Photo notes: Musician 2nd Class Travis Stanley, assigned to U.S. Navy Band Southwest, performs a saxophone solo during a concert for the residents of the Kearny Mesa Convalescent Hospital. U.S. Navy Band Southwest is one of the Navy’s oldest continuing musical organizations and serves as the musical ambassador for Navy Region Southwest. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro/Released)
Shreveport-Bossier will host Navy Week, a series of events conducted by the United States Navy, from Monday, April 27 through Sunday, May 3. Included among an absolutely huge schedule of events, ranging from educational programs in area schools to community outreach projects, are several free, public opportunities to enjoy performances by the 44-member Navy Band Southwest or smaller specialty bands. In two instances, these events also include performances by the Leapfrogs Navy Parachute Team. Organizers of these concerts contacted 20×49.com and asked for our assistance in spreading the word about their performances in Shreveport-Bossier, and we are more than happy to oblige.
The Shreveport-Bossier Navy Week is one of 12 Navy Weeks the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) is hosting in 2015.
Here’s the schedule of free, public events and performances:

Navy Day at Bossier Parish Community College (6220 E Texas St), Tues., Apr. 28, 9:15 – 10:45 am – Rear Admiral Keith Jones will meet with local military veterans in the Chancellor’s conference room. Event is open to all area military veterans – no formal invitation required. Rear Admiral Jones, the veterans and students will then watch the Leapfrogs Navy Parachute Team jump into the field in front of the college along E. Texas Street at 10:15 am. Following the jump, students and veterans will have an opportunity to interact with the Leapfrogs, all of whom are Navy Seals.
Navy Night at Airline High School (2801 Airline Dr), Tues., Apr. 28, 7-9 pm – This exciting evening will feature a jump by the Leapfrogs; remarks by Mayor Ollie Tyler, Mayor Lorenz Walker, and Rear Admiral Keith Jones; presentation of a joint Navy Week proclamation; a new recruit swearing-in ceremony and a performance by Navy Band Southwest. Guest of honor will be 91-year old Mary Burns Melson, a local World War II Navy WAVES veteran.
32nd Street Brass Band performance at “Free Fridays Under the Bridge” (450 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport), Fri., May 1, 5-7 pm
Destroyers Rock Band performance at the Louisiana Boardwalk Stage (540 Boardwalk Blvd, Bossier City), Fri., May 1, 6-8 pm
32nd Street Brass Band performance at the Louisiana Boardwalk Stage, Sat., May 2, 2-4 pm
Destroyers Rock Band performances at Barksdale Air Force Base Air Show (Barksdale Air Force Base), Sat., May 2 & Sun., May 3, 9-11:30 am