If you liked the movie “A Night at the Museum” you will probably love the Junior League of Greater Covington’s third annual fundraising gala to benefit the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, which will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010, from 6-10 pm at the Castine Center in Mandeville. The event is entitled “A Celebration of Exploration...A Night for the Museum”. 

 

         Last year’s fundraiser was an enormous success, and if early ticket sales are any indication, this year’s event will surpass that record. General admission tickets are only $100 per person. If you would like to reserve a table for eight, the cost is only $1,200. All ticket sales are tax deductible. Tickets can be purchased at Playville in Mandeville and Covington, Huntington Learning Center in Mandeville and The Purple Armadillo in Slidell or online at www.jlgc.net

               If the event is not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. This year’s Honorary Chair is...

Read More »

                The Commission on Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce that it has launched a new show, “artSPARK,” on Access St. Tammany.  “artSpark” is about the process of making art—all kinds of art. From visual arts and music to culinary, literary, and the performing arts, the show takes the audience into artists’ studios as they share how they do what they do.  



To kick off the series, the Commission on Cultural Affairs visited the Covington studio of master ceramist Dennis Sipiorski.  Sipiorski is a Wisconsin native who made his home in Louisiana more than 25 years ago.  Sipiorski is a master ceramist, painter, and photographer. He chooses these mediums for the unique qualities they bring to his finished pieces. He can be most easily characterized as a storyteller whose images come from many sources—including his adoptive home’s flora and fauna—to illustrate a universal narrative of significance in ordinary subjects. 



             Sipiorski received his MFA from Notre Dame University and BS from the University of Wisconsin.  He is professor and chair of the Visual Arts Department at Southeastern Louisiana University since 2003.  He also taught at Nicholls State University for 23 years and chaired the Art Department for 11 years. His work can be seen at www.devilswampstudios.com/ds/. 

...

Read More »

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis is pleased to announce the recipients of the 5th annual President’s Arts Awards. The 2009 award winners are:

(Literary Artist of the Year – Pamela Binnings Ewen) Pamela Binnings Ewen 's first novel, published in May of 2006,was Walk Back The Cat. She is also the best-selling author of the acclaimed non-fiction book Faith On Trial, published in 1999, currently in its third printing.  Her most recent novel, The Moon in the Mango Tree (Published in May 2008) is currently available online and in bookstores everywhere.  Pamela's new book, Dancing On Glass, will be released in the spring of 2010, and she is currently working on a sequel.

Ewen has served on the Advisory Board for The New Orleans Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans. Pamela is a co-founder of the Northshore Literary Society.

(Culinary Artist of the Year – Shane Gorringe, Zoe’s Bakery) Pastry Chef Shane Gorringe opened Zoe’s Bakery in Covington, named for his daughter, after obtaining a wealth of experience literally the world over.  A native of Surrey, England, he apprenticed at Sweet Vienna Patisserie, a renowned Austrian pastry shop south of London. Thereafter, he was assistant pastry chef at luxury hotels in England, Germany, Holland, Venezuela and the Middle East. Coming to New Orleans, he took over as pastry chef of the frequently honored Windsor Court Hotel.  Chef Gorringe now develops and explores his talents and creativity on the northshore.

...

Read More »

               Mandeville’s North Star Theatre is hoping that “It’s a Wonderful Life” will fill patrons with the holiday spirit; while Slidell Little Theatre is hoping patrons will feast on a lot of delicious gumbo, thus helping the young actors in the area. 

              Mandeville's North Star Theatre artistic director, Lori Bennett, is pleased to announce the opening of the play "It's a Wonderful Life" on Sunday, December 6th. “It’s a Wonderful Life” features Brett Roberts in the role of George Bailey. Last produced at The North Star Theatre in 1999, director Lori Bennett felt it time to revive this heartwarming classic.

            After a series of auditions this summer, the areas most talented young actors won the roles. George's wife is Katie Welty.  Kinsey Chabreck and Grace Riddle play their daughters. The Angel sent to earth to "win her wings" is feisty Courtney Calato. Carson Cromartie is the "bad guy," Mr.Potter (a banker-of course), with Katherine Carey seen as the town beauty. Zetta...

Read More »

            Audrey Malone & Michael Evans, are pleased to announce the Oct. 15th release of “A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER" by Grail Records.  It features original Christmas songs sung by the duo. But just who is Audrey Malone? Although Audrey Malone was born in New Orleans, she calls Mandeville her home.   She grew up in a musical family, and because of this, she feels blessed being around a wonderful blending of cultures.



                 Malone feels that, "New Orleans' melting pot of music has tremendously influenced her songs with its deep musical heritage.  Music from Tipitina’s, The Neville Brothers, Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, and all the way to Ruby’s Roadhouse, Preservation Hall, Banu Gibson, Fats Domino, the Blue Room, New Orleans Symphony, N.O. marching bands and street musicians had a deep, lasting, rich influence on my childhood.  I started to explore various styles... from jazz, blues, classical, gospel, country, bluegrass, cajun, zydeco, rock, and latin." 

                She attributes her mother, Dr. Gloria Coker, for enhancing her drive by having Audrey in instructional classes so she would properly develop her voice.  Audrey started dancing, singing, art classes, and acting around the age of 5.   She studied piano, clarinet, bass, guitar, and studied voice with Lucinda Harrington and Southeastern Louisiana University's Charmel Shrock.

...

Read More »

         Kim Bergeron, the City of Slidell’s Director of Cultural & Public Affairs, wants to encourage everyone to come to Olde Town over the weekend of November 6th to 8th to be a part of “Olde Towne Alive!”  For many years the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural and Public Affairs has presented “Arts Evening”. Well, this year it has decided to expand the festivities from one evening to three days and is presenting its “Special Whistle Stop Weekend Edition”.

          The Whistle Stop promotional efforts will tout November 6 - 8 as Slidell’s inaugural Whistle Stop Weekend. The City of Slidell is fortunate to be home to a beautifully restored train depot that is listed on the historic register. The depot houses a bar, grill, restaurant, and a coffee and beignet shop.  It's located on the fringe of the city's historic district, which has recently received Main Street and Certified Cultural Products District designations. On the backside of the depot is the city's beautiful Heritage Park, which features...

Read More »

 Covington’s Playmaker’s Theatre recently closed out its 2008-2009 season with the annual Alvin Awards, which were presented in many categories. Named after Alvin Bertel, these cherished awards are Playmaker Theatre’s version of the Oscars. Bertel donated the land and the dairy barn where the theatre is currently located.  The big winners were “Mousetrap” and the versatile actor John Caramba

 If you cannot get enough of television’s hit reality show, “Dancing with the Stars” you are in luck. Because on September 12th at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium local celebritieswill be competing in Slidell’s version of a show the public simply cannot get enough of.

A portion of the proceeds from this wonderful, exciting, fun-filled evening will be going towards Habitat for Humanity, The Pediatric Foundation of the Northshore and Slidell Little Theatre’s “The Next Stage” project. The event is being co-produced by Slidell Women’s Civic Club and Slidell Little Theatre. Two years ago the initial “Dancing with the Stars” was held and was a phenomenal success. The list of prominent dancers that will be showing off their fancy footwork include: Times-Picayune’s community news editor Carol Wolfram (who finished third in the first "Dancing with the Stars" gala), defending champion actress Mary DuBuisson, Representative Greg and Peggy Cromer, Dr. Stan Owen, artist Emile Henriquez and his wife Mary Ann, Marlene...

Read More »

 

How would you like to see one of the funniest Neil Simon plays and help the children on the northshore? Well, one theatre in the area is gearing up for a major fund-raising campaign while another theatre is putting the final touches on its gala season finale musical production.

 

Slidell Little Theatre is pleased to announce that it is kicking off its “ Children’s Theatre Fund-Raising Campaign” by presenting two special performances of the female version of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple”, on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st beginning at 8 pm at the theatre located on Nellie Drive. The hilarious comedy that recently was a mega-hit at Luke’s Brisket and Broadway stars two of the northshore’s most accomplished and versatile actresses Grace Marshall and Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest. The cast also features: Jennifer Baptiste, Katie Koeniger, Luzette Pecoraro, Julie Wood and special appearances by Scott Tramel and Stephen B. Cefalu. 

 

Slidell Little Theatre’s Fund-Raising campaign is headed by Christine Barnhill-Tramel, Allen Little, and Pat Macloud. Funds generated will be used to renovate the large storage shed located behind the theatre so that it can be used to expand the Children Theatre’s YAT’s program from 6 weeks to six months, and also give the theatre a space to do other productions that are not part of its regular slate of productions. Tickets for “The Odd Couple” are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling 985-641-0324.

...

Read More »

With summertime quickly approaching, many parents might be interested in enrolling their children in one of the area’s summer theatre programs. There are several to choose from that are available on the northshore.

The North Star's Summer Program will be held at the theatre at 345 Gerard Street in Old Mandeville. This year's camp is for students 7-17 and will be led by Lori Bennett and Shannon Collins.   The tuition is $450 and the camp will run from June 1 thru June 21. For information call (985) 624-5266.

CAST Talent and Theater Drama Camps and director Jennifer H. Patterson are pleased to announce their summer schedule starts off with “Emperor's Nightingale” (8-15 yrs)- June 1-12 12:30-5:30pm and "A Year with Frog and Toad" from July 27-Aug 6.

Then they will have “CAST's Lagniappe Summer Stock Stage”. This is a Broadway "boot camp" for serious actors, ages 12-18 years old who want to get the experience of training like a professional.

Then from May 15-17 at the Greater Covington Center. Children from St Tammany in Grades K-6th come together to perform the beloved Disney classic "Sleeping Beauty" from May 15-17. There will be auditions for the musical "Summer Stock Stage" for all actors and actresses ages 12-18.

...

Read More »

 

 How would you like to be a part of what some have called “the greatest private school in the South for the next generation of stars”? Then you need to contact The Actors Alliance.

 

 Because of the tremendous tax advantages that the state of Louisiana is offering film-makers,  this area of the country is being referred to as “Hollywood South”. There are many opportunities for budding actors and actresses to get their chance to act in front of the camera as well as behind-the-camera work.

        In the past, when actors were hired to work on a film production, they might or might not recognize other talent on the set. Most times they were isolated from the rest of the cast and crew because they didn't know anyone there. If they were extras, they were often herded into a holding area and only let out on occasion when the director needed them to provide "atmosphere."

      All this changed when professional actress and coach Veleka Gray founded her school, The Actors Alliance,...

Read More »

How would you like to have a great time, eat to your heart's content, dance the night away, and help the children in St. Tammany Parish? If you answered yes to those questions, then you need to circle Sunday, April 26th, 2009 in your calendar. That is when the Junior League of Greater Covington’s (JLGC) will be having its second annual fundraising gala to benefit the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany. It is from 6-10 pm at the Mandeville Castine Center.  The event themed “A Celebration of Pure Wonder” will feature a live and silent auction, a “diamond dig” and entertainment by Four Unplugged.  Edibles will be served from more than 40 participating restaurants including Acme Oyster House, Annadelle’s Plantation, Keith Young’s Steak House, Nuvolari’s, Sal & Judy’s and many more.  Tickets for “A Celebration of Pure Wonder” are $100 per person or $1200 for a reserved table of eight. And it's a tax deduction.