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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Best of LSU Fiction
When you think of Louisiana State University, you probably think of the Fighting Tigers, Death Valley, and tailgating.

If great southern literature did not immediately come to mind, the recently published anthology Best of LSU Fiction will change that. Best of LSU Fiction (The Southern Review, 2010) is a vital collection of 20 great fiction writers who have been associated with Louisiana State University as professors, undergrads, grads, and editors - well-known authors such as Walker Percy, Jean Stafford, Rebecca Wells and John Ed Bradley. The book is the first literary history of the university.

As English instructors at LSU, Best of LSU Fiction editors Nolde Alexius and Judy Kahn were well aware of how many talented authors had graced the halls of the university. But they were more interested in how these writers' lives and their writing affected and intertwined with one another. Who taught whom? How was the craft of fiction passed down from teacher to student?

For that reason, the editors chose to trace LSU’s prestigious literary tradition with three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Penn Warren at its roots. During his decade of teaching in Baton Rouge, Warren unveiled his and Cleanth Brooks’ theory of New Criticism, revolutionizing the way literature was taught across the country, and founded The Southern Review literary magazine which to this day publishes both established and emerging writers. Best of LSU Fiction introduces each story with an original author biography that reveals the connections and influences among the writers.

Though the authors have the LSU experience in common, they explore the craft of fiction with diverse and unique world views: James Wilcox writes of the quirky interactions of a dysfunctional family on a camping trip, Moira Crone of a northerner’s firsthand experience of a Louisiana hurricane and Laurie Lynn Drummond of a policewoman’s experiences on and off duty. The stories, ranging from traditional to experimental, are profound and entertaining.

Best of LSU Fiction is not only a literary history of Louisiana’s flagship university but also an original presentation of some of the country’s best fiction writers. Readers who love great fiction are sure to find new favorites in this volume.


*** The 272 page Best of LSU Fiction can be purchased online for only $19.95 at http://www.lsu.edu/thesouthernreview/BestFiction.html
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Before (During) After
BEFORE (DURING) AFTER
Louisiana Photographers’ Visual Reactions to Hurricane Katrina

August 15, 2010 - “We saw it. We captured it. We are forever changed by it.” It has been said that art mirrors life. This sentiment has never been more true than it was for those artists who lived in or around southeast Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. Chaos, despair, suffering were all rampant, not to mention water, water everywhere. Those images broadcast throughout the world, became permanently embedded in our
collective psyches.

Before During After is a visual and literary narrative of how Hurricane Katrina transformed the lives and work of twelve photographers from southeast Louisiana. Five years after the storm’s wake, we look back to discover Katrina’s imprint on the creative expression of these artists. The book emphasizes not only the effect of Hurricane Katrina but also the way individuals are influenced by their environments, particularly in times of dramatic upheaval. Adding depth to the pictorial representation, photographers have written intimate accounts of how Katrina changed their lives, work and vision of the future.

Before During After explores the changes in subject matter, media, and technique from the work created before the storm to after. It’s important to mark this milestone in a positive way, showing strength in times of adversity and exploring how the storm has been an impetus for change. Native New Orleanian and artist Elizabeth Kleinveld, who developed the book with Tom Varisco, found that the best way to deal with the destruction of Katrina was through her art. “Personally, photographing the destruction was a way for me to take in the affronts to the senses and to sensibility. It was a way for me to contend with the devastation and to distance myself from reality so that I could bear it just a little more.” In addition to Kleinveld, the other photographers include: Eric Julien, Rowan Metzner, David Rae Morris, Tom Neff, Sam Portera, Frank Relle, Jen Shaw, Mark Sindler, Zack Smith, Jonathan Traviesa, and Lori Waselchuck.

Issued by University of New Orleans Press, the four-color, softbound publication is $24.95 and now available for review. Created by Tom Varisco Designs, the 124-page book also features insightful essays by John Biguenet, Steven Maklansky, and Tony Lewis.

For a review copy of Before During After, please contact Kelly Rose at 504.975.9325 or kelly@skewedcommnications.com.
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN KEEPS UP WITH THE AGES
The Salvation Army may be 123 years old, but that doesn’t mean it can’t keep up with today’s trends! So if that means adapting to a world filled with music downloads, internet communities and credit cards, so be it.

New Orleans native and Grammy Award-winner Aaron Neville has announced that proceeds from the sales of his new single, “Please Don’t Forget,” will be donated to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Neville recently visited the Army’s Center of Hope on Claiborne Ave. in New Orleans where he was crowned “2009 Kaptain of the Krewe of Christmas.” (www.theweatherchannelmusic.com) & (http://drop.io/nevilleholidayparty)

If online donations are your thing, just log on to www.KreweofChristmas.org where businesses, groups or individuals can create their own “Virtual Kettles” and race against other fundraising teams to help reach the national donation goal of $2 million. Already, the Jonas Brothers, Daughtry, the Dallas Cowboys and the National Hockey League have their own kettles. (http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/site/TR/RedKettleCampaigns/RedKettle?fr_id=1270&pg=entry)

And, in many cities, there’s no need to walk past a red kettle if you don’t have any cash: this year, a select number of Salvation Army kettle locations will have wireless credit /debit card readers. With a swipe of your card, you can donate to those less fortunate and have a receipt to prove it. Though this technology isn’t available this year in the Crescent City, the Area Command is looking for partners to make it happen next Christmas.


Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.

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Monday, November 23, 2009
2nd Annual New Orleans Songwriters Festival
New Orleans, LA (November 15, 2009)—Songfest Foundation, Inc., a New Orleans-based charitable organization founded to benefit Louisiana and Gulf Coast music and musicians is pleased to announce their second annual New Orleans Songwriters Festival. The event, also known as “Songfest,” is being sponsored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), which has been representing songwriters, composers and publishers since its inception in 1914.

The event will take place Thursday, December 3, Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5, 2009. Scheduled featured performers are J.D. Souther (writer of Eagles’ hits “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town” and “Heartbreak Tonight”); Don Schlitz, ASCAP’s four-time Songwriter of the Year and multi- Grammy award winning writer of Kenny Roger’s hit song, “The Gambler” and New Orleans’ own Allen Toussaint.

Up-and-coming area songwriters will have an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of an audience at a Massive Open Mic on Thursday, December 3 at Howlin’ Wolf. This event will be hosted by Nashville’s Barbara Cloyd, who has run the Open Mic at the Bluebird Café in Nashville since its inception more than 20 years ago.

New to Songfest this year is “Urban” music night on Friday, December 4 at Howlin’ Wolf. The evening begins with an Urban Artists & Songwriter Panel hosted by writer/artist/producer Al Kapone and New Orleans’ own Wild Wayne of Q93. This event will be hosted by Reid Wick, Grammy Rep for the Mid-South. Immediately afterwards is the Urban Show featuring Baby Boy Da Prince, N.O. Capo, J Lyric & Asia Bryant.

New Orleans Songwriters Festival’s mission is to promote the composition of original music in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region as well as advance the careers of the area's writers and musicians by providing performance opportunities in front of publishing and music industry center professionals that will be at the event. Event proceeds will be donated to area music- and musician-related charities. Last year’s charity recipient was the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.


WHAT: New Orleans Songwriters Festival

WHEN: Thursday, December 3, 2009

Where:
Event: Songfest/Bluebird Open Mic hosted by Barbara Cloyd
Venue: Howlin’ Wolf
Time: 7:00 pm – 2:00 am

Event: Writer’s Round featuring John Michael Rouchell,
Mark Stephen Jones & Andrew Duhon
Venue: Tipitina’s
Time: 9:00pm - midnight

Event: Writer’s Round featuring Caleb Guillotte, Mark Adam Miller & Sam Craft
Venue: Carrollton Station
Time: 9:00 pm – midnight

WHEN: Friday, December 4, 2009

Where:
Event: Urban Artist & Songwriter Panel
Hosted by: Al Kapone, Q93’s Wild Wayne, Stu Schayot & Frank Alquist
Venue: Howlin’ Wolf
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tickets: $10 through Ticketweb.com

Event: Urban Show
Performers: Baby Boy Da Prince, N.O. Capo, J Lyric & Asia Bryant
Venue: Howlin’ Wolf
Time: 10:00 pm – 1:00 am
Tickets: $15 through Ticketweb.com

Event: Writer’s Round
Performers: Jim McCormick, Thom Sheppard, Gordon Bradberry &
former-Saint-turned-singer- songwriter Kyle Turley
Venue: Tavern on Vets
Time: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

WHEN: Saturday, December 5, 2009

Where:
Event: Americana Songwriters Workshop
Hosted by: Barbara Cloyd
Venue: Blue Nile
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tickets: $10 at door

Event: Writer’s Round
Hosted by: Jonathan Pretus, Ralph Murphy, Mark Carson and Bud Tower
Venue: Blue Nile
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 5, 2009 (continued)

Event: Concert
Performers: Allen Toussaint, Chuck Perkins, Dennis Matkosky, Don Schlitz,
Greg Barnhill & J.D. Souther
Venue: House of Blues
Time: 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tickets: $25 in advance/$30 at door (ticketmaster.com)

WHO: Allen Toussaint, Dennis Matkosky, Don Schlitz, Greg Barnhill, J.D. Souther,
Jim McCormick & Kyle Turley

WHY: To promote songwriting in the New Orleans & Gulf Coast region

MORE For further information about the New Orleans Songwriter Festival, contact festival
INFO: organizers, Bud Tower and Buck Provosty at info@nosongfest.coml.

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AARON NEVILLE’S HOLIDAY SINGLE BENEFITS SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN NATIONWIDE
New Orleans native and Grammy Award-winner Aaron Neville announced that proceeds from the sales of his new single, “Please Don’t Forget,” will be donated to The Salvation Army’s nationwide Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Neville recently visited The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans where he was crowned “2009 Kaptain of the Krewe of Christmas.”

“[The] Salvation Army bells … bring hope, happiness and awareness to so many around the U.S.,” said Neville. “‘Please Don't Forget’ is just a reminder to reach out a hand to our brothers and sisters who may need a little extra help this holiday season and every season for generations to come.”

With this year’s difficult economic climate, the Army is facing new challenges – an increase in numbers of families seeking help and an increase in the cost of providing that help. Because 80% of the year’s total donations are made during the Christmas season, The Salvation Army is looking to the local community for extra support. Along with much-needed monetary donations, they are hoping for gifts of time and space.

“We are asking businesses in the French Quarter and the CBD to allow us to station a kettle at your location once or twice during the holiday season in hopes of reaching new people,” said Captain Ethan Frizzell, Area Commander for The Salvation Army. “And we are looking for volunteer bell ringers to donate a couple hours of time to man a kettle and help us raise vital funds for those less fortunate.”

If time is an issue, online giving is available at www.KreweOfChristmas.org where businesses, groups or individuals can create their own “Virtual Kettles” and race against other fundraising teams to help reach the national donation goal of $2 million.

Donations received during the Krewe of Christmas campaign fund ongoing programs that feed, clothe, shelter and rehabilitate thousands of needy New Orleanians throughout the year. The Salvation Army is thankful to Krewe of Christmas sponsors Rooms To Go, Dickie Brennan’s Restaurants, and Dillard’s – Lakeside Mall for “doing the most good” in New Orleans.

In addition, “Please Don’t Forget” is available by download from www.theweatherchannelmusic.com and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

****MEDIA*****
For video B-roll and photos of Aaron Neville, a sampling of the song and a more
detailed press release, please visit:
http://drop.io/nevilleholidayparty


To Participate in the Krewe of Christmas:

Volunteer Bell Ringer: To donate your time, please contact Gail Sherman at (504) 208 8121 or visit www.KreweOfChristmas.org.

Red Kettle at Your Business: To station a kettle at your location, please contact Gail Sherman at (504) 208 8121 or visit www.KreweOfChristmas.org.

Virtual Kettle Online: To donate online, please visit www.KreweOfChristmas.org.
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About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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Friday, October 23, 2009
LIMITED EDITION NEW ORLEANS SAINTS’ SILKSCREEN BENEFITS LOUISIANA CHARITIES
Acclaimed artist Alex Beard, along with New Orleans Saints Owner/ Executive Vice-President Rita Benson LeBlanc, recently unveiled silkscreens of Beard’s original painting, Geaux Saints Geaux! An extremely limited number of only 500 prints will be sold, with the proceeds directly benefiting charities across Louisiana.

And, a select few can own a limited edition Geaux Saints Geaux silkscreen signed by a favorite Saints star!

Beard based his painting on the state flag of Louisiana. “The Saints are integral to the fabric of life in Louisiana,” says Beard. “I wanted my painting to reflect the importance of the relationship between the Saints, Louisiana, and its citizens. That the proceeds from the silkscreen sales will go to charities around the state shows that we are all tied together as one community looking out for each other.”

The silkscreens are available at www.alexbeardstudio.com at varying price points:

 Signed by artist Alex Beard starting at $250

 Signed by Beard and Coach Sean Payton starting at $500
 Signed by Beard and Drew Brees starting at $500
 Signed by Beard and Reggie Bush starting at $500
 Signed by Beard and Marques Colston starting at $500
 Signed by Beard and Jonathan Vilma starting at $500

 Signed by Beard, Payton, Brees, Bush, Colston and Vilma starting at $1500

“We couldn’t be happier to work with Alex Beard to raise funds for charities in Louisiana,” said LeBlanc. “Geaux Saints Geaux perfectly demonstrates how committed the Saints are to our state, our community, and our fans.”

All are available now for purchase online at www.alexbeardstudio.com. You can also link to the Alex Beard Studio’s home page through www.neworleanssaints.com to purchase.

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About Alex Beard
Alex Beard has emerged as one of his generation's most creative and successful artists. Vanity Fair magazine singled him out as “… an accomplished artist, an adventurer, and an accidental entrepreneur.” Alex’s artwork hangs on public and private walls around the world, as well as in his new gallery on the corner of Royal Street and Pirate’s Alley in the French Quarter.

“The Jungle Grapevine,” Beard’s debut illustrated children’s book, was published by Abrams Books in September 2009. In addition, this autumn will see new Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles, the introduction of the Untamed Collection, a series of party and strategy games, as well as stationery, sketchbooks and the like, that feature all new Alex Beard art.

For more information, please visit www.alexbeardstudio.com.

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