Magnolia LNG

FOX29/the Lake Charles CW

Union Pacific Foundation

Southwest Beverage

Deep South Productions

Parker Brand Creative

Tobacco Free Living

Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society

McDonald's of SWLA

IBERIABANK

Coca-Cola

Fusion Five

Knight Media Printing

Acadiana Profile Magazine

Tom Sawyer

Louisiana Lottery

First Federal Bank of LA

Beverage Sales

SpringHill Suites by Marriott

ASI Office Systems

Louisiana Solar Industry

The O'Carroll Group

LakeCharles.com

Thrive Magazine

Lake Charles Vapor

LCP

J&R Carriage

The Lab Design Group

Tipitina's Foundation

Botsky's Premium Hotdogs

MyPlace American Pub

Allstate - Dean Day

Empire of the Seed

Redfish Rentals

Digikast

Shearman Media

Automotive Alignment & Brake Service

Chesson Law Office

The Dev Department

Poetry Reading by Dr. Stella Nesanovich

Friday, Oct. 24, 7pm

Business Conference Center, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Award-winning poet Dr. Stella Nesanovich will give a free reading at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the Business Conference Center at McNeese State University. Nesanovich, professor emerita of English at McNeese, is an accomplished poet. She was a recipient of an artist fellowship from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She has published a full-length collection of poetry, "Vespers at Mount Angel: Poems," as well as four chapbooks, including "A Brightness That Made My Heart Tremble: Poems on the Life of Hildegard of Bingen," "My Mother's Breath," "My Father's Voice" and "Dance, O Heart, Double Round: Poems on Mechthild of Magdeburg." The reading is sponsored by McNeese's Honors College, the Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program and the Write to Excellence Center. For more information, contact Dr. Scott Goins at 337-475-5326.

Movies Under the Stars: The Lego Movie

Friday, Oct. 24, 7pm (dusk)

Prien Lake Park

3700 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

Free and open to the public, Movies Under the Stars will present a free screening of The Lego Movie on Fri. Oct. 24 at dusk. Seating is first come, first serve, and the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments. Food can also be purchased on-site. In the event of inclement weather, dates may be cancelled. Call 337-721-3515 for details.

MSU Bayou Players presents 4.48 Psychosis

Oct. 24-26

F.G. Bulber Auditorium, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Written by Sarah Kane, "4.48 Psychosis" is an exploration of love and death and what happens to a person's mind when the barriers which distinguish between reality and different forms of imagination completely disappear. This play invites the audience's interpretations and projections. "4.48 Psychosis" marks the first MSU Theatre Bayou Players studio production, a new series developed by Charles McNeely to produce more challenging, thought provoking work at McNeese. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, MSU faculty/staff, and children K-12, and free to MSU students. Call 337-475-5040 for details.

Macabaret

Oct. 24-26

Lake Charles Little Theatre

813 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles

A kooky and spooky journey into the macabre, Macabaret is a collection of humorous story-songs, which twist towards the morbid. Murderous spouses, horror films, evil cows, supermodels, the Andrew Sisters, and OJ Simpson are just a few of the things parodied by a "Corpse de Cabaret" of the undead. A great addition to your season of screams, this is a must see production! Visit www.thelclt.com for ticket info or call 337-433-7988.

Culture Fest

Saturday, Oct. 25

Lake Charles Civic Center

900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles

The 4th annual Culture Fest Louisiana is Saturday Oct 25, from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Come join us to experience the world right here in SWLA. You will find Flamenco dancers, Gypsys from India, Irish bagpipers, storytellers and a Blue Grass Band. Casa Latina will transport you from South America to the islands. There is no admission charge. Call 337-377-8248 or 337-409-9636 or email info@culturefestlouisiana.com for details.

Mickey Smith Concert

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2pm-5pm

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

4020 Hodges St., Lake Charles

Saxophonist Mickey Smith will give a free performance at the Jazz It Up concert on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 2-5pm. Concert is open to the public and includes food and children's activities. The concert is outdoors in the church quad. For details, call 337-477-6166 or visit www.standrewpres.com. 

Lake Charles Community Band Concert

Sunday, Oct. 26, 3pm

Prien Lake Park

3700 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

The Lake Charles Community Band's next concert will be held Oct. 26 at 3pm at the Prien Lake Park Pavilion. Bring your lawn chairs. There is no admission charge. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Lake Charles Civic Center 2nd floor mezzanine. Visit the Band's Facebook page for details.

Sax in the City

Sunday, Oct. 26, 7pm

Chateau du Calcasieu

932 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles

Mickey Smith's Sax in the City concert will be held Oct. 26. Tickets are $15 and are available at Swicegood Music and Bearden's Music. Ticket price includes hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Arts Council of SWLA.

Central School Spook House

Sunday, Oct. 26, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Central School Arts & Humanities Center

809 Kirby St., Lake Charles

Friends of Central School invites you to experience another side of local history by bringing the family to the Central School Arts and Humanities Center at 809 Kirby Street in Lake Charles on Sun., Oct. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Creepy characters, evil witches and mad scientists will lurk around every corner. Each child will receive a sweet treat and can enjoy getting their faces painted by the S.J. Welsh Art Club. Come dressed up in your Halloween best and join the fun! While there is no admission into the Central School Haunted House, donations to the Friends of Central School are welcome. Friends of Central School is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sustaining Central School as a historically and culturally significant structure. The organization was founded to support improvement efforts and projects for Central School.

Kelly Rowland Recital

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7:30pm

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

4020 Hodges St., Lake Charles

Kelly Rowland, mezzo soprano, will give a senior recital on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7:30pm. For details, call 337-477-6166.

Leisure Learning Classes

Accounting Fundamentals, 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Oct. 27, 29; and Microsoft Excel 2010, Level 4: Styles and Templates, 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Oct. 28, 30. They also provide online courses beginning October 15 on The Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search, Creating Web Pages, GRE Reviews, Medical Terminology, A to Z Grant Writing, and 300 more,  www.ed2go.com/mcneese. Call (337) 475-5616 to register. For course descriptions, prices, and registration forms, please visit www.mcneese.edu/leisure. 

Activities at the Children's Museum

327 Broad Street, Lake Charles

Fri., Oct. 24: Playdough, 3:30pm

Mon., Oct. 27: Wooden Photo Holders, 11am

Tonight: Nichole Marceaux & Twisted Fate, Mikko Live (Coushatta), 7pm; The Southern Goods Band, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 8pm; Tantric, Luna Live, 10pm; DJ Cage, Jack After Dark, 11pm

Friday: Travis Corbello/Dustin Landry, Loggerhead's, 7pm; Street Side Jazz Band, Luna Bar & Grill, 7pm; Vince Vance & the Valiants, Isle of Capri, 8pm; River Katz, Cooler's Ice House, 8pm; ISIS, Mikko Live (Coushatta), 9pm; Drivin' Dixie, Longhorn's, 9pm; Wayne Dylan, Cigar Club, 9pm; BB & Company, Gator Lounge (Delta Downs), 9pm; New Orleans Suspects, Luna Live, 10pm

Sunday: Street Side Jazz Band, Luna Bar & Grill, 11am

Tuesday: DJ Verrett, Jack After Dark, 8pm

Wednesday: DJ David Verrett, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 7pm; Kory Fontenot, Cigar Club, 8pm

Downtown at Sundown

Thursday, Oct. 30, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Amerisafe Pavilion

120 N. Washington Ave., DeRidder

The City of DeRidder and DeRidder Main Street will host Downtown at Sundown on Thursday, October 30th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Amerisafe Pavilion. Free live music will be performed by the LA Sideman Band.  Free hamburgers and chips, drinks will be sold for $1. During Downtown at Sundown the Pumpkin Glow will feature free games and activities for children of all ages. Children are encouraged to bring carved or decorated pumpkins to compete in the pumpkin contest. For more information please contact City Hall at (337) 462-8900. 

Louisiana Women: Bound

Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Nov. 7-9, times vary

Benjamin W. Mount Auditorium, Central School

809 Kirby St., Lake Charles

Itinerant Theatre (IT) brings to the Lake Area Louisiana Women: Bound, three one-woman plays from the 13-play cycle Louisiana Women by Carolyn Woosley. Two of the three one-woman plays, Eliza and Rachel, are world premiers. All three - Eliza, Rachel and Marie Thereze -- explore and reflect events and issues of her day as she experienced them. Dates and times are:  7:00pm October 30 - November 1 and November 7 - 8, and one Sunday matinee, 2:00pm November 9. All performances are in the Benjamin Mount Auditorium of Central School Arts & Humanities Center, SWLA. There will be no late entries. There are two ten-minute intermissions. Purchase tickets ($15 or $10 students) at www.itineranttheatre.com, call (337) 436-6275 or at the door.

On The Wall: First Page Contest - Deadline: Nov. 1, 2014

Bayou Writers Group is currently accepting submissions for On The Wall writing contest. Writers may submit the first page of a short story or novel which will be posted at the Bridge to Publication Conference. Conference attendees will vote for their favorite entry during the event. The submission receiving the most votes will win free admission to the 2015 conference along with other prizes. Submissions must be the author's own work and have no more than 250 words. Only those who have registered for the conference may submit and only the first 20 correctly formatted submissions will be accepted. There is no fee to enter. To submit or for more information, email tpreje3@gmail.com.

Tennessee Williams Literary Festival Contest - Deadline: Nov. 1, 2014

The Festival's One-Act Contest and Fiction Contest have nurtured writers at the start of their careers - and helped them move on to further publications, book deals, and in one case, a Pulitzer Prize. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your work and win fabulous prizes. Prizes include $1,500 for each contest winner, publication, public readings, VIP-All Access passes, and more! One-Act Play Contest deadline: November 1, 2014; Fiction Contest deadline: November 16, 2014. Visit www.tennesseewilliams.net for details.

Thrive 2015 Art Calendar Call for Submissions - Deadline: Nov. 7, 2014

Thrive Magazine and the Arts Council of SWLA are accepting submissions from local artists to be showcased in Thrive's 2015 art calendar. Thirteen artists will be featured, one per month, along with a write up about the piece and artist. The calendar will be inserted into the January 2015 issue and an extra 5,000 issues will be distributed throughout Southwest Louisiana. Finalist submissions will be posted on Facebook, and the public will vote for the winning 13 artists. Email submissions with descriptions of entry and artist with a photo of the artist to edit@thriveswla.com. Limit three submissions per artist.

Percent for Art Program - Deadline: Nov. 12, 2014

The Percent for Art Program is seeking artists or artist teams to design and implement nine (9) site-specific sculptures or installations of original design for the University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans. The artwork may be subject to direct sunlight (UV radiation) and must be unique, permanent, and require very minimal long-term maintenance. Specifics for each of the commissions are included in this document with budgets for each. More detailed specifications will be given to artists selected to develop a proposal. Each commission will be considered separately. All images must be submitted electronically through the Call For Entries (CAF�) system available online at www.callforentry.org. Please direct questions about the Percent for Art Program or this project to D�na LaFonta, Director of Artist Services and the Percent for Art Program at 225-342-8176 or dlafonta@crt.la.gov

Surreal Salon 7 Call for Artists - Deadline: Nov. 13, 2014

Baton Rouge Gallery - center for contemporary art is proud to announce it is now accepting submissions for Surreal Salon 7, a national juried exhibition of pop-surrealist and lowbrow art from across America. The work selected by the exhibition's juror as "Best in Show" for Surreal Salon 7 will be prominently featured in an editorial on the exhibition that will be seen by millions the world over in an upcoming issue of Juxtapoz Magazine. The artist's work will appear (with title and medium listed) and will be recognized as "Best in Show" for Surreal Salon 7. For details, email jandreasen@batonrougegallery.org or call 225-383-1470. To view submission guidelines, visit http://www.batonrougegallery.org/surreal-salon/ 

Art Associates Gallery Call for Exhibit Proposals - Deadline: Jan. 1, 2015

Art Associates of Lake Charles is currently accepting proposals for exhibits to hang in their gallery space located at Central School. All artists working in 2D and 3D work are accepted. A panel composed of representatives from Art Associates of Lake Charles, the Arts Council of SWLA, and the McNeese Visual Arts Department will review submissions. Gallery space is free of charge and the artist receives 100% of sales provided that the individual/organization furnishes delivery and installation of work as well as breakdown and removal of work. A $100 deposit will be required and held until the state of the gallery after the removal of the exhibit is approved. To submit work, contact the Arts Council office at 337-439-2787,

George Rodrigue Foundation Call for Student Art - Deadline: Feb. 12, 2015

The George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation are seeking student artwork for their 2015 art contest. Applicants are invited to explore Louisiana's rich musical heritage. All juniors and seniors in Louisiana are eligible for entry in the GRFA Art Contest. No test score, grade point average or college major requirement is necessary for enter. The contest is open to all juniors and seniors attending public and private schools, home schooled students, and GED students. The winning artist will have the opportunity to collaborate with the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts team to design a special poster to be sold at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's free festivals including the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, the Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival, Congo Square Rhythms Festival, and Fiesta Latina. For details, visit www.rodriguefoundation.org. 

Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Contest - Deadline: March 6, 2015

The Festival, along with Cultural Partner Associated Louisiana Artists Gallery by the Lake, is looking for a few good artists to help celebrate this grand occasion by entering original art work to be possibly chosen as the official 2015 Festival Poster. All entries must be original and conceived by the artist. No copyrighted work, in whole or part, will be accepted.  No enhanced digital images will be accepted. Only the lettering of the poster may be digitally done.  All artwork applications must include the artist's name, address, phone number and email.  Entries will be accepted Tuesday, March 3rd to Friday, March 6th between 12 and 5 pm at the Gallery by the Lake, 106 West Pryce Street, Lake Charles. For applications, visit www.downtowncrawfest.com or the Gallery by the Lake at 106 West Pryce Street. The winning poster will be unveiled at the Press Conference in early April. All entries will also be on display during the SWLA ArtWalk at the Gallery by the Lake for all attendees to see. For more information, call 337-478-9405.

Louisiana Theatre Festival Accepting Registrations

The Louisiana Theatre Festival will take place on Saturday, Nov, 8, 2014, at Central School in Lake Charles. Children in grades 6-12 are welcome to register. Visit www.ltf.cc or call 337-377-2571 to register.

Louisiana Artist Roster Accepting Listings

The Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of the Arts will support a Louisiana Artist Roster as mechanism to promote performing and visual artists. The purpose of the roster is to support Louisiana artists who want to tour and exhibit statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally. It will be used to promote Louisiana's artists at upcoming local, regional and national events, and other conferences and opportunities throughout the year as they arise. The Louisiana Artist Roster is a listing of Louisiana artists that have professional experience with shows, exhibits, or performances of all genres who are tour-ready and available for statewide, regional, national or international bookings, exhibitions and special events. Artists must complete the online application and will be selected for the roster through a peer review process. Review the guidelines at http://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/arts/louisiana-artist-roster/index. 

Creative Arts Center Available for Lessons & Workshops

Associated Louisiana Artists announces that its Creative Arts Center is available to non-member artists and teachers to conduct lessons and workshops. The CAC is an extension of the Gallery by the Lake at 106 W. Pryce St. It is a specialized teaching center with work tables, audio/visual equipment and an overhead mirror to show tabletop work. Arrangements can be made by calling 436-1008 during gallery hours, noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. An answering machine will take messages during other hours.

Associated Louisiana Artist's On-Going Art Classes

Join at any time! Professional teachers in watercolors and oils with easel-side individual instruction. Come and enjoy the fellowship and fun in a state of the art facility. All levels of learning are invited. Prices range from $30 to $50 a month. Call 337-478-1008 between 12 and 5 pm Tuesday through Friday, email info@gallerybythelake.com or just come by and visit at 106 W. Pryce Street, in downtown Lake Charles. 

Dewey Fine Art Announces Morning Art Classes

Watercolor classes available for beginning and intermediate adult students, the group classes allow for an individually guided pace, while choosing their own subject matter. Covering the basic drawing and perspective techniques in a fun, relaxing environment. Call 337-477-0124 for details.

Adult Guitar Classes Open Enrollment

Tina Wing will teach a McNeese Adult Guitar class starting every Tuesday from 7:30 - 8:30PM. Call 337-475-5616 to enroll.

Theatre Training Registration Open for Children

A wide variety of workshops are available including Stageworks, and Creative Dramatics. Call 337-433-7323 or visit www.childrenstheatre.cc for details.

Lake Charles Community Band Open to New Members

The Lake Charles Community Band is welcoming new members. All instruments are needed. Practices are on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 at the Lake Charles Boston Academy Choir Room. Please contact Denise at 625-5330 for more information.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Seeking Art and Craft Vendors

The Festival is accepting vendor applications from artists and craftspeople. The festival will once again showcase three unique craft areas: Congo Square African Marketplace, Contemporary Crafts, and Louisiana Marketplace. To apply, visit www.nojazzfest.com. Application fee is $30 and the deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2014. Festival dates are April 24 through May 3, 2015. For details, call 504-410-4100.

La Cuisine de Beauregard Seeking Chefs

The date for the 6th Annual La Cuisine de Beauregard has been set for November 8th, 2014. Chefs are currently being solicited for the cook-off. Each chef will prepare a different dish and will be judged according to taste and presentation of their booth. If you are interested in the competing in the cook-off or would like more information please call Misty Clanton or Ashley Rush at (337) 462-8900.

Area Farmers Market Seeking Art Vendors

The Charlestown Farmers Market and the Cash & Carry Farmers Markers are seeking art vendors. The Charlestown Farmers Market takes place each Saturday from 8AM - 12Noon on Bilbo Street behind Historic City Hall. Visit www.cityoflakecharles.com for details. The Cash & Carry Farmers Market features local art and hand-crafted items on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4pm-6pm at 801 Enterprise Blvd in Lake Charles. Visit www.cashandcarryfarmersmarket.com for vendor application.

Artists Engaging in Social Change Grant - Deadline: Nov. 12, 2014

The Surdna Foundation is now accepting proposals for one- or two-year support to extraordinary artist-driven projects as part of its Artists Engaging in Social Change funding area. All artistic disciplines will be considered, including cross-disciplinary work. The request for proposal (RFP) is open to both 501(c)(3) organizations and individual artists and culture bearers, but artists and collectives that are not incorporated as 501(c)(3)s must apply under a fiscal sponsor. Visit http://www.surdna.org/rfp/ for details.

Free Swim Soup Now Accepting Proposals for Microgrants

Free Swim SOUP is now accepting ideas for its next SOUP, a community dinner celebrating creative projects in Southwest Louisiana. Four ideas will be presented ranging from art, urban agriculture, social justice, social entrepreneurship, education, technology, etc. Each presenter has fifteen minutes to share his or her idea and then field questions from the diners. Anyone in the Lake Charles community, as well as the Five Parish Area, is eligible to submit a proposal. If you have an idea for a community-minded project, or your business, non-profit, club, or organization requires monetary assistance to realize a goal, Free Swim SOUP can help provide funding with microgrants from $50 up to $1000 (depending on attendance and donation amounts).

New Orleans Theatre Association - Grant Applications Accepted Quarterly

Grants are available for any arts-related endeavors, but are particularly aimed at schools and educational institutes that are active in the performing arts, including music, drama, and dance, as well as related areas such as acting, directing, writing, and producing. Most grants will fall in the range of $500 to $5,000 but other amounts are available and there is no preset maximum amount. More information and a grant application form are available at www.neworleanstheatreassociation.com. 

New England Foundation for the Arts

The New England Foundation for the Arts is accepting proposals for its Native American Artists Exchange Program, which supports an exchange of ideas between two Native American artists from different regions. Visit http://www.nefa.org/grants_programs/grants/national_native_artist_exchange_grant to learn more.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts Office of Research and Analysis is accepting applications for Research: Art Works, which supports research that investigates the value of the US arts ecosystem and the impact of the arts on other domains of American Life. Visit http://arts.gov/grants-organizations/research-art-works to learn more.

Pollination Project

The Pollination Project invites applications from social entrepreneurs for seed grants of up to $1,000, which will be awarded to individuals for projects in the early stages of development that promote compassion toward all life, justice, community health and wellness, and social change-oriented arts and culture. Visit http://thepollinationproject.org/applicantinformatio/funding-guidelines/ to learn more.