SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF HER AMAZING STORY.
DANI COSS WAS A BUSY NURSE PRACTITIONER AT BATON ROUGE GENERAL UNTIL SHE BLEW OUT A DISC IN HER BACK. SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SCIATICA (BACK AND LEG PAIN) SHE WAS BARELY ABLE TO WALK. FOLLOWING A 30 MINUTE OUTPATIENT MICRO PROCEDURE FROM DR OBERLANDER TO REMOVE THE HERNIATED DISC, SHE WAS CURED. IMPRESSED WITH THE RESULTS, DANI SOON JOINED TEAM OBERLANDER AS OUR NEWEST EMPLOYEE. NOW SHE DELIVERS THE SAME QUALITY SURGICAL CARE TO OTHERS THAT HELPED HER!
BACK
SEEING PATIENTS
Whether it’s back in the office seeing patients or nursing people back to health, getting pain free is the goal
As one of the few board-certified neurosurgeons in Louisiana who has fellowship training in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, his services are in high demand. Join the 8,000 patients that see Team Oberlander per year. Call (225) 768-2023 to schedule your appointment.
Eric Oberlander, MD
THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND HEALTHCARE
With its groundbreaking in March, the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building at LSU will prepare the next generation of doctors, engineers, scientists and technologists to lead the future of vital industries in Louisiana like healthcare and energy. It’s just another way we’re moving Louisiana forward as Championship Health Partners.
ololrmc.com
TOGETHER WE ROAR.
Cocha will serve a cucumber gazpacho at this month's Farm Fête.
Fall back
THE CORN STALKS’ tall leaves rustled in the wind. Some of the plants towered a foot over my head, obscuring the views around each corner.
It was a late October day, and I was at the Corn Maze at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. I don’t think there’s any other place I’d rather enjoy our cool fall weather.
The Corn Maze runs every Saturday in October, and something about it is just magical to me.
I love the way the plants sway gently in the fall breeze. Early in the season, the stalks have smooth, healthy green leaves. But as the weeks progress, they fade to yellow and then beige, the crinkly leaves tangling together. As the plants shed, the fallen leaves crunch underneath your shoes while weaving through the pathways.
The event can get crowded. A hay mountain and pumpkin patch are prime photo opportunities, and there’s a little petting zoo area with farm animals that kids go nuts for.
But the maze is also big and winding enough for moments of peaceful solitude.
The event rekindled my love of cornfields so much that I tracked down a scavenger huntthemed maze while in Ohio for an October wedding. And I’m dying to drive to Pine Grove for the haunted version of the Cajun Country Corn Maze.
The AgCenter’s Corn Maze is just one of many special events staged around the Capital Region in the fall. As the 225 team researched this month’s festival-themed cover story, we were
floored by how much happens around town from September through November. In fact, we’d originally pitched this story for one of our spring issues until we realized there were just as many— if not more—events in the fall.
Get a taste of Munich at Baton Rouge Oktoberfest. Sample more than 50 whiskeys at Louisiana Bourbon Festival. Marvel at the clever costumes on display during the Fifolet Halloween Festival. Attend a stylish dinner party at the St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival.
And all of that happens before White Light Night unofficially rings in the holidays.
Hyped yet?
And OK—I’ll admit that we might get a little liberal with our usage of the word “festival” around here. But then again, attendees expect the gamut of attractions at events these days. Heading to an outdoor show? There will probably be food trucks and art vendors lined up. Venturing out to a culinary gathering? You can bet it will also have live music.
But no matter what’s on your fall calendar, slow down. Soak it in.
As I write this in the middle of August, everyone is talking about “Augtober.”
“Too soon?” we ask winkingly as we line up for PSLs on 100-degree days.
Once fall fever hits, we all realize in a panic how the year has gone by in a blur. We get so manic thinking about plans for the new year, it’s easy to forget how much life there is left in the year we’re still in.
No one adores Christmas more than I do, but don’t you dare start playing Mariah Carey if you don’t even have your Halloween costume in order yet.
It’s why I like to take a moment every year to stand in the middle of the Corn Maze and just listen to the whispering leaves.
I swear it always helps make it a season I’ll remember.
Jennifer Tormo Alvarez 225 Editor-In-Chief
More fall fun
Broadway in Baton Rouge
What do legends like Tina Turner and Shrek and the iconic plots of Pretty Woman and Chicago have in common? They’re all subjects of musicals that will travel to the River Center Theatre for Performing Arts for the Broadway in Baton Rouge 2024-2025 season lineup. But these shows will have local flavor, too, courtesy of a collaboration with CounterspaceBR. Owner Sarah Joy Hays created specialty cookies themed around each show. They’ll be available at concession stands during the performances, or shoppers can pick them up at the bakery the week of the show. The season starts Oct. 1. Get the scoop at 225batonrouge.com/ food-drink
Baton Rouge General
The hospital’s Protect Your Pumpkins campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month encourages women to be proactive about scheduling mammograms. It helps relay the message through pastel-pink Porcelain Doll pumpkins, which spread all over town after the pink pumpkin patches pop up at the hospital’s three campuses. The date of the event changes each year and is revealed in a surprise announcement the morning of the event. Follow @batonrougegeneral on Instagram for updates
HAIL MARYS. BLOODY MARYS.
Publisher: Julio Melara
EDITORIAL
Chief Content Officer: Penny Font
Editor-In-Chief: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez
Managing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas
Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson
Digital Staff Writer: Olivia Deffes
Multimedia Editor: Oscar Tickle
Staff Photographer: Collin Richie
Contributing Writers: Madison Cooper, Jordan Iverstine, Tracey Koch, Benjamin Leger, Dillon Lowe
Multimedia Consultant and Content Creator: Ashleigh Ward
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Audience Development Director and Digital Manager: James Hume
Audience Development Coordinator: Ivana Oubre
Audience Development Associate: Catherine Albano
Customer Experience Coordinator: Kathy Thomas
A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC
Chairman: Julio Melara
Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto
Vice President-Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert
Chief Content Officer: Penny Font
Chief Digital and Strategy Officer: Erin Pou
Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone
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TOP STORIES
July 2024’s most-read articles at 225batonrouge.com
CONNECT WITH US
Why have some of Baton Rouge’s most notable restaurants shuttered recently?
Operators say it’s a perfect storm
A look at 25+ new restaurants and bars that have opened in greater Baton Rouge so far this year
First Look: New Orleans-area favorite Red Bird Fried Chicken opens first Capital Region spot
Readers’ notes
What does it take to run a restaurant in 2024?
Several popular Baton Rouge eateries have closed in recent years, from Fleur de Lis Pizza to Gov’t Taco. In our July issue, the 225 team took a deep dive into the current challenges of culinary entrepreneurship. We interviewed 15 industry pros and polled 600+ local diners for some intel into the state of the restaurant scene. The resulting story went viral on Facebook, where many of our followers weighed in.
“The restaurant industry has changed dramatically after COVID. The starting pay for most workers has risen, and food costs have gone bonkers with inflation. On top of that, there are countless new entries. … It takes a lot to keep your place competitive.”
—Ryan
Guerra
“Watch The Bear. Very stressful to run a restaurant.”
—Jennifer Fair Crain
“With the economy the way it is, people are being more selective. There are a few excellent restaurants in the city, but most are just OK. We still eat out fairly regularly, but we stick to the places where the food and service are worth it.”
—Steve
Williams Jr.
Comments and analytics are from July 1-31, 2024. They have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
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For life’s moments, big and small. We’re here with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.
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DIGIT
Number of Facebook comments about this story
PHOTOS BY COLLIN
RICHIE
THE LOWDOWN
THE QUEEN: CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF THRILLS LANDSIDE IN BATON ROUGE
It has been one year since The Queen Baton Rouge opened its doors becoming the first landside casino operation in the city of Baton Rouge. The anniversary marks a milestone for the establishment, as well as a significant turning point in the state’s gaming history.
With its beginnings as the riverboat Casino Rouge to the transformation into Hollywood Casino, The Queen Baton Rouge today offers gaming, dining and entertainment all under a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility in Downtown Baton Rouge. Visit The Queen today, and experience what it truly means to be a Royal.
A GLIMPSE INTO HISTORY:
In the early 1990s, Louisiana legalized the lottery, video poker and riverboat gaming as a way to raise revenue to fund the government without having to raise taxes. Casino Rouge opened its doors in 1994 as one of 15 riverboat casinos approved by lawmakers. It changed hands (and its name) in 2007, becoming Hollywood Casino.
Then, in 2018, legislation was approved allowing the state’s 15 floating casinos to operate on land. Under new ownership by The Queen Casino & Entertainment, Hollywood Casino underwent a stunning $85 million transformation into The Queen Baton Rouge and made history as the first landside casino in Baton Rouge.
A NEW ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION:
Visitors are encouraged to explore more than 100,000 square feet of the best in gaming, dining and entertainment found anywhere in the city. The Queen offers more
SPONSORED BY:
than 700 gaming machines, 18 gaming tables and a variety of electronic tables.
Four unique restaurants provide options for a delicious meal or watching the latest sporting event. The Queen’s flexible meeting and event space includes three multi-purpose rooms, as well as indoor space and an outdoor patio overlooking the majestic Mississippi River.
A state-of-the-art DraftKings Sportsbook features 20 betting kiosks, four over-the-counter betting windows, lounge-style seating, a 28-foot video wall and oversized high-definition TVs.
ECONOMIC IMPACT:
By attracting tourists and locals alike, The Queen is generating substantial revenue for the city-parish through annual tax contributions, boosting the city’s financial health and promoting a vibrant, bustling downtown area. Located within walking distance of Capitol Lake, the Louisiana State Capitol and other landmark destinations, what was once a quiet area is now a thriving entertainment hub, drawing visitors from across the region.
Additionally, The Queen Casino & Entertainment is going forward with moving another downtown riverboat casino onto land. The company also owns the Belle of Baton Rouge and has started a $100 million expansion and renovation.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
The Queen’s commitment to workforce development is another cornerstone of its success. Employing more than 400 passionate individuals, it offers competitive benefits, pay and on-the-job training, ensuring a skilled and dedicated workforce. The Belle of Baton Rouge project promises to further expand job opportunities, reinforcing the positive impact on the local economy.
As The Queen celebrates this landmark anniversary, it has set a new standard for gaming and entertainment in the state. For more information and to view upcoming promotions and events, visit thequeenbr.com.
September
Cake boss
Delving into the doberge
BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON // PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
THIN ROUND LAYERS—SIX to eight of them—comprise a doberge cake, the celebrated pastry created in New Orleans in the 1930s and embraced across parts of south Louisiana. Draped in chocolate, lemon or caramel fondant, or sometimes a combination, the cake is a must-have for its fans, but it’s only found at select bakeries.
“We sell about 3,000 a year,” says Angella St. Romain, general manager of Gambino’s Bakery Baton Rouge.
The company sells additional doberge cakes from its New Orleans and Lafayette retail locations and ships them frozen nationwide, she adds. Other Capital Region bakeries make them, too, including Oak Point Fresh Market and The Ambrosia Bakery. They were also a marquee item at now-closed local institution Baum’s Fine Pastries.
A spin on the classic Hungarian Dobos torte, the cake was originally created by late New Orleans baker Beulah Ledner, who renamed it the more French-sounding “doberge” to appeal to the city’s Francophiles. She also substituted the pastry’s classic buttercream filling for a lighter cooked custard. The cake was a mainstay of Ledner’s bakery until she sold the business to Joe Gambino in 1946, along with the secret recipe, St. Romain says. (Ledner would later reopen a bakery in Metairie and continue selling doberge cakes.)
Over the ensuing decades, Gambino’s helped popularize the dessert in New Orleans, and later in Baton Rouge, where it opened a location in the mid-’80s. The promise of a doberge has drawn New Orleans transplants to Gambino’s current Goodwood Boulevard store, St. Romain says, along with new adapters smitten by its signature excess. It’s one of the bakery’s most popular items.
Gambino’s Baton Rouge makes each doberge by preparing three yellow butter cakes and splitting them through the middle, a technique St. Romain uses to ensure a consistent moist texture. Made-from-scratch custard is spread between each. The stacked
layers are iced with buttercream, creating a smooth landing strip for the subsequent fondant.
Chocolate is the most popular flavor, with lemon a close second. Fence sitters opt for a half-andhalf. Rather than simply stitch two completed cake halves with a seam of icing—the easy way out, according to St. Romain—Gambino’s goes about it freehand. Its pastry chefs add scrupulously portioned chocolate and lemon custards between each layer, then slather the tower with equal
shares of chocolate and lemon buttercream. It’s finished with a simultaneous pour of chocolate and lemon fondants that drape each half and meet in the middle with confident imperfection.
September is among the country’s most popular birthday months, and for Gambino’s, that’s high doberge season.
“It’s a busy time for us,” St. Romain says. “We sell a lot of these cakes. A lot.” gambinos.com
SEPT. 9
The most common birthday in America. Sept. 9 averages about 12,300 babies born each year, according to data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Social Security Administration from 1994 to 2014. September holds the five most common birthdates in the U.S.
The doberge cake was created by Beulah Ledner in New Orleans in the 1930s.
WHAT’S NEW
Buzz feed
FOOD MUSIC art FUN Live After Five
Primo pasta
Compiled by Jordan Iverstine
In its first Baton Rouge location, Mandeville-born Prima Après is putting a spin how diners can order pasta. The counter-service restaurant on Burbank Drive offers customizable, handmade pasta that can be ready in minutes, as well as sweet French-style pavlovas. Husband-and-wife co-owners James Vitrano and Abney Harper say Prima Après was created to grow. Harper says additional Baton Rouge locations are a possibility. Its sister business Sucré, known for its sparkly king cakes, tasty macarons and gelato, is set to open its first Baton Rouge location by the fall. Deliziosa! Find it on Instagram at @primaapres
To the tropics
A hobby-turned-side-hustle, turned full-fledged-business, Louisiana Daiquiri Factory is the realization of three years of dreaming for Kevin Henderson, who opened the bar this summer in Essen Crossing. Henderson and his wife, Ashley, worked with Anna Smith, lead designer at Anna Nicole Interiors, to emulate the daiquiri’s Cuban origins through patterned wallpaper, bright colors and greenery. The menu will rotate monthly and feature seasonal specials—and a King Cake flavor is already on the agenda for Mardi Gras.
Government watch
Two new businesses quietly opened in Mid City along Government Street this summer:
• Electric Pickle is the newest addition to Electric Depot’s offerings. Soon to include memberships, lessons, clinics, tournaments, and a bar and dining option, the pickleball outpost aims to give players a space to socialize between open play matches. Find it on Instagram at @electricpicklebr
• Coffee pop-up House Brew is now making use of Pelican to Mars’ Mid Century Lounge at the entrance of the bar from 6 a.m.–2 p.m. With beans roasted by its local sister company, Smoky Bean Roasting Co., House Brew offers a wide menu of espresso-based drinks, as well as teas, lemonade and hot chocolate. Find it on Instagram at @housebrew225
SAY WHAT?
“If you have a dream or want in life, don’t give up,”
Jennice Goff, owner of Hot Stuff Restaurant, who, after 40 years in food service and 11 years of wanting to own her own restaurant, opened the doors of her downtown diner in July. Located in the former Blues Room spot, the restaurant serves a rotating menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Comfort foods like biscuits and gravy and sweet-andsavory Monte Cristo sandwiches are the backbone of the menu. Find it on Facebook
Emmy nomination for Pixel Magic, a studio in Baton Rouge's Celtic Media Centre. Visual effects artists Victor DiMichina and Raymond McIntyre Jr. were nominated for their work on Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, an HBO series that follows the personal and professional lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers. pixelmagicfx.com
DIGIT
of a Birds feather
Baton Rouge Audubon Society turns 50
BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
A pair of roseate spoonbills photographed by BRAS president Jane Patterson
“BIRDS FLY SOUTH for the winter.”
It’s an axiom you just know, kind of like, “the sun sets in the west” and “never give the kidnapper the ransom money.”
But in Louisiana, flying south for the winter isn’t just a social maxim. The state’s advantageous geography makes it a critical pitstop for migratory birds. Lush, tree-filled woods in certain parts of the Bayou State are a welcome respite for avian species crossing the Gulf of Mexico on their southbound flight to Central and South America in the fall, and the return trip in the spring. Educating the public about Louisiana’s important relationship with migratory and native birds is the role of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, the all-volunteer organization that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Not to be confused with the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans or the Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville, BRAS is one of approximately 510 local National Audubon Society chapters across the United States, each of which is charged with education and outreach concerning the well-being of America’s feathered friends.
The nonprofit offers monthly and quarterly bird walks, educational programming and the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a national day for documenting the number of species in a given area.
With more than 300 members, BRAS is notable not just for its work in promoting Louisiana’s ornithological wonders, but also for its major conservation efforts in the state.
Rooted in activism
The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 by two Boston socialites eager to put a stop to the plumage trade, then responsible for the slaughter of countless birds,
including the snowy egret, for use in the fashion industry, particularly women’s hats.
Similarly, BRAS is rooted in conservation.
In 1974, a small group of environmentalists founded the chapter to help protect the Atchafalaya Basin.
One of those founders was acclaimed Louisiana wildlife photographer and author C.C. Lockwood.
“The motivation was environmental,” Lockwood says. “Those were troubled times for the Atchafalaya Basin.”
In fact, much of the 20th century had been tough on the Atchafalaya. Following the flood of the Mississippi River in 1927, the Army Corps of Engineers had built structures rerouting the river through the basin, resulting in an unnatural buildup of silt that caused dramatic changes to the basin’s breadth and flow. It had also been pock-marked with transportation channels dug by
oil and gas companies. And in the early ’70s, a small number of landowners wanted to see parts of the basin drained to yield additional farmlands, a move that further threatened its health, Lockwood says.
Local environmentalists joined forces with groups like the Orleans Audubon Society and the Sierra Club to prevent the drainage. They realized establishing an Audubon Society in Baton Rouge, the state’s political center, made sense.
BRAS raised awareness about the Atchafalaya through canoe and kayak “sit-ins.” The slogan at the time was, “Atchafalaya Wet, Wild and Free,” Lockwood says. Their efforts paid off. Lockwood
says they successfully kept the basin lands from being drained that year, although fighting for its protection has been ongoing.
Landing places
Another of the chapter’s biggest accomplishments was establishing the 40-acre Peveto Woods Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary in 1984, one of the last remaining oak cheniers, or groves, on the Gulf Coast.
Today, Peveto Woods in Cameron, Louisiana, is a wellknown birding destination among global enthusiasts who track migration, searching for colorful songbirds and other species.
Birders feel like kids in candy stores at such sites, which amass elusive creatures by the gross.
“Peveto Woods is visited by thousands of people and millions of birds every year,” says Jane Patterson, BRAS president. “It’s on the list of many birders from around the world.”
In the 1980s, the land surrounding Peveto’s chenier had been sold off for development, prompting a group of concerned citizens in the area to buy remaining tracts. They donated the land to BRAS, which
COLLIN RICHIE
BRAS organizers C.C. Lockwood, Mark Pethke, Colette Dean, Jane Patterson, Donna Lafleur and Gary Noel Ross
A painted bunting
A rose-breasted grosbeak
has been its steward ever since.
“Those little groves of live oaks are so important for migratory birds,” Patterson says. “They’ve just flown 600 miles across the Gulf, and they’re hungry. They need a place to rest, and they see this little spot of green and stop over.”
In the early ’90s, past BRAS president Gary Noel Ross, a research scientist specializing in butterflies, encouraged the
chapter to expand the sanctuary’s focus to include butterflies, which pass through Louisiana on their way to Mexico. More recently in 2020, BRAS also established the 36-acre Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary in Ascension Parish. Volunteers cut and marked trails and erected
interpretative signage that educates the public about the sanctuary’s native flora and fauna.
“People in Baton Rouge appreciate that it’s close,” says Patterson, who teaches birding classes, including ones for kids at the sanctuary and other locations.
“We keep records of what birds we’re seeing and encourage people to add to those lists and just make it sort of a nature education
COURTESYJANEPATTERSON
Patterson says she’s proud of the work BRAS has accomplished in encouraging regional residents to stop and smell the roses—or, in this case, spot the birds.
“Louisiana is just such a great place to experience birding,” she says. “A lot of people don’t realize it.” braudubon.org
How to get involved
The Baton Rouge Audubon Society hosts a variety of recurring events throughout the year at low costs. Bring your own binocs!
Monthly bird walks: The first Saturday of every month at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Monthly meet ups: The last Wednesday of the month (January-May, SeptemberDecember) at the Main Library at Goodwood and via Zoom
Quarterly bird walks: The second Saturday of the quarter at Oakley Plantation at the Audubon State Historic Site
Spring and fall birding classes: Four lectures with four field trips on the weekends, dates vary
KidsWhoBird group: Monthly meetings on Sunday afternoons at the Fairwood Branch Library, dates vary
Email questions to education@braudubon.org
A prothonotary warbler caught singing
A white ibis spotted at Joyce Wildlife Swampwalk in Ponchatoula
Darian Esser
DARIAN ESSER’S FIRST-EVER photo model was all plastic.
When she was only 8 or 9, Esser dressed up and posed her American Girl doll before stepping behind the lens of a film camera she’d swiped from her mother. The pictures are now tucked into an album as a memory of her first photo shoot.
Today, the dolls have been swapped with real-life models in sparkly, glimmering garb. That borrowed camera has long been traded for Canon and Fujifilm versions, too. Esser, 31, has built her career on creating eye-catching fashion spreads and styled shoots for brands and businesses in the Capital Region and beyond.
“(My work) is more editorial leaning and fashion-focused,” she says. “I love color in my work, so anything that’s vibrant. If you’re scrolling on social media, something that will make you stop and look at it. That’s what I aim to do in my work.”
Esser is embracing even more color—and sparkles—as the new marketing and brand manager for Baton Rouge’s Queen of Sparkles. She stepped into the role in January, after working closely with the line under her own company, Soel Studio, for years.
Though the sequined apparel oozes inspiration for shoot setups, Esser is always trying to find new ways to make her images stand out, especially for those featuring Queen of Sparkles’ recurring holidaythemed drops and game-day collections. Esser looks to social media platforms and saves ideas to private Pinterest boards.
The artist says she first dove into her passion for photography in high school, dabbling in senior portraits and other projects. After some convincing from her parents, she decided to study photography and marketing in college. At the same time, she began booking weddings.
“Weddings weren’t really what I wanted to do,” she says. “I was really more interested in the artistic side.”
One of her first big breaks happened in college while working as a sales associate at Urban Outfitters. The retailer hired Esser to shoot the New Orleans stint of an American road-trip-themed campaign, and the final product helped lead her to more creative gigs with HerringStones boutique, The Hope Shop and other local spots.
Though Esser’s work has since been seen nationwide, the Baton Rouge native has no plans to uproot anytime soon. When starting her career, Esser says she was told multiple times that it’d be hard to pursue fashion photography in Baton Rouge. Today, touches of the Capital Region can be found throughout her shoots. And Esser, who’s expecting her first child this month, hopes her story is an example of how creatives can find work without leaving home.
“I think Baton Rouge has a huge creative community,” she says. “I encourage people to try and grow that in Baton Rouge. … I found a way to make it happen.”
“Find what you love and stick to it, and the work and the fulfillment will come to you. You don’t have to move away to find that.”
—OLIVIA DEFFES
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A GUIDE TO 35+ EVENTS TO ATTEND THIS FALL
Baton Rouge Oktoberfest • Fifolet Halloween Festival
Cap City Beer Fest • Federales Fest • Farm Fête
Louisiana Bourbon Festival • Brew at the Zoo
Louisiana Book Festival • Perkins Rowe Arts Fest
A Taste of the Deep South Festival
Lebanese Festival • Plantfest! • St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival • Baton Rouge Maker Faire
Bachtoberfest • Jambalaya Jam • White Light Night
Boo at the Zoo • Manhattan Short Film Festival + More festivals on the road
PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
SEPTEMBER
BREAK OUT THE braids, grab a pretzel and hoist your stein—Baton Rouge Oktoberfest returns Sept. 29 with all the pageantry associated with the original Bavarian event. There’s no need to travel when a $40 ticket provides access to live music, games and German-inspired food here at home.
The third annual Baton Rouge Oktoberfest, organized by the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, takes place at Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge, the bucolic Arabian horse farm on Jefferson Highway. Spend a Sunday meandering through a tasting area replete with sausage, sauerkraut and other nibbles, and swig international beers provided by Mockler Beverage. Dance to local live music by Pants Party, smile for the camera through a festive photo board and test your mettle in all manner of zany competitions.
“We do a stein-hoisting contest, barrel racing and a costume contest for everyone wanting to get into the spirit,” says Stephen Hightower, LRA Greater Baton Rouge Chapter president and managing partner of City Group Hospitality. “Reception for this event has been great. It’s been really popular.
A few hundred attendees are expected, he says. The venue can accommodate up to 500.
Dozens of Oktoberfests take place across the country, including well-known Southern gatherings in Fredericksburg, Texas, and Helen, Georgia. The Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the LRA launched its version in 2021, giving locals another gastro-centric fall event.
Proceeds help fund the LRA’s ProStart program, a high school-based job training initiative for teens interested in hospitality careers. It is a much-needed labor pipeline for restaurants, Hightower says.
ProStart participants will host their own tasting booths at the event, he adds.
“Along with local chefs, we’ll have schools out there,” Hightower says. “Students will be cooking and showing off their skills.”
MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
Baton Rouge Oktoberfest
Sept. 29
Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge | 6300 Jefferson Highway
Rock N Rowe
Sept. 5, 12, 19 + 26
Perkins Rowe Town Square
The Coverly Brothers, JC Melancon Band, Peyton Falgoust Band and The V-Tones comprise this month’s lineup for the free Thursday evening concerts. The outdoor shows are staged in the heart of the popular retail and entertainment development, but in the event of rain they’re held in the adjacent Great Hall. perkinsrowe com/rocknrowe
Live
After Five
Sept. 13, 20 + 27
Rhorer Plaza
The Friday night free live outdoor music series brings local and national artists like Peyton Falgoust Band, Dominick Michael and George Porter Jr. & The Runnin’ Pardners. Food, beverage and art vendors add to the fun. downtownbr.org
Louisiana Bourbon Festival
Sept. 14
L’Auberge Hotel & Casino
A day of seminars is followed by the evening Grand Tasting, with food and more than
50 bourbons and whiskeys. The 21-andolder gathering benefits Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area. louisiana bourbonfest.com
Manhattan Short Film Festival
Sept. 25 + 29
Manship Theatre
Join theater buffs across 500 nationwide venues to view the finalists of the Manhattan Short Film Festival, then cast a vote for your fave film and actors. manship theatre.org
Farm Fête
Sept. 26
Main Street Market
Experience the long-awaited unveiling of the Main Street Market at this BREADA fundraiser showcasing food by local restaurants, craft cocktails, live music and a silent auction. breada.org
Brew at the Zoo Sept. 27
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Dress in your best safari chic and head for the 10th annual gathering at the zoo, with craft beer, food from local restaurants and live music. Grab a VIP option for extra perks. brzoobrew.org
October
ALSO THIS MONTH
Plantfest!
Oct. 5-6
The LSU Hilltop Arboretum Scoop up a new plant baby from a selection of thousands of native and traditional trees, flowers and ornamental grasses. lsu.edu/hilltop
Rock N Rowe
Oct. 3, 10, 17 + 24
Perkins Rowe Town Square
The music series continues with The Remnants, Leif Meche Band, Chubby Carrier and Phat Hat. Bring the kiddos Oct. 3 for Family Night. perkinsrowe.com/rocknrowe
Federales Fest
Oct. 5 | Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge
Giddy up! A little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, the second annual music fest returns under a canopy of oak trees with headliner Whitey Morgan and the 78’s. federalesfest.com
Lebanese Festival
Oct. 5 | Main Library at Goodwood
The scent of shawarma fills the air at this annual celebration of Lebanese culture. Sample homemade desserts and meat pies, or try a salad at the Tabbouleh Showdown. sharbel.org/festival
Walk
this way
Plot your costumes for the Fifolet Halloween Festival
ZOMBIES GROWL FIERCELY, sauntering from one bar to the next during a downtown pub crawl.
An animated skeleton ambles across a tightrope strung between two tables at a costume ball.
Joggers don blow-up dinosaur suits—while hauling a hefty pumpkin along the whole 5K route.
Participants in the annual Fifolet Halloween Parade
This is just a slice of the sort of scenes that play out at the annual Fifolet Halloween Festival. The four-day affair is organized by local nonprofit 10/31 Consortium. This year, costumers are invited to interpret the theme “They Walk Among Us” across six events.
“They” could refer to wicked witches, Victorian vampires—or even a clan of flat-earthers, 10/31 Consortium co-founder Kelley Stein says with a laugh.
And on the Saturday before Halloween, parade floats shaped like monstrous Frankensteins, supernatural flying saucers, plank-outfitted pirate ships and even an eerie ice cream truck glide through the streets of downtown.
A ceremonial zombie wedding unfolded at last year’s event, with an officiant renewing one couple’s vows atop a mobile chapel.
As the organization’s most well-attended event, the Fifolet Halloween Parade draws about 35,000 spectators. Children can snatch full-size Kit Kats and Hershey’s bars, hand-painted skulls, plush animals, shriek-inducing faux cockroaches and other on-theme trinkets. The parade phased out plastic beads in 2022.
Attendees can hop between the route and other events happening downtown that day, including the Fifolet Market and Fifolet 5K. The following day, the Fifolet Awards Brunch will crown the winners of titles like “Best Float Decor,” “Best Dance Troupe” and “Best Sucking Up to the Judges.”
The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will push grocery carts along the route to pile with nonperishable donations.
“We are the only parade where you give back to the parade as it goes on,” says Stein, who co-founded 10/31 Consortium with Corey Tullier and Jamie Schexnayder. “Everything we do is for a greater purpose.”
Since its 2010 launch, the organization has given free costumes to thousands of children across four parishes. On Halloween night, it supports neighborhoods through candy and costume donations, traffic mitigation and pedestrian safety assistance.
“At one of our first costume giveaways years and years ago, we said doors would open at 10 a.m. We had done very little advertising for it, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Stein recalls. “When we got there at 9 a.m. to set up, people were waiting in line. There was a mom who had driven from New Orleans. She said the gas was cheaper than buying costumes for three kids.”
Halloween is often a favorite holiday for children, but Stein says 10/31 is always thinking about the kids who can’t participate. She imagines costume day at school, where elated youngsters can show off their outfits—and how it might feel for someone who doesn’t have something to wear. The goal is to make the festivities accessible to every child who wants to participate.
Bachtoberfest
Oct. 11 | Main Library at Goodwood Brats. Beers. Bach. Pack a picnic spread and some craft brews, and prepare to be serenaded by Baton Rouge Symphony’s rendition of Bach’s baroque beats. brso.org
Live After Five
Oct. 11, 18 + 25 | Rhorer Plaza
Downtown’s fall music series concludes with Southern Avenue, Lil’ Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers and the Southdown Souls featuring Chris LeBlanc. downtownbr.org
Jambalaya Jam
Oct. 17 | North Boulevard Town Square
Dozens of teams face off in a jambalaya competition—and a cornhole tournament, too. cauw.org/jamjam
Hollydays
Oct. 17-19 | Raising Cane’s River Center
Junior League Baton Rouge’s annual ticketed market serves as a local kickoff to the season of giving. Snag goodies like clothing, decor and culinary goods. juniorleaguebr.org/ fundraisers/hollydays
Artists show off their pottery, permanent jewelry, paintings and more over a day of live music and entertainment. perkinsrowe.com/artsfest
“Trick-or-treat is the one time of the year it is socially acceptable to knock on your neighbor’s door,” Stein says. “We don’t interact with our neighbors anymore. ... We don’t chat over the fence; we chat on social media. … Community events strengthen neighborhoods. When you watch these kids grow up—that builds a strong, safe neighborhood.”
JENNIFER TORMO ALVAREZ
Corn Maze
Oct. 5, 12, 19 + 26
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
Wander through corn fields and climb hay mountains. And if you dare, bring a flashlight for the Night Maze on Oct. 26. lsuagcenter.com
Sunday
in the Park
Oct. 6, 13, 20 + 27
Shaw Center for the Arts Plaza
After brunch, beeline for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s afternoon concert series showcasing Louisiana musicians. artsbr.org
Henry Turner Jr. and his friends are back for a weekend of art and music with genres ranging from blues and reggae to contemporary and Christian. htjday.com
Baton Rouge Maker Faire
Oct. 19 | Main Library at Goodwood Scientists and artists of all ages gather to “show and tell” their experiments, inventions and crafts. batonrouge.makerfaire.com
Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 19-20 + 26-27 | BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Get camera-ready for a series of Halloween photo ops, plus a pintsized pumpkin patch, children’s activities and more. brzoo.org
Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Oct. 24-Nov. 3 | Airline Highway Park
Ride the Ferris wheel, marvel at a magician or gawk at the racing pigs and animatronic dinos. gbrsf.com
• Register for membership any time in the year
• Chapters are in Baton Rouge, Covington, New Orleans, Slidell, and St. Francisville
• Courses begin September 23rd
• Enroll in Fall courses (August 26-October 2)
• Early Bird Discount (August 26-September 8)
• Courses cover the arts, literature, film, fitness, dance and other fun topics.
• Membership includes lots of perks: theater discounts, a gym
LSU library
lunches, field trips and outings
NOVEMBER
Dog days
One of Companion Animal Alliance’s biggest fundraising events is filled with furry friends and unlimited beer
EVERY YEAR ON the first Sunday in November, someone lets the dogs out in downtown Baton Rouge. Who? The Cap City Beer Fest, of course.
The fall festival has been around for a little over a decade supporting local animal shelter
Companion Animal Alliance (CAA).
Ticket sales usually raise around $80,000. That can cover food, bedding, medications, adoption fees and other necessities, says Heidi Wetherbee, CAA’s communications and events senior manager.
The open-air event lures hundreds of pet owners and beer lovers. Local breweries, home brewers and bigname distributors haul kegs and cans, and pop-up their tents along downtown’s North Fourth Street.
Ticket holders can grab a pint glass
before claiming samples of fullbodied stouts, pale ales, tangy sours and meads.
Attendees can also smash seltzers, coffee and non-alcoholic bevs. There’s a lineup of around eight to 10 local food trucks, too.
Drinkers have to be 21 or older, but all are welcome to come out and enjoy the day, says Gwen Palagi, volunteer co-chair of the festival’s planning committee. Wristbands must be purchased to sample, but they’re not required to enter the festival.
Non-drinking and younger attendees are welcome to walk-
Cap City Beer Fest
Nov. 3 North Fourth Street Downtown Baton Rouge caabr.org
Nov. 2 | Downtown Baton Rouge
Bookworms can get up close and personal with hundreds of authors and poets, listen in on literary panels or find new reads to stock up their shelves. louisianabookfestival.org
St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival
Nov. 8-10 | Multiple locations
through, play giant lawn games, or find a shady spot to pet the pups.
Massive or teacup sized. Groomed or scruffy. All dogs are welcome to accompany their owners—on a leash. And though ales flow freely, cuddly pooches steal a good bit of the spotlight.
“The whole idea is to bring the community together so that we have an opportunity to share more information about the shelter, and connect people with the shelter in a different way,” Palagi says. “And just remind folks that there are so many adoptable pets available.”
OLIVIA DEFFES
Animal
A weekend-long fest chock-full of culinaryfocused events like barbecues, dinner parties and grand tastings where attendees can enjoy libations while indulging in creations from Louisiana and Mississippi chefs. stfrancisvillefoodandwine. com
White Light Night
Nov. 22
Mid City
Follow the twinkling lights down Government Street and neighboring roads to find local makers, creators, artisans and more popping up with handmade goods like art, home decor, sourdough, cookies and more. midcitymerchantsbr.org
Companion
Alliance’s Gwen Palagi, Heidi Wetherbee and Hayley King with dogs Felicity and Valentino.
This Month @ BREC [SEPTEMBER]
FREE FIRST SUNDAYS
Magnolia Mound Sept. 1 | 1-4 p.m.
VOLUNTEER FAIR
Milton J. Womack Park Ballroom Sept. 6 | 2-4 p.m.
FIRST SATURDAY AT FRENCHTOWN
Frenchtown Road Conservation Area Sept. 7 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
VIBIN YOGA
Anna T. Jordan Community Park Sept. 10 + 24 | 6-7 p.m.
NATURE NIGHT HIKE + CAMPFIRE
Zachary Community Park Sept. 13 | 7-9 p.m.
RIDE + ROLL
Perkins Road Community Park Sept. 14 | 2-6 p.m.
CHECK OUT OUR FALL PROGRAMS + EVENTS! BREC.ORg/calendar
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA FOR ADULTS
Jefferson Hwy Park
Sept. 18 | 6:30-8 p.m.
LET’S GLOW CRAZY - TEEN EVENT
North Sherwood Forest Community Park Sept. 20 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
SUNSHINE SOCIAL: DISCO FEVER
Milton J. Womack Park Ballroom Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m.
SAVORED IN A social atmosphere and unshackled by the conventions of a sit-down meal, festival fare is its own delightful gastronomic category—especially in Louisiana.
Who doesn’t love being unleashed at a community gathering to hunt down the best bites and sips? Bring on the small plates, we say. Let’s have a taste of those diminutive party pick-ups. Sign us up for something homespun and deep-fried, washed down with craft beer or an inventive cocktail. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find at some of the area’s food-centric fall gatherings.
MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
Louisiana Bourbon Fest
Sept. 14
Meander from table to table for pours of dozens of high-end bourbons and whiskeys while dining on detailed small plates from local chefs. There’s serious value behind this festival’s $100 Grand Tasting ticket price.
Good dirt
Farm Fête
Sept. 26
Experience what happens when some of the area’s top chefs and mixologists get creative with Louisiana ingredients. Pumpkin ricotta tartlets and strawberrytopped scratch-made cakes were among last year’s faves, along with herb-infused rum cocktails.
Knotted up
Baton Rouge Oktoberfest
Sept. 29
Sausage, beer and pretzels dunked in beer cheddar sauce or Germaninspired mustard are part of the bold and savory lineup found at this year’s event. You’ll feel like you’re in Munich.
Shawarma shot
Baton Rouge Lebanese Fest
Oct. 5
Baton Rouge’s well-established love for Lebanese cuisine has a new outlet. This second annual festival will boost awareness of Lebanon’s rich culture and fare with homemade tabbouleh, baklava and meat pies, plus shawarma, gyros and hummus from Serop’s Café.
Get crafty
Cap City Beer Fest
Nov. 3
From porters and pilsners to ales and stouts, there’s a generous variety of suds at this downtown gathering. Combine your swigs with noshes from a swarm of local food trucks.
A moveable feast
White Light Night
Nov. 22
More than 50 bars, restaurants and retailers participate in this annual arts bazaar spanning 2.5 miles on and around Government Street in Mid City. Along with live music and local art, find culinary options like Tex-Mex, Sonoranstyle tacos, Indian street food, Japanese and Korean frozen treats, spicy wings and more. A list like that can mean only one thing: Come hungry.
At this month’s Farm Fête, Cocha will serve a cucumber gazpacho with cucumber crema, minced red onion, poached Gulf shrimp and dill.
PHOTO BY JENN OCKEN / COURTESY BREADA
City Club of Baton Rouge served pumpkin ricotta tartlets at last year’s Farm Fête.
Southern soundtrack
Federales Fest returns for year two
FEDERALES FEST, A one-day event aimed at celebrating Southern music through a variety of local, regional and national acts, is set to return to Baton Rouge for its sophomore showing on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The festival will once again be held at Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge, a horse farm located along Jefferson Highway. The main stage will be erected underneath a covered horse arena.
“The venue lends itself to a great time with its beautiful scenery, and the music is a great mix of everything: country, rock ‘n’ roll and a little bit of funk out of New Orleans,” says festival organizer J. Hover.
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than last year’s effort, according to Hover. Most notably, a second stage—the “Gooseneck Stage”— will be introduced outside of the aforementioned arena. There, local and touring acts will perform between sets on the main stage.
Presenting sponsor Williamson Eye Center will also host a tamale and tequila tasting experience that will “probably lend itself to some acoustic jams.”
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, an outlaw country group based in Flint, Michigan, will headline this year’s festival. Other artists on the lineup include The Southside Roosters, Dragon Smoke, Daniel
Domato’s Cosmic Country and Taylor Hunnicutt.
Food vendors, including BLDG 5, Chow Yum, Iverstine Butcher and Town Square Pizza, will be onsite. General admission tickets are $75. VIP access is $200 and includes complimentary drinks and food.
“I’m just trying to do cool stuff around town, and I find that there’s a need for this kind of elevated music experience in Baton Rouge,” Hover says.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Be Positive, Hover’s nonprofit aimed at “supporting and developing the next generation of Louisiana artists, chefs and musicians.” federalesfest.com
DILLON LOWE
The Southside Roosters will play Federales Fest with members Rich Bourgeois, Kyle Zeringue and Tommy Stuckey, plus Jeff Plauche and Pat O’Brien (not pictured).
Issue Date: APR 2024 Ad proof #4
•
More artists to catch this fall
Ace of bass
George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners
Sept. 27 at Live After Five
Best known as a member of funk outfit The Meters, Porter is considered one of the country's best bassists.
Classic concertos
David Torns
Oct. 11 at Bachtoberfest Torns will conduct the music of Johann Sebastian Bach at the outdoor fest.
Train to Memphis
Southern Avenue
Oct. 11 at Live After Five Grammy-nominated
Memphis group Southern Avenue fuses elements of blues, gospel and soul.
Zydeco junkies
Chubby Carrier
Oct. 17 at Rock N Rowe
This Zydeco great has collaborated with the likes of Tab Benoit, Doug Kershaw and Calvin Owens.
Funky music
Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor
Oct. 19 + 20 at A Taste of the Deep South Festival Turner has made a name for himself with his unique blend of blues, funk, soul and reggae.
his band at A Taste of the Deep South Festival in October.
Bet on it
Petty Betty
Oct. 25 at Fifolet
Halloween Ball
Who doesn’t love a good tribute band?
This high-energy outfit is slated to rock the ball portion of this year’s Fifolet Halloween Festival.
wine & Dine
The second annual Louisiana Food and Wine Festival in Lake Charles celebrates the state’s culinary traditions
MOST OF THE U.S. has heard of Louisiana’s spicy, ruby red crawfish, tasty boiled shrimp and hearty crab-filled dishes.
But Jan Gourley, founder and director of the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival, encourages local, regional and national attendees to bust out of their culinary comfort zones.
“(We’re) opening their eyes to boudin, cracklins, andouille and things that Louisiana is known for,” she says.
The Louisiana Food and Wine Festival aims to prove there’s good cookin’ to be found not only in New Orleans but statewide—and particularly in Acadiana, where the event is staged.
Hosted at locations around Lake Charles, the festival returns for its second year with formal six-course dinners, tastings, cooking classes, barbecues and more. Attendees should bring their appetite for three days of tasty events, plus an introductory dinner on Thursday.
“What I try to explain to people is that the Cajun and Creole culture that Louisiana has built its famous cuisine on truly lives in Acadiana and southwest Louisiana,” Gourley says. “(This festival) is more of an authentic Louisiana experience.”
Last year’s inaugural event lured attendees from every parish in Louisiana along with others from Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and even Canada, Gourley says.
More fall fests worth a day trip
Yacht Rock Beer Fest
Sept. 13
Sugar Mill Pond in Youngsville
Slam free beer samples and dance along to live music performances covering some yacht rock hits.
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival
Sept. 26-29
Main Street in New Iberia
Celebrate Louisiana’s sweetest crop with parades, car shows, live entertainment and more.
“A lot of people had said, ‘It’s going to be a hit-or-miss thing,’” Gourley says. “‘People probably won’t get it because it’s the first year, and it’s a lot different from every other festival.’ But they did. … The objective of creating a culinary destination event, I believe, was achieved.”
Things kick off on Thursday, Sept. 19, with Louisiana’s Celebrity Chefs Wine Dinner. Held at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, the meal will feature six courses prepared by acclaimed chefs. Each plate will be expertly paired with a wine.
The festival continues on Friday with master classes taught by celebrity chefs with themes like “The Perfect Wine & Oyster Pairings” and “Southern Inspired Smokey Seafood Mac & Cheese.” That evening, pitmasters will serve up grilled dishes for Fire on the Lake. The Grand Tasting event on Saturday and a lively Jazz Brunch on Sunday close it all out.
“(We hope to) introduce people to new things,” Gourley says. “Especially people that are not from Louisiana that have never heard about what maque choux is. Last year, we had a pitmaster that had an alligator on a spit.”
Louisiana Food & Wine Festival
Sept. 19-22
Locations vary | Lake Charles louisianafoodandwinefestival.com
Sweet
Dough Pie Festival
Oct. 26
Grand Coteau Town Park
Get your sweet treat fix with sugary desserts stuffed with custards and fruity fillings made by pastry chefs and home bakers.
NOLA Zydeco Fest
Nov. 2
Crescent Park
Taste and see what Louisiana Creole culture has to offer with flavorful cuisine, art vendors, dance classes and more.
Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Nov. 7-10
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Follow the savory smell of deep fried cracklins to find a carnival, pageants, live swamp pop music and more.
Covington Three Rivers Art Festival
Nov. 9 + 10
Downtown Covington
Hundreds of local artists pop up in Covington for this outdoor, juried festival.
Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Nov. 9 + 10
Louis Armstrong Park
Feast on gumbo varieties while listening to the sweet stylings of brass bands.
Southern Screen Festival
NOLA Coffee Festival
Sept. 27 + 28
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Have some cups of joe with two days of coffee education, barista demos and tastings from over 25 roasters.
St. Tammany Parish Fair
Oct. 2-6
St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds
Step right up! This fair celebrates 115 years of rodeos, pageants, music, food, exhibits, rides and more.
Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair
Oct. 4-6
Downtown Abbeville
Moo-ve it on over to Abbeville for cattle shows, parades, tasty eats and plenty of room for a few fais do-dos.
New Orleans Film Festival
Oct. 16-27
Various locations
Grab the popcorn. This Oscarqualifying film fest gathers movie fans for screenings of over 150 films.
Nov. 21-24
Downtown Lafayette
Film lovers and moviemakers can participate in screenings, panels, parties and more.
Beignet Festival
Nov. 16
New Orleans City Park
Festival Grounds
Sample sugar-dusted and savory stuffed beignets, and enjoy live music, an art market and a beer garden.
OLIVIA DEFFES
Off the rack
Baton Rouge has seen a recent rise in boutique closures. What does it take to run bricks-andmortar retail in 2024?
BY OLIVIA DEFFES
RICHIE
PHOTOS BY COLLIN
After MAREM closed its Burbank Drive storefront, Taylor Paysse was able to sublease it for her concept AnnLian.
Shops like AnnLian pay close attention to local consumers’ interests, including stocking lots of purple for fall football.
WANDERLUST BY ABBY just opened for the day, and the Perkins Road store is already filling with shoppers eager to score a special piece from a big summer sale.
Customers rummage the racks of sequined tops and patterned dresses, asking for opinions from the dressing rooms. Owner Abby Bullock’s cell chimes with each register sale.
Despite today’s crowd, Bullock has noticed a concerning new trend over the past 12 to 18 months.
RECENT CLOSURES
SINCE 2023, WE’VE been keeping tabs on storefront closures and onlineonly transitions. Some announced their reasonings via social media while others closed up shop with no comment. Here’s a handful we found.
Apricot Lane Closed: 2023
This Perkins Rowe location made Instagram posts back in October 2023 seeking a new, local owner. But its spot is now occupied by Body Sculpt Barre Baton Rouge.
Blu Spero, now Lily and Park Closed: 2023
This Baton Rouge-based boutique once had locations as far as Alabama and Florida, but in 2023 it started announcing multiple closures. Now, Blu Spero is known as Lilly and Park and operates online with clothing items similar to what the old storefronts stocked.
The Vintage-Violet Closed: 2023
Mold in its Mid City building forced The Vintage-Violet to move inventory to storage. It sold off piles of decadesold fashion and luxury items in pop-up liquidation sales.
Dawson Street Closed: November 2023
The shop owner explained via Instagram that the closure was due to her family's move to Texas.
Norah Closed: 2024
The modern interior home and gift shop opened its doors in May 2023. Its last Instagram post was in March 2024. Google states it is permanently closed.
Posh Boutique, now Oat Boutique
Closed: 2024
The Village at Willow Grove spot was known for trendy clothing. After seven years of business, it announced it was transitioning to an online store and rebranding as Oat Boutique. But Oat hasn't posted on social media since February and could not be reached for comment.
SoSis
Closed: January 2024
SoSis now operates as an online boutique with signature apparel drops. In an Instagram post, owners Annie Claire Bass and Chelsey Blankenship said they wanted to make space for something new in their lives.
MAREM
Closed: March 2024
Owners Emily Rodrigue and Marlo Veillon revealed in an Instagram post that they felt the physical store was taking a lot of energy to run and would be shifting to online-only. Marlo also moved to Lafayette.
Abby Bullock, owner of Wanderlust by Abby, says her sales have flatlined over the past 12 to 18 months.
“I know it seems like a scary time to do this right now. … (But) I was like, ‘Why not?’”
Taylor Paysse on converting her online shop, AnnLian, into a brick-and-mortar
“I’m on track to make my goal for this year, but I’ve seen no increase in sales,” she says. “They’ve stayed robust, but I just haven’t seen an increase.”
To compensate, she has made small changes and cut unnecessary expenses. She got rid of her water cooler, downsized her storage unit and has been more intentional about what she stocks.
She motions to a full, discounted rack of athleisure toward the back of the shop and tells me she probably won’t stock as much workout gear next year.
Though boutiques have come and gone while Bullock has operated her storefront during the past decade, she says that besides the early days of COVID-19, she’s never seen as many shops exit the brick-and-mortar format.
Pumpkin Patch
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“It’s so sad, because I think these boutiques are really cute, and a lot of them are (owned by) my friends,” she says.
Nationally, brick-and-mortar retail sales have fluctuated for years, and 2024 saw some big casualties. Names like Family Dollar, Rue 21 and Express announced hundreds of closures across the nation.
Around the Capital Region, quite a few boutiques and retail concepts have recently shuttered for good or opted to shift to an e-commerce model.
Are inflation-fatigued shoppers just not adding to cart? Is a rise in online fast fashion to blame for the retail downturn? On my daily TikTok scrolls, I’ve spied tons of Amazon dupes that cost a fraction of designer prices.
Or is something else at play? After mining for clues in more than 10 closure announcements on Instagram, the bittersweet-butoften-vaguely-worded captions showed that store operators have a litany of reasons for closing doors.
Luke Lognion, former co-owner of BRASS by Circa 1857, tells me his experience taught him that retail is a full-time commitment—and then some. Entrepreneurs need to love running a storefront and maintain the energy to cultivate it.
With his lease ending, he decided to close BRASS in July. Lognion, who is also the managing director of Live After Five and director of the Baton Rouge Arts Market, just didn’t enjoy all the small, mundane tasks required to operate the concept. He’d prefer to focus on other endeavors, he says.
BRASS sold locally made gifts, originally catered to tourists. But there weren’t a lot of out-of-town patrons coming to the downtown shop, either, and overall foot traffic was low.
Luke Lognion, former co-owner of BRASS by Circa 1857, cites a number of a reasons for permanently closing the shop this summer, including low foot traffic downtown.
RECENT CLOSURES
Moxi Boutique, now Moxi the Label
Closed: March 2024
This chic Lee Drive shop relaunched online under the new name Moxi the Label. Owner Jenee Esquivel wanted a fresh rebrand that would allow her to sell affordable jewelry and more trendy clothing pieces.
Myla Boutique
Closed: May 2024
In an Instagram video, mother-daughter duo Jamie and Mya Jones shared that they shuttered their Perkins Road shop to put more time and energy into their online operations.
Rose Beton, now Betton Rose Boutique
Closed: May 2024
The fashion-forward brand recently announced its Mall of Louisiana closure. It continues to operate online and at a storefront in the Mall of Georgia.
Local Leaf Gallery
Closed: June 2024
Local Leaf Gallery now operates via its website. Owner Brittany Rouse says the switch was because she wanted to spend more time with her family.
The Downtown Development District has been investigating how to attract more retail to the neighborhood. A 2024 study by the International Downtown
Association showed that the district’s retail sales account for 4.6% of citywide retail sales, compared with 6% in other emerging downtowns. Lognion’s advice
for future store runners: Cater to those already living or working in the area by focusing on items like home decor or kitchen wares.
“I really believe in this spot,” he says of the North Boulevard space. “Somebody who knows retail, who actually has an eye for it and actually loves doing it, will be able to thrive in this location.”
Taylor Paysse saw her own serendipitous chance to try out a brick-and-mortar for her online concept, AnnLian, after a closure announcement from MAREM owners Emily Rodrigue and Marlo Veillon. In the duo’s Instagram farewell, they suggested their Burbank Drive spot would be perfect for any boutique owner.
Paysse has been able to temporarily sublease the old MAREM space for the past five months, which she says has given her the chance to see how she likes operating a physical shop.
Today at the store, she strikes up conversations and processes purchases all with a smile. We
pause our interview a few times so she can ring up customers.
It’s a steamy July day, and Paysse admits the close-to-LSU location can be quiet during summer.
But with the current state of retail, Paysse resorts to a hodgepodge of strategies to lure shoppers. She’s working on adding a T-shirt collection catered to men and designing her own exclusive drops. She’s always looking for unique gems to stock her racks.
“I know it seems like a scary time to do this right now,” Paysse says. “But, basically I was like, ‘Why not? If all these boutiques are closing down and I’ve done so well with pop-ups, just try it out and see.’ ... I think we’ve been doing pretty good.”
I catch up with her again in August via text, and she says she is ready to commit to brick-andmortar. And, she’s in it for the long haul—hoping to lock in a multi-year lease and even scoping out local spots for other locations.
Upcoming Events Events
Harvest Days | Saturday, October 5 & Sunday, October 6 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Experience the history of 19th-century rural Louisiana during harvest time. Don't miss this unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the rich heritage of Louisiana! Tickets available at https://bit.ly/RLMHD2024
Corn Maze at Burden | Every Saturday in October | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Traverse the maze. Meander through the sunflower fields. Ride a hayride and pick satsumas. Climb hay mountain. Explore the corn crib and more. Advance tickets required. Available at https://bit.ly/CornMaze24
Night Maze at Burden | Saturday, October 26 | 6-9 p.m.
Try to find your way out of the corn maze in the dark at Night Maze. Wear your Halloween costume and enjoy hay mountain, the corn crib and games. Join us for this fun, family event. Advance available at https://bit.ly/CornMaze24
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and activities of an old-fashioned country fair. Enjoy storytelling, cake walks, games and trick-or-treating. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/RLMHHH2024
Premiering this holiday season! this holiday season!
November 29-December 29
Step inside a glowing wonderland and discover a new festive tradition. Experience the radiant beauty of historic Windrush Gardens at Burden, exquisitely lit for the holidays. Ticket sales coming soon!
Presenting Sponsor
An LSU and LSU AgCenter facility.
Raising the bar
Zee Zee’s Kitchen + Cocktails serves more than just divey drinks and post-booze bites
Zee Zee’s Kitchen+Cocktails
BY BENJAMIN LEGER // PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades.
zeezeesbr.com
2943 Perkins Road
Tuesday-Thursday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight
Closed Mondays
WHEN MY FRIENDS and I want to meet up for drinks, there’s always some back and forth in the group chat about where to try next. Naturally, I try to steer the conversation toward a bar with a food menu.
I always want a snack—especially when drinks are involved. That’s how we landed on Zee Zee’s Kitchen + Cocktails.
The bar and eatery opened in the former cave-like George’s in the Perkins Road Overpass area nearly two years ago. I had been once for a quick late-night drink with friends after dinner nearby and was surprised to see a). how boisterous the place was on a Thursday night; and b). the fairly substantial food menu of more than the usual bar snacks.
This time we stopped by on a Wednesday night, early enough to beat the young professional crowd that has made this their hangout.
It was a nice surprise to find many of the tables occupied with families with young children. I’m guessing the changeover in atmosphere and age range doesn’t happen until later. The space is still mostly devoid of natural light, but the warm wood walls, Christmas lights and upholstered booths give it a locals-only pub vibe.
After we ordered some drinks of our own, our friendly server suggested the Pizza Eggrolls for an appetizer. Stuffed with pepperoni,
December 2022, nodding to the original Zee Zee Gardens that’s now Overpass Merchant across the street. Adding another crowd-pleasing hangout to the neighborhood, this spot offers a sizable menu and a back patio perfect for a long evening of drinks with the regulars.
WHAT’S A MUST: The Pizza Eggrolls replaced the menu’s Pizza Beignets, but are just as tasty, with a thick marinara dipping sauce on the side. The Fried Crawfish salad is a heaping plate of seasoned, crunchy crawfish tails and enough veggies to make you feel somewhat healthy. And the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken sandwich is a tender and spicy choice to wash down with a cold beer.
sausage and mozzarella, these were thankfully not as greasy as I thought they might be. The crispy exterior was airy, and a sweet and chunky marinara dipping sauce created the perfect pizza-like bite each time.
I was floored by the variety of sandwiches, burgers and salads on the menu. My friends and
I decided we would leave any healthy diets behind us for the night as we placed our orders.
First up was the Fried Crawfish salad with thick slices of cucumber and tomatoes, a sprinkling of bacon and plenty of shredded cheddar over lettuce. The fried crawfish were nice and salty, though not as plentiful as we
would have liked. Served with a honey mustard dressing, this was still a hefty meal in itself.
Next came a Zee Zee’s signature, the Zee-Monlina pasta, which is a callback to the beloved Pasta Roban at the now-closed Baton Rouge locations of New Orleansborn Semolina’s Restaurant. A giant bowl of shells were covered
THE BASICS: Zee Zee’s opened in the former George’s in the Perkins Road Overpass area in
The Nashville Hot Fried Chicken sandwich
in a cream sauce and lots of parsley and green onions. You can order with a protein, so we added chicken. The menu said the sauce was “spicy,” but we found ourselves adding salt and pepper because the seasoning was lacking.
However, the pasta had a nice chew, the slices of chicken were tender and the sauce was not overly thick.
Finally, I found myself drawn to the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken sandwich. Ever since the spicy chicken craze caught on, I’ve been interested to see who does it best around Baton Rouge. Zee Zee’s also has a Nashville Hot Curds appetizer if you’re not up for a full meal of the spiced goodness.
My sandwich came fully dressed on a sesame bun with plenty of pickles. I was already a little carbed out, so I gave myself one or two bites of the sandwich before deconstructing it to get to the juicy fried chicken.
The saucy seasoning had a good level of heat to it that lingered. I’d
consider it a worthy take on the Nashville-born dish.
Not to be forgotten was the side of crinkly sweet potato fries. Our server recommended them, and she was right on the money. Nicely seasoned and crispy, they had everyone at my table reaching over for a handful throughout the night.
During that first visit to Zee Zee’s months ago, I had wrongly assumed this was just a divey Overpass-area joint. But my table agreed the tasty options put its menu a step above typical bar fare.
Our server was also top notch— friendly, attentive, unobtrusive and led us in the right direction with her suggestions.
For those of you who have already made Zee Zee’s a destination on your bar crawl route, consider stopping by a little earlier in the evening to fill up on some great food before the partying commences.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with stopping in “just for one drink” and in the end getting a delicious meal out of it, too.
The Zee-Monlina pasta is a tribute to Semolina Restaurant's beloved Pasta Roban.
LIZ MANGHAM & JOHN SHIRODA
JOHN G. TURNER & JERRY G. FISCHER
TRICIA DAY & JOE SIMMONS
CATHY COATES & BRIAN HALES
SUSAN
DINING IN
Meatloaf Monday
Finding comfort in weekday home cooking
BY TRACEY KOCH
PHOTOS BY AMY SHUTT
I'M NOT SURE when meatloaf and Mondays became a thing. But I do know meatloaf has been around for a long time, and I feel very nostalgic for my childhood whenever I eat it.
I started making this version when my own children were little and have stuck with it ever since.
Back then, my kiddos did not like to find “crunchy stuff” in their meat. So I started putting the onion, bell pepper and garlic in the food processor along with the eggs to blend everything up.
What was then a way to sneak in ingredients, is now my preferred method for making meatloaf. The pureeing helps to create a lighter, moist and tender meatloaf that, at least at my house, pleases the whole family.
Whether or not you have schoolaged kids, once September rolls around, the mood changes. With a busier schedule, I always find it helpful to plan out my weeknight dinners in advance, making grocery trips more efficient and evenings less stressful.
Here is one of my “go-to” weeknight menus that’s great any night of the week, and on manic Mondays, in particular. These dishes are easy to put together and can be made in advance and baked later in the week—if Mondays aren’t your moment.
On the menu
• Monday’s Meatloaf
• Easy Potato and Onion Gratin
Recipes
by
Tracey Koch
Monday’s Meatloaf
Serves 6
2 pounds 85% lean ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped bell pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
2 eggs
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
FOR TOP OF THE MEATLOAF:
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons A.1. Bold & Spicy Sauce
¼ cup ketchup
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
how to make
visit 225batonrouge.com/recipes.
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a standard 8.5-by-4.5-inch loaf pan with foil. Put the ground beef into a large mixing bowl.
2. Place the onion, bell pepper, garlic, eggs, ketchup and Worcestershire into a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
3. Pour the pureed mixture over the ground meat, and add in the salt, pepper and breadcrumbs. Mix until everything is well combined.
4. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, A.1. sauce, ketchup and kosher salt.
5. Press the meat mixture into the lined loaf pan and then spread the sauce mixture evenly over the top of the meat.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until the juices run clear. Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
For
these Sauteed Fresh Green Beans with toasted almonds and a bit of lemon zest,
Easy Potato and Onion Gratin
Serves 6
1 bag frozen hash browns
4 tablespoons butter
1 sweet onion, sliced thin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¾ cup dry white wine
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the frozen hash browns into a large mixing bowl and set them aside.
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Add in the onion, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Saute until the onions are soft and becoming golden in color.
3. Add the sauteed onions to the potatoes. Season with the Creole seasoning and remaining salt and pepper. Fold in the sour cream and cheddar cheese.
4. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with the remaining tablespoon of butter.
5. Pour the potato mixture into the buttered dish and top with the remaining cup of grated cheese. Use a spoon to make several slits in the casserole Drizzle the dry white wine over top, making sure the wine begins to absorb into the slits. Cover with foil.
6. Place the potato and onion gratin into the oven, and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 7 to 10 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted.
Tiles Tiles
in style in style
Mahjong trend spreads in the Capital Region
BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
It’s a muggy, mid-week morning in late July when 20 women gather for a mahjong lesson at The Keeping Room. Five groups of four take seats at square tables tightly situated in the stationery shop, each topped with a chintz tablecloth, a playing mat and a tidy arrangement of 152 enameled tiles.
There’s a tile tray at each seat, kind of like Scrabble, along with a printed nametag and trifold laminated card with a
dizzying list of letter and number combinations. (More on that later.)
Everyone’s a beginner at today’s session. One player comments that she knew mahjong from a pivotal scene in Crazy Rich Asians, adding that she was looking for a game other than bridge to play with friends. Another says her sister is in a league in New Orleans, and that she liked the idea of playing to keep her brain sharp since her mom has dementia.
The room buzzes as the women chat. The tiles’ chunky shape and glossy sheen makes them tempting to touch. Some players pick them up for a closer look.
Minutes later, a two-hour lesson begins, hosted by Mahjong Rouge founders Mauree Brooksher and Stephanie Politz.
The two friends learned to play three years ago and launched a business in May to provide lessons and leagues.
They say they’ve been surprised by the robust response. Immediately after opening, the modest side hustle morphed into multiple teaching sessions a week at retail stores, private residences and other locations.
Indeed, mahjong is having a serious moment across the country. The tile game for four was developed in China in the mid19th century. It has been in the U.S. since the 1920s, its popularity ebbing and flowing over the last 100 years. Long a sought-after pastime for those of Asian descent, mahjong has seeped into the mainstream recently. Lessons
and playing groups are popping up all over the U.S., fueled by pop culture references and the post-pandemic need for authentic social interaction.
Elsewhere in the Capital Region, meetups have emerged at venues like the West Feliciana Parish Library and The Royal Standard.
The game has also become fashionable. In May, House Beautiful called mahjong rooms “the design world’s latest obsession.” And higher end merch retailers like The Mahjong Line, which Brooksher and Politz represent, sell trendy game sets priced from $375-$450.
Brooksher, formerly a teacher and stroller fitness entrepreneur, dives into today’s instruction,
carefully describing the tiles’ suits and functions. She asks the group to repeat the new vocabulary— words like crack, bam and dot—to help absorb it. Once the rudiments are out of the way, the object of the game is revealed: to create a winning hand of matching or sequential tiles, similar to rummy or poker. Players draw and discard tiles throughout the game, strategizing with each turn how to reach a “mahjong” with the required 14. There are intricacies that make mahjong more challenging than other games. That includes what defines a winning hand in the first place, which changes annually. The list of possible winning hands is issued each year by the National Mah Jongg League in New Jersey on the trifold cards that Brooksher
and Politz have placed at each player’s seat. The game becomes easier the more you play, says Politz, a former lawyer.
“You start with all these tiles, and it can seem overwhelming, but then you’re creating something,” she says. “I love the feeling that you’re imposing order over chaos.”
Once the training wheels come off, beginners can advance to Mahjong Rouge’s intermediate lessons as well as league play that convenes friends and strangers for regular competitions.
“We did this because we wanted to provide an opportunity for social connection,” Brooksher says. “I think it’s filling a void for an inner longing for community.” Find Mahjong Rouge on Instagram at @mahjong_rouge
Mahjong, a tile game for four, was developed in China in the mid-19th century.
Make this Fall season an adventure with BREC!
Wonders of Wildlife AUG. 17
Learn more about the amazing wildlife right in your backyard!
Nature Night Hike + Campfire AUG. 30 + SEPT 13
Come explore our trails at night and enjoy a gooey s’more!
Ride & Roll SEPT. 14
Grab your bikes and boards and get to ready to roll!
The Great Pumpkin Dash OCT. 5
We’re dashing through the fall at this new 5K Race!
For more awesome events this season visit...
Swamp Haunted Hikes OCT. 11 + 18 + 25
Enjoy our not-so-spooky festivities at the swamp!
Geaux Fish! Catfish Rodeo OCT. 12
Bring on the competition and fish with the whole family!
Roller Jam OCT. 19
Grab your skates, it’s time for roller jam with the fam!
Reindog Run DEC. 14
Bring your puppy pals out to this holiday fun run!
Guide
Compiled by Olivia Deffes
SEPT. 8
Indie pop band Summer Salt is bringing its “Driving Back to Hawaii” tour to Baton Rouge with a performance at Chelsea’s Live. Get one last taste of summer with songs that’ll make you wish you were basking in the warm sunlight. chelseaslive.com
SEPT. 13
Be prepared to laugh when comedian Iliza Shlesinger comes to crack some jokes at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. Known for her Netflix specials and for coining the term “elder millennial,” Shlesinger is ready to hit the stage with all new material. lbatonrouge.com
SEPT. 13
SEPT. 5
Sing and dance along to hits of the Fab Four with Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience at Manship Theatre. Attendees can fill out request cards to create The Beatles-filled setlist, performed by a live band. manshiptheatre.org
SEPT. 12 TO NOV. 17
See the LSU Museum of Art’s latest exhibit “Southern Reflections.” This collection pairs the work of two Louisiana artists and their contrasting landscape pieces. Shirley Rabé Masinter’s work focused on the scenes of inner-city New Orleans while Kathryn Keller’s pieces showcase the spanning terrain of nature. lsumoa.org
•
This one’s for the ’90s babies. Pull your wardrobe's boldest patterns, freshest looks and vintage pieces. New Orleans cover band Big in the 90s will rock the Varsity Theatre with a show that promises everything from “Gin Blossoms to Ginuwine.” varsitytheatre.com
SEPT. 20-29
Watch as the talented actors in Theatre Baton Rouge’s The Cake tell the tale of North Carolina baker Della, who is faced with a decision when she’s asked to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. theatrebr.org
SEPT. 24 + 25
A Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra string quartet will bring the works of the classical composer Mozart and the iconic rock band Queen to life with Queen of the Night: A Concert with Candles. Warm, flickering candlelight sets the mood for this intimate music mashup. brso.org
COURTESY LAUBERGECASINO&HOTEL
Compiled by Olivia Deffes
SUNNY DAYS
Looking for Sesame Street? Just head over to the Raising Cane’s River Center. Sesame Street Live! brings Elmo and his fuzzy friends to life with a show full of singing, dancing and play. raisingcanesrivercenter.com
21 + 22
MAKE A SPLASH
Take the fur babies for a much-needed cool dip at BREC’s Liberty Lagoon’s End of Summer Dog Pool Pawty. Dogs of all sizes are welcome to dive in for water-filled fun. Each day is divided into three sessions dedicated to small pups, big dogs and all canines. libertylagoon.com
ALSO THIS MONTH
SEPT. 10
Start your day in a wild way with Zoo & Me Morning at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. This animal-focused event is catered to little ones ages 3 to 5 and their parents or guardians. Get up close with animal encounters, crafting and more. brzoo.org
SEPT. 14
Join residents, business owners and civic leaders at the first-ever Connecting East Baton Rouge Neighborhood Convention at the Raising Cane’s River Center. The event aims to equip attendees with tools to enhance and celebrate their neighborhoods. Registration is required. brla.gov
SEPT. 21
Adjust your tiaras, and head over to the Embassy Suites by Hilton for Baton Rouge Princess Day. Bring your kiddos along for whimsy and magic with real-life fairytale characters. Along with meet and greets, there will be opportunities to sing, dance and more. Find it on Facebook
SEPT. 28
Giddy up and get ready to watch some professional wrangling at the Southeastern Rodeo Association Black Rodeo The Raising Cane’s River Center will transform into an arena for barrel racing, calf roping and bull riding. serodeo.com
MORE EVENTS
Subscribe to our newsletter 225 Daily for our twiceweekly roundups of events. 225batonrouge. com/225daily
THURSDAY SEPT. 5TH
YESTERDAY & TODAY: AN INTERACTIVE BEATLES EXPERIENCE
Proudly Sponsored by:
THURSDAY SEPT. 12TH
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THURSDAY SEPT. 19TH
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LAFAYETTE
SEPT. 13: Jelly Roll at the CAJUNDOME, cajundome.com
SEPT. 14: The Chee Weez at Rock'n'Bowl, rocknbowl.com/lafayette
SEPT. 21: NOMAD Music Festival, nomadmusicfest.com
In every issue of 225, you’ll find a free print on this page. FRAMED celebrates life and art in Baton Rouge, each one featuring a local photographer, place or graphic designer. Cut it out to hang in your cubicle, or frame it for your home gallery wall. Show us where you hang them by tagging them on social media with #225prints.
GET FEATURED We love spotlighting local photographers, artists and designers for this page! Shoot us an email at editor@225batonrouge.com to chat about being featured.
A painted bunting at BREC’s Dawson Creek Greenway
PHOTO BY TIM NGUYEN / Find him on Instagram at @runpaddlebirds
SATURDAY SCIENCE for Teens!
FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
1PM | MAIN LIBRARY AT GOODWOOD
LSU’s free public talk series designed to connect teens to science and technology
Do You Have SI Joint Pain?
NEW ADVANCEMENTS IN IMPLANT TECHNOLOGY
We are excited to announce that we now offer the innovative SI-Bone iFuse Implant System to our patients experiencing SI (sacroiliac) joint disfunction. Performed in less than an hour, iFuse provides patients a permanent treatment to address their SI joint pain.
Do you experience lower back pain, numbness, tingling, leg instability or difficulty sitting or sleeping? If you think your symptoms might be coming from your SI Joint, scan the QR code to learn more, or request an appointment to discuss your treatment options.
