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One Book One Community 2023: The Blues: Events & Programs

2023 Community-Wide Reading Program celebrating "The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music & Culture" by Chris Thomas King

Open Book Discussion

The Blues & Blues Music History

Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. , Main Library at Goodwood

Come to the library to talk about The Blues by Chris Thomas King or other books about the blues that you enjoy! 

Dive into Baton Rouge blues history with Blues from the Bayou: The Rhythms of Baton Rouge by Julian C. Piper... Learn more about the New Orleans legend through Huey "Piano" Smith and the Rocking Pneumonia Blues by John Wirt... Delve into Delta Blues through In Search of the Blues by Marybeh Hamilton... Explore American music with Music is History by Questlove... or bring your own book to share with the group!

Register here!

Film Screenings

The Blues Brothers  

Sunday, April 16 at 2:30 p.m. , Jones Creek Branch

Grab and Geaux Crafts

Thursday, April 6 , Jones Creek Branch

Make Your Own Harmonica

2023 Programming for Kids

Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m. , Jones Creek Branch

Kid’s Orchestra Presents: Trombone Shorty and Louisiana Music

Learn about Trombone Shorty, a musician who grew up in Louisiana, and the instrument he played (a trombone, of course!). Hear the trombone and find out how it works. Learn some “second line” dance moves. Play an instrument naming and imitation game. Sing “When the Saints go Marching in” as we celebrate music in Louisiana. (Ages 5-11)

Registration is required.

 

2023 Programming for Teens and 20somethings

Saturday, April 1 at 2:30 p.m. , Jones Creek Branch

Have a chill afternoon listening to music while you upcycle a CD by painting with aesthetic designs. 

Monday, April 3 at 4 p.m. , Fairwood Branch

Saxophone Splatter

Wednesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. , Greenwell Springs Branch

Guitar Pick Keychain

Wednesday, April 19 at 4 p.m. , Greenwell Springs Branch

Sheet Music Bracelet

 

Chris Thomas King Author Appearances

Kickoff Party

Sunday, March 19 at 4 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood

Author Chris Thomas King will be at the Kickoff Party! 

More information here

 

Author Talk with Chris Thomas King

Saturday, April 29 at 4 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood

Author Chris Thomas King will discuss his book, The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Register here!

Kickoff Party featuring The Michael Foster Project

Join us at the Kickoff Party!

Sunday, March 19 at 4 p.m.

Main Library at Goodwood

We're kicking off our 17th Annual One Book One Community series celebrating The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture by Chris Thomas King!

Bring the whole family to enjoy delicious food & refreshments, live music by The Michael Foster Project, crafts, & community organizations celebrating Louisiana's rich music, culture, history, & more!

No registration required.

 

Lloyd "Teddy" Johnson

Tuesday, April 4 at 12:00 p.m. , Scotlandville Branch

Lloyd “Teddy” Johnson, owner of the world famous Teddy’s Juke Joint will speak on his decades of life experiences operating a blues music venue and other stories about the blues.

Author John Wirt

Huey 'Piano' Smith and the Rocking Pneumonia Blues with author John Wirt

Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. , Main Library at Goodwood

Author John Wirt will speak about his book, Huey "Piano" Smith and the Rocking Pneumonia Blues

Register here!

Country Roads Giveaway

Enter here for a chance to win a Library Prize Pack courtesy of Country Roads!

• $50 gift card to Jubans Restaurant
• $25 gift card to Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
• "I Geek the Blues" t-shirt
• The Blues by Chris Thomas King
• Huey 'Piano' Smith and the Rocking  Pneumonia Blues by John Wirt
• Blues from the Bayou by Julian C. Piper
• Blue Library tote bag
• Harmonica
• Other OBOC goodies

 

Hidden History of Louisiana's Jazz Age

Hidden History of Louisiana's Jazz Age

Wednesday, March 15 at 6 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood

Local musician and author Sam Irwin has written a book about the less well-known stories of jazz musicians from the early Jazz era of Louisiana in the 1920's. Join us as Sam takes us on a fascinating musical journey of this time in Louisiana history.

 

Jonathon “Boogie” Long

Sunday, April 2 @ 3 p.m. , Main Library at Goodwood

Enjoy a FREE musical performance at the library!

Join us as we celebrate the blues with an hour of live music by Jonathon "Boogie" Long, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee and 2011 Guitar Center “King of the Blues” winner for best unsigned blues guitarist in America.

Louisiana LPB Documentary

Join host and creator Jay Dardenne and LPB Executive Producer Linda Midgett.
Watch scenes from the hit LPB documentary and hear the stories behind the stories!

Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else!
A Behind-The-Scenes Conversation
Monday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
Main Library at Goodwood

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival

The 10th Annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival 

Saturday Feb. 18th from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. , North Boulevard Town Square

There will be live music, dance, a vendor's village and food court. So, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the big lineup that includes blues, soul, funk, R&B, reggae, gospel, jazz, pop/rock, dance, comedy and Mardi Gras Indians. 

A pre-party is being held at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room on Thursday, Feb. 16th.

Ed Perkins Jazz Band

Ed Perkins Jazz Band FREE Concert

Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. , Main Library at Goodwood

In honor of Black History month ,funded by a grant from The Jazz Foundation of America, the Ed Perkins Jazz Band will perform in the plaza from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

WBR Museum Call For Artists

The West Baton Rouge Museum has received grant funding and is seeking to create a mural celebrating the community’s Blues music heritage on the exterior of the Juke Joint!

The deadline for Request for Qualification is February 15th. Three finalists will be announced on March 1, 2023 and will receive a $500 stipend to develop an initial concept that will be presented in person to the Selection committee on April 3, 2023. The installation will be completed by Sept 25th, 2023. 

Artists may apply as individuals or teams. To be considered, contact the West Baton Rouge Museum Director of Programs, Jeannie Luckett at 225-300-4677 or Luckett@wbrmuseum.org.

Look here for more information!