ST. TAMMANY ARTS COMMISSION:
ARTS & CULTURAL EVENTS
April 21-27, 2006, UPDATE.

ST. TAMMANY ARTS COMMISSION PRESENTS DECENTRALIZED ARTS FUNDING GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS. Saturday, April 22, 10am Slidell Art League Gallery, 1827 Front St., Slidell and Monday, April 24, at 6pm Parish Council Chambers, 21490 Koop Dr., Mandeville. For guidelines and applications please visit www.stpgov.org/arts and click on the “Grants” button. Call 985-898-5243.

VISUAL ARTS…

4TH ANNUAL OZONE FILM FESTIVAL. Downtown Covington.  Short films feature films & documentaries will be presented. Workshops with film professionals will be held daily and music concerts will close each day of the festival. Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23. Visit www.ozonefilmfest.com for details.  

ARTS & FRAMES GALLERY PRESENTS MARY MONK. 503 N. Columbia St., Downtown Covington. Also showing new work by Lori Seals & Pottery by Denise Austin. Free. Gallery hours Tues – Sat 10-4pm. Call 985-867-9080.

MD IMAGING WILL BE HOSTING A SHOW FOR SLIDELL ART LEAGUE at their facilities at 1495 Gause Blvd., Slidell.  The public is welcome to view the show during work hours; weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Exhibit through May 12. Free. Call 985-641-0961.

MO’S ART SUPPLY & FRAMING PRESENTS MARCIE GOTTSCHALCK. 323 N. Columbia St., Covington. Marcie’s paintings combine a taught graphic style full of intense color and pattern with a poignant emotional content.  Marcie is a self-taught artist from Goodbee, Louisiana, who is collected both nationally & internationally.  Her work will be on exhibit at Mo’s through the spring.  Call 985-809-6854.

FT. ISABEL GALLERY.  502 N. Columbia St., Covington. Featuring Multimedia Artist, Lynda Thurlow. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 10am - 4pm. Call 985-892-1841.

CITY OF MANDEVILLE: APRIL ARTISTS OF THE MONTH. Mandeville City Hall. 3101 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville. Under the guidance of teacher T.A. Callahan, the Talented Art students at Mandeville Junior High will be exhibiting their new work. This exhibit, sponsored by Mayor Price and the City Council is free and open to the public from 9am to 4:30pm. For more information contact Nancy Clark 985-626-3144.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS CHURCH: APRIL ARTIST OF THE MONTH.  28662 Krentel Road, Lacombe. Artwork by Priscilla Betz. Free. Call 985-882-7169 for more information.

MUSIC…

ABITA SPRINGS OPRY. Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161 Level St. Saturday, April 22, 7pm. Louisiana roots music performed in an acoustic setting. Reserved Seats/$10, Walk ins/$7 Call 985-892-2342 or visit www.abitaopry.com 

CITY OF SLIDELL PRESENTS BAYOU JAM CONCERT. Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane. Sunday, April 23. Featuring Right On Limited. 5-7pm. Free. Bring your chairs, blankets, and ice chests Call 985-646-4375 or visit www.slidell.la.us         

CITY OF COVINGTON PRESENTS SUNSET AT THE LANDING CONCERT. Columbia St. Landing, Downtown Covington. Friday, April 21. Featuring the music of Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz. 6-8pm. Free. Call 985-892-1873 or visit www.covla.com 

THEATRE…

SKYFIRE THEATRE PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH CHRIS ROSE. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington. A staged reading of stories from his new book, 1 Dead in the Attic. Friday, April 21 & Saturday, April 22 8:30pm. Sunday, April 23 3:30pm. Admission $25. Call 985-875-7577 or visit www.skyfire.tv 

MINACAPELLI'S DINNER PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS NEIL SIMON'S "THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL". 1540 Lindberg Dr., Slidell. Fridays & Saturdays, April 21, 22, 28, 29 & May 5 at 6:30. Sunday, April 30 at 1:30. $35 includes play and dinner. Call 985-781-6565 or visit www.minacapellis.com

LIBRARY PROJECTS & EVENTS…

STORYTIME SCHEDULE AT THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH LIBRARY. Story time at the St. Tammany Parish Libraries introduces the child to the best in children's literature. Story times include nursery rhymes, poetry, finger plays and songs. For more information, contact your branch library or the Children's Services office at 985-893-6280 ext. 112.

ASTONISHING AFTERNOONS AT THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH LIBRARY. A series of literature-based programs incorporating storytelling, interesting and fun factual information, and a literature-themed craft. There is no registration required. Free admission. Call 985-893-6280 ext 112 or visit www.sttammany.lib.la.us/kidsafterschoolprograms.html

APRIL 22 IS EARTH DAY and several libraries will celebrate with books, poetry and crafts about environmental awareness and recycling. Join us on Friday, April 21 at 4:30 at the Folsom Branch Library (796-9728); and Saturday, April 22, at 2:00 at the Mandeville Branch Library 985-626-4293.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & MARKETS …

HOSPICE FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTH PRESENTS 3RD ANNUAL CRAWFISH COOK-OFF. Fritchie Park, Slidell. Saturday, April 22. 40+ teams compete for the title of St. Tammany’s Tastiest Crawfish Chefs! Music by The Top Cats 11:30am, Four Unplugged 3pm. Crawfish served until 5pm. Tickets: In advance $20, At the Gate $25, Children under 12 free.  Call 985-643-5470.

MANDEVILLE TRAILHEAD COMMUNITY MARKET. Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St. Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Community market featuring everything hand made or home grown. Call 985-624-3147.

COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET. Side lawn, Covington City Hall, 609 N. Columbia St. Rain or shine. Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Cooking Demo: Farmers Market staff will prepare Venison Sausage provided by Honey vendor John Meyers, with French Bread from Windfield Farm, beginning at 10 a.m. Music: The Bluesman Hank Cox, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Call 985-892-1873 for more information.

LOOKING FOR ARTISTS…

PLAYMAKERS INVITES YOU TO TELL THE ACTORS TO TAKE 5! Saturday, April 22.  Playmakers' set crew for our next production of "Barefoot in the Park" is looking for a few more helpers. We need help building, painting and dressing the set. Just bring yourself and a friend for as little as two hours and you'll receive a complimentary ticket to see the show. High school students can earn volunteer service hours (check with your adviser) for your efforts. Contact Shawn Patterson for more information. Call 985-264-1397 or email bardlyre@hotmail.com

PLAYMAKERS WILL HOLD AUDITIONS THIS WEEKEND FOR "OLIVER!"

a musical based on the novel by Charles Dickens.  Book and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Directed by Lynn and Randy Perkins. Auditions:  Friday, April 21, 6-8pm and Saturday, April 22, 10am-12noon. First time auditioning for a show? Just be bring a short song (1-2 verses) to sing and be ready to read aloud from the script. Kids, families, adults are all welcome. On-stage and back-stage talent are needed. Visit us at www.playmakersinc.com  or call 985-893-1671

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers presents Kids Reconstruct with Creativity, an exhibition, publication and online gallery of artwork and writing to showcase the authentic voices of America’s youth in response to the events surrounding hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. As a national organization with a presence in communities across the country, the Alliance can let the world hear the unfiltered voice of youth capturing their hurricane experiences—their stories on loss, dislocation and, ultimately, healing, reconstruction and recovery. The Alliance seeks submissions of artwork and writing in response to the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005 to be considered for inclusion in the project from students in: Grades Kindergarten through Twelve; Public, Private, Parochial Schools and Home Schools; and Youth Development, Arts, Education and Community Organizations.

Students can be located across America, directly affected by the hurricanes or reacting to the events surrounding these events and reconstruction.

Not all of the work submitted to Kids Reconstruct with Creativity will be selected for the final exhibitions, publication or online gallery.  The work submitted will not be "judged", but rather "curated" to share the diverse journeys to recovery and reconstruction. For instructions on how to submit student artwork and writing, download a submission form. Works must be submitted as electronic files by April 21, 2006. For more information about Kids Reconstruct with Creativity, contact Alex Tapnio, Manager, NYC and National Programs, Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, at 212-343-7613 or email A&Woutreach@scholastic.com.

41ST ANNUAL JURIED ARTISTS EXHIBITION, THE “SUMMER SHOW”. St. Tammany Art Association is issuing a Call For Art. 35mm slides of work accepted. Artists may submit up to 3 works. STAA will award a top prize of $1,000 for Best in Show, and other cash and merit awards will be presented.  All slides, fees, and SASE must be delivered to STAA by 4:00 pm on Friday, April 28, 2006. For more information and to download a prospectus visit  http://www.sttammanyart.org/41st%20Summer%20Show.pdf

CALL FOR STAA MEMBERS’ ART. The St. Tammany Art Association began accepting artwork on March 8th for the new Members’ Gallery.  STAA’s goal is to promote its artists, boost interest and participation, and increase revenue for the Art Association.  Any STAA member may submit artwork at any time, as the Members’ Gallery will display member artwork on an ongoing basis. Call 985-892-8650 or visit www.sttammanyart.org.

3rd ANNUAL MULTI-MEDIA JURIED ART COMPETITION:   Forum 35, will host the The Art Melt: A Fusion of Art, Jazz & Forum 35, a juried art show.  They are currently seeking original artwork submissions from artists, 18+, residing in Louisiana or are displaced by hurricanes Katrina or Rita but plan to return to Louisiana. All selected artwork will be on display and available for purchase. The Art Melt Event will take place on Friday July 14th with a preview gala organized by the Community Fund for the Arts taking place on Thursday July 13th. The show will remain up for 1 week in the Brunner Gallery. Prizes will be awarded for 1st place ($2000); 2nd place ($1000); and 3rd place ($500). There will also be an editor’s choice award, chosen by the editors of Country Roads Magazine, for inclusion in a cover story. Deadline for art submission is Wednesday, May 31st.   Call Ashley Stokes at 225-281-2032, e-mail astokes@lsu.edu or log onto: www.forum35.org  or www.artmelt.org

CLASSES, TRAINING, WEB LINKS, ETC…

SLIDELL ART LEAGUE  PRESENTS PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ART. 1827 Front St., Slidell. Saturday, April 22. 10am-2pm. Workshop for members & non members.  Instructor Mike Sullivan. Bring a camera & an art object that may be hard to photograph. Free for members, and $10 for participants. Call 985-847-9458.

ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MUDBUGS AFTER-SCHOOL. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington. Wednesdays, April 12,19, 26 & May 3. Contact stassn@bellsouth.net  or call  985-892-8650.

ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS POTTERY & SCULPTURE CLASS BY BERNARD MATTOX. All experience levels. $70 members/$85 non-members + $30 for materials & firing. Contact lynh@charter.net or call 985-893-0215.

ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MUDBUGS ON SATURDAYS. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington. April 15, 22, 29, & May 6.  Pottery & sculpture class by instructor Bernard Mattox.  All experience levels. $80 members/$85 non-members + $30 for materials & firing. Contact lynh@charter.net or call 985- 893-0215.

SLIDELL CULTURAL CENTER OFFERING "ART IS LIFE" PINS: For a $10 donation (or more) you can have a Support the Arts collectible pin.  Proceeds are dedicated to restoring and rebuilding the Slidell Cultural Center and the return of art exhibits and cultural events throughout the year. The pins can be picked up at the Slidell Art League Gallery, on the second floor of the historic Slidell Train Depot, 1827 Front Street. Call 985-646-4375 for more information.

STONE AND PAPER ART CENTER STUDIO CLASSES: 500 Girod St. Mandeville. Classes are currently being offered in acrylic and oil painting, potter’s wheel, drawing, papermaking and more for teens, children and adults. Sessions: April 3 – May 20. Catalog available. Call 985-674-9232 or visit www.stoneandpaper.com

THE LOUISIANA CULTURAL ECONOMY FOUNDATION supports Louisiana's cultural industries. The Foundation now has relief grants available to fund losses sustained as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Guidelines and applications are available at www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/grants.  The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism's newly expanded Cultural Assets Rescue web site can be seen at www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets

BRAVO!  SLIDELL’S CULTURAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS, AVAILABLE ONLINE. Find the current edition by visiting the city's website at www.slidell.la.us   and clicking the "Bravo" button toward the bottom of the left hand column.