Sip and Stay: The Remington Suite Hotel and Drake Catering hosted a Summer Sip and Stay on Aug. 7. The evening started off with a champagne reception, followed by a six-course wine flight and food pairing dinner. The sold out event took place in the Remington’s Gallery. Guests of the event were also offered special rates for hotel accommodations for the evening. This is the first of several planned events before the end of the year.
–Mark Crawford
Film Fest: The North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival reception was hosted Sept. 5 at the Robinson Film Center. The reception kicked off the film festival and was an opportunity to meet Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard. Shepard conducted a question-and-answer segment following the screening of “Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine,” a new documentary about the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepard, framed through the personal lens of friends and family. Shepard gave a free public talk Sept. 6, “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard,” in the Whited Room at Centenary College.
–Mark Crawford
Highland Jazz: The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival hosted a kickoff party Aug. 1 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Shreveport. Unveiled was this year’s poster artwork as well as the festival’s lineup of performers. The festival takes place from noon until 5 p.m. Nov. 15 in Columbia Park in the city’s Highland neighborhood. This year’s headlining act is Kermit Ruffins. Other performers include Buddy Flett, Louisiana Haywire and Twang Darkly.
–Mark Crawford
Gala for Hope: First
Priority is an evangelism strategy to help local churches reach youth
in the schools. Kevin Mawae, former LSU and professional football
player, spoke at the group’s annual event, Gala for Hope, held Sept. 23
at the Shreveport Convention Center. He talked about being committed,
all in, breathless because you gave everything like a swimmer, coachable
and confident. The room was divided into right tackle, left tackle,
special teams and then by offense and defense. Teams competed via raffle
for such prizes as earrings from McCary’s Jewelers, trips to Savannah,
Ga.; Telluride, Colo.; Orange Beach, Ala.; and the Hyatt Regency Lost
Pines Resort. Football-themed decorations added to the festivities. Star
football players from Waskom High School were among attendees at the
meet and greet where appetizers and purple and gold popcorn were served.
–Mary Ann Van Osdell
Hurricane Party: The
Pirates of the Red Parrot Head Club held their second “Hurricane Party”
on Sept. 27 at the Krewe of Gemini Den. The sponsor was Southland
Printing. All proceeds from the party benefited the Alzheimer’s
Association of Shreveport. Two bands performed (with a few Jimmy Buffett
tunes), there were three photo selfie stations, food by Jack’s BBQ,
college football broadcasts, raffle items and the “POTR Shot Ski.”
Bottomless beer and margarita cups were available for an additional
charge. A “Booty and Swag Shop” sold T-shirts, koozies, pirate and
tropical Mardi Gras beads and fleurde-lis car decals created
specifically for the event. Seashells and netting decorated the tables,
and the trash cars were lined with hula skirting. New this year was an
Alzheimer’s “In Memory/Honor” board, where guests posted the names and
photos of their loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
–Mary Ann Van Osdell
DSU: Downtown
Shreveport Unlimited held an informational reception Sept. 17 at The
Supper Club, 610 Commerce St. The event informed guests what DSU does.
–Mary Ann Van Osdell
To be included in OTS, email your high-res photos to editor@theforumnews.com or mail photos, name and contact information to Editor at The Forum, 1158 Texas Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101.
(Photos are non-returnable. Must include a daytime phone number.)
Or contact Mary Ann Van Osdell at mavo@softdisk.com or Mark Crawford at markcrawford1@aol.com for coverage.
