Take a look, it's in a book

I recently got an invite to an interesting blog series written by George Eberhart of the American Library Association. His current series is a listing of reportedly haunted libraries in the United States. (None for Louisiana, but three in Oregon.) Some are mundane, some are creepy, some are pretty scary. Is your local library listed?

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On another note, I've set up shop in Eugene, Oregon. We moved into our apartment a week ago, P already has a job and I've got an interview Tuesday, so wish me luck. As I get settled in and explore what the area has to offer, I hope to start some projects here inspired by the amazing writing community in Shreveport.

Speaking of, have all you Shreveport poets set up a page on Everett Webb's Poet's Registry? Everett has taken over Red River Ink and combined it with other resources, including the Registry and his own Topcat Live. Go have a look at what he has to offer.

I keep planning to catch up on all your blogs. Please forgive me if it takes me a while. After a month travelling the country and a week trying to get established north of the Mason-Dixon, I think I finally have time for some reading.

Miss you guys!

 

When You're Standing at the Edge

As you may have read, local artists and local poets have been working together on an exhibition at the West Edge gallery on Milam Street. Tonight their efforts are ready for the public in "Standing at the Edge."

Members of the Trapped Truth Society, West Edge Books and News, and others will be presenting poetry in response to selected works of art in the West Edge Artists Co-Op gallery. The readings will be held in conjunction with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council Trolley Tour. More information is available at anchorpoet.

And from what I've heard, Donecia Pea will be there for the Shreveport Times, and Red River Writes and North of New Orleans may be getting some exposure, too. You might even get to see our ugly mugs in the paper.

So be there tonight! I will. And I want your company, because you're wonderful.

STANDING AT THE EDGE
Thursday, June 21
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
WEAC Gallery on Milam, downtown Shreveport
Free to the public.
The collection of poetry, representing work by nine poets (Laura Flett, W. Macaulay Johnson, Kitty Lutke, Nan Dozier, Patrica Cochran Murrell, Mawiyah Bomani, & Nadine Charity) and eighteen artists (including Jane Heggen), will be available at a nominal fee.

 

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Now He'll Rest

I just learned that Larry DeFratis died on June 1st, from complications of diabetes. (Obituary available here.)

I feel like an ass for not knowing sooner. I skipped a lot of emails, didn't read the news. I would have liked to go to the funeral, at least to say what I'm about to tell you here.

I don't know that I could call him a good friend. We'd only communicated by email in the last few years, and infrequently at that. But I can say that he was someone that made a difference to this community. And he made a difference to me.

Larry was a leader for Democrats, progressive, and liberal citizens in Shreveport-Bossier. I worked with him before and during the Kerry campaign, and contacted him first anytime I wanted to know what was going on over the years since.

We tried to generate hope together as the war machine threatened to tear our faith in the United States to shreds. And we were heartbroken together as Bush slid into his undeserved victory.

And I did lose faith. But Larry, Hugh McKinney, and many others like them helped bring some of it back. And they taught me that even if you lose, you will still be proud that you fought for what you believed in. Losing doesn't mean there was no point in trying.

And I know Larry was involved in the community on a number of different levels, too. He was president of the Breakfast Optimist Club (and I think I'll be making a donation to their leukemia foundation in his honor). I'm sure he touched countless lives in ways both small and large.

I know he'll be missed greatly, and that his role in our city will be a hard one to fill.

I also know that when my time comes, if I can say I have touched as many lives as he did, I will be able to die with some satisfaction. I hope he is resting in peace.

Thanks, Larry.

 

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Jason Lammons

I was so intent on seeing RRI and NONO's transfer happen, I completely forgot to mention Jason Lammons (BOOK · PHOTOGRAPHY · MYSPACE). Jason co-edited the first issue of NONO, and the blasted thing never would've been printed without him. Plus he just rocks.

Forgive me, Jason!

 

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A River Filled With Ink

For the last several years I've hosted a website called Red River Ink, and published a zine called North of New Orleans. Both were intended to let writers from Shreveport reach each other and the community as a whole. Now that I'm leaving Shreveport, it's time to pass those endeavors on to someone else. Because they did bring a lot of people together and make some noise in our literary community.

Thankfully, I found two eager volunteers who are going to do an awesome job of keeping both projects going, and take them in new directions. Everett Webb is turning Red River Ink into Red River Writes, and already has the new site up and running. If you had an old page on RRI, you can check the new site for instructions on submitting updates or new entries.

Get to know your webmaster. Check out Everett's other projects and websites:
TopCat Live
Poet's Registry
Legacy of Shadrack

Pam Raintree of the Fertile Pen Group is taking over NONO, and is ready for your submissions. This issue will focus on religion in the Ark-La-Tex. Now, I happen to know Pam, and we can be fairly certain you don't have to write about how awesome Baptists are. I expect to see her produce an intelligent issue with worship, diversity, and skepticism. Pam's announcement and submission guidelines are pasted below.

I'm really excited to be leaving my hometown and starting a new and very different stretch of my life. But I'm also going to miss the great community we have here. I think Red River Ink and NONO are two of the things I am most proud of having contributed to Shreveport. I hope all of you will support Everett and Pam the way you've supported me.

Don't forget to go check out Red River Writes!

 

Call For Submissions

The Fertile Pen Group is seeking submissions for
NoNO (North of New Orleans)
Deadline: 15 July 2007
Send by email to: pamraintree@yahoo.com
Include "NoNO" in the subject line

Seeking original writings and/or B&W drawings depicting the cultural aspects of religion in the Ark-La-Tex, as follows: 1 Flash Fiction 100 word limit; 2 General Fiction 700 word limit; 1 Investigative Report 250 word limit; 1 Essay 500 word limit; 1 Anecdotal True Story 750 word limit; 3 Poems 30 line limit; 6 Poems six line limit; 1 Cover Art 4 x 6 format.

Written material should be sent to the editor in the body of an email. Contact the editor prior to sending artwork. Previously published work should be accompanied by the publication information so proper credit can be given. Submission for publication in NoNO constitutes a one-time copyright release for the issue following submission. Two free copies of NoNO will be reserved for each person whose work is published, to be claimed in person. Reserved copies will be held until the next issue is released.

Registration of copyrights is the responsibility of the copyright holder.

 

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Tribute to Tommy Welch - Update

Since I've been getting a lot of hits from people looking for information about the Tommy Welch tribute, I thought I'd post a small update.

Sunday was, by all accounts, a big success. The event went well into the evening, with several bands, lots of great art, and steady attendance. There were members of Tommy's family there, as well as those of us who never got to meet him in life.

Amy G has some photos from the event and some of her own thoughts on her MySpace blog and Photobucket. There are also a few photos on Robert Trudeau's Shreveport Faces blog. Many, many kudos to Amy and everyone else that helped make it a reality.

 

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Open Expression - A Tribute to Thomas Welch

Shreveporters - please pass this on as you see fit.

Friends of Thomas H. Welch will gather on Sunday, April 22nd at 2:00 PM to celebrate the former Shreveporter's life and accomplishments at an art & music tribute.

The event, to be held at 516 Soundstage on Texas Street, downtown Shreveport, will include performances by Dirtfoot, Chris Alexander, Kern Courtney, the Peekers, and other musicians. Local artists will also be displaying original work in a one-day exhibition.

Memorial services have also been held in Colorado and California. Sunday's tribute will provide an opportunity for all those in Shreveport touched by Welch to gather together in remembrance. Organizers will also be raising money for Welch's family.

Tommy Welch passed away in Los Angeles on February 27th at the age of 29. He grew up and lived in Shreveport until moving first to Colorado Springs and then Long Beach and Los Angeles with punk band Raised Under Reagan.

During his time in Shreveport, he was an influential player in the music, art and theater communities. He used his talents in everything from his work with children to expressing his anger with the government and status quo. Friends describe him as someone that lived every day like it was his last. He was an inspiration for countless people from the deep south to the west coast.

Welch attended C.E. Byrd High School and graduated from Centenary College in 2001 with a degree in Theater. He stayed involved and invested in the community in more ways than most of us would have the energy for. Among other things, he worked with KSCL, Centenary's radio station, was active in local theaters including the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, and passed his love of drama on to children through drama workshops, art classes, and the Peter Pan Players children's theater. Welch was also active in the music community and worked with groups like Shrevepunx, booking shows at the Zebra Room and expanding the range of music available locally.

The tribute, which will be on the eve of Welch's 30th birthday, is open to the general public. To contribute or to find more information, contact Amy Guendulay at 865-5257 or 210-5836.

Art & Music Tribute to Tommy Welch
Sunday, April 22nd, 2PM
516 Soundstage, Texas St., downtown Shreveport
Featuring Dirtfoot, Kern Courtney, Chris Alexander, and a one-day exhibition of work from local artists
Donations to benefit Tommy's family in Los Angeles

 

Calling Area Songwriters!

SWAMP (Red River Singers, Writers and Musicians Partnership) is teaming with BPCC to get local music into the area's growing film industry. If you have quality recordings of your original material and would like to see it on commercials, television shows and in movies, SWAMP wants to meet with you!

The first meeting is Tuesday night (3/13) at the BPCC campus on Texas Street, Bossier City, D Building at 7PM. Check out the Shreveport Times for more details.

Or, check out the article just because I wrote it and you love me.

 

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UFO sighting?

Could it be true? On his blog, Kevan Smith shares an account related by his friend Richard of a UFO sighting over Shreveport-Bossier last Thursday night into Friday morning.

Triangle Craft Over Shreveport

Now, I ask you, how could I possibly have missed this? I'm shaking with disappointment. Did anyone else hear, or perhaps see anything?

 

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