Pop-Up Lunches from Ki’ Mexico (Early 2014)
I’ve sung the praises of Ki’ Mexico on 20×49.com before, but this time around, I’m excited about more than the delicious “Mexican soul food” that this popular food vendor sells. When CoHab relocated to the Red River Entertainment District in downtown Shreveport, a commercial kitchen inside of the new location opened up a world of possibilities for small, food-oriented start-up businesses. Ki’ Mexico’s recent posts on Facebook have alluded that they’ll be serving food out of the Cookhouse at Cohab kitchen in the near future, presumably in the stye of a “pop-up” restaurant in downtown Shreveport.
If the Ki’ Mexico endeavor succeeds and other food entrepreneurs follow suit, the Cookhouse at Cohab program could deliver on its game-changing potential in 2014.
The Pine Leaf Boys at Mudbug Madness (May 23, 2014)
The last time I saw four-time Grammy Award nominees the Pine Leaf Boys perform live, their set involved more guys with mohawks than I’d ever seen onstage at a Cajun music event. There was also a “hype man” in a werewolf costume, lots of cans of Budweiser and a head-banging accordion player. The Pine Leaf Boys have made a name for themselves by performing traditional Cajun music, complete with vocals sung in Cajun French, but the frenetic energy that they bring to the stage sure feels like rock n’ roll.
These guys should shake things up in a fun way at this year’s Mudbug Madness Festival, where they’ll be among the headliners on Friday, May 23.
Wayne White at Unscene (July 12, 2014)
One of the most exciting recent developments in Shreveport-Bossier’s arts and culture scene has been the unleashing of UNSCENE!, a monthly series of day-long art events organized by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. UNSCENE! events all take place in the Shreveport Common area (the blocks immediately surrounding the Shreveport Regional Arts Council’s new home at 801 Crockett Street). The 2013 events, which included a massive photo paste-up called The Inside Out Project as well as events surrounding the biannual McNeill Street Pumping Station New Music Festival, were tremendously well-received.
Of the events currently slated for 2014, the July 12 installment of Unscene featuring cartoonist, illustrator and puppeteer Wayne White is sure to be a highlight. Among other career achievements, White has won three Emmys for designing the set for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, art directed music videos for The Smashing Pumpkins and Peter Gabriel, and built “the world’s largest George Jones puppet head.” His Shreveport event, which has been referred to as “The Puppet Parade,” should be hilarious, brilliant and fun. Watch the UNSCENE! website for more details or join the UNSCENE! Facebook community.
Part 2 of this post will be posted on Monday, Dec. 30. Pine Leaf Boys promotional photo by Greg Miles and used courtesy of the Pine Leaf Boys’ website.
