Happenings

Music at The Mag

This Friday, February 27, The Delta Drifters will perform at 7 pm.  The March lineup looks like this: Friday, March 6 – Late Evening; Friday, March 13 – Emily Branton; Saturday, March 14 – Mike Stinson at 9:30 pm with a cover charge; Friday, March 20 – Smugglin’ Plums; Saturday, March 21 – Eilen Jewel with Kim Smith at 9:30 with a cover charge; Friday, March 27 – The Delta Drifters.

 

Events at The BirdMan

Remember that each Monday from 5:30 until 7:30 pm, The BirdMan has music and supper.  The music for Monday, March 2 is Blue Monday, and for March 9, it’s Kevin Johnson.  On Saturday, March 14, Dylan Sneed will play live at 7 pm.  There is an $8 cover charge, $5 for students.  From March 19 through April 23, there will be an exhibit of new paintings by Donna Kilbourne and Linda Broderick.  On March 28 at 7 pm, there will be a reading by author Ed Cullen.

 

Friends of the Library Symposium

This Saturday, February 28 is the 3^rd Annual Celebration of Readers and Writers Symposium to be held at The OxBow Restaurant.  This event recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their works.  Lunch is included, and books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.  Tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased in advance.  For more information and a list of the authors, call the West Feliciana Parish Library at 635-3364.

 

Natural Dye and Candle Making Demonstrations

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site will demonstrate these home crafts that would have been found on a plantation.  It happens on Saturday, February 28 with the natural dye program presented from 10 am until 2 pm, and candle making from 2 pm until 4 pm. These aspects of plantation life allow the visitors to see the processes that were used to provide a home such as Oakley with the materials needed for it to run properly.  For more information call 635-3739.

 

Felicianas Native American PowWow

Our neighbors in East Feliciana are hosting the first ever Felicianas Native American PowWow thisSaturday, February 28 from 10 am until 6 pm at the Republic of West Florida Historical Association Pavilion in Jackson.  Dr. Susan Dardard has organized this event that promises to be an outstanding cultural experience.  There is a small admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children, and while the features of this day of festivities are too numerous to mention here, they include Native American dancing, crafts and foods, storytelling and demonstrations.

 

Flint Knapping

After you’ve experience the Native American culture in Jackson on Saturday, you can venture over to Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on Sunday, March 1 where there will be a living history demonstration on flint knapping.  The Native Americans who lived on the land that eventually became Rosedown made their own tools from stone using an art known as flint knapping.  The demonstration by Interpretive Ranger James Smith will be presented between 11 am and 3 pm outside Nina’s Wing behind the Rosedown Mai House.  For more information, call 635-3110.

 

Afton Villa Gardens Opens

This Sunday, March 1, marks the opening of the magnificent Afton Villa Gardens.  Self-guided tours are available from 9 am until 5 pm for a charge of $5 per car.  8,000 tulips, 100,000 daffodils, pansies, camellias, geraniums, azaleas, foxgloves, wisteria, and so many more blooming plants will welcome you with boundless colors and scents.  For more information on the gardens, visit their website at www.aftonvillagardens.com or call 635-6773.

 

Wash Day and Soaps

When I was a little girl, wash day was Monday.  It’s also the reason why red beans and rice are a traditional Monday meal in South Louisiana because it was something Mom could put on the stove and not have to worry about it as it cooked all day.  But that’s not what they have planned at Audubon State Historic Site for Saturday, March 7.  This program will demonstrate the different processes involved in washing at the plantation that includes boiling clothes, bluing and the different types of soap and tools used.  This will be followed by a demonstration and talks about the typical ingredients used in making soaps and why soaps were scented.  For more information on this, call 635-3739.

 

Thirty Eight Years!

The Audubon Pilgrimage will celebrate 38 years of annual home and garden tours on the third weekend in March – March 20, 21 and 22.  Through the years, there have been added events such as the cemetery tales at Grace Churchyard, the demonstrations at the Rural Homestead, the antique show and sale, and the Saturday Soiree, Light Up the Night.  One thing that never changes is the quality of the event, and the cooperation of many of the civic and governmental agencies to produce this major undertaking.  Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site is the centerpiece of the pilgrimage, and three private homes open their doors to welcome visitors during this weekend only.  This year those private homes include Rosebank, Wyoming and Fairview Townhouse.  Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site is also included in the tour ticket as well as Afton Villa Gardens.  This year the Cabildo, a circa 1809 structure which was the first West Feliciana Parish Courthouse, will be open to exhibit the paintings of our present day Audubon, Murrell Butler.   For a brochure on the Pilgrimage and more information, visit the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street or the website at www.audubonpilgrimage.info.

 

Happenings

Here’s what’s happening in West Feliciana:

 

Music at The Mag

Friday, February 20 – Feliciana Band; Friday, February 27 – The Delta Drifters.  Music starts at 7 pm.

 

Mondays at The BirdMan

Each Monday Lynn and her gang serve up supper from 5:30 till 7:30.  Music is provided so you won’t have to sing for your supper!  The Monday night music lineup looks like this:  February 23 – Chris and Dave; March 2 – “Blue Monday”; March 9 – Kevin Johnson.

 

Arts Market

Every 3^rd Saturday, there will be an Arts Market and music by Kevin Johnson at The BirdMan.  If you are an artist who would like to display, contact Lynn at 635-3665.

 

Cooking at Rosedown

The interpretive staff at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site is celebrating Black History Month with a special historic down-hearth cooking demonstration entitled, “African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking.”  On Saturday, February 21, between 11 am and 3 pm, in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen dishes will be prepared that show the strong influence by enslaved African and Caribbean workers throughout the South – influences that are still seen in today’s southern cuisine.  Visitors will also receive a printed brochure containing recipes for several of the selected dishes and their specific African and Caribbean influences.  For more information, call 635-3110.

 

Avondale Antiques

This special antique shop is open only on the third weekend of each month so this is the lucky weekend!  Avondale Antiques is located on Commerce Street and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Plantation Row Cooking

Audubon State Historic Site will offer this special program on Saturday, February 21 from 10 am until 7 pm.  The staff will demonstrate and discuss the types of food that slaves would have cooked and eaten on a plantation home as well as the origins of slave foods.  For more information, call 635-3739.

 

Friends of the Library Symposium

The 3^rd Annual Celebration of Readers and Writers Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 28 at The OxBow Restaurant.  This event recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their works.  Lunch is included, and books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.  Tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased in advance.  For more information and a list of the authors, call the West Feliciana Parish Library at 635-3364.

 

Natural Dye and Candle Making Demonstrations

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site will demonstrate these home crafts that would have been found on a plantation.  It happens on Saturday, February 28 with the natural dye program presented from 10 am until 2 pm, and candle making from 2 pm until 4 pm. These aspects of plantation life allow the visitors to see the processes that were used to provide a home such as Oakley with the materials needed for it to run properly.  For more information call 635-3739.

 

Last but not Least

Mardi Gras is next Tuesday which means that we will have many visitors here, getting away from the city and enjoying the peace and quiet.  The Information Center on Ferdinand Street will be open so if you have guests who need information on anything that’s going on in the parish, we are open from 9 am until 5 pm or give us a call at 635-4224.  If you are going over to New Roads for the parades, remember that there will be lots of others who want to cross the ferry so the wait may be long.  You may want to leave early.  If you are out enjoying the parades, please be careful.

 

Have a great week!

 

Happenings

Lucky Friday the 13^th

No, I am not superstitious though I have to admit that I do knock on wood and throw salt over my shoulder.  However, I don’t mind walking under ladders, and black cats can cross my path without phasing me.  Others will have luck this Friday the 13^th at the Bayou Sara Auction Depot.  At 6:30 pm the auction begins but you can bet a preview of the merchandise by visiting www.bayou-action.com.  This auction will include estate antiques and home furnishings.  For even more information, call 635-4046.

 

Feel Like Dancing?

Every Friday night the Magnolia Café presents live music for your listening and dancing pleasure.  On Friday, February 13 it’s the Will Westley Band; Friday, February 20, the Feliciana Band; and on Friday, February 27, it’s The Delta Drifters.  Music begins around 7 o’clock pm.

 

Love is in the Air

This Saturday is Cupid’s time to shine.  If you still haven’t gotten your loved one that special gift for Valentine’s Day, you aren’t too late.  Our local gift shops have lots to choose from, including a card that says just what you wish you could!

 

Valentine’s Dining

Wow!  Our local restaurants are cooking up something special for Saturday night!  Ashleigh and Kane over at the Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles have a very special menu that includes a complimentary glass of wine or champagne with each entrée.  The menu looks delicious so give them a call at 635-6278.  Reservations are available for a main seating at 5:30/6 pm or the late seating at 7:30/8 pm.  Ken and Phil at The OxBow Restaurant have prepared a special menu for Valentine’s Day as well as their renowned Louisiana cuisine.  For reservations give them a call at 635-6276.

 

Really Win Her Heart!

Here’s a great idea:  treat her (or him!) to a night away from home.  There are still some vacancies at our overnight accommodations this weekend and what would be better than breakfast in bed for your sweetheart?!  Better yet, get an early start and reserve a room for Thursday night!  Then you can go dancing on Friday night and dine out on Saturday night.  Who says you have to go out of town to have a great time?!

 

Senator Vitter Comes to Town

US Senator David Vitter will hold a town hall meeting on Monday, February 16 from 1 pm until 2 pm at the West Feliciana Middle School Library.  You are invited to discuss improving our economy, growing good jobs in Louisiana, increasing access to healthcare, fighting crime, and other kee issues for Louisiana families.  For more information, call 383-0331.

 

Camping Out Civil War Style

They may be dodging rain showers on Friday but the historical re-enactors who will be camping out this weekend, February 13 -15, at Rosedown State Historic Site will not have to face what the actual soldiers did in the 1860’s.  During the Civil War, Union Soldiers occupied the grounds at Rosedown and also ravaged the house for supplies and luxuries.  On this particular weekend, the 7^th Louisiana will set up camp at Rosedown, perform drills, cook, play music, sew and all other sorts of things.  Visitors will have the opportunity to observe what a soldier’s life was like on an occupied plantation during the war and also see how the Turnbull-Bowman family endured the period of Union occupation on their plantation.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Victorian Lady’s Workshop

On the other end of the spectrum, Audubon State Historic Site will feature this program on Friday, February 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm.  A Victorian Lady’s Workshop will present the crafts that a typical lady of Victorian times might have learned through tutors, teachers or life experience.  Included in the class will be an introductory presentation on the Victorian lady, then classes on tatting, potpourri making and sachet making.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Celebrating Black History

This great country is a melting pot of different races and cultures, and each has contributed greatly to the life we enjoy today.  In recognition of Black History Month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will present a special historic down-hearth cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 21.  African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking will be conducted in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen with Interpretive Ranger Sasha Trana preparing a selection of dishes whose development can be traced back to African and Caribbean beginnings.  She will discuss the development of each recipe and show how southern antebellum cooking was strongly influenced by enslaved African and Caribbean workers throughout the South.  These influences are still seen in today’s southern cuisine!  The demonstration will take place between 11 am and 3 pm, and visitors to the kitchen will receive a printed brochure containing recipes for several of the selected dishes.  For more information, call 635-3110.

 

Readers and Writers

February 28 is the day to celebrate those whose works record our history and tell us stories to both amuse and educate us.  The West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library will host the third annual symposium that recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their works.  For a list of this year’s writers and to make your reservation, call the library at 635-3364.

 

Native American Celebration

It’s called a PowWow, and the first ever of its kind here in the Felicianas will be celebrated on Saturday, February 28 from 10 am until 6 pm at the Republic of West Florida Historical Association Pavilion in Jackson.  There are so many unique and interesting features within this celebration – traditional dances, crafts such as jewelry, beading looms, ladies’ shawls, feathers, blankets, bows & arrows, moccasins and so much more.  Foods such as machu corn, Indian tacos and fry bread.  Storytelling and demonstrations . . . all for a small admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children.  For more information contact Dr. Susan Dardard at 635-4555 or by e-mailing DrSusan@DrSusanDardard.com.

 

Upcoming Events

March signals the beginning of spring and with that the opening of Afton Villa Gardens on March 1.  Enjoying the outdoors the annual Rouge Roubaix bike race will be held the weekend of March 7 and 8.  And the granddaddy of them all, here comes the annual Audubon Pilgrimage.  Now in its 38^th year, this signature event brings thousands of visitors to our Parish on the third weekend in March – this year it’s the 20, 21 and 22.  Azaleas will be blooming soon!

 

Happenings

Live Music at the Mag

Friday, February 6 – Chris Cole; Sunday, February 8 – The Iguanas (special cover charge); Friday, February 13 – Will Westley Band.

 

West Florida Bicentennial

For those who are interested in being a part of the planning for the Bicentennial of the West Florida Rebellion, there will be a meeting on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 am at Audubon State Historic Site – Oakley House.

 

Camellias in the Country

The Feliciana Nature Society will host this two-day event for the fifth year and it all kicks off Friday evening, February 6, with a wine and cheese reception at Old Market Hall at 6 pm, followed by a program featuring Chef John Folse.  He’ll be making Camellia Wine from a recipe supplied by Anne Butler of Butler Greenwood Plantation.  Space is limited so please make your reservations now. On Saturday, February 7, a morning session with Rosedown Horticulturist Patricia Aleshire focuses on camellias, followed by a demonstration of the proper methods for planting new camellias and pruning established camellias. Lunch at a local restaurant will be followed by an extensive walking tour throughout Rosedown’s historic gardens to view some of the best heirloom and contemporary varieties of camellias on the grounds. $10.00 fee covers wine & cheese reception and a program featuring Chef John Folse on Friday. A $25.00 fee for program and lunch on Saturday. Proceeds benefit projects of the Feliciana Nature Society. For more information call 1.800.488.6502 toll free or local 635.3110 or visit www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

Watch Tonight for More on Camellias

Don’t forget to watch tonight, February 3, the 5 o’clock broadcast on WAFB-TV as our own Anne Butler will be assisting Chef John Folse and Paul Gates during the cooking segment.  They will be making . . . Camellia Wine!!!!

 

Photography Exhibit at BirdMan

This Saturday, February 7, from 1 pm until 4pm, there will be an opening reception for the photography exhibit by Ken Stewart, Salongo Lee and Leon Hollins.  You may have seen their wonderful photography at the Yellow Leaf Arts Festival.  BirdMan is the place – come by and meet the artists and enjoy complimentary refreshments!  The exhibition will run through March 15.  For more information, phone 635-3665.

 

We’re Cooking Now

On Saturday, February 7, our two State Historic Sites will be offering cooking demonstrations.  Audubon SHS will feature Cooking on the Plantation from 10 am until 4 pm.  This program compares and contrasts cooking for the plantation “Big House” with the cooking done by slaves for themselves on a plantation.  Rosedown’s Historic Down-Hearth Cooking will run from 11 am until 3 pm featuring recipes taken from the historic Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  For more information on these programs, call Audubon SHS at 635-3739 and Rosedown SHS at 635-3110.

 

Civil War Encampment

The weather will be warmer this weekend for the historical re-enactors who will be camping out this weekend, February 13 -15, at Rosedown State Historic Site.  During the Civil War, Union Soldiers occupied the grounds at Rosedown and also ravaged the house for supplies and luxuries.  On this particular weekend, the 7^th Louisiana will set up camp at Rosedown, perform drills, cook, play music, sew and all other sorts of things.  Visitors will have the opportunity to observe what a soldier’s life was like on an occupied plantation during the war and also see how the Turnbull-Bowman family endured the period of Union occupation on their plantation.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Antique Auction

Bayou Sara Auction Depot has scheduled its next auction for Friday, February 13 at 6:30 pm.  Be one of the lucky ones to take home one of the many offerings of antiques, estate merchandise or home furnishings.  Photos and additional information can be found on the website, www.Bayou-Auction.com  or by calling 225-241-2200.  Bayou Sara Auction Depot is located at 11429 Ferdinand Street in the old Bayou Sara Train Depot next to Que Pasa.

 

Victorian Lady’s Workshop

On the other end of the spectrum, Audubon State Historic Site will feature this program on Friday, February 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm.  A Victorian Lady’s Workshop will present the crafts that a typical lady of Victorian times might have learned through tutors, teachers or life experience.  Included in the class will be an introductory presentation on the Victorian lady, then classes on tatting, potpourri making and sachet making.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Don’t Forget Valentines Day

Make your reservations now for a special dinner for you and your sweetheart.  The Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles will offer a main seating at 5:30/6 pm and a late seating at 7:30/8 pm, special dinner menus and a complimentary class of Carriage House Wine or Champagne with entre.  For reservations, call 635-6278.  The OxBow Restaurant is also taking reservations for this special day at 635-6276 and will be serving their renowned Louisiana cuisine.  Ah, love!

 

Celebration of Readers and Writers

The West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library will host its third annual symposium on February 28.  This event recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their works.  This year’s writers include:  James Wilcox, the author of nine novels; Danny Heitman, an award-winning columnist and author of A Summer of Birds; Pamela Binnings Ewen, a retired lawyer and author of two novels; Reggie Scott Young, an Association Professor of English at UL-Lafayette; and Charles Elliot, prolific author, scholar, film director and history faculty member at Southeastern Louisiana University.  For more information, call the Library at 635-3364.

 

Felicianas Powwow

The first ever Native American Powwow will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 10 am until 6 pm at the Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson.  Activities begin at noon so come out to enjoy something you just don’t see every day!  There will be Native American dancing, crafts and foods, storytelling and other demonstrations.  A small admission will be charged -- $5 for adults and $3 for children.  For more on this unique cultural experience, contact Dr. Susan Dardard at 635-4555 or DrSusan@DrSusanDardard.com.