Culture Department at 337-491-9147 or visit www.CityOfLakeCharles.com.

Trace Adkins at Coushatta Casino May 16
Coushatta Casino Resort presents country music superstar and Louisiana native son Trace Adkins in concert for one show only May 16, 2009, in The Pavilion at Coushatta. Doors open at 6:30pm; show starts at 8:00pm. Buy tickets at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and the Coushatta Box Office, located inside Coushatta Casino Resort. He was recently awarded Single of the Year for “You’re Gonna Miss This” at the American Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 5. The song appears on his American Man Greatest Hits Volume Two CD, and has also been nominated for a Grammy award. Coushatta Casino Resort, located in Kinder, LA on Highway 165 (I-10 exit 44). Call 800-584-7263 for more information or visit the website at coushattacasinoresort.com.

Opelousas Set to Celebrate Spice & Music Festival June 5 -7
The Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, a unique three day celebration showcasing the area’s Cajun and Creole culture, is scheduled for June 5-7, 2009. Musical performances include: Southern Soul (Swing Out) from Lil’ Fallay, Cajun- French from Lost Bayou Ramblers and Zydeco from Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band. Friday night will also feature a heated Zydeco dance contest. Families can also take advantage of $15 ‘all you can ride’ bracelets on Friday evening. Saturday at 1:00 pm, Horace Trahan & the New Ossun Express, Step Rideau, Hotline, Jeffery Broussard, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, J. Paul & Zydeco Nu Breed and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step perform. Other Saturday events include a Cajun/Creole cooking demonstration, a Fiddler Jam with Hadley Castille at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames are scheduled to perform at 1:00 p.m. followed by Krossfyre, Patrick Henry, Cajun-Zydeco Grammy winner Terrance Simien and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. In addition to great music, Sunday will feature a Cajun Dance Contest, Pepper Eating Contest and Queen’s Spice Cook-Off Contest, where individuals and teams will prepare red beans and rice for competition. On Saturday and Sunday, festival admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger. On Sunday, admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 years and younger. For more information visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com or call (337) 948-5227 or (337) 948-6263.