The Gift of Dance

Art is such a beautiful thing, so free, so personal, no need for conviction--beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. One of the greatest gifts to art is the human body and one of greatest gifts to eyes is the ability to see movement and dance...Friday October 16, 7:30 in Baton Rouge, LA...I can hardly wait--Ailey II; the images below speak for themselves. Wanna join me?? Purchase tickets here.

Not in Louisiana? Click here for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II International Tour schedule and help them celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Words can't even express how great a time I had in New Orleans! I'm a simple girl (at least I like to think) so there are certain things that really excite me that others might think of as boring or corny...but whatever, because I enjoy doing me. I found the trip to be rich with history and there was culture around every corner. Just bear with me if it this doesn't sound like a blast to you...lol

In my two days in New Orleans I visited the art galleries and antique shops in the French Quarter and on Julia St in the Warehouse District. I had some awesome cajun cuisine from several restaurants including one across from the historic Jackson Square, rode a ferry down the muddy Mississippi River, ate beignets at none other than Cafe Du Monde, took a horse a carriage ride through the French Quarter, chilled out at some sidewalk cafes and bars, listened to Tom Sacton and his jazz band in the courtyard of The Historic New Orleans Collection , toured Ogden's Museum of Southern art, the Contemporary Arts Center, and St. Louis Cathedral. I'm tired just thinking about it! There was way too much to include it all here so I'll do highlights here and there in the future to discuss in detail all of the art and architecture I encountered. Check out the flicks of some of the sights I saw as we walked and rode along.




I love color (how many times can I say that), so I couldn't pass by these porcelain pears and not take a picture. Cherry blossoms are also a favorite of mine, and that wall sculpture is quite beautiful so I snapped a picture as we walked along Julia St.


Henrique Oliveira was commissioned by the Contemporary Arts Center to construct a cloud made of discarded bedding material found in the streets of New Orleans...pictured above is the result that now hangs in the entrance of the museum.
Shown above are just more random pictures that I wanted to share. I'm sure many of you are familiar with or have seen some of the "Blue Dog" paintings by George Rodrigue, he has four studios throughout the United States, one of which is in New Orleans.


Although the photo is not detailed, and rather dark I had to get a picture of the ceiling of the St.Louis Cathedral.
I truly enjoyed the jazz in the courtyard (don't tell anybody I was dancing in my chair), and it wasn't because of the free Stiletto Vodka martini's...the band was really great!

I've lived in Baton Rouge (about 45 minutes away from New Orleans) all my life, and I've been to New Orleans way too many times to even attempt to count, but I'd never seen the city like this. I've said before to be a tourist in your own city...I have a whole new appreciation for that place, so wherever you're at get out and see what there is to see!

Fest for All was Great!

Fest for all was this past weekend and I really enjoyed it. The purpose of the festival is for people to experience the arts first hand and all of the arts were out in full force. There was art created with all types of mediums, music, dance, painting, and although it wasn't in an art form

,there was plenty of food! As I'm sure all my readers know I'm a HUGE fan of music therefore I'd like to mention that a local band "The Michael Foster Project" played on Sunday and they were awesome...check out the bands myspace page here.

The picture shown above were some sculptures on display at the festival as soon as I have more information on the artist I'll pass it on to you.

Living With Art- Exhibit ends May 6

LSU's museum of art currently has part of Alitash Kebede's (pictured left) personal African American Art collection on display. The display features 70 contemporary and modern art works by 39 of the most influential African American artists of that period. I toured the museum and her collection is breathtaking, there is such a variety of mediums used and subjects addressed in the pieces that I'm sure you will leave with a greater appreciation of art. The cost is only $8 and you tour the entire museum which encompasses the 5th floor of the Shaw building in downtown Baton Rouge.

Click here for more information.

Be a tourist in your own city...

On Saturday I decided I wanted to go site seeing, I thought it would be nice to check out some art and architecture right here at home. I went to downtown Baton Rouge, LA and toured two local museums, I also took a tour of our old state capital building (pictured right). Here are a couple of pictures from my day out.



The ceiling was covered in multi-colored stain glass. (left)



There was a spiral stairwell made of wood and metal that lead to the second story of building, but the pictures came out way to dark therefore I didn't post them




Even the door hinges were full of ornate detail (top) and I loved the fact that the black and white tile marble floors were throughout the main atrium of the building (bottom) . It was a pleasant surprise to see that contemporary touch that fancied my love of modern design, mixed with such traditional architecture.

While walking downtown I saw this building front that I thought was beautiful...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the copper door frames!

Girl Power...Venus Envy in Baton Rouge

Venus Envy is a non-profit organization that promotes empowering women through the arts. They hold female art events showcasing paintings, sculpture, installations, collage, music, and dance and they are here in Baton Rouge. The exhibit was set up for display on April 17 at Baton Rouge's Center for Contemporary Art and the reception and final date of display will be held Saturday April 28, 2007. (Click either of the above hyperlinks for more info and pricing)

Fest for All!

The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge is presenting Baton Rouge's premier visual and performing arts festival "Fest For All". Don't miss their 30th Anniversary and your chance to "experience the arts first hand". There will be over 75 featured artists, music, a FestForKids, performing arts, children's village, street performers, art demos, and food and drink. Plus the event is FREE and open to the public. The event is held on North Street in downtown Baton Rouge and is Saturday May 5 10am-7:30 pm and Sunday May 6 11am-6pm.

For more information please click the press release link below.

http://www.artsbr.org/festforall/2007/Press%20Packet/FestForAll%202007%20Press%20Packet%201.pdf

Local Art Exhibit...ends soon

The Baton Rouge Gallery center for contemporary art has been hosting a great exhibit for nearly one month now, it ends on 04/04/2007 and is opened from 12pm to 6pm. (I apologize that I hadn't posted this information earlier but I just found out) If you have a chance, go and check it out the link provides more information http://www.batonrougegallery.org/pages/current_exhibitions.html .

Here are some of the pieces featured in the current exhibit which includes work by Randell Henry (top) , Leanne McClurg (bottom, left) , and Paulo Dufour (bottom, right) . (I'll be sure to provide information sooner in the future...I've been super busy)