By Mary Richardson | Special to the American Press

The 30th season of the McNeese State University Banners Series officially kicks off with a members-only reception on March 4, and will conclude with a 30-Year Retrospective on May 1. Memberships are available online at www.banners.org. Individual tickets are available online and will be available at the door. Many events are free.

Due to the severe damage of Bulber Auditorium and other Banners venues, the series was slow to get organized this year, according to Banners Director Dr. Brook Hanemann. Permission to use Bulber did not come through until last week. As a result, some of the events are still “TBA” for location. Updates will be available on the website and also on Facebook, or by calling the Banners Series office at 337-475-5123.

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DisAble Art Exhibit Reception, Memorial Hospital Atrium: March 3, 6 p.m. FREE.

You are invited to the Opening Night Reception of this exhibit, which is designed to raise awareness of the disabled and handicapped citizens in our community by using art as an expression of humanity. The exhibit includes self-portraits in clay done by SLIC (Southwest Louisiana Independence Center) clients, and sculpture pieces made of various types of durable medical equipment by area high school art students. The reception will feature a live performance of community members sharing first-hand experience of people with disabilities, and music by the Barbe High School Show Choir. Exhibit itself runs throughout the month of March.

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Memebers-only kickoff reception: March 4, 7 p.m., Legacy SPorts Complex, 3rd floor FREE with membership.

The Members Reception will be March 4, 7 p.m. at the Legacy Center on campus. You can buy a membership in advance online, mail the membership form prior to attendance, or purchase a membership that evening. Come out to the newly-opened venue for an evening of refreshments and music by Ken Waldman on the 3rd level.

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Violectric: March 5, McNeese Campus – Auditorium TBA, 7 p.m. $20

It’s a string quartet yes…but electrified! As the world’s only string rock band of its kind, Violectric illuminates the stage and the audience’s senses through the use of cutting-edge technology and interactive experiences. Their repertoire spans rock ‘n’ roll history, and every song is played LIVE without backing tracks. From The Beatles to Ozzy Osbourne, Maroon 5 to SIA, their performances consist of proprietary arrangements you won’t hear anywhere else. Reception to follow.

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Finding Joe – A Documentary: March 13, Stokes Auditorium (Hardtner Hall), 2 p.m. FREE

Joseph Campbell was a mythologist who explored our religions in relation to mythologies. Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Rashida Jones and others discuss how his work continues to influence our culture. A truly inspirational film, Finding Joe explores the studies of this famed mythologist as he takes us through the human psyche to discover the “hero’s journey” pattern hidden in every story.

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90 Lies an Hour: March 18, Tritico Theatre, 7 p.m. $20.

This group won the award for Best Solo Comedy at the 2019 Orlando Fringe Festival.

“An hour with Master Storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent and one you should not miss.” – Cincinnati Enquirer. 13-time Fringe Best-of-Fest Winner Paul Strickland will perform this collection of original, hilarious tall-tales from his beloved Ain’t True and his Uncle False.

“…the best tall-tales you can hear without actually having to risk a stabbing in the back of a boxcar.” – Edmonton Vue Weekly.

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The Queen’s Cartoonists: March 19, Bulber Auditorium, 7 p.m. $20.

The Queen’s Cartoonists play music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation. The performances are synchronized to video projections of the original films, and the band leads the audience through a world of virtuosic musicianship, multi-instrumental mayhem, and comedy.

Behind the project is a single question: Is it possible to create jazz and classical music in the 21st century that appeals to everyone? Even people who normally wouldn’t go to concerts? The Queen’s Cartoonists present a concert for everybody – regardless of age, gender, or familiarity with the concert hall. Reception to follow.

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Three Friends of Lincoln: March 23, McNeese Campus – Auditorium TBA, 7 p.m.  $20.

Celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln through the stories of those who knew him best! This lively, interactive performance features Lincoln’s childhood friend Austin Gollaher, his law partner Billy Herndon, and the poet Walt Whitman. Austin Gollaher will tell the stories of Lincoln’s early life. Billy will share how his legal career helped him in his rise to power, a side of Lincoln few have studied. Walt Whitman’s best friend was in Ford’s Theater the night of assassination and many scholars his story is the best eye witness account of that fateful night and what it means for America.

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Cha Wa: March 24, Bulber Auditorium, 7 p.m.  $20.

New Orleans brass band  meets Mardi Gras Indian outfit. Everyone enjoys a savory bowl of gumbo so come enjoy this “gumbo of singing, chanting, intoxicating rhythms, and dep funk grooves” that, according to the international online magazine of cultural criticism, Popmatters, “is simply impossible to resist.” Cha Wa radiates the energy of the city’s street culture. Reception to follow.

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Works on Paper: March 24, MSU Fine Arts Grand Gallery, 6 p.m. FREE.

The 35th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition will be on view March 24th – May 6th in the Grand Gallery of McNeese’s Shearman Fine Arts Annex. The juror of this year’s exhibition is Jennifer Dasal, creator and host of a podcast about art history, ArtCurious. She was previously Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The opening reception will be held from 6-8pm, with the juror’s talk and awards at 7 p.m. .

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Leon Chavis and Zydeco Flames: March 27, McNeese Quad, 2 p.m. $20.

This talented performer and his band are a unique spawn of the heritage and roots of Southern Louisiana. It’s down-home talent and zydeco-influenced music in its purest form, yet shows the evolving styles of new artists. This is genuine Louisiana music to be enjoyed by all, and worthy to be preserved for future generations.

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Leo P: April 1, Bulber Auditorium, 7 p.m.  $20.

Leo Pellegrino, popularly known as Leo P, is an American saxophone player from Pittsburgh, PA. His wailing on the baritone sax and unique dance moves – accompanied by his ever-changing hair style and matching outfits – have taken him from the subways of NYC to featured status at Royal Albert Hall in London and to international prominence.

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Wall-E, Animated: April 3, Stokes Auditorium (Hardtner Hall), 2 p.m. FREE.

WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he’s more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE (Elissa Knight), a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten, WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy. With comments by Brook Hanemann

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Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza: April 8, Bulber Auditorium, 7 p.m.  $20

Living in a bubble doesn’t sound very fun. But “Living in World of Bubbles” is cool! Guinness Book of World Records awarded Jeff Boyer’s the ultimate title for his mastery of bubble making and bubble manipulation. Have the most fun with bubbles since you were in that memorable bubble bath as a child. Truly an event for all ages. Reception to follow.

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Gina Chavez: April 9, Tritico Theatre, 7 p.m.  $20

Derived from deeply personal experiences and emotions, Chavez’ collection of bilingual songs document her journey from Latin roots to her life in Texas as a married, queer Catholic woman. Gina Chavez is blending the sounds of the Americas with both tension and grace. She is a multiethnic Latin pop songstress and a nine-time Austin Music Award winner – including 2015 Musician of the Year and Album of the Year for her sophomore release, Up.Rooted. Her independent album topped the Amazon and Latin iTunes charts following a national feature on NPR’s All Things Considered. Her band’s Tiny Desk concert made NPR’s top 15 of 2015.

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Stories and Poems From a Traveler: April 14, Stokes Auditorium, 7 p.m.  FREE.

Dr. Robert Cooper writes poems and tells stories about the many places he’s been and the people he’s met. Many are about Lake Charles, with a hurricane or two added in, but some are inspired by experiences far removed for everyday Louisiana civilization (like getting tossed off a horse on a cliff in the Himalayan Mountains). His writings can be sad or funny or biting, but they are always insightful.

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The Flying Balalaika Brothers: April 23, Tritico Theatre, 7 p.m.  $20.

The Flying Balalaika Brothers are a unique blend of Gypsy folk and electric rock n’ roll. The group’s eye-catching, interactive performances
feature instruments such as the behemoth contra-bass balalaika, which is a triangle-shaped stringed instrument from Russia. It’s huge, and it sounds great!

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Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Savoy: April  30, Tritico Theatre, 7 p.m.  FREE.

Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, current Louisiana Poet Laureate, is an award-winning author and folklorist, educator, and scholar of Creole culture. She has written articles, documentaries, and poems about Black New Orleans before and after Katrina. Dr. Saloy documents Creole culture in sidewalk songs, jump-rope rhymes, and clap-hand games in order to diwscuss the importance of play. She writes on the significance of the Black Beat Poets and the importance of keeping the Creole language alive. Reception to follow.

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Banners 30th Year Retrospective: May 1, Squires Hall, 2 p.m.FREE.

The season will end culminate with a cake and champagne toast following a 30-year retrospective of Banners at McNeese State University. Speakers will include Mary Richardson, LaDonna McKnight, and Randy Fuerst. Come share your favorite Banners stories and be part of the conversation!