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

Gallery Promenade, the Arts Council of SWLA's annual gallery and museum showcase, returns on Friday, September 26th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and this year, dozens of galleries and art spaces from across Lake Charles and Sulphur will open their doors for an extensive and cooperative art walk that features the area's current exhibits and local artists.

Participating venues include: Henning Cultural Center, Art Associates Gallery, Black Heritage Festival Gallery, 1911 Historic City Hall, MSU Visual Arts Grand Gallery, Stellar Beans, The Children's Museum, The Frame House Gallery, TC Imaging, Arts' Desire, Central School, Pint House Pizza, The Art Shop, Before I Die Installation, Pujo Street Caf�, Gallery By the Lake, Itinerant Theatre, Haute Couture Salon, Empire of the Seed/Calcasieu Marine Bank Building.

New to this year's event is Venue Bingo which includes prizes for those who complete their bingo card the night of Gallery Promenade. Event maps will include bingo cards that list specific venues, and those who get their bingo card stamped at the listed venues will be entered into a chance to win gift cards and free dinners donated by Gallery Promenade shops and restaurants. Maps will be available the day of Gallery Promenade at all participating venues, and maps will show which venues will be drop off points to submit the bingo cards.

Gallery Promenade is a celebratory event that encourages the public to travel from gallery to gallery for a comprehensive and interactive experience of the diversity of Southwest Louisiana's art and the many artists and art spaces that are further developing the region's cultural economy. For details, call 337-439-2787.

Fundraiser & Silent Auction for Culture Fest

Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm

Central School, 2nd Floor

809 Kirby St., Lake Charles

The silent auction and fundraiser for Culture Fest will be at Central School from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. There will be good food, toe-tapping music and friendly people, not to mention the wonderful auction items and the prize for the person who brings the most people. Culture Fest is asking for a $20 or more donation to help continue to keep Culture Fest a free festival. For details, email Pat Kelty at patriciakelty@yahoo.com.

Poetry Reading by John Poch

Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30pm

Burton Conference Center, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

The McNeese MFA Program presents the Leo Luke Marcello Visiting Poet series on Saturday with a free poetry reading by poet and critic John Poch. Poch is the author of six collections of poems and has received the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Prize, the Colgate Creative Writing Fellowship, and the Nation/Discovery Prize. Poch holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas. He now teaches in the creative writing program at Texas Tech University. Visit http://mcneesemfa.blogspot.com/ for details.

Steel Magnolias

Sept. 27-28, Oct. 3-5, times vary

Strand Theatre

432 N. Main St., Jennings

A Block Off Broadway presents Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. It will be directed by Glenetta Shuey, and this presentation of Steel Magnolias will be dedicated to the memory of Peggy Oustalet, who played Claree in a past production of the play. Tickets can be purchased by calling 337-821-5509.

Legally Blonde: The Musical

Sept. 27, Oct. 3-4 & 10-12, times vary

ACTS Theatre

1 Reid Street, Lake Charles

Buy tickets at www.actstheatre.com 

Tickets are now on sale for ACTS Theatre's newest production, Legally Blonde: The Musical, a musical comedy based on the book by Heather Hach. The production, directed by Damien Thibodeaux, features ACTS regular performers as well as newcomers. The show will open Sat., Sept. 27 at 7:30pm. Other performances and times are as follows: Fri., Oct. 3 and Sat., Oct. 4, both at 7:30pm; Fri., Oct. 10 and Sat., Oct. 11, both at 7:30pm. There will be a Sunday matinee performance on Oct. 12 at 3pm. All performances are held at ACTS Theatre, located at 1 Reid Street in Lake Charles. Tickets may be purchased at www.actstheatre.com or by calling 337-433-ACTS. Ticket outlets where vouchers for tickets may be purchased are Moss Bluff Flower & Gift, Lakeshore Medic Pharmacy, and the Civic Center box office. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students with a valid ID.

Calca-Chew Food Festival

Sunday, Sept. 28, 7am-3pm

St. Margaret Family Center

1103 17th St., Lake Charles

Anyone who likes to eat, dance, and have fun will enjoy this festival. Calca-Chew Food Festival is an alcohol free festival centered around our French Heritage. Everything about the festival is designed to keep this heritage alive. Foods like Boudin, Etouffee, Jambalaya, and Fried Fish keep everyone taste buds a full alert. Our live auction and silent auction add an extra dimension to the festivities. There will be over 100 silent auction items so there is something for everyone. The children have their own area to play their games and eat their food. Everyone needs to come & pass a good time. Festival hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., and admission is free.  For more information, call the church office at (337) 439-4585.

Auditions for Love, Loss and What I Wore

Sunday, Sept. 28, 3pm & Monday, Sept. 29, 6pm

ACTS Theatre

1 Reid St., Lake Charles

ACTS Theatre will hold auditions for Love, Loss and What I Wore on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3pm and Monday, Sept. 29 at 6pm. Based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, Love, Loss and What I Wore is a play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and memories crafted by Nora and Delia Ephron. The production will be directed by Kristina Webster. The cast is all women; there are speaking roles for a minimum of five women of all ages, plus a non-speaking stagehand role. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to register. Auditions will be held at ACTS Theatre, located at 1 Reid Street. For details, call 337-433-ACTS.

SAGE Series: Louisiana Cowboys

Monday, Sept. 29, 3pm

Business Conference Center, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Bill Jones will present a lecture on the story of the cowboys who drove cattle across bayous, marshes, and rivers through the vast grassland prairies and marshes of south Louisiana. An attorney and former Louisiana state senator, Bill Jones participated in the family business of ranching and learned to cowboy at an early age. Following college, he worked for two years in the cattle business then attended law school at LSU. Despite his other business pursuits, Jones never quit cowboying, having worked cattle from the Louisiana marshes to the rolling plains of Texas and the Rocky Mountains. He lives in Ruston, Louisiana. Price for the SAGE Series is $55. For details, visit www.mcneese.edu/leisure or call 337-475-5616.

Our Town

Oct. 1-5

Shearman Fine Arts Performing Arts Theatre, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

The McNeese Theatre Bayou Players begins its season of the "Past, Present and Future" with Thornton Wilder's definitive version of his classic American play, "Our Town," to celebrate MSU's 75th anniversary. The play explores the universal human experience of life, love, marriage, death, and a tendency to overlook these things that turn out to be most special to one's life. Charles McNeely directs this production with a vision of "wiping the dust off" this play by showing how the story, characters, and themes are connected to today's lives. 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.

Activities at the Children's Museum

327 Broad Street, Lake Charles

Fri., Sept. 26: Playdough, 3:30pm

Leisure Learning Classes

Beginning Guitar, Tuesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, 7:30pm to 8:30pm; Getting Started sewing II, Sat., Sept. 27, 9:30am to 11:30am; Beginning Adobe Photoshop, Wed., Oct. 1, 6pm to 9pm and Sat., Oct. 4, 8am to 12pm; Elfy's Shah's Indian Delights, Tues., Oct. 7, 6pm to 8pm; Introduction to Feng Shui, Tues., Oct. 7, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. For more information, email leisurelearning@mcneese.edu or call 475-5616 or visit www.mcneese.edu/leisure 

Tonight: The Will Wesley Band, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 8pm

Friday: David St. Romain, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 8pm; Joe Harmon & the Harmonics, Gator Lounge (Delta Downs), 9pm; Dirt Road, Center Stage, 9pm; Earphunk, Luna Live, 10pm

Saturday: Jeff Brown, Stellar Beans, 7pm; The Kadillacs, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 8pm; Jesse Rauser/Kim Janes/Josh Zerangue, Paradise Daiquiris, 8pm; The Von Dukes/God's Forgotten, MyPlace, 9pm; Vection, Center Stage, 9pm

Sunday: Mike Richard & Steppin Out, Loggerhead's, 7pm

Wednesday: DJ Verrett, Caribbean Cove (Isle of Capri), 7pm

Chuck Fest

Saturday, Oct. 4, 12pm-12am

Downtown Lake Charles

Chuck Fest is a festival dedicated to celebrating Lake Chuck's rich cultural bounty. The single-day event is free to the public and will feature local restaurant favorites, Louisiana-made beer and spirits, and 14 bands from all across the Chuck. Alcohol sales the day of the event will benefit the Tipitina's Foundation, a Louisiana-based organization that promotes childhood music education, professional development of adult musicians, and helps to increase the profile and viability of Louisiana's music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource. For more information, please visit: https://tipitinasfoundation.org/ 

Smokin' on the Grove Sulphur BBQ Fest

Saturday, Oct. 4, 12pm-7pm

The Grove at Heritage Square

1015 S. Ruth St., Sulphur

A full day of BBQ Challenges. Cajun, Country, Zydeco, and Outlaw Music will perform throughout the day. BBQ Dinners will also be for sale for $6 & $8. Five bands will perform throughout the event. Call 337-527-4500 for details.

SAGE Series

Mondays, Oct. 13, 27, Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1

Business Conference Center, MSU Campus

4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Tickets for the SAGE Series are on sale now for $55. Lectures include Russell Long: A Life in Politics by Michael Martin, Ph.D. on Mon., Oct. 13; Freedwomen and the Freedmen's Bureau: Race, Gender, and Public Policy in the Age of Emancipation by Mary Farmer-Kaiser on Mon., Oct. 27; Canoe Song: A French Explorer's Journey 1673-1690 by Brian "Fox" Ellis on Mon., Nov. 17; The Seven Nations' Contributions to Creole/Cajun Cuisine by Chef Marcelle Bienvenu on Mon., Nov, 24; and Lagniappe - 18th Century Gardeners at Pioneers of Modern Landscape Design by Baerbel Czennia, Ph.D. on Mon., Dec. 1. For details, visit www.mcneese.edu/leisure or call 337-475-5616.

Tennessee Tech University Public Art - Deadline: Sept. 26, 2014

Call for artists! Tennessee Tech University seeks an artist or artist team to design and implement exterior site-specific artwork intended for permanent display to help mark the university's centennial. The artwork will be an important component of visitors' first impressions of the university. Budget: $50,000. Visit www.tntech.edu for details.

Itinerant Theatre Accepting Play Submissions - Deadline: Oct. 1, 2014

Itinerant Theatre is accepting short plays and 10-minute play readings. The plays should be appropriate for the season, "America's Unfinished Business: Freedom." There will be a $25 flat fee royalty payment to playwrights per play chosen for readings. Only one play per category may be submitted per playwright. There is no submission fee. Submissions will be accepted August 1 - October 1, 2014. Submit via email to joypace@itineranttheatre.com and include contact info. Short plays will run no more than 1 hour. Playwrights will be notified in October.

Walnut Grove Institute Call for Artists - Deadline: Oct. 6, 2014

The Walnut Grove Institute and the Arts Council of SWLA are currently seeking submissions for small exhibits to be hung in the new Post Office building at Walnut Grove in Lake Charles. Artists can email 5-10 high res images of their work to ericam@artscouncilswla.org with work titles, mediums, and prices. Selected artists will hang October 15, 2014 to January 15, 2015. All work must be 2D and ready to hang. Call 337-439-2787 for details.

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 New Orleans Literary Festival - 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.

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/ 

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.

Rouge et Blanc Seeking Volunteers

Banners Cultural Series is currently seeking volunteers for Rouge et Blanc throughout the day on Saturday, October 11th. Banners will strive to place volunteers in their preferred area of interest if there is an opening and if the volunteer possesses the minimum qualifications needed. Duties include, but are not limited to, entry tent area, set-up, recycling, wine pouring, raffle ticket sales, etc. Call 337-475-5123 for details.

Chuck Fest Seeking Art Vendors

Chuck Fest will take place in downtown Lake Charles on Saturday, Oct. 4th, and local art vendors are sought to display and sell artwork during the event. 10'x10' vendor slots are available. There is no fee to be a vendor, and all vendors must supply their own tables, chairs, and tents. For a vendor form or to find out more information, contact Walker Williams at 337-485-0019 or email tyler@walkerwilliams.co.

Culture Fest Louisiana Seeking Vendors

Culture Fest, the annual multicultural festival that brings together art, food, dance, and music, will take place at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Saturday, October 25th. The event is currently seeking visual arts vendors to set up displays at the event. Call 337-409-9636 or email info@culturefestlouisiana.com for details.

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.

360 Xochi Quetzal Artist & Writer's Residency Program - Deadline: Sept. 28, 2014

The 360 Xochi Quetzal Artist & Writer's Residency Program is a free artist residency located in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. International writers, playwrights, visual artists, fiber artists, photographers, new media artists, dancers, and musicians 25 years or older are welcome to apply for a one-month residency. Those chosen are provided with free housing and a food stipend of 1,000 pesos to make artistic progress without the stress and distractions of daily life. The application deadline for the winter residency, which runs  Dec. 16, 2014 through Jan. 16, 2015, is Sept. 28, 2014. Visit http://www.deborahkruger.com/1/art-residency.html for details.

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.