Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter was a man whose life, like that of any other man, had its ups and downs. Good or bad, he told the world about those things through his music, becoming one of the most ­­well-known and inspirational American folk blues musicians of all- time.

On Saturday, May 9, Lead Belly and his legacy will be celebrated with the first-ever Lead Belly Blues Festival at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

The event will feature musicians Buddy Flett; Ruthie Foster; Bobby Rush; Kenny Neal and The Neal Family Reunion; Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang; Johnny Rawls and Destiny Rawls; James Robinson; and The Bluebirds.

Lead Belly was born on a plantation on January 20, 1889, in nearby Mooringsport. By the time he was 14 years old, he was a popular musician and singer in the weekend “sukey jumps” and “juke joints.” He later became known as the “King of the 12-String Guitar,” with “Stella,” as he affectionately called his guitar, held tightly in his hands. In between prison stints, he performed and wrote songs, of which the most notable are “Goodnight Irene” and “House of the Rising Sun.”

Today Lead Belly is remembered not only as a musical giant but a legend in his own right throughout the world. Artists like The Beetles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Little Richard,have all expressed their early studies of music to Lead Belly's records. Many of his songs can be found in the Library of Congress, where generations to come can listen and enjoy them.

Tickets to the Lead Belly Blues Festival are $25 in advance. For tickets or for more information, call 1-877-7-LBELLY or visit  http://leadbellybluesfestival.com.

 Credit: The Lead Belly Foundation

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Recently, I met some friends after work and enjoyed a light dinner at the Robinson Film Center. It’s one of those places you experience in Shreveport-Bossier that you just can’t help feeling like you’re in the middle of something really cool. This place is a jewel in downtown Shreveport.

It’s the only place in town where you can have dinner and cocktails followed by a movie.  I’ve seen several movies there including The Boy in Striped Pajamas and one of my all time favorites Imitation of Life.

But while dining with my friends, we all decided to try the new school shrimp and grits in the Abby Singer’s Bistro upstairs. It sounded interesting, plus in the South everything goes great with grits. These little bit size delights were so scrumptious. The firm triangle shaped polenta was topped with melted provolone cheese and a grilled shrimp. We didn’t get to catch a movie, but the two that started today, March 13 sounded really interesting.

The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke will play through March 19. This movie is about an aging professional wrestler who ekes out a living performing for small groups. As he struggles to resurrect his career, he also begins rebuilding his relationship with his daughter and courting a woman.

Che is now playing through March 19, too. It’s about a group of rebels lead by Fidel Castro. Among these young rebels is Argentine physician, Marxist, solder Ernesto “Che” Guevaro. The group engages in bloody battle to free the Cuban people from the corrupt dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Che and his soldiers wrestle the nation's resources and affection from Batista's grasp. Though considered a hero by some, Che becomes a hugely controversial figure. At the height of his fame and power, he disappears. Entering South America incognito, Che recruits another band of guerilla fighters in the harsh Bolivian jungles. They embark upon a mission to spark revolution throughout Latin America.

Catch the brilliance of the Robinson Film Center. You can order a cocktail, new school grits and shrimp, followed by a movie to round out your experience.  To view movie times, go to www.robinsonfilmcenter.org.

     If you do go, please come back and share your experience. I’d love to know what you think about this delightful attraction. 

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Why not come to Shreveport-Bossier and let Cedric the Entertainer make you laugh ‘till you cry as he takes to the stage at The Encore Club on Thursday, March 12, and at The Funny Bone on Friday, March 13.

After touring comedy clubs around the country, Cedric the Entertainer scored his first regular television spot as host of the BET comedy series "Comic View", followed by a role on "The Steve Harvey Show," which ran for six seasons. In 1997, Cedric and Steve Harvey joined forces with comedic legend Bernie Mac and funnyman D.L. Hughley for the largely successful Kings of Comedy stand-up tour.

Since then, Cedric has stared in several films including Barbershop, Barbershop 2, Johnson Family Vacation, The Honeymooners and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, which was filmed right here in Shreveport and in Minden.

Tickets for Thursday may be purchased at www.FunnyBoneLouisiana.com. Tickets for our Friday night show are only available on EBAY. Special meet and greet tickets are available to the general public. VIP tickets include exclusive reserved seating in the comedy club's special VIP area near the stage, and also a backstage pass. Backstage passes will give you an opportunity to meet Cedric himself, and also give you access to a photo and autograph session after the show!

Fans must be age 21 or older to enter. For tickets or more information, visit www.FunnyBoneLouisiana.com.

For more happenings at the Louisiana Boardwalk , visit www.LouisianaBoardwalk.com.

We're inching closer to more great shopping and dining options here on Louisiana's Other Side.

The Good Companies will announce a grand opening schedule and current line up of retail stores for its newest lifestyle center, Villaggio, next week in Bossier City.

The announcement will include details of a new full service restaurant for our area. The restaurant operator, well known in south Louisiana for more than 50 years, will open outside its home base for the first time in Bossier City. In addition to the full service restaurant and several new retail concepts to the region, John Good, Jr. will announce the construction, apartment and retail opening schedule. Representatives from the announced line-up of restaurants and retailers will be on hand to talk about their stores in Villaggio.

The media announcement will take place at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12 at the Villaggio, 5200 East Texas Street in Bossier City. It will be followed by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce After Hours event, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Villaggio Main Street entrance.