WEEKEND HAPZ: Black History Month Comes To a Close

Can you believe February is almost OVER??? It went by sooo quickly!!! As the month comes to a close, lots of events are centered around Black history ... but there are other things to check out too!!! CHECK EM OUT:


FRIDAY: You can go listen to PORCH STORIES at Bossier's Soumas Heritage Creole Cottage .... Listen to Negro Spirituals at one local church or Celebrate Spirituals at another ... OR Go FREAK OUT at the RFC as they present Office Space ...



SATURDAY: You can ... See and hear a host of LIVE performers at the all-day WAL-MART BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION at the Fairgrounds. (Lots of local/regional talent will be featured and it's FREE!!!) .... Take your budding actor/actress to the YOUNG ACTOR's WORKSHOP ... or (PLEASE) Go check out the HIP HOP CAFE downtown (420 Marshall St.) ... :)



SUNDAY: After you go to church ... there's only ONE place you need to be (and yes I'm a little biased lol) ...






Go see and hear the amazing KELLEE JOHNSON perform live at the GOSPEL CAFE this Sunday, February 28th at Just a Little Cafe' (420 Marshall St). It's a family friendly event and admission is only $5!!!!


HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

EVENT ALERT: Hip Hop ... Cafe' Style

A local cafe' is being taken over this Friday ... by those who love Hip Hop.

Just a Little Cafe' is hosting it's first ever HIP HOP CAFE' tomorrow, February 27th at 8 pm.

The evening will feature live performances hip hop artists from all over the state, including Shreveport's own BILLY BROADWAY. Other artists performing: Dom Didy (of 1st Class Ent., Shreveport), Nu'Era (of Lafayette), and Smuve & EK.

They will also open the mic to other aspiring rappers to share their music ... or freestyle skills.

Hosted by KMJJ personality (and amazing rapper) YOUNG NISA, event organizers The S.T.A.R. Group say this event will go down in history books as one you WON'T want to miss.

Admission is $5 ... 18 and up only ... You may want to get there early to get a good parking spot.

And TRUST -- I'll see you there! :)






P.S. On Sunday the Cafe' goes GOSPEL with the GOSPEL CAFE' ... Open to ALL ages and only $5 to get in ... the event will feature a live performance by KELLEE JOHNSON. For more info, email mahoganimedia@gmail.com

EVENT ALERTS: A Black Inventors Talk + A Conversation About Race

Tourism, Black Inventors Talks Planned Tuesday

North Shreve Library's Black History Program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 23rd) will feature Brandy Evans, vice president of communications for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

Evans will discuss what the Shreveport-Bossier City area has to offer and the importance of tourism.

The youth ministry of Christian Faith Worship Center Church International also will do monologues that day about black inventors, including Dr. Patricia Bath, the first black woman doctor granted a patent, and Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the super soaker. Children will be dressed as their inventor.

For more information, call (318) 674-8172.





"Conversation About Race" Set for Thursday

The National Institute for Community Empowerment will host The Raw Truth: A Real Conversation About Race from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 25th at Centenary College.

The discussion aims to serve as a "mechanism to engage the local community in a real and substantive dialogue about the status of race relations in the Shreveport area, with the hopes of creating and implementing an action plan that will create parity for all Shreveport citizens," a news release states.

Panelists will include state Rep. Patrick Williams; Africa Gordon Price, executive editor, The Times; Lou Gehrig Burnett, political columnist and commentator; Scott Hughes, executive director, Alliance for Education; Joe Shyne, Shreveport city councilman; Cedric Choyce, president, Caddo Association of Educators; and Craig B. Lee, community advocate and candidate for Shreveport City Council's District B.

The discussion will be filmed and will air later on the local Comcast channel. For more information, call Kameko Thomas at (318) 393-6294.

SBC 411: Easter Eggs = A Day at Disney + College Scholarship Available!

Volunteers Needed for Easter Egg Hunt

SPAR needs volunteers to help stuff more than 10,000 plastic Easter eggs with candy for its upcoming Easter Egg Hunt at Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Ave., in Shreveport.

Egg stuffing dates at the park are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15-19. Volunteers qualify for free passes to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort as part of the Give A Day. Get A Disney Day program.

The Egg Hunt is set for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 at the park. For more information on the Disney Free Pass Program or to register, visit www.disneyparks.com or call Catherine Kennedy at (318) 673-7892






Scholarships Available to High School Seniors

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is accepting applications for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program.

Students must be high school seniors in a public or non public school and demonstrate academic achievement and potential for attending an institution of higher education. Recipients will be selected from every region of the state.

Applications are available through high school guidance counselors, and completed forms must be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Education, attention Melissa Hollins, P.O. Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064, by March 5.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will announce recipients at its May board meeting.

EVENT PICS: 2010 African-American History Parade

Parade fans of all ages braved the cold this past Saturday morning (Feb. 6th) for the 2010 African-American History Parade.

Lining the streets of downtown Shreveport (Milam, Texas, etc), event-goers were treated to a streaming parade of organizations, businesses, schools and of course BANDS.

Check out some shots from the event: (photos: Stan Carpenter/The Times)

-- To see ALL the photos from the parade, go HERE.

-- Also check out photos from the KREWE OF CENTAUR parade HERE ... and pics from the Barkus & Meow pet parade HERE.

NEXT UP: This Saturday is the KREWE of GEMINI parade (following the same route as Centaur along Clyde Fant and Shreveport-Barksdale). The parade starts around 4:30 pm and will be broadcast on KTBS Channel 3, beginning at 5 pm.

GEAUX TEAM: The Saints are SuperBowl Champs!

This has to be one of my favorite images of Sunday's big night (Photo: Simon Bruty/SI). Saints QB (and SuperBowl 44 MVP) Drew Brees holding his son Baylen, as the confetti rains down after he leads his team to their first ever SuperBowl win.

As if you didn't know, the Saints beat the Colts 31-17 Sunday night to clinch the title of being the world's best football team.

Some are calling the victory the "Miracle in Miami" ... After a miracle season (staying undefeated for 13 games and ending the season 13-2), the team formerly known as the "Aints" (for losing more times than fans can count), they turned it around and made naysayers eat their words.

The Who Dat Nation is rejoicing today and so is the city of New Orleans. Four years after Katrina, the city is still recovering and this "win of all wins" had brought new life to New Orleans and made Americans take another look at the Crescent City and it's divine team.

I'm happy for the city and the team. Happy that the attention from this championship team will bring much needed revenue to the city and state. Happy that true, die-hard fans are finally able to shut haters down with a resounding WHO DAT (damn the NFL, WE own that phrase!! lol), and revel in this historic victory.

Even if the Saints never win another SuperBowl or NFC Championship, this will still be a year to remember. Lucky number 44. It took four decades but it finally happened. And how sweet it is.


CONGRATS TO THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ... and all the fans who stood behind them from day one.

• Read the SI wrap-up of Super Bowl XLIV HERE.
• See more Super Bowl XLIV photos from SI .. HERE.

And here are some Local Photo Galleries you may want to check out:

• Who Dat Pep Rally
• Shreveport Watch Parties
• Saints Fans in Miami
• More Photos from Miami
• Super Bowl XLIV (part 1)

EVENT PICS: Tommy Davidson @ The Funny Bone

I think I forgot how funny TOMMY DAVIDSON was ... until I got a VIP Media Pass to the Funny Bone on Thursday night (shout out to After Party Ent. for the hook-up).





After a great intro by fellow funnyman LONGHORN (pictured above) ... Tommy took the stage and cracked on people in the audience for at least 30 minutes before even getting to his routine. Just his mannerisms and funny voices alone had the crowd rolling in the aisles.

Check out some pics from my night at The Bone:









Tonight is your LAST chance to check out Tommy ... with shows at 8 pm and 10:30 pm (call to make sure they're not sold out because it was nearly packed on Thursday at 8). To get tix, go HERE.

WEEKEND HAPZ: Fun Friday, Soulful Saturday & Superbowl Sunday

There is MUCH to do this weekend in the SBC!!! From culture at the Cafe' and Comedy and the Bone to Mardi Gras fun and Super Bowl mania, you can find SOMETHING to get into this weekend ... CHECK IT OUT:



TONIGHT:

Enjoy a night of FREE entertainment at the ACTOR's CAFE, held at Just a little Cafe' (420 Marshall St in downtown Shreveport). Bring a skit, scene, monologue or musical selection and share with the crowd ... Or join in the Improv session. Admission is FREE. Open to all ages.


WANNA DO SOMETHING ELSE? Then you can: Go get your laugh on with TOMMY DAVIDSON as he blazes the Funny Bone stage ... or join the KREWE OF CENTAUR for their pre-loading party!

ON SATURDAY:


During the day you can check out the AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE ... or Let the Good Time Roll in the afternoon at the KREWE OF CENTAUR PARADE ....

And at night ...

You can enjoy some soulful selections at Just a Little Cafe's SOULTREE SATURDAY. Garfield Bright (remember him from SHAI???) and Tony Henry will be performing.

Garfield is embarking on a solo career after two decades in the game already and Tony Henry is new to the game and already making fans right here in the SBC.

Admission is $10, Doors open at 7 pm. (I'll be there, so make sure you are too!)



NOT IN THE MOOD FOR MUSIC?? Hit the nightlife scene at the BLACK AFFAIR at BIJOU. Admission is only $10 for a night called the "Social Summit". Come prepared to mingle :)




ON SUNDAY:




You know it's WHO DAT Sunday all over the Boot (Louisiana) as the New Orleans Saints go to the SuperBowl for the first time EVER .... and the SBC is definitely showing its spirit with parties for the masses:

Get your SUPERBOWL XLIV party on at the public events at MINGLES BAR & GRILL (it's gonna be PACKED so get your tickets like YESTERDAY) .... at the ROBINSON FILM CENTER (this one is FREE)... or BUFFALO WILD WINGS :)

Told ya, there was a lot to do!!! Whatever you choose, have fun but BE SAFE!!!!

TRAFFIC ALERT: Centaur Parade to Close Roads Friday, Saturday

The KREWE OF CENTAUR is preparing to roll through Shreveport this Saturday afternoon and their parade route may impact your commute this weekend.

Here's a schedule of street closures before and during the Krewe of Centaur parade Saturday.



7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday:

Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway from Lake Street to Shreveport-Barksdale Highway.



8:30 a.m. Saturday:

•Crockett Street from Market Street to Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway.

•Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway between Lake and Milam streets. (Access to the parking lot at Sci-Port Louisiana's Sci Center via Lake Street will be allowed until 4 p.m. Saturday).



3:30 p.m. Saturday:

•East Kings Highway at Preston Avenue.

•East Kings Highway at Youree Drive.

•Shreveport-Barksdale Highway, including the Shreveport-Barksdale Highway bridge.

•Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway from Milam Street to Shreveport-Barksdale Highway.
Once the procession turns onto East Kings Highway: East Preston Avenue will be closed to through traffic at East Kings Highway, Captain Shreve Drive, Knight Street and Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway.



Remaining open will be:

•Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway between East 70th Street and Shreveport-Barksdale Highway.

•Knight Street from Preston Avenue to Shreveport-Barksdale Highway.



SO FIND ANOTHER ROUTE IF YOU TRAVEL THESE STREETS AND BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!

EVENT ALERT: Tommy Davidson @ The Funny Bone

In Living Color alum and supremely funny guy, TOMMY DAVIDSON is kicking off Black History Month with an appearance at the Funny Bone this week.

His stay in the SBC starts Thursday night with an 8 pm performance ... He'll be here until Saturday night, with performances at 8 and 10:30 both Friday and Saturday night.

General admission tickets are $15 (VIP is $25 .. and don't forget that 2-drink minimum!) ... To buy tickets, go to the box office or get them online HERE.

EVENT ALERT: Casting Call for New Gospel Play

A local production company is looking for a few good women. ABBA Entertainment is holding an Open Casting Call this week for a new play called “Before Salvation: A Woman’s Monologue”.

The casting call will be held tomorrow/Wednesday, February 3rd from 6-7 pm and Saturday, February 6th from 2-7 pm. Both calls will be held at the Broadmoor Library (1212 Captain Shreve Drive).

ABBA is casting for major speaking roles this week. This is open to women of ALL races. You must be between the ages of 18 to 35. No experience in acting is necessary (just the desire).

Come ready to read from the script (and have your head shot taken). No special attire is recommended, they say to "come as you are".


-- For Directions to the Library, Call: 318-869-0120

-- For More information (including characters and scripts) call: 318-734-0123



GOOD LUCK!!!

EVENT ALERT: Job Fairs!!!

Looking for a job? New career? Here are some people looking for a few good men and women to add to their teams (and the days they're interviewing):



TODAY:

Roundtree Ford is holding interviews for men and women interested in careers in the auto industry. They are offering a $2,000 training salary, a great benefits package and you can start TOMORROW. Interviews are being held today until 5 pm at 8770 Business Park Drive. You MUST dress for the interview!!!


Domino's Pizza is hosting an in-house job fair for persons interested in being managers and drivers (drivers earn $10-$15 an hour plus tips and get paid cash daily). Drop by the Bossier location at 1002 A. Johnson St. or go online at http://www.dominos.com/ to apply.



TOMORROW:


Whataburger is hosting an Open House for people interested in Management positions. They're inviting candidates to meet with them tomorrow, February 3rd at the Hilton Garden Inn (Financial Plaza, in West Shreveport) from 8 am to 6 pm. You can also submit your resume to wsl@foodbizjobs.com or call 562-596-7072 for more information (or an appointment).


Pespi Americas is hosting a Career Fair tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday (Feb. 4th) at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Shreveport. They are seeking a Warehouse Supervisor, Sales Support Supervisor, a Territory Sales Manager and Class CDL Drivers. Tomorrow's fair is from 10 am to 6 pm. Thursday's is from 8 am to 5 pm.



GOOD LUCK!!!