Happenings

Here’s to You, Joe!

Last week when I was congratulating all of the Winners and Best of the Rest voted by the Country Roads Readers, I left off Favorite Artist – Best of the Rest, Joe Savell of Backwoods Gallery.  Sorry about that, Joe, but hope this makes up for it!

 

Kudos!

Congratulations to Audubon State Historic Site/Oakley House and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on being named two of the newest sites to Louisiana’s African American Heritage Trails.  Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu announced Tuesday the addition of seven new sites to the trail, a series of places and attractions significant to African American history and culture in Louisiana.  Other newly added sites are: Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville, Winter Quarters State Historic Site in Newellton, Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville and Fort Pike State Historic Site in New Orleans.  Louisiana promotes the African American Heritage Trail through advertising and public relations as well.  To learn more about Louisiana's African American Heritage Trail, visit www.AStoryLikeNoOther.com.

 

The Carriage House

Don’t forget that The Carriage House has All U Can Eat Fried Catfish every MONDAY night for only $14.99; and All U Can Eat Fried Jumbo Shrimp every WEDNESDAY night for just $16.99.  The Carriage House Restaurant is located on the grounds of The Myrtles Plantation.

 

Live Music at The Mag

This month’s lineup looks like this:  Friday, February 5 – Late Evening; Friday, February 12 – Copas Trio; Friday, February 19 – Gary Bello; Friday, February 26 – Delta Drifters.  There is also a special performance by Big Sandy on Tuesday, February 23, for a $10 cover.  For more information, call 635-6528.

 

Camellias in the Country

This annual event sponsored by the Feliciana Nature Society begins Thursday, February 4 with a special pARTy in the Ville, a fun-filled painting “class” held at Sage Hill Gifts and Antiques on Commerce Street.  Space is limited and a fee is charged, so hurry and e-mail sylvialeake@gmail.com.  The event continues with a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 pm at Old Market Hall on Royal Street on Friday, February 5.  At 7 pm, local author and historian Anne Butler will give a special presentation celebrating camellias, West Feliciana and the bicentennial.  Also on hand will be representatives from Chef John Folse and Company selling this year’s bottles of Camellia Wine, made by Chef Folse from West Feliciana camellias.  On Saturday, February 6, the program continues at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site beginning at 9 am with Darrell Chitty.  He will lead a seminar on camellia photography so bring a camera.  Lunch at Audubon Café will be followed by a walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens where you can practice your new found photography skills of the best heirloom and contemporary varieties of camellias on the grounds.  A registration fee covers Friday night, the Saturday workshop, lunch and walking tour.  For reservations, call 800-488-6502.

 

Nature Saturday

On Saturday, February 13 from 10 am until 2 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents an Animal Discovery program which introduces visitors to a few of the site's resident creatures.  Participants will have the opportunity to go on a guided nature walk around the park led by one of the site's park rangers.  There they will discover the different plants and habitats found within the park.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739.

 

Women in Spanish Louisiana

As part of its ongoing Old West Florida programs, Audubon State Historic Site will present this program on Sunday, February 14.  At noon and again at 2 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a talk on the lives of women in Spanish Louisiana.   At 1 pm and 3 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a costume discussion and demonstration.  For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Civil War Encampment

On Saturday, February 20, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be hosting the 7th Louisiana Civil War re-enactment group, as they begin their 2010 season.  The group will be presenting a Civil War-era winter encampment on the grounds of the plantation, and throughout the day will demonstrate typical camp activities, as well as presenting military drills such as marching, patrolling, and military maneuvers.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

Caribbean Cooking

In recognition of Black History Month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will present a special historic down-hearth cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 20, 2010.  The program, entitled “African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking,” will be conducted in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen.          Presenting the special program will be Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña, 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-American and Caribbean workers throughout the South—influences that are still seen in today’s southern cuisine.   In addition to the demonstration, visitors to the kitchen will receive a printed brochure containing recipes for several of the selected dishes and their specific African and Caribbean influences.  The demonstration will take place between 11 am and 3 pm.   For more information, call 225-635-3332.