Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Free festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 in Columbia Park 

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – The 2011 Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, presented by MetroPCS, will take place 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 at Columbia Park in Shreveport’s historic Highland neighborhood. The annual festival, which features two stages of non-stop live music, food vendors, and an Artist’s Alley, is free to attend. Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a critically-acclaimed Dixieland Jazz collective from New Orleans, will headline a roster of blues and jazz performers including Buddy Flett, Wes Jeans, Jazziana, David Egan, Fannin Street Players with Danny Wilder, Stiff Necked Fools, Soul Fish, Jimmy Wooten Trio, and more. Columbia Park is located at 700 Columbia Street in Shreveport.

In addition to live music, the festival is known for attracting an uncommon variety of food vendors. Offerings include Cajun jambalaya, Caribbean jerk chicken, locally-roasted gourmet coffees, and more. Artist’s Alley will feature local artists and artisans selling items including hand-made jewelry and original works of art, jams and jellies, and home décor.  

Now in its eighth year, the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival is supported by the City of Shreveport and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. The Highland Jazz & Blues Festival is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit arts organization, dedicated to being a positive force in the growth of Shreveport's historic Highland neighborhood. For more information, visit www.highlandjazzandblues.org or search for Highland Jazz and Blues Festival on Facebook.        
                                                                    
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Special Event will Feature Live Music, Appearances by Cast of Williams Biopic "The Last Ride"
 
SHREVEPORT, LA - Hank Williams became the first big star of the world famous Louisiana Hayride stage and radio show. Hank and Audrey moved to Shreveport in 1948 from Montgomery, AL and Hank, Jr. was born in Shreveport on May 26, 1949. The combination of Hank Williams and the Louisiana Hayride became the genesis of a music revolution. Hank’s blend of roots country and blues music forged a style emanating from the Louisiana Hayride that literally changed the world. He opened the pathway at the Hayride for acceptance of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Johnny Horton, and countless other musicians.
 
The Louisiana Hayride is now extremely honored to celebrate the greatness of Hank Williams. In collaboration with Harry Thomason, Director, and Tim Jackson, Executive Producer of the new motion picture "The Last Ride," the non-profit Louisiana Hayride Foundation will present a free Sunday afternoon Louisiana Hayride concert of Hank Williams' music, October 16, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, 619 Louisiana Ave. in Shreveport. Performers are Hank’s daughter Jett Williams, the Cox Family, and a host of musicians and singers who performed in the Louisiana Hayride Band. Other popular musicians and entertainers will include bass player Joe Osborn, along with Kenny Bill Stinson, Buddy Flett, Ted Jones, Matthew Davidson, Ben Franks, Bill Boles, Jeremy Parsons, Maggie Warwick, Miki Honeycutt, Robin Beach Black, Monty Russell, Charlie Barrett, Kent Gill, Al Harris, and many more.
 
Other singers will be exciting guests who play lead roles in the "The Last Ride." Henry Thomas ("E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," "Gangs of New York") plays Hank, and Jesse James, plays the young driver of Hank’s Cadillac. Everyone will remember Thomas from his role as the lovable young boy in "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." Both actors are also musicians, and will join in the Louisiana Hayride concert with some great Hank Williams songs.
 
“The Last Ride” opens in Shreveport at Cinemark Tinseltown 17 on October 21.  On-line tickets are available now. Producers of the movie are donating a dollar per ticket sold on-line prior to opening, which will be donated by the Louisiana Hayride Foundation to two local charities, The Providence House and Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission.
 
Ken Shepherd and Maggie Warwick will co-host the Hayride concert and will feature special interviews with Hank’s old friends from the Louisiana Hayride, such as Felton Pruitt, Sonny Harville, Frank Page, Norm Bale, Stan Lewis, George Dement, Tillman Franks’ family and more. Media interviews with entertainers, musicians, actors, and producers are being scheduled.  Please call for more information.

For more information on the motion picture "The Last Ride," visit www.thelastridefilm.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Louisiana Hayride Companies
Maggie Warwick - (318) 868-9444
Alton Warwick - (318) 227-9110
Cell: (318) 560-1903 - alwarwick@aol.com

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Shreveport-Bossier, La. – For 35 years the Red River Revel Arts Festival has attracted thousands of people who love art, food, music, and fun. This year’s event will take place Saturday, Oct. 2-Saturday, Oct. 9.  This eight-day festival is held at downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza on the banks of the Red River.

The featured attraction at the Revel is the variety of art on display and for sale by more than one hundred juried artists. It’s the perfect place to find unique jewelry, paintings, acrylics, clothing, pottery, photography, wood work and much more. This year will offer 40 new artists.

Another popular activity at the Revel is eating! Many festival-goers count down to the event in anticipation of eating their Revel favorites, most of which are prepared by local non-profit organizations. From the Muffaletta pizza and turkey legs to the Italian ice and funnel cakes, there are many Revel foods you just can't do without!

This year the 50-foot Ferris Wheel is back and will be in a new location overlooking the Children’s Arts Education Area and the Red River. Children’s events include Artist for a Day, “Twister” Tot Tent, Architecture Alive, Salto Trampoline and the Rock Climb. Bring the kids out for a full day of fun.
 
Raising the bar in local entertainment without the expected, high-priced concert ticket, Revel 35 is offering really hot entertainment. For the price of a regular Revel admission ticket you can enjoy as many of the evening’s concerts as you like. Plus, Revelers can enjoy local bands and regional Revel favorites throughout the eight-day festival. Remember, the eight-day Reveler Pass allows unlimited admission throughout the festival for one low price.

Scheduled entertainment includes:
 
Steel Magnolia, October 2, CHASE Stage
Steel Magnolia is country music’s hottest new duo. Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones proved to be a winning combination in winning CMT’s “Can You Duet?” Their first single - the Top 5 hit, “Keep On Lovin’ You,” - introduced country radio to the duo’s fresh sound, earning them two 2010 Academy of Country Music Award Nominations, as well as two 2010 CMT Music Award Nominations a mere eight months after launching onto the music scene. “Our voices blend uniquely,” Josh says of the Steel Magnolia sound. “Meghan has more of a low end and my voice is kind of in a little higher register, which normally isn’t the case with a male/female duo. It’s usually the other way around. So it’s a weird blend, but it works. It’s country with our own edge.”

Sister Hazel, October 9, CHASE Stage
Sister Hazel began when Ken Block started playing with Drew Copeland around Gainesville in the early '90s. They added Jett Beres on bass, guitarist Ryan Newell and drummer Mark Trojanowski. The band struck gold with their chart-topping hit, "All For You." Over the years the band has sold more than two million albums and had six top 30 singles; they earned a platinum disc with 1997's “Somewhere More Familiar” and gold with 2000's “Fortress”. "We're getting to live a dream," Copeland proclaims. "As kids, we grew up thinking, 'Man, one day I am going to be a rock star!' and man, we are getting to do that. And we don't take that for granted." Their latest album, “Release,” debuted on Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart at #37, the highest chart number ever attained by any of the band's albums on that chart. “Release” also hit #3 on the Billboard Indie Chart and #14 on the Billboard Digital Album Chart. On release day, the album went all the way to #1 on the iTunes Rock Chart and #7 on the overall iTunes sales chart.
 
The Hunt Family, October 2, CHASE Stage
The Hunt Family is a cross between World Ranked Step Dancers and Champion Fiddlers. They are a family of nine that brings a high-powered energetic and refreshing experience to the stage. They perform original, Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and popular tunes, offering a unique blend of diversity to every show. Their latest CD, Hearts Held High, is available now and features eight exciting brand new original compositions.  The Hunt Family has completed four US tours and performed at places such as “The Tony Danza Show,” the World Championships for Irish Dance and “Virginia’s Royal Welcoming” for Queen Elizabeth in Richmond, VA.

The Band Perry, October 7, CHASE Stage
"Daddy rocked us to sleep with the Rolling Stones; Mama woke us up with Loretta Lynn. So we get it honest." - Kimberly Perry
Inheriting a cross-pollinated love of country and rock & roll from their parents, The Band Perry - siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry - say that they bleed the bright red blood of American music. The three have always felt the drive to perform and create music, beginning when Kimberly strapped on her first Gibson guitar and fronted her first high school band - at age 15, employing Reid, then 10, and Neil, only eight, as her roadies. In July of 2005, the siblings decided to join forces as one band. The Band Perry was then invited by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company to open all of the dates on their "New Faces of Country" tour that year. They caught the ears of Republic Nashville and signed to the new label in the summer of 2009.
 
Blues Old Stand Featuring Brady Blade, Jr., October 8, CHASE Stage
Blues Old Stand is a Southern funk n' roll band that established itself as one of the early "Jam Bands" of the ‘90s. The music is based in the blues, funk and soul of the fathers of groove, with musical influences ranging from Muddy Waters to Curtis Mayfield. Blues Old Stand has been touring and playing large festivals for more than 20 years.
 
Brady Blade Jr. has joined Blues Old Stand both on the stage and in the studio on various records produced by BLADE Studios. Brady is a Grammy winning artist and producer who has recorded and toured with Dave Matthews, Jewel, the Indigo Girls and Bob Dylan. Blues Old Stand has shared the stage with everyone from Ben Harper to Buddy Guy, from Widespread Panic to the Allman Brothers. They have been an accompanying band for many blues greats including Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Johnny Shines and Kent Duchaine. The unique blend of tone, and vast and diverse song list of original and cover songs, make Blues Old Stand a festival favorite.

Dirtfoot, October 9, CHASE Stage
Whether performing on big stages at festivals, or playing intimate settings in pubs and the finer taverns all over the Midwest & South, Dirtfoot puts on an uproarious show. The crowds come to take part in the fun and chaos, hollering to all the calls and responses, shaking their bean cans, and getting down with the infectious grooves. There is only one Gypsy Punk Country Grumble Boogie band in the land… Dirtfoot.
 
Led by the organic writings of Matt Hazelton with each player adding his own flavor and feeling to the songs and sound of the group, Dirtfoot is a blend of eclectic styles, as well as diverse personalities. All of their instruments are acoustic, but their energy and ingenuity will make you swear they are plugged in. Featuring instruments ranging from an acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass, pots n' pans, drums, bells, saxophone, xylophone and more, this band has a truly engaging sound, a real dose of Gypsy, Punk, Country, Grumble Boogie!
 
You can view a listing of participating artists and food vendors, plus information on tickets and Revel hours at the Revel’s website: www.redriverrevel.com. Be sure to check back for updates on entertainment, kids’ activities, and food.

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A year ago Kris Allen was a struggling musician living in Conway, Ark. Today he is signed to a major record label with his first album about to be released. His collaborators include members of The Fray, Train, The Script and Switchfoot as well as musicians who have written and produced for Maroon 5, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Beyoncé, James Morrison, Duffy, Lily Allen, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Carolina Liar, the Veronicas, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. That’s the way things are these days for Kris Allen, winner of the eighth season of “American Idol.”

It’s been an incredible journey for the 24-year-old who came very close to giving up on having a music career. “I was going to return to college and get a decent job so my wife and I could have a comfortable life together, which would have been fine,” Allen said. “But things worked out a different way, and I’m really happy!”

Allen has just put the finishing touches on his debut album (simply called “Kris Allen”) for 19 Recordings/Jive, which is set for release on November 17. Fans can already get a taste of the record’s pop-rock sound with his strong first single, “Live Like We’re Dying.”

On June 9, Kris Allen will bring his talent to the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Prices are $18-28 and can be purchased at all TicketMaster locations, via phone 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pinching tails and sucking heads! That’s what the fun is all about at the Mudbug Madness Festival, May 27-30, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

Mudbug Madness is a four-day festival held each Memorial Day weekend and is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, drawing as many as 56,000 people in one day. The event offers mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, contests, and activities for all ages.

The festival features three entertainment stages and fun games. Some of the entertainers will be Grammy-winning Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience as well as Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. To get a full list of entertainment visit www.mudbugmadness.com

But that’s not all the Memorial Day weekend has to offer in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side. The Steve Miller Band will be performing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs (www.harrahslouisianadowns.com), May 29. Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel (www.samstownshreveport.com) will have a performance by the Beach Boys, May 30.

Make plans to take in some other great summer concerts and entertainment. Get your tickets early for the following events:

• Star Wars in Concert, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Star Wars in Concert is a massive multi-media event which features stunning visuals, live orchestra, choir and narration, plus an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props and production artwork.

• Sugarland “"The Incredible Machine" Tour, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. Grammy award winning country music duo Sugarland will be live in concert, performing their number one hits and treating concert-goers to a one-of-a-kind show.

• Jeff Dunham “Identity Crisis Tour”, June 25 at 8 p.m. Dunham has taken the art of ventriloquism to new heights transforming it into a cutting-edge comedy experience and proving that dummies can be funny! Known worldwide for his unique act, Dunham will bring his brand of comedy to Bossier City for an unforgettable night of laughter.

For more information on ticket prices and upcoming shows or to purchase tickets call 318-747-2501 or visit www.centurytelcenter.com.

Shreveport-Bossier, the festival capital of north Louisiana, is gearing up for a very busy festival season. Things kick off with the Holiday in Dixie Festival (April 16-25), followed by the Mudbug Madness Festival (Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30) and the Let the Good Times Roll Festival (June 18-20).

The music, the food, and the cultural display of Shreveport-Bossier is fun for the entire family. Experience everything from a midway of carnival rides to sucking and peeling crawfish. But that’s not all you can experience. The festivals feature some of the best entertainment in the country including many wonderful home grown local bands. Be sure to book a hotel room and spend a weekend during any of these and other festivals at www.shreveport-bossier.org.

Holiday in Dixie will be celebrating its 62nd year in the Shreveport-Bossier area, making it one of the oldest running festivals in Louisiana and proving that some things do get better with age! The event will run from April 16-25 in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza.

Holiday in Dixie began in 1949 and was a five-day pageant held at the State Fair stadium. The event celebrates the Louisiana Purchase, the arrival of spring and the spirit of community involvement and pride.

This year’s festival includes the 10-day carnival at Festival Plaza, the Doodah Parade, block parties, special events, entertainment, food and art from local vendors, as well as family-oriented activities. The parade, April 17, will start at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Shreveport at the Municipal Auditorium.

Also, no Holiday in Dixie festival is ever complete without the ever popular Treasure Hunt! This annual event stimulates the mind and gets thousands involved in searching for treasure and a grand prize of cash.

For more information visit www.holidayindixie.com.

Then roll into Memorial Day weekend with the Mudbug Madness Festival pinching tails and sucking heads. What began in 1984 as a crawfish boil quickly grew (as do all good Louisiana parties, it seems) into a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport and is now one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular Cajun festivals featuring Cajun, zydeco, blues and jazz artists.

Mudbug Madness has grown into a four-day festival held each Memorial Day weekend and is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, drawing as many as 56,000 people in one day. The event offers mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, contests, and activities for all ages. The Madness begins Memorial Day weekend, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., May 27-30, 2010, at Festival Plaza downtown Shreveport.

The festival features fun games and three entertainment stage. The women’s, men’s, and children’s crawfish-eating contests set the true Louisianans apart from the crowd.  Contestants must eat all the meat inside of the crawfish tail (no head sucking required!). The person who eats the most will be given the high honor of Crawfish Eating Winner. For those who have never witnessed the spectacle of eating a crawfish, you won’t want to miss this! Everyone has their own technique and no one walks away clean.

When you’re not indulging in the food from the various pavilions offering everything from crawfish etouffee to gumbo and alligator-on-a-stick you can enjoy the live performances. The MetroPCS Stage, located on the area of Festival Plaza between Market Street and Spring Street, is the venue where nationally recognized entertainers perform and contests and special events are held. This year the MetroPCS Stage will welcome Grammy Award-winning artists Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience. In 2001 Simien won the Grammy in the Cajun category. His music was also featured in the new Disney movie “The Princess and the Frog.”

For a complete schedule of events and entertainers visit www.mudbugmadness.com.

But the party does not stop there. The 24th annual Let the Good Times Roll Festival celebrates the music, art and food of the African American culture and highlights its immense influence on Louisiana culture and heritage. The festival is held the third weekend in June at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. This year’s dates are June 18-20.

For more information visit them online at rhoomega.com.

Shreveport-Bossier, La. - Celebrate the holidays with Aaron Neville and his Quintet in concert in Bossier City.

The Louisiana native and multiple Grammy Award winner will perform at 8 p.m., Dec. 5, at DiamondJacks Casino and Resort. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Neville's unique voice and soulful music have energized concert halls for more than four decades. From his first musical success, "Tell It Like It Is," to his most recent, critically acclaimed album, "Bring It On Home," he remains a popular artist.

Tickets are on sale for $35 and $10, with Rewards Club members eligible for discounts. Tickets may be purchased in the casino gift shop.

For more information, visit www.diamondjacks.com/bossiercity.aspx or call 1-866-552-9629.

Shreveport, LA- Please join The Gardens of the American Rose Center, AEP Swepco, Gribsy Petroleum, Perkins & Associates, The Robinson Film Center and GAP Broadcasting for the 26th Annual Christmas in Roseland festival every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening beginning Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 20.

The Gardens are transformed into a whimsical winter wonderland featuring dozens of lighted displays, the Christmas Cards to the Community, nightly entertainment, photos with Santa, rides on the Roseland Express train, a model train display, and tons of fun for the whole family. New this year, Movies and Moonbeams will be showing a Christmas classic each Saturday night on the giant 30-foot outdoor screen including The Grinch, The Polar Express, Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Gates are open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with the last admittance at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload. Children ages 2 or younger get in free. Group rates are available. For more information, please contact Ellen Trice at (318) 938-5402 ext 109.

FAST FACTS:

WHAT: 26th Annual Christmas in Roseland Festival

WHEN: Fridays, Saturday, Sundays- November 27, 2009-December 20, 2009 from

5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Last car admitted at 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Gardens of the American Rose Center, just off I-20, Exit 5 in Shreveport, LA

Released By:

Maria Scott, Advertising/Marketing Manager, 318-938-5402 ext 101, maria@ars-hq.org

SCI-PORT: LOUISIANA’S SCIENCE CENTER NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release 10/16/09
Media contact: Eric Gipson (318) 424-8678; egipson@sciport.org
Programs contact: Lou Papai (318) 424-8714; lpapai@sciport.org

Celebrate the season with holiday programs galore at Sci-Port!

Holiday camps, a new IMAX film, a party just for adults, candy workshops, drop cookie and gingerbread house competitions, a New Year’s celebration and more will offer something for all ages this holiday season at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. Programs and events include:

Holiday Day Camps

November 23 - 25, December 21 - 23 & 28 - 30, January 4 - 5

Give your kids some Sci-Port fun and yourself a little sanity during the holidays! Holiday Day Camps accommodate specific grade groups. Each Day Camp is a standalone experience and explores themes ranging from archaeology and colors to boats, rainforest adventures and the amazing human body (call Sci-Port or see www.sciport.org for the complete list). Choose your dates and find out what Sci-Port has to offer this holiday season!

Times and rates

K-1st grade session: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Members $30 General $35

2nd - 5th grade session: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Members $40 General $45

Camps include a mid-morning and afternoon snack, all materials and supplies needed for the session, a thirty minute supervised lunch provided by Sci-Port’s Galaxy Café’ and an IMAX film. Extended Care Options are available for a slight charge. Call Visitor Services to register (318) 424-8660.

Holiday Affair on the Red

December 5, 7 p.m. to midnight

Perfect for small business, groups and couples, this adult-only holiday party features a lavish buffet by LA Food Service & Catering, a cash bar by Thrifty Liquor, music & karaoke by Jowers Entertainment, special Sci-Port programs throughout the evening and professional photography by Sunshine Photos (available for an extra fee). Tickets are $30 per person and tables for eight are available for $220. Holiday attire. RSVP by Tuesday, November 24 by calling Marion Smith at (318) 424-8667.

Candymaking Workshops

December 19 – December 30

Stop in during your winter vacation and stir up some sweet fun as you learn all about the science behind different kinds of candies and confections. Science never tasted so sweet! Programs include:

Edible Glass

December 19 & 27 at 1:30 p.m.; December 21 & 30 at 3:15 p.m.

Make a tasty hard candy that looks just like real glass that you can eat. Learn about melting point and a fun way to make candy very quickly (or tout de sweet)!

North Pole Bureau of Investigations – Case #007:

The Cookie Caper Catastrophe & The Best Drop Cookie Recipe Ever Contest

December 19 & 27 at 2:30 p.m.; December 22 at 3:15 p.m.

Oh No…Mrs. Claus had the perfect cookie recipe and one very absent-minded elf has misplaced it! We need your expertise to help us unravel this Cookie Caper Catastrophe give Sci-Port your Best Drop Cookie Recipe Ever! Win notoriety ArkLaTex-wide and a $25 gift certificate the Discoveries Unlimited Gift Shop just in time for the holidays. Send your Best Drop Cookie Recipe Ever to Sci-Port, Attn. Public Programs Manager. Recipe entries should include name, address, phone and email address. Deadline for entry is Friday, December 11, 2009. Winners will be notified by Wednesday, December 17, 2009 and your recipe will be used in our Cookie Caper Catastrophe holiday program!

Chocolate Balloon Bowls

December 20 & 26 at 1:30 p.m.; December 23 & 29 at 3:15 p.m.

Learn about melting points and the science of chocolate. Then use a balloon to make your own edible chocolate bowl!

Hot Chocolate Wars

December 20 & 26 at 2:30 p.m.; December 24 & 28 at 3:15 p.m.

All’s fair in fun and war! The misguided Snowman has taken one of Santa’s shiny new flutes and hidden it away in his ice fort. Come help Santa’s elves retrieve the flute using one of his most awesome and tastiest weapons – Hot Chocolate! The ice fort doesn’t stand a chance.

Gingerbread House Competition

December 20; Set-up noon – 1 p.m.; Judging: 1 – 3 p.m.; Awards Ceremony 3:30 p.m.

Let your imagination run yuletide wild! Create confectionary and edible architectural wonders and enter them into our delectable competition that has become a holiday favorite. With walls of gingerbread, candy rooftops and doorways, and icing lined driveways, these delicious creations are nothing short of edible art. Visit www.sciport.org for a complete set of competition rules and an entry form.

The Light Before Christmas IMAX film

Daily showings November 23 – January 3

Celebrate Christmas in a big way with this new giant screen film produced in stop-motion animation! The Light Before Christmas is the delightful tale of young Katie and her brother Makean, who, after losing their way in a Christmas Eve blizzard, are rescued by the Candleman, a wise, gentle man who invites them to his warm and cozy forest cottage and sparks their imagination with the timeless poem, The Night Before Christmas. Sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace, the children are magically transported into the story and actually become the central characters as it unfolds on the giant movie screen, complete with Santa’s visit to their home with his full team of reindeer, all assisted by Hob, Santa’s Chief Elf. Of course, no visit from Santa can end until the stockings hung on the fireplace are filled and gifts abound under the glittering Christmas tree. As Santa and his sleigh take off into the night sky, the children find themselves back in the Candleman’s cottage, eager to wend their way home and find what treasures await them, but not before the Candleman shows them that the true meaning of Christmas is found through giving to others unselfishly. Then, just as the film seems to end, the theatre audience is treated to a fun-filled tour of movie-making magic, watching how the artists at Tandem’s studios build life-like miniature sets and characters, while the animators bring the story to life before our eyes with their special cameras.

Santa vs. the Snowman IMAX film

Daily showings November 23 – January 3

This animated classic from the makers of Jimmy Neutron returns by popular demand! Here’s the story of a lonely Snowman who finds Santa's workshop but is chased away when he sets off the perimeter alarm. Envious, he devises a plan to take over Santa's empire and thus be the most popular figure around Christmas time this year. Having enlisted "Snow Minions Made Easy," he pits his snow army against Santa's elves and captures Santa, setting off a hilarious, epic-scale polar war. Featuring the voices of celebrated Emmy Award-winning comic Jonathan Winters, Ben Stein and Victoria Jackson.

New Year’s at Noon!

December 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

You don't want to stay up until midnight? Then celebrate the "noon year" at Sci-Port’s unique New Year’s Eve party! As the clock strikes noon here in Shreveport, Vietnam will be celebrating Tet Nguyen Dan (literally, "the first morning of the first day of the new period"). Sci-Port families can celebrate the traditions of Tet, and then count down to "midnight" with a balloon drop- Sci-Port-style!

Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, a Space Center and Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, demonstration theater, daily changing programs, gift shop and cafe. Sci-Port is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. For general information call (318) 424-3466, toll-free (877) 724-7678 or see www.sciport.org.

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IMAX Schedule

2009

Nov 23 - Jan 3

Holiday Schedule

Mon - Fri.

9:45 Animalopolis

11:00 Dinosaurs Alive!

12:00 The Light Before Christmas

1:00 Alps

2:15 Santa VS Snowman

3:30 The Light Before Christmas

Sat

11:00 Alps

12:00 The Light Before Christmas

1:30 Dinosaurs Alive!

2:30 Santa vs Snowman

3:30 The Light Before Christmas

4:30 Alps

Sun

1:30 Dinosaurs Alive!

2:30 Alps

3:30 Santa vs Snowman

4:30 The Light Before Christmas

Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival 2009

Oil City, La. – Revel in the captivating Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival on the banks of Caddo Lake in Oil City’s Earl Williamson on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The festival will kickoff at 3:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks display at 6:30 p.m.

The annual festival will feature the best in local entertainment, in addition to delicious food, comical clowns, creative arts and crafts, and much more. Children will be amazed by the clowns, games, lights, and of course Santa Claus. He will make his way to the festival, bearing a gift for each child the event. Children may also have their picture taken with Jolly Old St. Nicholas.

"This event gives the people of north Caddo Parish something to enjoy with their families and friends," said Festival Organizer Mary Dunn. "The event is free to all and the fireworks and decorations will be wonderful."

Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival, Inc. was formed 15 years ago as a partnership between the Vivian Chamber of Commerce and the Oil City Rotary Club.

The organizations invited all 10 towns in northwest Caddo Parish to join together to plan the free event with fireworks, food, entertainment, Santa Claus and activities for children with a goal of serving the people of North Caddo and the surrounding area.

Those towns are Belcher, Blanchard, Gilliam, Hosston, Mira, Ida, Mooringsport, Oil City, Rodessa and Vivian.

The event now brings in more than 12,000 people from throughout the Ark-La-Tex, some of which camp at the park in RVs.

Each year the event has been held the first Saturday in December at Earl Williamson Park in Oil City. The Caddo Parish Commission, who is in charge of the park, helps to set up holiday decorations, lighting, electricity, a stage and other details and services.

Directions: Take I-20 to I-220, exit Highway 1 and 71 North. Take Highway 1 North toward Oil City. The event is in Earl Williamson Park on Caddo Lake at Oil City, LA. Locals can head north up Highway 1 to Oil City.

For more information, please call (318) 631-0182 or email mdunn76635@aol.com.

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