225 Magazine [March 2022]

MARCH 2022 • FREE ST. PATRICK’S DAY 16 THE FLOWER FEST 63 CHELSEA’S LIVE 83

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Lindsey Harvey PT, MPT

Michelle Plauche, LOTR, CHT

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CONTENTS //

Features 16 Which krewe is making slam dunks on the parade route 19 Who is leading social bike riding groups 68 How you can shop local makers all year long 76 Where to find Baton Rouge’s newest rooftop bar And much more…

Departments 12 19 27 28 63 71 83 92

What’s Up Our City I am 225 Cover story Style Taste Culture Calendar

ON THE COVER

25 Unique Workouts

Local band The Nocturnal Broadcast at Chelsea’s Live in January

Women Impact S P E C I A L A DVERTI S I NG S ECTI ON, PAG E 4 3

MAKING AN

COLLIN RICHIE

GYM FIT GAVE 225 its own personal Cirque du Soleil show for this month’s cover shoot.

The local fitness studio’s co-owner David Gabel demonstrated his trapeze skills alongside Christa Kelley—all while assuring us that anyone can learn to practice circus arts. Staff photographer Collin Richie captured all the action. For more interesting and inspiring workouts around town, turn to our cover story on page 28.

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Monster Protection Mode Lock doors. Adjust lights. Arm home security.

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Cox Homelife is available to residential customers in select Cox service areas. A high-speed Internet connection is required. Cox Homelife Security service plan required for professional monitoring services for intrusion, smoke/fire and related system components.

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Cool down I’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT the best part of a workout is the end. In those last few moments, when you begin your cool down, it’s a chance to catch your breath.

When the adrenaline of a cardio session wears off, you’ll finally be able to wipe the sweat off your face. How satisfying is it to cleanse the mud off your sneakers after a hike, or rinse the salt and sand out of your hair after a swim in the ocean?

You can relish in knowing you’ve completed something challenging, maybe even grueling. That you’ve done something good for yourself, and for your mental and physical health.

Washing all of that off after a workout, to me, feels like rebirth, revival and renewal. Because I know I’ll be stronger and even more prepared to do it all again the next day.

I thought about that feeling as we were preparing this month’s cover story, interviewing people who lead classes in sports like paddleboarding, circus arts, pickleball, pole dancing and goat yoga.

These classes aren’t just about fitness. They’re about empowerment. They provide an escape from the chaotic world around us. And I think our region is so much better off thanks to them.

The sweet relief that comes at the end of a workout feels like a perfect metaphor for what we’ve all been through the past two years of the pandemic.

Issue March 2022 Ad proofof#1 As weDate: approach the two-year-anniversary those first • Please by e-mail fax with your approval or minor days ofrespond lockdown inorLouisiana, I’m trying torevisions. think less about • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

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what life would be like if the pandemic had never happened—and more about how I can become stronger because of it.

In her editor’s letter this month, one of my favorite magazine editors—Laura Brown of InStyle—shares photos of all 84 covers the magazine has shot during the pandemic. She talks about how hard it has been to produce photo shoots amidst ever-changing safety precautions, cancellations and COVID-positive crew members and subjects.

“The ground was constantly shifting beneath our feet,” she writes. “The great ruse of magazines is that we make it look like the magnificent women we feature just glide onto our pages. They do not.

Especially not now.”

I feel that.

It is true not just for InStyle, but for 225 and our sister publications inRegister and Business Report, and, well, every news outlet. In fact, nearly two years in, the wildly spreading omicron variant seemed to make producing these last few issues of 225 harder than it was even back at the very beginning of COVID. Just when it felt like we had a handle on working through the pandemic, the ground shifted beneath our feet again.

I’m sure you can relate, no matter what your job is—or however you’ve had to reshuffle your family’s life over the past 24 months.

As the omicron wave subsides, it’s impossible to know what’s next, of course.

But I’m still taking this moment to breathe. To reflect on the moments I’m proud of—and the ones that made me stronger.

To good health and wellness,

Ringleaders

This month’s photo shoot at Gym Fit is one of the most memorable I’ve been to for 225. Thank you so much to co-owner David Gabel and his crew.

They demonstrated seven different types of circus arts for us, including swinging from a trapeze and gliding in an aerial cube. We didn’t have room for all the photos in the magazine, so be sure to head to 225batonrouge.com this month to see the rest.

DIGIT

339

The number of photo shoots staff photographer Collin Richie and his team have undertaken for the print edition of 225 since the beginning of the pandemic. I want to give a tremendous shoutout to all of 225’s photographers and writers for finding ways to safely cover the community the past two years!

Jennifer Tormo Alvarez 225 Editor

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Your

lucky charm

for all your real estate needs 8

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CALL FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS. BUYING • SELLING • PROFESSIONAL ADVICE 225.218.0888 • DELRIOREALESTATEBR.COM

COLLIN RICHIE

EDITOR'S NOTE //

Everything your growing child needs is close to home.

You’re never far from the care your child needs at Ochsner. We offer general pediatrics at our new Bluebonnet South location plus specialty providers across the Baton Rouge region to help your family face anything, minor or major.

To schedule an appointment, call 225-240-4713 or visit ochsner.org/batonrouge.

Dr. Truc Dinh

Same-day, next-day and video visits are available!

Ochsner Health Center – Bluebonnet South 10150 Bluebonnet Blvd | Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Ochsner Health Center for

Issue Date: March 2022 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

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Dr. Ritchie’s

PET TOOTH TRUTHS Myth: My dog’s appetite seems fine—so there’s nothing to worry about, right?

REALITY: Does your dog have bad breath? Don’t expect your pet to show you that they have oral pain. Pets are very good at masking signs of pain, and when they are faced with a decision to continue to eat or starve, they almost always chose to keep eating. If your pet has bad breath it’s likely that what you are smelling is tissue and bone destruction. It’s important to schedule a checkup and get ahead of more serious issues.

Myth: My pet has a broken tooth, it’s fine to monitor at home?

REALITY: If caught early enough the tooth may not require significant oral surgery to extract and may be saved with root canal therapy. If the tooth’s fracture has reached the pulp chamber there is 100% chance the tooth will die. This can lead to abscess formation, draining tracts, and cause disease of adjacent teeth. It’s important to schedule a checkup as soon as you notice any changes with your pet’s teeth.

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director: Penny Font Editor: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez Managing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson Digital Content Editor: Dillon Lowe Staff Photographer: Collin Richie Contributing Writers: Cynthea Corfah, Olivia Deffes, Tracey Koch, Benjamin Leger, Elle Marie, Domenic Purdy, Zane Piontek, Meg Ryan, Poet Wolfe Contributing Photographers: Ariana Allison, Amy Shutt

ADVERTISING

Sales Director: Erin Pou Account Executives: Manny Fajardo, André Hellickson Savoie, Jamie Hernandez, Kaitlyn Maranto, Audrey Taunton Advertising Coordinators: Devyn MacDonald, Brittany Nieto

CORPOR ATE MEDIA

Editor: Lisa Tramontana Content Strategist: Allyson Guay Multimedia Strategy Manager: Tim Coles Account Executive: Judith LaDousa

MARKETING

Marketing & Events Assistant: Taylor Falgout Events: Abby Hamilton

ADMINISTR ATION

Business Manager: Tiffany Durocher Business Associate: Kirsten Milano Office Coordinator: Tara Lane Receptionist: Cathy Varnado Brown

PRODUCTION/DESIGN

Dental care is vital to the overall health of any animal. The Perkins Road Veterinary Hospital is home to the only board certified Veterinary Dentist and Oral Surgeon in the state of Louisiana, Dr. Curt Ritchie.

Dr. Ritchie has been teaching veterinary dentistry at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for nearly a decade. He and his staff help patients everyday with basic dental and preventative care to very advanced, complex oral surgeries.

Production Manager: Jo Glenny Art Director: Hoa Vu Senior Graphic Designer: Melinda Gonzalez Graphic Designer: Emily Witt

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Audience Development Director and Digital Manager: James Hume Audience Development Coordinator: Ivana Oubre Audience Development Associate: Jordan Kozar A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC Chairman: Julio Melara Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto Vice President: Penny Font Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone Chairman Emeritus: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr. Circulation/Reprints 225.928.1700 email: circulation@225batonrouge.com 9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 225batonrouge.com

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©Copyright 2022 by Melara Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved by LBI. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Business address: 9029 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Telephone (225) 214-5225. 225 Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material—manuscripts or photographs—with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

F E E D B AC K / / W H AT ’ S O N L I N E / /

The most-liked

COLLIN RICHIE

2. LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has landed some of the biggest NIL deals in the country

COLLIN RICHIE

1. Peter Sclafani, longtime restaurateur behind brands like SoLou, expands his empire

On our cover

COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

The most-read

998

3. A Netflix documentary star is traveling to Baton Rouge to tailor his wardrobe “I watched Cocaine Cowboys several times and have always been impressed by how Jorge Valdés dresses. It’s no surprise to see he works with Manuel Martinez.”

—@parker111275 via Instagram

“Joey B. is headed to the Super Bowl Congratulations, Joe!” —From our Jan. 31 Instagram post on @225batonrouge

“In high school, I watched Kim Mulkey play at Louisiana Tech. She was fun to watch as a player and was just feisty. After serving in the USAF and graduating college, I continued keeping tabs on Coach Mulkey through my brother. It didn’t matter what part of the country I resided in, I followed her and have always been a true fan. In my opinion, she is second to none!”

—Stacy Hollister via Facebook

Analytics and comments are from Jan. 1-31, 2022.

Comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.

SEAN GASSER

Vote, vote, vote!

You get to decide who wins this year’s Best of 225 Awards! The ballot is open March 3-April 7 at 225batonrouge.com/bestof225.

This year’s nominees were determined by the write-in nominations submitted by 225 area residents during January and February. Now, your votes will decide who will be crowned the winners in 225’s July 2022 issue.

Plus, when you cast your vote, you will be automatically entered to win $1,000 from Campus Federal Credit Union. See the terms and conditions, read our FAQ, and submit your ballot on our website.

CONNECT WITH US facebook.com/225magazine

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Generations of care

We’re here for you and your family through the stages of life, with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

01MK7677 02/22

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March The new road trip Pedal Pub takes off in Baton Rouge THERE IT GOES, that zany, canary yellow-trimmed vehicle powered by the raw enthusiasm of 16 passengers.

Pedal Pub is off and running in Baton Rouge.

Part of the boozy bike movement gaining popularity nationwide, the franchise opened in the Capital City in late 2021, specializing in BYOB group bike tours in downtown Baton Rouge. Participants sign up for excursions aboard a Dutch-designed vehicle that holds up to 16 riders and includes up to three stops at bars, restaurants or historic sites. It also includes a trained pilot who helps brake, steer and keep things moving.

Take a seat at the “bar” (the table in front of you), bust out the restoratives, and pedal away. Eleven spots actively pedal, while five just enjoy the ride. There’s room for nibbles or catered fare, and you can fire up your playlist on the Bluetooth.

Business partners and friends Herb and Chandra Piert and Karl and Ashley Thomas are responsible for bringing Pedal Pub to Baton Rouge, a venture that was more than a year in the making.

The Lake Charles-based owners discovered Pedal Pub in fall 2020, after the Pierts escaped to Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, the Category 4 storm that made landfall in southwest Louisiana in August of that year. While in Houston, they joined other family members on a Pedal Pub excursion.

“At first, I was hesitant, but it was something new and different,” Herb Piert says. “Two hours later, I was asking the driver, ‘Can we go another block?’ And at that point, my wife and I both said, ‘We’ve got to bring this to Baton Rouge.’”

The four business partners believed the Capital City was ripe for this kind of amenity, Piert says.

The Thomases are Baton Rouge natives, and they appreciated the major changes in the city’s downtown.

The two couples believed it was the right concept for a city with expanding tourism.

“New Orleans already has so much going on, and with all the new restaurants and bars in Baton Rouge, we thought this would really add to what’s available,” says Piert, who works by day as a Lake Charles golf pro.

After securing permits from the East Baton Rouge Metro Council and the Baton Rouge Taxicab Control Board, Pedal Pub opened a storefront last November on Government Street near St. Ferdinand Street.

Patrons meet there, or at another designated pick-up location, and embark on a tour of downtown at a leisurely 3 miles-per-hour pace. The average tour is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The routes have generally been chosen to give the bike room to pull over for car traffic.

Riders can bring along beer and wine (but no hard alcohol). And guests don’t have to drink to enjoy the fun, Piert says. Young people can book the bikes as long as they have an adult on board. “We’ve had families rent it for scavenger hunts,” he says.

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

12

[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

TRY IT OUT COLLIN RICHIE

Working alongside two other business partners, Ashley and Karl Thomas brought Pedal Pub to Baton Rouge.

You can spot Pedal Pub along the streets of downtown, and watch for it at local festivals and events, where demo rides are available. pedalpub.com/baton-rouge-la

W H AT ’ S U P / /

Peelin’ out

DIGIT

$500 million

STOCK PHOTO

The amount Gov. John Bel Edwards proposed that the state fund for a new Mississippi River bridge. The current bridge is a notorious chokepoint, slowing truckers and motorists traveling east-west along Interstate 10. The $500 million figure represents a portion of the total bridge cost, which was estimated at more than $1.2 billion before inflation. The balance, Edwards hopes, will be covered by private investment.

COLLIN RICHIE

RESTAURANTS AND BOILED seafood vendors are seeing a robust crawfish season, now in full swing. The mild temperatures south Louisiana saw in October, November and December helped hatchlings grow quickly, resulting in strong yields in January, when consumers first expect to find boiled crawfish on the table.

“They had a good head start on growth,” says Mark Shirley, an LSU AgCenter agent based in Abbeville. “Being a crustacean and coldblooded, water temperature greatly influences how fast they grow.”

Before farm-raising took off in the middle of the 20th century, crawfish were harvested in the wild from the Atchafalaya Basin in the late spring and early summer. Pond-raising has extended the season from January to June, Shirley says. The peak of sales is usually Easter weekend.

A mix of sizes defines the first part of the season, when traps yield both mature and younger crawfish. But the more the weather warms throughout the spring, the bigger the crawfish.

“At a certain point in the season, we serve only select (larger) crawfish,” says Joey Faciane, executive chef of Sammy’s on Highland, a popular spot for boiled crawfish. During the season, Sammy’s serves between 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of crawfish on weekend nights.

As of late January, Sammy’s had been able to keep prices even with, or better, than last season. But Shirley cautions diners that farmers are paying more for materials, and prices for mudbugs could be higher this year.

“Consumers need to appreciate that, just like everything else, farmers are paying more for bait, traps, fuel, labor—all the inputs required to bring the product to market,” he says. “Don’t begrudge the farmers. It’s still reasonable, and it’s important to eat local.”

STOCK PHOTO

The 2022 crawfish season is strong, but prices could be higher

IN R COLL

INGREDIENT WATCH

Hibiscus

Named as one of Whole Foods Markets’ top 10 food trends of 2022, hibiscus is known for its lively sweet-tart flavor, vitamin C content and dramatic hue.

Where can you find it in Baton Rouge? Lots of places. Many local specialty coffee and tea shops serve hibiscus tea. Red Stick Spice Company sells it loose for brewing at home. Find it dried and in bulk in local Latin American supermarkets. Sample bottled tea from local brand SOBA Hibiscus. And pick up fresh, dried hibiscus blossoms and other small-batch hibiscus products from Lena Farms, a regular Red Stick Farmers Market vendor.

STOCK PHOTO

IE ICH

“We’ve identified a small group of people who we believe are directly involved in criminal behavior.”

—Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul, while introducing the new Operation Red Stick to the East Baton Rouge Metro Council in late January. The program is a collaboration among law enforcement offices intended to combat the city’s record-breaking homicide rate, the result of 149 murders in 2021.

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

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W H AT ’ S U P / /

W H AT ’ S N E W

Buzz feed

Compiled by Poet Wolfe

Garden party IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Local gardens to see new spring blooms

COURTESY LSU AGCENTER BOTANICAL GARDENS

MARCH 26, 2022 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

ON SALEAd NOW AT#1 TOUCHATRUCKBR.ORG IssueTICKETS Date: Feb 2021 proof • Please respond by e-mail or fax with#IDIGTOUCHATRUCK your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless revision requests are received within 24 hours.

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Botanical Gardens at Independence Park Walk down a path shaded by crepe myrtle trees, explore each flower garden and watch as butterflies settle over nectar plants in the Goodwood neighborhood. brec.org

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens Tucked away among the medical buildings along Essen Lane, you’ll have the opportunity to hike through the woodlands and spot gardens scattered down the walking paths. lsu.edu/botanic-gardens

PHOTOS BY ARIANA ALLISON

Your ticket includes food, fun, and everything you DIG about trucks!

Main attractions include the Dig Zone, petting zoo, a scavenger hunt, and the hands-on experience with big trucks, heavy equipment, and emergency vehicles that we have grown to love.

KELLI BOZEMAN

BREC STATE FAIRGROUNDS THE EMERGE CENTER QUIET HOURS 9-11 A.M.

HIGHEST QUALITY WITH COMPETITIVE PRICING! At Ducote’s Restaurant & Bar Equipment, we specialize in supplying the foodservice industry with a broad selection of the top-quality equipment and supplies you need to successfully run your operations and efficiently serve your customers.

4433 Florida Blvd • 225-344-4240 ducotesrestaurantsupply.com OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Here’s the tea

#38003 #AM-50-BAJ

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INSIDE RED STICK Spice Company’s Mid City store, shoppers can now order a caffeinated drink and sit down in the new SoGo Tea Bar. The company created homemade recipes for each beverage on the menu, from refreshing sips like iced matcha lemonade to traditional drinks like chai lattes. redstickspice.com/pages/sogo-tea-bar

Issue Date: March 2022 Ad proof #2 W H AT ’ S U P / /

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

For more than flowers

LUIS AYALA / COURTESY HILLTOP ARBORETUM

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR David Vinyard of LSU’s Department of Biological Sciences is studying how the process of photosynthesis can be used as a renewable resource.

Vinyard is working to discover ways energy can be created through photosynthesis rather than fossil fuels and chemical elements. This new technology will utilize natural elements to quickly create necessities like fuel. lsu.edu/science/biosci

Hilltop Arboretum Just south of LSU’s campus is the perfect place to escape. Watch as lilies and lily pads gently rock back and forth in the ponds. lsu.edu/hilltop

SPRING CLEANING

g n i pp o sh

Pour over YOU STILL HAVE some time to catch The Glassell Gallery’s “8 Fluid Ounces” exhibit. The exhibit, which opened last month and explores the concept of a cup, runs through March 9 at the LSU gallery downtown. Come check out ceramic vessels created by different artists. design.lsu.edu/student-life/ galleries/glassell-gallery

Crawfish in a dish Three ways to enjoy crawfish this month at local restaurants

Crawfish etouffee at Sammy’s Grill

Crawfish pies at Tony’s Seafood Market and Deli

Shrimp and crawfish bisque at Willie’s Restaurant

Dine-in for this seasoned roux with crawfish tails served over rice. sammysgrill.com

These famous pies boast melted cheese over butter-sautéed crawfish tails cooked in a golden brown pie shell. tonyseafood.com

The cream-based bisque with shrimp, crawfish, chives and celery is just the thing to warm your soul. williesbr.com

DIGIT

250

NUMBER OF NAME, image and likeness partnerships signed by LSU student athletes in the first six months since the NCAA passed the new rules. Among the more than 500 LSU student-athletes, the school says many NIL deals have centered around football and gymnastics. lsusports.net

Corporate Blvd at Jefferson • 225.925.2344 townecenteratcedarlodge.com • 225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

15

W H AT ’ S U P / /

Play ball

ROLL WITH IT

The Krewe of Ancient Athletes is ready to bounce in the long-awaited return of the St. Patrick’s Day parade

The 35th Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 19, at 10 a.m.

Find the route map and info at wearinofthegreen.com.

By Zane Piontek

16

[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

COLLIN RICHIE

IT’S MID-MARCH IN Baton Rouge. Winter is fading, the temperature climbing into spring territory, and the city teems with green in observation of the local sacrament that is St. Paddy’s Day. Somewhere along the Wearin’ of the Green parade route, whistles and the sharp percussive punches of basketballs hitting pavement can be heard.

Following the sounds proceeds a group of men young and old. Some of them sport referee uniforms, dark glasses and mobility canes. They take shots on the basketball goals fastened to the back of their parade float, encouraging the crowd to toss back the bright orange balls and do the same. This is the Krewe of Ancient Athletes.

“For a long time, we weren’t sure if they were laughing with us or laughing at us,” says Baton Rouge Ancient Athletes Society board member Kerry Beuche. “But it’s fun to see them having fun watching us. … It’s one of our favorite events of the year.”

It’s been a while since those bounces and whistles have been heard on the streets of Baton Rouge. As was the case for so many other traditions that define the city, the yearly Wearin’ of the Green Parade has been on hold for the past two years as the pandemic has strangled social gathering.

Now, Red Stick denizens yearn to reprise this favorite tradition, and the Ancient Athletes are right there with them. If all goes according to plan, the parade will return this year two days after St. Patrick’s Day. The morning of Saturday, March 19, it will roll along its historic route through the Garden District and Perkins Road Overpass area.

It will mark the 35th edition of the Wearin’ of the Green, which the Krewe of Ancient Athletes has walked—or dribbled—in every year since the first parade in 1986.

That first procession was five years after the club’s inception in ’81, and the parade was a good representation of the group’s equivalent athletic and social orientations. The basketballs and referee costumes give a nod to the group’s history as a men’s athletic club. The group aims to offer companionship with like-minded sportsmen and opportunities to compete in sports like basketball, flag football and golf.

And their St. Patrick’s Day antics—all for the crowd’s entertainment—indicate the club’s lighthearted social side, complete with regular events like family nights and “Long Neck Lunch Clubs” at Uncle Earl’s on Perkins Road.

“The value, to me, is the social aspect. One hundred percent,” Beuche says. “I’m an old washed-up athlete like everyone else, and I still enjoy playing. But I much more enjoy the cold beer after the game—the camaraderie with the guys— more than anything.”

With the ebbs and flows of the pandemic mercurial as ever, there’s been so much uncertainty about the parade over the last two years. But as Adams says, it’s a “rite of springtime” in Baton Rouge.

“The entire community is looking forward to it,” says Pete Adams, a founding member of Ancient Athletes. “Hopefully we will turn a corner with this crazy COVID thing and start getting back to normal. And this would be a great step in that direction.” brancientathletes.com

Krewe of Ancient Athletes members Jordan Faircloth, Patrick Walker and Kerry Bueche

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I N S I D E : NIL and influencer marketing with MatchPoint Connection

Let’s ride

Local cycling groups are expanding across town and promoting a bikeable Baton Rouge

B Y CY N THE A COR FAH // P HOTO S B Y CO LLIN RICHIE

AS BATON ROUGE becomes more bike friendly, riding groups continue to grow around town. Bike Baton Rouge aims to have social riding groups in every Baton Rouge neighborhood, and it is already on its way. Here are some of the social riding groups fostering communities around the Capital Region.

OUR CITY //

“By the end of the ride, you’ll have 20 new friends.”

—Downtown East Social Ride leader Samantha Morgan

Downtown East Social Ride For a themed bike ride with a story and tour of local landmarks

SAMANTHA MORGAN STARTED Downtown East Social Ride in 2019 a few months after she moved to the area. Morgan wanted to ride around the city with other bike enthusiasts and see some of the notable buildings that make Baton Rouge special. Since founding the group that May, the Downtown East Social Ride community has grown to 450 members in its Facebook group and 30 regular riders.

“You don’t have to have a friend to go with you. By the end of the ride, you’ll have 20 new friends,” Morgan says.

The group meets every Monday at 6 p.m. (weather permitting) outside of City Roots at Electric Depot. Each ride is different. Bike routes change weekly so riders can stop by different restaurants, landmarks, public art and historic buildings. Morgan curates themed rides, such as hot chocolate days, pizza rides, and historic tours detailing the civil rights movement and Jewish history. For one ride, the group went to the Jewish cemetery and dropped rocks off at the cemetery as part of a Jewish tradition.

The rides are casual and slow-paced, traveling an average of 7 to 10 miles in distance. They usually end around 8 p.m., but riders don’t have to stay for the whole ride.

“It’s not a workout. It’s a social activity that has a workout element to it,” Morgan says.

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[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

COVID MAY COME IN

SPICY OR MILD... but you don’t know which kind you’re going to get.

You may have heard that Omicron is “mild” or that you should get it to “get it over with.” But you can’t choose which type of COVID-19 you get. Many people in Louisiana are still getting severely ill, and the risks of Long COVID are real and significant.

SO GO AHEAD, ORDER YOUR FAVORITE FOOD WITH A LITTLE KICK, BUT DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH COVID-19.

To find a vaccine location near you, visit vaccines.gov.

If you have more questions - that’s okay! Call the Department of Health’s COVID Vaccine Hotline at 855-453-0774 to speak with a trusted medical professional.

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

21

OUR CITY //

Capital Heights Social Ride For a laid-back ride with locals in the Capital Heights neighborhood CYCLING IS FOR everyone. The Capital Heights Social Ride group is a blend of people of all ages, from children to retirees. The membershipfree club rides every Wednesday (weather permitting) at 7 p.m. It meets at Ingleside Methodist Church in the parking lot on the corner of Capital Heights and Glenmore Avenue.

“We like to show people how to get to places by bike if they’re unfamiliar,” ride leader Dominic Miserendino says.

Rides typically last 8 to 15 miles with occasional stops at local spots for food and drinks. The group has ridden to local golf courses, Torchy’s Tacos, The Vintage, Bengal Tap Room, Cypress Coast Brewing Co. and Tin Roof Brewing Co. During the ride, group members look out for each other. They keep an eye out for potholes, bumps and other hazards. Miserendino recommends riders have lights on their bike for safety if they plan to ride after dark.

“We’re very friendly, open and informal,” Miserendino says. “Just show up with a bike on a Wednesday night.”

“We like to show people how to get to places by bike if they’re unfamiliar.”

—Capital Heights Social Ride leader Dominic Miserendino

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OUR CITY //

UPCOMING SHOWS

Geaux Ride For an upbeat downtown night ride with music and lights GEAUX RIDE IS like a party on wheels. The downtown bicycle shop offers bike tours, bike rentals and community rides every week. The Geaux Ride bikes are dressed in glow-in-the-dark lights and riders can jam out to music blasting from a portable speaker on loan from the shop.

Local entrepreneur Charles Daniel started Geaux Ride in New Orleans in September 2016. He wanted to create a positive outlet for the community to have fun and be active. After the business started growing and he saw a need for something similar in Baton Rouge, he brought Geaux Ride to the Capital Region.

“I want Geaux Ride to be a staple for Baton Rouge, one that promotes healthy lives and brings diversity to the downtown area,” Daniel says.

On Thursdays at 7 p.m., Geaux Ride hosts a free community ride for the public. The group often stops at local businesses and wraps up the ride around 9:30 p.m. Riders can rent bikes from the shop for $20 an hour and $30 for two hours. Geaux Ride also hosts group tours on Friday and Saturday nights at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. The tours include music and each person receives glow-in-the-dark accessories. Tours are open to the public with 30 bicycles available.

“I want to cater to people who don’t ride that often,” Daniel says. “I want to bring physical and mental health awareness, as well as that nostalgic feeling people feel when they ride a bike that makes them smile, laugh and brings them to a good place.”

ONLINE downtowneastsocialride.com geauxridebikes.com Find Capital Heights Social Ride on Facebook

“I want to cater to people who don’t ride that often.”

—Geaux Ride leader Charles Daniel

More social riding groups Ascension Soul Riderz City to City Riderz Dynamic Geaux Riders Slo Rollin Riderz Tuesdays on Wheels United Riderz Find the groups on Facebook

MARCH 11 | 7:30 PM Ambrosia, the band known and loved by a multitude of fans since the 1970’s, is now more alive and compelling than ever. This 5-time Grammy Nominated ensemble is exploring new musical territory and bringing an exceptional musical performance to stages everywhere.

Georgia on My Mind MAY 13 | 7:30 PM

Ray Charles, a Georgia native son, was an American treasure.

He transcended racism, cultural upheavals, and spread his music based on Gospel, Blues, Jazz and Country around the world... he was a genius! This show celebrates Ray’s music with an all-star cast of Emmy, Grammy, and NAACP Image award winning performers.

M A N S H I P T H E AT R E . O R G • 2 2 5 - 3 4 4 - 0 3 3 4 Supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, funded by the East Baton Rouge

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

23

Issue Date: March 2022 Ad proof #3 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

OUR CITY //

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

The money match Local business ​​MatchPoint Connection navigates the wild worlds of NIL partnerships and influencer marketing

By Maggie Heyn Richardson LSU GYMNAST Olivia Dunne has made big news for inking deals with brands that want to capitalize on her name, image and likeness (NIL). She’s just one of many athletes in Louisiana and around the country landing NIL partnerships, thanks to new rules established by the NCAA in June 2021.

Since then, athletes have seen a bevy of opportunity. Before the 2021 season, LSU quarterback Myles Brennan scored deals with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Hollingsworth Ford. Recently, LSU wide receiver Kayson Boutte and women’s basketball point guard Alexis Morris signed partnerships with Gordon McKernan Injury Lawyers.

The ability of college athletes to cash in on their NIL is a tectonic shift in the worlds of sports and marketing, creating a dynamic environment that’s changing all the time. One Baton Rouge company, MatchPoint Connection, finds itself perfectly positioned to serve as matchmaker.

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[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

• ............

Two years in the making, the MatchPoint platform connects brands with talent. And it’s not just athletes. Say you’re a blogger, a model or a musician with significant clicks. Create a profile on MatchPoint, and get connected with brands eager to partner. Now that college athletes can legally get into the game, MatchPoint has seen business explode.

MatchPoint now hosts about 5,000 influencers from 47 states, along with 550 brands, says CEO Brian Oliver.

“We were in the right place at the right time for NIL,” Oliver says. “Since July 1 of last year, we’ve been nonstop. We’re seeing new deals every single day.”

MatchPoint functions a lot like a dating app. In fact, founders say the free-to-join platform is the only two-way marketplace so far in which both influencers and brands shop for best-fit relationships.

Influencers can polish their profiles and make a pitch to brands. Everything flows within the app, including the negotiated deal between the two parties.

OUR CITY //

No surprise, football players are a high-profile subset of the athletes garnering NIL deals through MatchPoint. But last fall, the company also created a division targeting female athletes, which it sees as a growth category. One of MatchPoint’s better known clients is LSU gymnast Sarah Edwards, who has completed 14 NIL deals since working with MatchPoint, with brands that include Orange Theory, Paris Parker Salon, Game Coin, Red Stick Social and the local boutique Chic, according to Oliver.

“We created a new department for women influencers,” Oliver says. “It’s well-organized, communicative and is working to help influencers create value for themselves.”

Earlier this year, the company also announced its new NIL MatchPoint Marketing Fund, in which MatchPoint acts as a third party to establish larger, longer term NIL deals between athletes and high profile brands. LSU is its first school of focus.

In fact, the deal between Boutte and Gordon McKernan Injury Lawyers was developed through this channel. In these relationships, following NCAA compliance is key, Oliver says. Part of

Looking to try something new?

Swing into action with

the company’s role is to provide compliance documentation to the NCAA. In another new project, MatchPoint is building out a collective that will allow individuals and businesses to contribute to LSU athletes through a nonprofit fund. Athletes will receive money after they meet a charitable deliverable that could include making an appearance at a children’s hospital, serving food in a homeless shelter or signing autographs that the charity could later auction, Oliver says.

The last few months have been fast-moving for MatchPoint and Oliver fully expects to see new facets of the NIL world emerge.

“We could see high school athletes getting into the game,” he says. “One thing is for sure: It’s going to keep changing.” matchpointconnection.com

BREC Pickleball! brec.org/pickleball

Issue Date: October 2021 Ad proof #1

The MatchPoint Connection Executive Team: Mackenzie Landry, Brian Oliver, Krystal Faircloth and Jonathan Pixley

Fast Paced + Low Impact + Easy to Learn

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

COLLIN RICHIE

LMP 5430

225-925-8710

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WWW.ROTOBR.COM 225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

25

This Month [ M A R C H ]

@ BREC NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE IN THE PARK

Baringer Road Park March 4 | 5:30 p.m.

Plank Road Park March 18 | 5:30 p.m.

Gus Young Avenue Park March 25 | 5:30 p.m.

ROLL/WALK/RUN

Forest Community Park

POP-UP + UNPLUG

Forest Community Park March 12 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

SPRING GREEN AT THE ZOO

BREC SUMMER CAMP REGISTER TODAY!

brec.org/summercamp

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo March 12 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

SATURDAY MORNING STUDIOS: SHEL SILVERSTEIN

March 5 | 10 a.m.-noon

ROCKIN’ AT THE SWAMP

Milton J. Womack Park

MARDI GRAS FUN RUN

March 12 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

STEM EXPANSION

Perkins Road Community Park

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

March 19 | 10:30 a.m.-noon

March 5 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

PLUS NIGHT

Highland Road Park Observatory

GEAUX FISH CATFISH RODEO

March 12 | 7-10 p.m.

SOLAR VIEWING

Howell Community Park

Highland Road Park Observatory

March 19 | 3:30-7:30p.m.

March 5 | 7:30 a.m.-noon

SUNSHINE SOCIAL: LEAPING LEPRECHAUNS

Highland Road Park Observatory

SCIENCE ACADEMY

March 18 | 6-9 p.m.

SENSORY BUNNY

Highland Road Park Observatory

Jefferson Highway Park Ballroom

March 19 | noon-2 p.m.

March 5 + 12 + 26 | 10 a.m.-noon

SPRING ESPORTS TOURNAMENT: NBA 2K22

Zachary Community Park

ART UNWINED: HANAMI (WATCHING BLOSSOMS)

March 19 | noon

CAMPING 101

Milton J. Womack Park

Red Oaks Park

March 11 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

CONTINUOUS EGG HUNT

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

March 19 | 3-5 p.m.

Independence Community Park March 11 + 25 | 6-8 p.m.

Anna T. Jordan Community Park

March 25 | 6-8 p.m.

Highland Road Community Park March 26 + 27 | 3 p.m.-10 a.m.

Independence Community Park March 26 | 3-5 p.m.

BREC.ORg/thismonth BREC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, veteran status or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

I AM 225 //

More on 225 Theatre Collective The company’s next event, “A Night of Monologues,” is March 12. Local thespians will deliver classic, contemporary and even some original monologues at Bee Nice Music in Capital Heights. Admission is free. Schedule a future audition or find out more about the company at 225theatrecollective.com.

Stephanie Bartage Through a mothers’ group on Facebook, Bartage met fellow thespian Victoria Brown, a New York native and graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and the two quickly struck a personal and creative bond from which emerged 225 Theatre Collective.

Their new company strives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the theatrical arts.

Bartage and her teammates—co-founder Brown, acting coach and social media manager Jordan Hebert, and technical director and graphic designer Ashley Schmid—want no one to approach their auditions with trepidation that they will be judged on anything but the quality of their performance.

The company’s first production was a soldout stage reading of Simon Levy’s theatrical adaptation of The Great Gatsby in January at The Guru on Government St. The main character, Jay Gatsby, was portrayed by Marq Parks, a local

Black actor and LSU theater graduate.

It’s in line with one of the core goals outlined in the group’s mission statement: “to look past stereotypical casting and to provide opportunities for diversity on stage.”

“We have people of color on our cast that never would have thought they would be cast as that role,” Bartage says. “We’re very proud of that.”

So far, Bartage says, the enthusiasm with which the community has received 225 Theatre Collective has been encouraging.

Even before the Gatsby show hit the stage, Bartage was fielding questions about what the group’s next production would be and whether they would be holding workshops in the future.

She says it’s become apparent that their mission—and its importance—is resonating.

—ZANE PIONTEK

“I want 225 Theatre Collective to be a space where people feel included, feel safe and just feel like they have a chance.”

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

COLLIN RICHIE

COLLIN RICHIE

WITH A NEWFOUND home in Baton Rouge and degree in theater performance in her pocket, Stephanie Bartage set out in 2019 in hopes of striding the stages of local theater houses.

Like most budding thespians, she auditioned ravenously, and, again like most budding thespians, she met a lot of rejection.

It wasn’t so discouraging at first. She knew any aspiring performer must come to terms with rejection, and that sat just fine with her. Nature of the game.

But last spring, when she felt she’d positively crushed an audition only to find out she still didn’t get the role, she began to suspect it wasn’t her talent losing her roles. She says she wondered if it was because she was Latina.

For her, that was the “final straw,” and the moment she became determined to carve out more space for people of diverse races and ethnicities. “I was like, ‘You know what? Why not open my own theater company,” she says.

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C OV E R S T ORY

Moveit

25 unique ways to workout in the Capital City THERE’S MORE TO fitness than the treadmill. And these days, gym time doesn’t even necessarily have to be inside a gym.

You can swing from a trapeze as you learn circus arts.

You can practice yoga on a farm, all while goats climb on your back.

You can try your hand at pickleball, the nation’s fastest growing sport.

Yes, you can find all of these activities—and more—in Baton Rouge.

You just have to know where to look.

Because working out can and should be fun.

More importantly, it should be whatever you want it to be.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, America’s Health Rankings, WebMD, BetterHealth Channel, Healthline, Piedmont, Columbia Association, Pumped Up SUP, Super Fly Honey, RX Resource, MedAlertHelp

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By Maggie Heyn Richardson,

Domenic Purdy and Meg Ryan Photos by Collin Richie SIDEBARS BY DOMENIC PURDY

C OV E R S T ORY

Bre’Lyn Calhoun, instructor at Indulge Fitness, demonstrates aerial acrobatics on a lyra hoop.

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

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C OV E R S T ORY

DIGIT

150

Minutes per week is the recommended amount of time an adult should spend exercising. That averages to 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts as exercise.

TRY IT GymFit Adventure Community Center offers classes in circus arts for all ages. Kids and adults can hone their aerial skills in various classes with silks, straps, trapeze and slings on every weekday and Sunday mornings. GymFit is at 4343 Rhoda Drive (just off Airline Highway). gymfitbr.com

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David Gabel and Aimee Fairchild demonstrate trapeze at GymFit.

C OV E R S T ORY

no.

1

Aerial acrobatics instruction is offered for adults and children alike at GymFit.

Just like a circus

no.

Explore circus arts and more at GymFit Adventure Community Center

BETWEEN THE METALLIC clang of free-

standing weights, the monotonous whirl of the treadmill and the heavy exhales emanating from all corners of the “iron paradise,” the atmosphere of the typical gym is seared into our minds. But the conventional workout isn’t for everyone.

Enter GymFit Adventure Community Center. The facility does feature a fully operational weight room, indoor and outdoor pools, and rooms for spin, yoga and cardio classes. But the first thing guests see when they walk in is a series of “adventure rooms.” These spaces house the various circus arts the community center prides itself on.

Walking into an aerial class, GymFit feels more akin to a dance studio. Students and teachers of all ages are lifting themselves or their partners up on suspended silk ropes and trapezes, using their upper body strength.

Once suspended, an aerialist swings with the poise of a ballerina, extending their arms and contracting them as they rotate slower and faster in a dance not unlike something out of a Cirque du Soleil show.

“We’re more than just your typical gym,” says Joshua Roberts, owner and founder of GymFit. When Roberts created GymFit in the summer of 2012, he sought to build a place that was about more than working out. He wanted to create a community, and “a one-stop-shop” in the vein of the YMCAs he grew up in.

A big part of creating a community, Roberts says, was slowly introducing different activities like the

aforementioned circus arts, which began humbly as an adult tumbling class and later grew to incorporate acrobatics and aerial workouts.

David Gabel, co-owner of GymFit, played a significant role in creating the various circus arts classes.

A competitor on seasons two, four and six of American Ninja Warrior, Gabel used his training to transition into teaching classes on trapeze and aerial silks, both of which utilize upper body strength to suspend oneself on hanging apparatuses.

Kids and adults are taught how to pull themselves up using silks, swing from a trapeze and perform with aerial silks, either solo or with a partner.

Gabel’s students and instructors use these former racquetball courts as their playground.

Gabel’s mantra: “Let’s do silly and amazing things.”

“It doesn’t matter how weak you are at the start, you eventually become so much stronger,” Gabel says. “(Students) will be amazed at their fitness and strength. They start to enjoy what their bodies can do.”

Gabel and Roberts say they are still surprised at the diversity of people they see coming to their classes. They recall a 51-year-old man who could barely do a pull-up when he joined. He now performs on aerial silks. They cite a preteen who recently taught a 30-yearold man how to do a flip.

“It kind of gave me goosebumps,” Roberts says.

Another student, Rachel Mason, has begun to rethink what working out can be because of the aerial classes at GymFit. She says she went from someone who “hated the gym and could barely stand the treadmill for more than 5 minutes” to performing aerial tricks with Gabel as a partner.

And that is what Roberts sees GymFit as: an avenue to help both kids and adults on a journey to fitness, even if it is by unconventional means.

“We want (to) draw more families, more adults and more kids to try these things out,” Roberts says, “and hopefully discover a new passion.”

—DOMENIC PURDY

2

CARDIO NO AUDIO at JiggAerobics

The Louisianaborn fitness system seen on Shark Tank is like a personalized dance party. JiggAerobics gets your heart beating and feet thumping. The customizable workout is available to book for private parties, team building or with friends. Also available are virtual dance parties with the same energy and cardio workouts. jiggaerobicsfitness.com

BMX AND SKATEBOARDING at BREC’s Extreme Sports Park The BREC Perkins Road Community Park features a 30,000-square-foot concrete skate park, a 333-meter Velodrome and a BMX track for extreme athletes of all ages. Skaters can ride from sunrise to 10 p.m. most nights and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Find it on Facebook

TRAMPOLINE PARKS A great way to get your blood pumping (and a fantastic energy outlet for kids and adults alike), trampoline parks offer active family fun. Right near the Mall of Louisiana is DEFY Baton Rouge (defy.com) with its wall-to-wall trampolines, trapeze and foam pits. In Denham Springs, give Airborne Extreme Trampoline Park (airborneextreme. com) a shot.

ARCHERY AND AX THROWING at Gotham Archery and Axe Throwing Archery and ax throwing are fun, out-of-the-box experiences. Try an hour-long introductory course in both. Everything you need to hit the bullseye is included in the $20 archery or $25 ax-throwing packages. gothamarcherybr.com

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

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C OV E R S T ORY

no.

6

TRY IT

Ready to rumble

TITLE Baton Rouge is at 9659 Antioch Road. Classes are offered daily. Find the schedule at titleboxingclub.com/batonrouge-long-farm-la.

Experienced and amateur boxers alike can thrive at TITLE Boxing Club

ROWS OF HEAVY bags sway gently as gloved hands deliver rhythmic, one-two punches.

But it’s not beefy boxers doing the pounding.

A room full of regular folks are taking shots, exorcizing the day’s demons while pushing their physical limits in an intense, total body workout. And boxing isn’t all that’s offered here. After several minutes on the bags, class members head for a series of isometric stations that also improve cardio and build strength.

Part of the boutique gym boom that’s swept the nation, fitness boxing— like the kind offered here at TITLE Boxing Club Baton Rouge—has become wildly popular. Toss out images of face-saving headgear and bulging mouthpieces; no-contact fitness boxing is designed to be fun as well as welcoming to newbies. The majority of TITLE Baton Rouge’s members are women between the ages of 25 and 45, owner Lance LaMotte says.

“You don’t have to have any kind of boxing experience when you walk through the door,” he adds. “Our instructors meet you where you are, and you get great benefits no matter your fitness level.”

LaMotte, a Baton Rouge cardiologist, and his wife, Kim, an attorney, opened the TITLE Baton Rouge franchise in Long Farm in September 2020. Their decision was inspired by a fitness boxing class Lance took while the two were on vacation.

“I like to workout whenever we travel,” LaMotte says.

“And when I took this boxing class, I immediately noticed the difference from other forms of exercise. It was a total body workout like nothing I’d ever done. I said, ‘This is it.”

Opening a side business in the fitness space had long been a personal dream for LaMotte, who gets up every day at 4 a.m. to exercise before seeing patients.

Performing basic boxing drills, like punching the heavy bag on quick feet, delivers an all-around workout that trims the core and improves agility and balance, he says.

Fitness boxing has another upside, LaMotte adds. It’s shown to be of benefit to those with Parkinson’s Disease.

TITLE even offers a special class for Parkinson’s patients.

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

no.

7

LES MILLS BODYCOMBAT at Spectrum Fitness

Punch and kick your way through this high-intensity workout that combines karate, boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and muay Thai. The driving music and powerful instruction will get your blood pumping at the Perkins location of Spectrum on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. spectrumfitness.com

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The majority of TITLE Boxing Club’s members in Baton Rouge are women between the ages of 25 and 45.

FITNESS KICKBOXING at BR Krav Maga At three locations, you can take part in 30-minute workouts that consist of 10 three-minute rounds. The high-energy workouts are designed to keep your body guessing from start to finish, combining various techniques to get your heart racing for targeted strength and fat burning, as well as a chance to improve hand-eye coordination and agility, all in one workout. batonrougekravmaga.com

POWER GROUP TRAINING at Iron Tribe Fitness Train like an Olympian with the POWER class, held at Iron Tribe’s two locations.

POWER helps build strength across the entire body with a blend of strength training, cardio, gymnastics and weightlifting. It utilizes the barbell in most of its workouts to build muscle while burning fat and improving metabolism.

The workout incorporates Olympic powerlifting techniques in movements like the squat, deadlift and bench press. irontribebatonrouge.com

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IT’S RARE THAT a sport can bring five generations together. But on a recent Sunday morning at BREC’s Greenwood Community Park in Baker, athletes of all ages are playing pickleball. To a soundtrack of ’80s and ’90s music, men and women crisscross the court, volleying the ball back and forth.

Though you might not have heard of it until recently, pickleball’s origins date back to the ’60s. The game shares much of its DNA with tennis, with similar mechanics and scoring. It is even played on tennis courts, with some slight modifications.

At Greenwood, tennis courts set for demolition were instead reformatted to meet the demand for pickleball.

“The easiest way to describe pickleball is miniature tennis played with a plastic paddle instead of a racket and a wiffle ball,” says Kyle Chittenden, the pickleball director at The Legacy at Bonne Esperance.

Chittenden is also part of Baton Rouge Pickleball, a group attempting to start a local competitive league.

Despite only having an estimated 500,000 players in the U.S. five years ago, the number of “picklers” grew to about 2.5 million by 2021. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America.

Just last month, publications from New York Magazine to The Seattle Times speculated on the sport’s future.

In the Capital City, pickleball is now offered everywhere from BREC parks to the YMCA. “Our end goal is to bring in new players. Some people just want some

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In a pickle

TRY IT

It’s the nation’s fast-growing sport, and in Baton Rouge, it’s attracting Gen Zers and Baby Boomers alike

sort of activity where they can get exercise and socialize,” Chittenden says.

“And COVID has kind of been a great thing for pickleball because it is naturally distanced; you play about 6 feet apart from one another, the balls are plastic so they’re easily sanitized, and you never have to make contact.”

After trying to get involved with BREC’s basketball league at age 53 as a way to keep himself active, Robert Kelly, BREC’s pickleball coordinator, fell into pickleball.

“Pickleball is the only sport that I know of where multiple generations can compete and have fun in the same sport,” Kelly says. “In March, I’m having a fun tournament where grandmothers are competing with their granddaughters.

And they’re excited about doing that.”

For one semi-retired couple, the Hostetlers, pickleball is a way to keep active when not managing their small business.

“It’s a really tight community that’s really geographical,” Lisa Hostetler says. “Here at Greenwood, we’re all good friends, we travel to tournaments together, and there’s a lot of really good socialization out of it.”

Across a dozen courts around town, college students face off against opponents sometimes three times their age while words of encouragement volley across the low-hanging net between.

“That was awesome,” says one Greenwood pickler to her opponent.

They both laugh and continue their match. Later, they’ll offer newcomers their spare paddles—and a chance to try the sport for themselves.

BREC offers pickleball memberships across its various facilities starting at $7 a month. Facilities like Highland Road Community Park and Plank Road Park offer opportunities either once or twice a week in indoor venues. Greenwood Community Park’s dedicated courts are open to the public for $2 of unlimited play, seven days a week. Other BREC facilities with tennis courts offer pickleball lanes, as well. Visit brec. org to learn more, or contact BREC’s Pickleball Coordinator, Robert Kelly, at robert.kelly@ brec.org. Information on other facilities, including The Legacy at Bonne Esperance can be found at places2play.org, and you can also find Baton Rouge Pickleball on Facebook.

—DOMENIC PURDY

TOPGOLF

Topgolf brings the social-bowling-alley experience to golf: Beer, small plates and high-def TVs pair nicely with the flexible competition of the driving range.

Topgolf is open seven days a week, until 11 p.m. on weekdays and Sunday, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. topgolf. com/us/baton-rouge

BREC’s Greenwood Community Park is now one of many spots to play pickleball in Baton Rouge.

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12 Ohm…maah!

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Goat yoga does the body—and mind—good

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C OV E R S T ORY

EEP BREATHING, STRETCHING and pet therapy rolled into one—sounds like the perfect remedy for a world that continues to feel upended. Welcome to goat yoga at Old Rusty Gate Farm.

Participants come from around Louisiana and even southern Mississippi to attend the occasional classes. Yoga instructor Kristy Craig opens by inviting everyone to get comfy on their mats, explaining how goat yoga works.

It’s not complicated.

Throughout the traditional yoga class, cute Nubian dairy goats that live on the farm walk among you, sometimes sitting on your mat or nuzzling your face. The goats don’t actually do yoga, although they can be held on your back as you perform a plank or cat-cow pose. The magic simply lies in being around the cuddly creatures, who are friendly, funny and comfortable with people.

The class is the brainchild of Sophia Allen, 17, and her mom, Sarah. It stemmed from Sophia’s longtime

hobby of raising and showing goats in 4-H competitions. A few years ago, as goat yoga was trending in some parts of the country, the family decided to host their first goat yoga class. They recruited Craig, an instructor at Ztime Fitness in Walker, to teach it. They donated the proceeds to a church fundraiser. Today, the microenterprise helps Sophia care for her herd, which now includes 11 Nubian dairy goats. She also makes goat milk soap.

Goat yoga classes take place outdoors under a pavilion at the family farm every few months. They’re designed to be accessible to beginners.

As Craig guides participants through movements and poses, the goats mill about, interacting with the humans in cute and unexpected ways. As attendees ease themselves into Downward Facing Dog, for example, they might be met with a goat kiss.

“It’s really beautiful to watch the whole thing take place,” Sarah Allen says. “People don’t realize how therapeutic it is.”

The next class will be held in April in time for Easter. “We may even throw some rabbits in there,” she says.

SOUND BATH AND YOGA at Ke Care Yoga & Wellness

TRY IT

Old Rusty Gate Farm’s goat yoga classes at 12802 Florida Blvd. in Livingston are by reservation only. To find out more about the April class and upcoming events, follow the farm on Instagram at @oldrustygatefarm.

Relax and unwind during lessons with certified yoga instructor and life coach Keke Morgan. If meditation is more what you need, try the sound bath, an immersive meditation using specific instruments to help relaxation and healing. kecareyogawellness.com

EXHALE CLASS at Yoglates Exhale is Yoglates’ spin on Hatha yoga. The 45-minute class combines dim lighting, calm music and cool towels to emphasize active recovery.

Try the rejuvenating class Thursdays at 6 p.m. or Sundays at 4 p.m. theyoglates.com

ENGLISH AND WESTERN RIDING LESSONS at BREC Farr Park Equestrian Center Learn how to ride for the first time or hone your skills. Lessons are offered for students ages 6 and up at multiple difficulty levels. Lessons are available by appointment between Tuesday and Friday. brec.org

Alongside her mom, 17-year-old Sophia Allen came up with the idea to start goat yoga classes at Old Rusty Gate Farm.

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

DIGIT

20-30%

Increase in the death risk for the physically inactive. Inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable disease mortality.

KEY WORD Endorphins Chemicals released during exercise that reduce perception of pain and trigger positive feelings. That’s why workouts are often described as “euphoric” or a “runner’s high.”

These chemicals help ward off anxiety, boost selfesteem and reduce stress.

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Flying high Build confidence while burning calories with Indulge Fitness’ classes in aerial acrobatics and pole dancing

DIAMONIQUE JAMES BELIEVES a workout benefits more than your physical health.

The owner of Indulge Fitness enjoys seeing her clients’ self-confidence bloom in an inclusive and empowering space.

“I love women of all different backgrounds being able to come together and have a peaceful, powerful environment,” James says.

The fitness studio opened in the Broadmoor area in March 2015, offering classes in aerial silks and lyra hoop, pole dancing and flexibility. The goal was to provide a unique workout but also encourage participants to believe in their inner strength. The class has been particularly empowering for women, Indulge’s predominant audience, but James says the studio welcomes men to participate, as well.

James, utilizing her aerial silks training from LSU, calls the workouts “beautiful, expressive ways to stay healthy.”

“I personally lost over 30 pounds by doing only the exercises offered at Indulge Fitness,” she says. “Aerial silks and pole dancing were more appealing ways to burn calories than traditional workouts. You often don’t realize how many calories you’re burning because it’s so much fun.”

James says a one-hour class burns about 400 Indulge Fitness classes calories, builds muscle and are offered Monday improves flexibility. Plus, through Saturday, along the inclusive environment with private lessons and welcomes everyone, no parties. Customers can matter their skill level. purchase membership packages or individual James says many clients classes. The studio is at come in thinking the skills 1543 Delplaza Drive, Suite will be impossible, but after 3. indulgefitness.net accomplishing a few moves, they return to each class motivated to learn more.

After signing up online and filling out the necessary paperwork, participants are asked to come to class with no lotion on their skin (for better grip) and wearing shorts (for pole dancing) or leggings (for aerial silks). A certified instructor starts with a beginner-friendly stretch followed by a tutorial on climbing the pole or silks for upper body strength and body awareness. Then, clients learn poses or choreography for their individual skill level.

All five of Indulge Fitness’ experienced instructors put the clients’ needs and strengths first to make each class rewarding, James adds.

“We believe diversity is a strength,” she says, “giving clients many classes and options to choose which classes fit their personal needs best.”

TRY IT

—MEG RYAN

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In circus acrobatics, artists can swing or spin from the lyra aerial hoop, as seen here with Indulge Fitness instructor Bre’Lyn Calhoun.

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ASK THE EXPERT ARE YOU 50? HAVE YOU HAD YOUR COLONOSCOPY? KNOW THE FACTS FROM OUR EXPERTS Q. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AT-HOME COLON CANCER SCREENING TESTS AND A COLONOSCOPY? Instructors at Indulge Fitness

Why pole dancing workouts?

Regular practice improves: + Coordination + Upper body strength + Abdominal muscle toning + Self-perception and self-esteem

A. At-home colon cancer screening tests (Cologuard and FIT testing) are decent at detecting colon cancer but not good for detecting polyps, the precursors to colon cancer. If you have a positive athome colon cancer screening test, you need a colonoscopy to investigate why it is positive. False positives do occur.

A colonoscopy is an outpatient colon cancer screening procedure that is good for detecting both colon cancer and polyps. Furthermore, during your colonoscopy your gastroenterologist will remove any polyps that are found, so that the polyps never have a chance to become a colon cancer. By detecting and removing polyps, a colonoscopy can prevent colon cancer. Because of this, a colonoscopy is considered the gold standard test for colon cancer screening.

Q. WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR COLON CANCER SCREENING?

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LINE DANCING at BREC

Grab a partner and join in on a line dancing class across the multiple BREC sites. Hop in for a choreographed dance with a small group in a fun, low-impact workout that gets your blood flowing. Join in on Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. at Alsen Park, Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. at Anna T. Jordan Community Center, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at North Sherwood Forest Community Park for Steps in Motion Line Dance Class. brec.org

A. Typically, insurance will pay for one colon cancer screening test.

That means they will cover either an at-home colon cancer screening test or colonoscopy. Not both. If you have a positive at-home colon cancer screening test, you will have to pay for the required follow-up colonoscopy out-of-pocket.

IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF POLYPS OR A FAMILY HISTORY OF COLON CANCER, COLONOSCOPY IS THE ONLY FORM OF COLON CANCER SCREENING THAT IS RECOMMENDED. For questions or to schedule a colonoscopy consultation with one of our gastroenterologists please call (225) 246-9240.

TREAD WORKOUT at TreadBR The Perkins Road studio’s signature class will take you from the treadmill to the floor for an hour’s worth of upbeat cardio, sculpting and strengthening. Classes are offered mornings and evenings Monday-Friday; and in the mornings on Saturdays. treadbr.com

MAIN CLINIC 7373 PERKINS ROAD BATON ROUGE, LA 70808 l (225) 769-4044

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DIGIT

19.7%

of adults met the federal physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise a week in 2019.

TRY IT

Sign up for BREC’s classes on kayaking, canoeing or SUP, or find a rental facility or boat launch at brec.org.

BREC's Sydney Parish demonstrates kayaking at Greenwood Community Park in Baker, while Hisa Turner (pictured at right) takes out the paddleboard.

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Water workout

There are ample opportunities to explore the waterways of Baton Rouge

THE BEST KIND of workout is one that’s filled with beautiful distractions.

Hop aboard a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) for a workout that freshens your mind while also elevating your heart rate, strengthening your muscles and helping you learn and perfect a new skill—all against a peaceful backdrop.

Get started with this engaging form of exercise through Baton Rouge’s park system, BREC, which rents kayaks and canoes and hosts paddling events through its popular Outdoor Adventure division. Sign up for a Kayaking 101 class and learn the basics of the sport on a shallow lake or pond around town. As you advance your skills, join a Paddle Away class, a guided adventure exploring a local bayou or river. And when you really feel comfortable, move to the Expedition Paddle level, in which a guide takes you to faster moving currents outside East Baton Rouge Parish.

Vessels are provided, or you can bring your own.

Over the last few years, BREC has made progress developing a “Blueway Map” for the parish, a system of connected waterways accessible to paddlers. BREC’s newly renovated boathouse at Greenwood Community Park, which is open seasonally, features kayak, canoe and SUP rentals. Milford Wampold Memorial Park has a boat launch that allows paddlers with their own vessels to explore the LSU Lakes. Similarly, Highland Road Community Park has a boat launch that gives access to Bayou Fountain.

And we can look forward to the future. New boat launches are underway at Manchac Park, and in the forthcoming Airline Highway Community Park. The master plan for the LSU and City Park Lakes also calls for major improvements to the health of this water system along with recreational kayak, canoe and SUP rentals.

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

Why paddleboarding?

Regular practice improves: + Core muscles and abdominal strength + Stamina + Vitamin D intake + Stress reduction

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PADDLEBOARD RENTALS AND LESSONS at Muddy Water Paddle Company

Hop on a paddleboard and hit the water with Muddy Water’s lessons, starting at $35 an hour.

Once you’ve gotten used to the sport, rent a board for $65 a day.

You can also book group lessons and parties. muddywaterpaddleco. com

ROCK CLIMBING at Uptown Climbing A dedicated rock climbing facility, Uptown offers a 90-footlong bouldering wall, as well as over 60 rope stations to engage your body in ways you never thought was possible.

With its various rock walls designed for both speed and strength training, the facility on Coursey Boulevard has everything amatuer and seasoned climbers need. uptownclimbing.com

HAPPY’S RUNNING CLUB Meet like-minded individuals with an interest in staying active while having a little fun at this non-committal social-running club. The group gathers every week at Happy’s Irish Pub on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

And if running isn’t your thing, you can always walk, bring your dog on a leash or stay back and drink a beer with the Virtual Running Club. happysrunning.com

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TRY IT

Body Sculpt Barre Studio offers classes daily in Prairieville, Central, Brusly and Zachary. Book a class or find info at bodysculptbarrestudio.com.

Shelly Saurage launched the Prairieville-born Body Sculpt Barre Studio in 2013.

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DIGIT

600-1,000

The amount of calories a person can burn during an hour of Zumba. It also works as a total body toning workout with high- and low-intensity segments.

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Barres and besties

Body Sculpt’s classes are a chance to get social—at the bar or the barre studio

BARRE WORKOUTS ARE a big thing these days. Triggering memories of ballet lessons, the classes use a mounted barre as the centerpiece of a regimen of targeted, isometric movements that tone and strengthen the glutes, quads, arms and core.

At locally owned Body Sculpt Barre Studio, barre basics are combined with cardio, strength, yoga, Pilates and other exercises, says founder Shelly Saurage, who started the Prairieville-based company in 2013. It’s now grown to include a second location in Central and franchise locations in Brusly and Zachary.

“One of the things that separates us is that none of our classes ever repeat,” Saurage says. “I train our instructors to follow a certain road map, but how they stack it is up to them. Depending on the cues they receive from the class, they’ll toggle back and forth between really challenging and less challenging work.”

Moreover, Saurage says her business balances enhancing fitness

with building community, both within the walls of the gym and across greater Baton Rouge.

A former primary school teacher, she’s never out of ideas for high-energy activities and special events. Saurage regularly coordinates onsite popups at restaurants to encourage her audience to try locally owned small businesses. She and her team have also held group workouts at community events like Live After Five. And she has coordinated drives and fundraisers to support organizations that include Woman’s Hospital, the Bella Bowman Foundation and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Such social gatherings provide Body Sculpt Barre’s members a social outlet that boosts their mental health, Saurage says.

“Our clients are the most amazing, and we strive to be a support system for them,” she says.

“I’m all about women supporting and empowering women.”

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

SWEAT-BURNSCULPT SESSION at Evolve Studio In a workout that combines Evolve’s two signature classes, SWEAT-BURN-SCULPT starts with 30 minutes of heart-pumping, sweatburning work with “Burn.”

It finishes with 30 minutes of “EvolvePilates” to shape and sculpt your body. Classes are offered Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. evolvestudiosla.com

ZUMBA FITNESS MASHUP at Sweatbox Combining highenergy music from around the world and the signature dance workout of Zumba, this Fitness Mashup brings Afro-beat sounds together with hip-hop dance moves for a workout with soul every Wednesday at 7 p.m. sweatboxbr.com

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

J Lane Boutique you. beautiful.

Be

Be

OWNER: Jessica Landers

With almost 4 years of styling the beautiful women in our community, our passion and love for fashion continues to grow. When you shop with the ladies at J Lane Boutique, our goal is to make you feel BEAUTIFUL in your own skin. THANK YOU to my beautiful team of women that are making my dreams a reality every day, and to all the women who have supported J Lane Boutique. Cheers to another successful year!

“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.”

14350 Wax Rd., Suite 108 • Baton Rouge, LA • 225-218-4412 •

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S P E C I A L A DV E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N

Women Impact MAKING AN

Creating change, setting an example, mentoring others, ensuring a family legacy … there are many ways to make a difference, and these women do it in their professions, their workplaces, their homes, and their community.

SPONSORED BY

A public awareness campaign for the Iris Domestic Violence Center was made possible in part by the support of the women featured in this special section. 225 chose to publish this special advertising section to celebrate Women’s History Month.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

PEC I A L A DV E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER •SANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

16TH ANNUAL

ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY

FREE KICK-OFF PARTY SATURDAY, MARCH 5 AT 4:00 P.M. THE MAIN LIBRARY AT GOODWOOD Gw en Ro la nd

East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s sixteenth annual One Book One Community initiative will showcase Gwen Roland’s 2006 memoir Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp which includes photographs by nature photographer, C.C. Lockwood. The entire two-month series will highlight the book, as well as other topics such as nature conservation, Louisiana wildlife, birding, and nature photography.

For a detailed schedule, visit the Events Calendar at ebrpl.com For more information about the One Book One Community selection and program, go online to the InfoGuide at ReadOneBook.org.

Delicious food & refreshments, crafts, live zydeco music from RJ & Kreole Smoove, plus community organizations celebrating Louisiana landscapes, nature, cultural heritage, & more!

UPCOMING EVENTS ATCHAFALAYA HOUSEBOAT AUTHOR TALK AND Q&A WITH GWEN ROLAND Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood & Virtual Program

PASS IT ON: SKILLS & STORIES WITH AUTHOR GWEN ROLAND Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood & Virtual Program

14 Branches Open Conveniently 7 Days a Week Available 24/7 Online

7711 Goodwood Blvd. • ebrpl.com • 225.231.3750

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SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

EXECUTIVE & MENTOR

Susanne Hall UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Susanne is vice president for Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED’s west region and has been with the company for 25 years. The New Iberia native graduated from University of New Orleans with a degree in accounting. She and her husband Steve are parents to daughter Caroline.

PASSION AND PURPOSE She says her passion is servant leadership, and she is a role model for women in business as she is one of the highest-ranking female operators in the country for her company. She is proud to be able to mentor other women, she says, “so they can reach their goals and achieve their dreams.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Susanne is very driven, goal-oriented and focused to achieve, but she is also authentic, sincere and giving.

She has such a great heart for others, her community and workplace and with her many accomplishments, she remains humble and that is truly an inspiration.”

— Joya Crawford, co-worker

FAVORITE • Place: Her second home in New Orleans, where she loves spending time with her family and enjoying the New Orleans culture

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Always push to be better.

Never be content.”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER RUM & SUGARCANE ENTHUSIAST

Olivia Stewart UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Olivia comes from five generations of cane farming and sugar production in Pointe Coupee Parish. After pursuing an art career for 10 years around the world, she moved back home in 2020 to take over her family’s latest pursuit: distilling rum at her company Three Roll Estate.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Olivia’s roots run deep in the fertile soil of the Mississippi River valley. Born and raised in the sugarcane fields, she has dedicated her life to improving the status quo. Her dedication to Louisiana shows in her striving to improve the quality and equality in the agriculture and spirits industry.

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Olivia’s leadership style and approach to each of her tasks at work shows what a caring person she is. Striving to uplift the local community is always on the forefront of what she is doing, because Louisiana’s culture and people are so important to her. Olivia truly is the sweetest girl I know (pun intended).” — Matt Street

FAVORITE • Way to spend a weekend: Riding horses and tinkering around on the family farm with my fiancé

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”

— Coretta Scott King

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

PHYSICIAN & ACTIVIST

Katherine Dronka UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Katherine is a full-time optometric physician and owner of a state-of-the-art vision and medical practice. Her private practice, Eagle Eye Care in Denham Springs, is a salute to her late father, Colonel Paul Dronka. She practices full-scope surgical optometry, including laser procedures such as glaucoma treatment and the removal of secondary cataracts.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Katherine hopes to continue her medical mission trips, especially to Spanish-speaking nations, as she is bilingual in medical Spanish. She also plans to continue learning sign language to provide ocular health assessments to the deaf and hearing-impaired. “I believe in the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth,” she says. “To never stop learning, growing, or challenging yourself. There is far too much in this world to explore to be bored. You will never know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Dr. Dronka is a treasure to all her know her, personally and professionally. She is a true pioneer for full-scope surgical optometry care and especially for women in her industry. She treats all of her patients with the utmost respect and quality care.” — Laura Smith, coworker and friend

FAVORITES • Band: Death Cab for Cutie • Way to spend a Sunday: Going hiking with her dogs • Passion: Selfless service

“

”

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Enjoy the journey.

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

BUSINESS OWNER & ADVOCATE

Ellen Pino UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Ellen, a Baton Rouge native, is the owner of Avant Tous Beauty, as well as a wife and mother to three young daughters. “We are a cheer (leader) family and spend countless weekends traveling with cheer events,” she says. “When we’re not competing, we travel as a family to experience new adventures as much as possible.”

PASSION AND PURPOSE Ellen supports many charitable organizations, but cancer awareness is close to her heart because through her work, she is able to help many women feel “normal” again. “Women battling cancer lose a huge part of their identity,” she says. “Many lose not just their hair, but also their eyebrows and lashes. We can help them with extensions, enhancing new growth or microblading. Handing them a mirror and seeing their tears of joy and their feeling of rebirth … it’s truly magical.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “When I think of Ellen, I think of a bright light. She is always happy, motivating, encouraging, and able to bring out the absolute best in others.” — Sarah Smith, friend

FAVORITES • Place: “Anywhere new! There is so much life to live and world to see.”

• Way to spend a Sunday: “Church with my family, a great lunch on a patio somewhere with live music, followed by tennis with friends.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

God did not put you where you are by accident...

perhaps this was the moment in which you were created. So if not you, who? If not now, when?”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

REALTOR, MANAGER & ADVOCATE

Jennifer Waguespack UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Jennifer has worked in real estate since 2000, and credits her success to the fact that she loves every aspect of the industry and surrounds herself with great people. She and her husband Todd have two sons (Charlie and Jack Henry), and busy careers. As director of sales at Level Homes, Jennifer works with Todd, who is a partner in the company—so work, life and family balance can be tough.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Jennifer is on the executive leadership board for the 2022 Capital Area Heart Walk. “To be able to help save a life by sharing the AHA’s message and statistics for everyone is so powerful. Knowledge is power, and together we can help our community become healthier and stronger,” she says. She is also passionate about mentoring. “I try to help someone on my team every day learn something new and become better at what they do.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Her passion and commitment to our mission of building healthier lives has provided great momentum in the Capital Area.” — Kerin Spears, vice president, Greater Louisiana, American Heart Association

FAVORITES • Book: Grit by Dana Buckworth • Song: Forever Young by Rod Stewart • Way to relax: “I enjoy golfing with Charlie, cooking up a great dinner with a glass of wine, or if we’re in Grand Isle, I love fishing with the family.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Time is a thief.

At the end of the day, yesterday is gone, so don’t look back.”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

INNOVATOR & PEER MENTOR

Ursula White Chapman UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Ursula is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Science at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. She and her husband Troy are the proud parents of a baby girl, Ava.

PASSION AND PURPOSE As the director of the Physiology of Human Adipose Tissue Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical, she is committed to understanding the triggers and health consequences of chronic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Her mission, she says, is to make a sustainable impact on humanity through providing service to her peers as well as supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Ursula is a great colleague and a great asset to many research teams. She is highly intelligent and driven, and a natural leader.

She is well-respected, and her research is internationally recognized.” — Jacqueline Stephens, PhD, colleague, mentor and friend

FAVORITES • Book: Just about any autobiography.

• Way to relax: “Decluttering and reorganizing my thoughts and ideas to recharge for the days ahead. I love family gatherings, spontaneous getaways, and trips to the beach.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

You reap what

you sow.”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

2021 LOUISIANA STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Nathalie Roy UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Nathalie teaches Roman Technology and Myth Makers at Glasgow Middle School. Merging STEM and the ancient classical world, her classes reproduce the products, processes and stories of the Greeks and Romans through hands-on labs and experimental archaeology. “I target curious students who want to learn about classics in a unique way,” she says.

PASSION AND PURPOSE “Staying in the classroom as a teacher is a conscious choice for me. I love spending my days with young people … they are infinitely funny and inspiring. I’ve been recruited for higherpaying administrative jobs in education, but I feel strongly that teaching, loving and building relationships with students is the best service I can do for my city, state, country and world.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Ms. Roy makes everyone around her strive to be the best version of themselves because she believes in them.”

— Erin Carter Howard, principal at Glasgow Middle School

FAVORITE Way to relax: Researching and traveling to our nation’s National Parks and historic monuments. “Every one of the hundreds I’ve visited has been a deeply moving experience.

Our country is full of so much history and hope,” she says.

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences,

we all share the same proud title:

Citizen.” — President Barack Obama

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

BUSINESSWOMAN & MENTOR

Jerry del Rio UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Jerry loves people. She has been married for 63 years to her high school sweetheart, and they have four children and 13 grandchildren. She briefly worked as a registered nurse, but found that her true calling was real estate. “To be successful, you must be available 24-7.

That’s just the truth,” she says.

PASSION AND PURPOSE “I am a hands-on leader,” Jerry says. “I enjoy providing oneon-one guidance to each of the 15 agents within my company and passing along what has helped me to become successful over the years. One day when I retire or sell my business, I want to know that I have trained them well so they can succeed as professional agents themselves.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Jerry is devoted to her agents and clients. She is their biggest cheerleader and a huge mentor to her realtor family. She exudes unparalleled market intelligence in real estate.” — Robert Johnson, office manager, Del Rio Real Estate

FAVORITES • Way to relax: Reading. “I’m an avid reader, and I read a book before I go to bed every night to help me fall asleep.”

• Book: Century Trilogy Series by Ken Follet

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

The Golden Rule:

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

ENTREPRENEUR & MENTOR

Rachel Eggie Gibbs UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Rachel will never forget the year 2020. Less than a month before opening her first salon, EGGIE Salon Studio, she found out she was pregnant with her (and husband Micah’s) first child. Though some may consider this highly stressful, Rachel thrives on chaos and enjoys the blessings this life gives us. Addison is their first child of hopefully many more, she says, and her Goodwood salon location is also only the beginning of what she has envisioned for her company.

PASSION AND PURPOSE “I have such a passion for growing stylists and teaching them that you can build the life you want to live in the cosmetology world,” she says.

“By empowering them, they are better stylists behind the chair and they can give that confidence to our clients.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Rachel is a born leader, and her positivity and passion radiate throughout the salon every single day. Her love for her work extends beyond the chair, beyond the salon doors, and beyond our community.

I am proud to be a part of her talented team.” — Mimi Sommers, EGGIE Salon studio manager and best friend since high school

FAVORITES • Book: Shut up and Listen by Tilman Fertitta and The Five Love languages by Gary Chapman • Song: Currently This Is Me from The Greatest Showman • Way to spend a Sunday: “Going to church and relaxing the rest of the day as a family. Our weeks are go, go, go, so to have that family day is my favorite.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Stop being afraid of what could go

wrong and start

getting excited

about what could go right.”

— Tony Robbins

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

ENTREPRENEUR & MOTHER OF FOUR

Jarratt Haviland UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL As owner of Sugar and Bronze, Jarratt Haviland operates her own business in addition to teaching master classes on sugar hair removal both in-house and at conferences around the world. She has served as the International Director of Education for Ke Ko Botanicals for two years and just recently purchased the company. She supports many local charitable organizations and philanthropic events, including BUST Breast Cancer.

PASSION AND PURPOSE “Making an impact starts in your own circle,” she says.

“Teaching our children how to treat others by embodying kindness and generosity, teaching our employees that every person who walks through the door is the Queen or the King and should be treated as such, making sure people know they matter … that’s where it all begins. Every big wave starts with a small ripple.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Jarratt is one of the hardest working women I know! She runs an amazing business while balancing her life of being a wife and mom so well. She has such passion for what she does and as a boss, her generosity to her employees is admirable. I’m proud to call her a friend.” — Rachel Eggie, friend

FAVORITE • Thing to do: “Watch my kids do something they love. From soccer, to silks, to swim, I love their confidence and joy when they’re engaged in something they’re passionate about.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Expect the best. Prepare for the worst.

Capitalize on what comes.”

— Zig Ziglar

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

BAKERY OWNER & ENTREPRENEUR

Robyn Selders UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Cupcake Junkie owner Robyn Selders recently received a message from a customer that read, “You can tell when bakers and chefs cook with love … that’s what you do.” It touched her because this is exactly how she wants her customers to feel. “I want my ‘Cupcake Junkies to taste the love and effort I’ve put into preparing their sweets,” she says. “It’s a way to play a role in their joyful occasions. I carry that in my heart as I prepare my orders each day.”

PASSION AND PURPOSE Robyn is happy to relieve some of the stress from her customers when they are planning their events. After all, in south Louisiana, the food or cake is often the centerpiece of the celebration, so that’s half of the planning. Robyn also appreciates it when people in her community say they are proud of her. “I’m happy to be an example to others that dreams come true through faith and hard work.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Robyn has a beautiful heart and generous spirit. I am always inspired by her determination, talent and mentorship of the next generation of local bakers.” — Danielle Mack

FAVORITES • Way to spend a Sunday: Worship, eat fabulous food, and watch movies • Way to relax: Play with my handsome and loving schnoodle, Cubby!

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Taste and see that

the Lord is good”

— Psalm 34:8

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

ENGINEER & ADVOCATE

Jessica Reich

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Jessica has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and has held various roles at ExxonMobil. She lives in Baton Rouge with her husband Kevin, also an engineer.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Jessica is president of the Women’s Interest Network (WIN) with ExxonMobil in Baton Rouge, which aims to support and empower professional women.

WIN hosts a yearly event called “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” where girls from local schools come together to learn about STEM, meet women from ExxonMobil, and enjoy a variety of science and math activities. The event is incredibly rewarding and always a lot of fun!

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Her impact is much more diverse and far reaching than many would expect. Not only does she help set the mission and vision of our Baton Rouge area WIN—which supports ExxonMobil employee members—but she also sets the direction for how and where we spend our time in the community, ensuring that we share our experiences, role model our opportunities with STEM, and serve those around us with a positive and encouraging spirit.” — Kristin D. Thomas-Martin, Plant Manager, Baton Rouge Plastics Plant

FAVORITES • Book: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah • Song: Speechless by Day + Shay • Way to spend a Sunday: Walk around the LSU lakes and have dinner with friends and loved ones

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Happiness is the journey, not the destination.”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

BUSINESS WOMAN & ROLE MODEL

Haley Herrington UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Haley owns the Baton Rouge HerringStone’s Boutique, which carries trendsetting, stylish women’s fashion items. The company was founded by her mother and aunt in 1989 in their hometown of Monroe. After earning a degree from ULL, Haley spent four years in Los Angeles, then moved to Baton Rouge in 2019 to take her place in the family business.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Celebrity stylist was her original goal, but being away from home was harder than she imagined.

“I learned to love what I do by seeing how passionate my mom and my aunt are,” she says. Today, Haley enjoys building confidence in others and serving as a role model for young women in the fashion industry and the retail business.

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Haley is one of the hardest working, most persevering women I know. She brings such a positive energy and overwhelming light to any room she enters … she is a giving, thoughtful and creative person who shines when she is faced with a challenge.” — Brittany Barkley, friend

FAVORITES • Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven • Way to relax: Sitting by a fireplace and looking out at snowy mountains

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

“

Breathe…

it’s all going to be okay.”

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

AESTHETIC EXPERTS & ROLE MODELS

Brittany Lipoma MPAS, PA-C

Amanda Brackin

CERTIFIED LASER TECHNICIAN

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL These women from Aesthetic Medicine & Anti-Aging Clinics of Louisiana make an impact on many people’s daily lives.

They care for their patients with passion, strive to give them the results they seek, and help them feel better about themselves.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Brittany, Amanda and Ellen are role models for other women in their industry. They take pride in their work and research new treatment techniques to help bring patient experiences to the next level—with results that speak for themselves. Aside from their professions, they support many charitable causes, including the American Cancer Society, Companion Animal Alliance, National Alopecia Areata Foundation and others.

WHAT OTHERS SAY Their patients have described them in this way: (About Brittany) “She brings a bright, kind and always progressive touch to her amazing work.” (About Amanda) “She is an experienced, loyal, and comforting expert in all things skin and aesthetic.” (About Ellen) “She’s fun-loving and a positive light to all she guides in her work.”

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion

come together.”

Ellen Radle LICENSED AESTHETICIAN, CERTIFIED LASER TECHNICIAN

SPE C I A L A DV E R T I SI NG SE C T I ON

BUSINESS OWNER & MENTOR

Danielle Brecheen UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Danielle began working in the family business in 1985, helping her mother with typing and filing. Over the years, her responsibilities increased from generating orders, to purchasing, to sales. When her sister left the business in 2017 and her parents passed away a few years later, Danielle took over Brecheen Pipe & Steel. She currently serves as president of the corporation.

PASSION AND PURPOSE Very few women sold industrial products to chemical plants and refineries when Danielle began her career. “I had to work faster, harder and smarter than my competitors to prove myself,” she says. Today, she helps other women succeed in this male-dominated industry by sharing her experiences and helping them make connections with customers.

WHAT OTHERS SAY “Danielle is fantastic in her knowledge and the work that she does. When it comes to certain materials in the refinery industry, she’s one of the first people I think about.” —Stanley Favalora, Valero

FAVORITE • Way to relax: Barbecuing in my back yard, sitting in my rocking chair and rocking away. I also enjoy going to Saints and LSU games.

“

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

One never achieves success by watching time pass by. One must engage

never stop improving oneself

&

to meet the never-ending challenges that life brings our way.”

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

PEC I A L A DV E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER •SANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

CHEF AMANDA SCHONBERG Chef Amanda Schonberg is the owner and operator of Chef Schonbergs Sweets, a cloud bakery specializing in alcohol infused desserts and gourmet confections. Her award-winning desserts have been featured both locally and nationally by companies such as Wilton, NBC, Fox and Yelp.

CHEF CELESTE Chef Celeste has owned and operated culinary businesses in downtown Baton Rouge for over 20 years. Her most recent ventures include My Louisiana Kitchen, Chef Celeste Bistro, Senior Seasonings products and hosting “Eat this TV” and “Southern Exposure”.

From 20 plus years of owning businesses in downtown Baton Rouge, to running a successful baking business and taking over the internet, to revitalizing Scottlandville one meal at a time.

These are the women of 225 making an impact.

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CHEF VICTORY Deidre “Chef Victory” Brown owns and operates Straight Outta Scotland, a local carry-out restaurant in the Scotlandville community, as well as Victory Catering. Chef Victory has received the 2021 Juneteenth “A Celebration of Freedom Award”, which honors black local businesses in the Capital City area.

“Enjoy the process... it makes you who you are!”

— CHEF CELESTE

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

PEC I A L A DV E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER •SANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

HOW IT BEGAN For 40 years, Iris Domestic Violence Center, a nonprofit domestic violence service organization, has provided support to victims of domestic and dating violence. The agency began in 1979 with the purpose of opening an emergency shelter for battered women and their dependent children in the Baton Rouge area. Iris now services eight parishes including East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, Ascension, and Livingston.

OUR IMPACT Domestic violence is a social issue that can impact anyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, education, or income level. In an effort to assist victims of family and dating violence, Iris Domestic Violence Center offers the following services: • 24-Hour Domestic Violence crisis response hotline • Emergency safe house shelter • Safety planning • Legal advocacy • Housing intervention services • Job placement assistance • Childcare assistance • Acquisition of mainstream benefits • Community education

GET INVOLVED The mission of Iris is to empower survivors, prevent relationship violence, and promote justice for victims of domestic and dating violence, their children, and our communities. For anyone looking to get involved in assisting our agency, we welcome volunteers, financial contributions and donations of needed items.

SCAN TO GET INVOLVED

If you suspect a friend or family member is a victim of family or dating violence, take action!

24 HR CRISIS LINE 225-389-3001 OR 800-541-9706 | INFO@STOPDV.ORG

WWW.STOPDV.ORG

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Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Lafayette & Lake Charles (225) 927-7546 www.williamsoncosmeticcenter.com

I N S I D E : Spring trends / Tour the new Local Supply

‘Out of this world’ The Flower Fest takes flight in year two

BY O LIVIA DE FFES

LEEKAY PHOTOGRAPHY / COURTESY THE FLOWER FEST

Last year’s Best in Show winner:“Cajun Momma”

by Paige Lute of Oak and Willow Floral Design

STYLE //

Memorable moments

LL

IS

O

N

Some of the scene-stealing creations from last year’s event:

AR

IA

NA

A

“Floral Notes” by Urban Earth Design Studios

STOP AND SMELL the roses—and take a selfie with them too—at the second annual Flower Fest.

After last year’s inaugural festival sold more than 1,000 tickets and raised $27,327 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Flower Fest returns to Pointe Marie.

Next month, expect another weekend of Instagrammable backdrops and towering sculptures made from flowers and greenery, as well as food from local vendors garnished with pretty petals.

With a new theme of “Out of this World,” Flower Fest founder Amy Vandiver says this year’s competing florists are dreaming up sculptures that are otherworldly. Installations might glow in the dark or incorporate iridescent materials to make them seem like they belong in the gardens of neighboring planets.

This year’s space theme was inspired

by Baton Rouge native and cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux, who made history last fall as the youngest American to travel to space. Arceneaux has also been a spokesperson for St. Jude, which is the charity that the Flower Fest benefits.

“It was inspirational to see Hayley’s story. The fact that she’s from here and (went) to space tied into our theme with Louisiana, as well,” Vandiver says. “Last year, I remember us thinking (after the festival) ‘how in the world did we pull that off?’ So the ‘Out of this World’ theme seemed very fitting.”

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Besides the new theme, this year’s Flower Fest has some changes to make it even better than 2021, Vandiver says.

There will be more interactive floral photo opportunities that go along with the fun space theme.

During the days of April 2-3, guests are welcome to walk through the festival, take photos, set up picnics and observe the installations.

Nine florist teams will compete in the large sculpture competition this year. As ticket holders walk through the festival, they can cast their votes on which design is the best.

It’s too soon to say what creations the florists will dream up this year, but 2021’s large blooming sculptures resembled birds and buildings found throughout the state, including a 12-foot tall depiction of the state capitol built from 7,000 white and cream mums, live azaleas, a pink plumosa fern, alstroemeria, and hydrangea and asiatic lilies.

Vendors and food trucks will be set up for guests to enjoy, with purchases benefitting St. Jude. In true Flower Fest fashion, all vendors will sell products related to flowers, like floral resin trays and perfectly picked bouquets.

Starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, the separately ticketed “Out of this World” gala will celebrate the winner of the Fan Favorite award. At this year’s event, there will be an open bar, themed small bites and a DJ spinning music. Attendees can hang out, dance and take more photos.

Gala guests are encouraged to dress according to the theme—think floralembroidered dresses or snazzy metallic jumpsuits.

When Vandiver started The Flower Fest in 2021, she hoped to bring a fresh idea for an event to a state that is already world-renowned for its festivals surrounding music, food and drinking.

She’d watched the Netflix show The Big Flower Fight and was amazed by what artists and florists were able to do with blooms and petals. It seemed the perfect idea to bring to Louisiana.

Although all nine florist teams at last year’s event were local, Vandiver says she hopes this festival grows to include teams from all over the country.

“Our dream goal for this is to eventually have 50 sculptures from every state,” Vandiver says. “Each state can come to battle it out and represent their home at the festival. Then it can become something huge for the state of Louisiana, St. Jude and Baton Rouge.”

E AY W PH FL O OT THE O GR APHY / COURTESY EK

LE BY

LEEKAY PHOTOGRAPHY / COURTESY THE FLOWER FEST

R

FE

ST

Gala guests are encouraged to dress according to the theme, like this look shot for last year’s Flower Fest.

O OT PH

S

State capitol by The Sentimental Petal

Pink rose wall by The Modern Debutante

ATTEND THE FEST April 2 + 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pointe Marie, 14200 River Road General admission from $20 theflowerfest.com

Ombré baby’s breath skirt

by Hunts Flowers Inc.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

EXPERIENCE I N N O VA T I O N EXPERIENCE QUALITY PAT I E N T C A R E EXPERIENCE CYPRESS

Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital is recognized nationally for delivering an outstanding patient experience, high quality clinical care, and successful surgical outcomes. With our low nurse-to-patient ratio, a dedicated Team of RN’s, Clinical staff and a medical staff that includes board certified and fellowship trained physicians along with all our Team Members is why CPSH is the choice for hospital care in South Louisiana.

42570 S AIRPORT RD • HAMMOND, LA 985-510-6200 CYPRESSPOINTESURGICAL.COM

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STYLE //

Head gear

W H AT ’ S T R E N D I N G

Spring forward

More accessories to “add to cart” FROM HEAD OVER HEELS

Accessories to take you from spring break to festival season to back-to-the-office STYLE D B Y E L L E MA R IE PHOTOS B Y COLLIN R IC H IE

Leather bucket bag, $178

Pink haircalf bucket bag, $198 Bejeweled headband, $38 Leopard haircalf bucket bag, $198 Crazy Daisy headband, $55 From Head Over Heels Diff “Kaia” shades in ivory with sea snake, $95 Diff “Stevie” shades in sandstone crystal sunglasses, $98 From HerringStone’s Boutique Beaded headband, $40

Crazy Daisy headband, $55

Krewe “St. Louis” shades in Matte Nebula to Crystal 24K, $295

FROM HERRINGSTONE’S BOUTIQUE

Diff “Bella” tortoise blue light glasses, $95

The Pink Reef gold butterfly bow earrings, $100

ONLINE

headoverheelsonline.com herringstonesboutique.com The Pink Reef velvet orchid earrings, $100

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WE CAN CHECK YOUR VITALS. BUT ONLY YOU CAN TELL US WHAT’S REALLY VITAL.

Half of your healthcare is in the stories you share with us. Because before you’re a patient, you’re a person – and what you’re thinking, feeling, and hoping for can help us to personalize your recovery and improve your outcome. ololrmc.com/WeListenWeHeal

STYLE //

VISIT THE SHOP Local Suppply opened in Electric Depot in January.

PARKVIEW BAPTIST SCHOOL FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS

Local Supply Open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

1509 Government St. Find it on Instagram at @localsupplybr

PARKVIEW BAPTIST SCHOOL

JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE MARCH 29 THRU APRIL 1

APRIL 5 THRU APRIL 9

6:30 PM TICKETS: PARKVIEWBAPTIST.COM/TARZAN 68

[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

MARCH 8 l 8:30AM PRE-K–12TH GRADE

RSVP required: admissions@parkviewbaptist.com or (225) 291-2500 ext. 104

EDUCATION with an ETERNAL FOUNDATION 5750 PARKVIEW CHURCH RD l (225) 291-2500 EXT. 104 Parkview Baptist School admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

STYLE //

COOL FINDS

By Olivia Deffes // Photos by Ariana Allison

The new Local Supply in Mid City spotlights local artisans and makers year-round LOCAL LOOKS GOOD on Baton Rouge’s latest gift shop, Local Supply.

Monthly makers markets and pop-up events have proliferated in Baton Rouge over the last several years, but Local Suppply aims to offer support to Louisiana makers all year long. Sarah Guidry and Meredith Waguespack, co-founders of the Local Pop Up events, opened the store in Electric Depot in January.

Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by a large mural of a roseate spoonbill nicknamed Rosie. This feathered friend is a nod to Local Supply’s sister store Sweet Baton Rouge, which has Petey the Pelican as its mascot. Both Petey and Rosie were the ideas of Guidry.

“These birds of a feather really flock together,” she says. “We have a love for our birds of flight from Louisiana.”

The hues of greens and pinks can be seen throughout the space as you browse different shelves of locally made goods and art. Shoppers can browse a wall of greeting cards, tables of stationery, shelves full of cookbooks and more.

Some of the brands currently in the store include Cora B. Gallery, Aline Prints + Design, and Parish Clay Co. Local makers will cycle out quarterly.

“Our intention is to have as many makers as we can in here while maintaining a nice shopping

“Our intention is to have as many makers as we can in here while maintaining a nice shopping experience.”

—Local Supply co-owner Sarah Guidry (left), pictured with co-owner Meredith Waguespack

experience,” Guidry says After a few years of hosting Local Pop Up markets, Guidry approached Waguespack in the summer of 2021 about creating a shop next to the Sweet Baton Rouge flagship store, which Waguespack owns. But the concept was one the duo had been dreaming of for a while.

“It all began when we were sitting on the floor in the office of Sweet Baton Rouge around 2015 or 2016,” Waguespack says. “That’s when the idea of the local side of things came into play. It’s been really fun to see how it’s come to fruition.”

Together, they created a space where local makers could have a place to sell their goods and reach more customers in the community.

“We both just wanted to bring local businesses together to one place so people could shop,” Waguespack says.

“It’s a creative fusion of everything we’ve been cultivating for years,” Guidry adds. “A lot of it is inspired by local makers. It’s really just a creative space where we can all come together and create more.”

Art “Britney” artwork by Cora B. Gallery

PHOTOS COURTESY THE MAKERS

Shop to it

Decor Gingham mirror

by Stuff & Co.

Stickers Chill Pills sticker by Aline Prints + Design

Foodie goods Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles by Grinningjupiter Jammery

LENT AT

E VE RY FRIDAY

Friday, March 4 - Friday, April 15 Featuring smoked Redfish Bruschetta and Red Snapper Amandine

*Tax and gratuity not included. Management reserves the right to cancel, modify or refuse this offer without notice at any time.

Offer not valid for self-exclusion program enrollees in jurisdictions which Penn National Gaming, Inc. operates or who have been otherwise excluded from the participating property. Gambling problem? Call 800.522.4700. ©2022 Penn National Gaming, Inc. All rights reserved.

GAMBLING

PROBLEM?

PLE ASE

CALL

800.522.4700.

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

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Put their little hands in the hands of our experts.

Children’s Hospital New Orleans brings a world of expertise to make sure your little ones have everything they need to get back to being happy and healthy kids again. From ENT to Dermatology and Cardiology to Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital New Orleans offers unmatched pediatric expertise, sized just for kids in Baton Rouge and beyond.

Specialty Care Baton Rouge

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Learn more at chnola.org/BatonRouge

I N S I D E : Downtown's new rooftop bar / Veggie enchiladas for Lent

The spice is right Diving into the variety of flavors and intense heat at Swagat Indian Cuisine

COLLIN RICHIE

Swagat's Tandoori Chicken

225batonrouge.com | [225] March 2022

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THE LOWDOWN

SPONSORED BY:

AN EPIC EXPERIENCE OF SOUND:

TIPS FOR ATTENDING GREAT PERFORMANCES

W

hether you’re completely new to orchestra or have been a patron for years, an evening at the symphony is for everyone. In the hands of a great composer, orchestral music is the equivalent of a piece of architecture or a painting—an apex of human creativity.

For 75 years, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra has been enriching the Greater Baton Rouge community. BRSO brings astonishing guest artists and incredible local talent to the stage. Founded in 1947, BRSO is the oldest performing arts institution in the region and the oldest professional orchestra in the state. The Baton Rouge Symphony reaches more than 7,000 community members per year through outreach programs and is committed to quality orchestral performance in our city and region. Its partner programs include the Symphony League, Symphony Chorus, and Louisiana Youth Orchestras.

BRSO returns to the River Center for the Performing Arts with a ribbon cutting March 9. March 10, guest conductor Julian Kuerti and Grammy award-winning cellist, Zuil Bailey perfoorm work by Louisiana composer, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and Dvořák’s Symphony No.8. Visit BRSO.org to plan your next experience.

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ENJOY THE SHOW: BRUSH UP ON YOUR ETIQUETTE DRESS FOR THE OCCASION BUT BE COMFORTABLE. There is no official dress code.

Some people enjoy dressing up and making a special night of it, while others prefer to dress more laid back. Nowadays, requirements have loosened to encourage “creative black tie,” which seems to invite colorful dinner jackets and more festive garb. At most events, you’ll see people wearing everything from jeans and T-shirts to suits. Generally speaking, the only tuxes you’ll see are on stage. Anything that makes you feel comfortable is appropriate.

IF YOU’RE TARDY TO THE PARTY, ARRIVE GRACEFULLY. While the best approach is to treat the show as an important appointment, arrive suitably in advance since things do happen; dinner runs long, traffic and other obstacles can arise.

Latecomers will be seated between works so as not to disturb other listeners. Your usher will alert you as soon as it is possible to be seated.

PUT AWAY YOUR DEVICES. Notifications, ringtones and the glow from screens are extremely disruptive.

Don’t count on turning down the volume or putting it on vibrate. Play it safe and turn off your phone entirely. Allow yourself to be present to concentrate fully on what is happening on the stage without technological distractions. BRSO encourages you to share your experiences on social media, just please wait until after the show or during intermission.

TA ST E / /

R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W

Swagat Indian Cuisine

BY D.J. BE AUTICI A PHOTOS B Y COLLI N R IC H IE

Our food critic’s name may be false, but the credentials are not. This gastronome has studied the history, cultivation, preparation, science and technology of food for more than 30 years. swagatbr.com 15380 George O’Neal Road Lunch: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Dinner: Tuesday-Sunday, 5-9:30 p.m.

SWAGAT INDIAN CUISINE is a prime example of not judging a book by its cover. Located in an old Pizza Hut building fronting George O’Neal Road, some may drive by without a second look. Big mistake.

From personal experience, I can firmly say I’ve had some of the best meals in old, former chain-restaurant buildings. This adventure was no different, and obviously the word is out: On a regular Tuesday night, the parking lot was jam packed.

Our starter of Vegetable Samosa came two to an order. A crispy fried dough was stuffed to the brim with potatoes and peas. It was a hearty and satisfying start. My only regret was that I hadn’t gotten an additional order, as they were gone far too quickly.

Next up was a cup of Mulgatwany Soup, with tender chunks of chicken adding heft to pureed dal. It had an appetizing pale yellow color with speckles of black pepper. A touch of butter and tons of chicken broth flavor made for a cool-weather soup to (almost) rival gumbo. I could have eaten a full pot, as I’m a sucker for this kind of soup.

All entrees come with rice and naan. The included basmati rice had perfectly separated grains and a nice floral flavor. The naan had a garlicky oil brushing, crisp puff-charred exterior and super tender crumb. Both were perfect for sopping up the sauces in each entree.

THE BASICS: While its exterior may remind you of its former pizzachain life, this spot has been a mainstay of Indian cuisine for many years—previously as Al Noor and now as Swagat Indian Cuisine. The name means “welcome,” and its buffet-style lunches, warming and filling dinner entrees, and beautiful presentations have made visitors feel right at home.

WHAT’S A MUST: Fill up on the crispy fried Vegetable Samosas. If you can handle the spice, go the seafood route with Shrimp Gongura and its red curry. Round it out with the creamy and almost-sweet Navaratna Koorma. And you can’t go wrong with the Tandoori Chicken—or with the wide variety of curries, vindaloos and other options featuring lamb, goat or veggies.

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Shrimp Gongura featured a thickish brick-red curry sauce with a building heat. Abundant shrimp did nothing to quell that spice but added fresh, briny flavor to the dish. It felt like something additional was needed, like potatoes or cauliflower. But the rice was a welcome barrier to dissipate some of the pepper.

Navaratna Koorma consisted of vegetables, dried fruit and cheese. The combination was a creamy and almost sweet treat. Chunks of soft yet firm cheese created interesting textural contrast to the very rich and creamy sauce. It was difficult to discern what the vegetables were, but that didn’t matter: We gobbled it all up greedily.

After our feast and with the touch of sweetness in the koorma, we were stuffed and felt dessert was unnecessary. Though if you’re still feeling hungry, none of the available desserts sounded too heavy and all looked incredibly interesting, with lots of honey syrups and pistachio sauces catching our eye.

Good Indian food is worth getting out of your neighborhood for serious noshing. Really good Indian food is worth the time and effort to drive the distance, no matter where in Baton Rouge you live. And Swagat wholeheartedly qualifies.

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Swagat Indian Cuisine coowner Choudary Mallipudi

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The creamy and almostsweet Navaratna Koorma consisted of vegetables, dried fruit and cheese.

The crispy fried dough Vegetable Samosas are stuffed to the brim with potatoes and peas.

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‘Only way is up’ Baton Rouge gets its newest rooftop bar

By Olivia Deffes // Photos by Ariana Allison

INSIDE A COCKTAIL lounge on Main Street, guests relax on jewel-toned velvet seating as jazz music plays softly. In search of fresh air and distant views, some patrons follow a neon sign reading “only way is up” to the upstairs patio.

This is The Main Lobby, a downtown rooftop bar that opened last month in the former Hound Dogs location on Main Street.

Here, guests should feel like they’re escaping with a drink at a nice hotel lobby in a big city like Miami, New York or Los Angeles, says general manager and bartender Jean Paul Guillory.

“Sometimes when you go to your hotel lobby, the vibes and atmosphere are so good that you don’t want to leave,” he says. “That’s the atmosphere that we’re shooting for—something relaxed, upscale and enjoyable. We want to make it so that once you’re in here you don’t want to go or don’t even make it to your next destination, because you’re stuck at the Lobby.”

With fun hotel-themed cocktails and appetizers and snacks, like chicken wings and seafood egg rolls to pick at, The Main Lobby is not a bad place to be “stuck” by any means. Guillory’s drink recommendation is the Let Me Speak to the Manager, a traditional shaken daiquiri.

Even before opening day, the bar has already piqued the curiosity of downtown workers and residents. In the days leading up to the opening, they make themselves at home at the new bar.

“I was so excited to see that they were opening their doors again,” says customer Stephanie Vaughn, sipping on a Blue Elevator cocktail.

“I work right across the street, and this is like heaven. I just left work and I’m having my afternoon cocktail. When you’re a working professional of a certain age, you don’t want to go to a bar. You want to go to a lounge-type of place where you can have a nice cocktail, listen to some jazz music and just unwind from a day full of meetings.”

As you walk through the space, you might notice plenty of pink flamingos that blend into the decor. It’s a way for The Main Lobby to pay homage to the Spanish Town community.

“We’re in the Spanish Town neighborhood, and we really want to be a part of that community as much as possible,” Guillory says. “It’s important to us to stay true to this area and its culture. The owners brought a lot of New Orleans feel to the place, but we still want the neighborhood to feel like home when they come here.”

The Main Lobby 668 Main St. in downtown Baton Rouge Find it on Instagram at @themainlobby_br

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OR FIRST FLO

Y STAIRWA

ROOFTO

P

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN

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IRRIGATION • LIGHTING • LAWN CARE MAINTENANCE • LANDSCAPING

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• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

DINING IN

Meatless March A Lent-friendly menu with a Mexican flair

BY TRACE Y KO CH // P H OTOS B Y A M Y S H UT T

MARCH IS ONE of my favorite months. It is the beginning of spring.

Flowers are blooming, and everything looks fresh and vibrant. The farmers market is finally filling up with the season’s vegetables, which encouraged me to write a meatless menu. This Mexican-inspired menu is totally made from scratch, from the red enchilada sauce to the corn tortillas.

None of the recipes are difficult and are well worth the extra little effort. And the best part is: All of the recipes can be made ahead of time.

On the menu • Classic Guacamole • Chili con Queso • Homemade Corn Tortillas (Find this recipe at 225batonrouge.com/recipes) • Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas in Red Chili Sauce Recipes by Tracey Koch

Classic Guacamole Fresh guacamole is such a treat and something that is actually quite easy to make. The key is using avocados that are still a little firm but soft to the touch. The combination of the right balance of onion, salt, lime juice and spices blended together is so simple, but when the ratio is done exactly right, these few simple ingredients are unbelievably delicious. This take on guacamole is balanced and hits all the right flavor profiles. Serve it up with crispy chips, cold beers and margaritas.

GET YOUR 225 EXCLUSIVE $69 TUNE-UP! Scan and mention 225 when you book an appointment

Servings: 6 3 large ripe avocados 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 1 clove minced garlic ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeños (from the jar) ¼ teaspoon cumin ¼ teaspoon chili powder 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Place it into a bowl.

2. Use a fork to mash up the avocados until the texture becomes creamy.

3. Add in the remaining ingredients. Combine well.

4. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole.

Certified Technicians serving Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes

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Chill for up to 1 hour before serving.

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Chili con Queso Chili con queso is one of my favorite appetizers to order at Mexican restaurants. The rich creamy cheese with a bit of heat from the chilies served up with crispy, salty chips is truly a weakness for me and one that I have a hard time passing up.

Chili con queso (chilies with cheese) is typically found in northern Mexico, a region known for ranching and cattle. Much of the cuisine from this area contains dairy, and chili con queso is one of the most popular dishes. It is served with fried corn chips, or it is wrapped in a warm tortilla as a more substantial mid-day snack.

My version of chili con queso uses a blend of sharp cheddar for the bite and pepper jack cheese for the creamy texture. This recipe makes enough to be used as part of the filling in the roasted enchiladas. I like to serve the rest as a dip with plenty of crispy chips.

Servings: Yields 5 cups

3 tablespoons vegetable oil ¼ cup chopped onion 2 cloves minced garlic 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and chopped 1 poblano pepper seeded and chopped 1 can diced green chilies 3 tablespoons flour 3 cups half-and-half or whole milk ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese 1 cup sharp shredded cheddar

1. In a large sauce pot, heat the vegetable oil, onions, garlic and all the peppers.

Sauté 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add in the flour. Continue cooking and stirring for another 2 minutes. Stir in the half-and-half or milk until smooth. Cook over mediumlow heat, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

3. Reduce the heat to low,

and fold in the cheeses.

Continue stirring until melted. Serve warm with lots of chips for dipping.

Roasted Vegetables Enchiladas with Homemade Tortillas and Red Chili Sauce FOR THE RED ENCHILADA SAUCE: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons flour 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder 1 ½ tablespoons cumin powder 1 teaspoon smoky paprika ½ teaspoon granulated garlic ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1. In a heavy sauce pot, heat Enchiladas have long been part of Mexico’s culinary history, including Mayan and Aztec culture. The original dish was corn tortillas dipped in a chili sauce. But as other ingredients became more available, people began filling enchiladas with a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables, creating the enchiladas that are still served today.

The roasted vegetable enchilada recipe I created is a multi-step recipe that may take a little time to prepare, but the steps are not difficult. The homemade corn tortillas are made using masa harnia, and are a lighter and more tender version than the ones found in stores.

I added in a little melted butter, salt and hot water. If making your own tortillas isn’t on the agenda, store-bought tortillas still work quite well with all the other flavorful components.

The homemade red chili enchilada sauce may seem daunting, but many of the ingredients are ones that are already in your pantry. Plus, the sauce brings this dish to a whole other level that can’t be matched by store-bought sauces. To save time, make the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer.

I used squash, zucchini and butternut squash in the filling and the Homemade Chili con Queso recipe to bind the vegetables together. Feel free to change up the varieties of vegetables to suit your personal preference, and use your favorite queso.

Servings: 6

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FOR THE VEGETABLE FILLING: 1 cup butternut squash, cut into bitesized cubes 2 cups zucchini, cut into bite-sized chunks 1 cup yellow squash, cut into bite-sized chunks 1 cup red or yellow bell peppers, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 cup red onion, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 cup frozen corn 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cumin powder ½ teaspoon chili powder 1 cup prepared chili con queso

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil.

2. Place the sliced vegetables in a large

mixing bowl. Toss with the olive oil, salt and seasonings.

the oil over medium heat.

Add in the flour. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add in the chili powder, ground cumin and smoky paprika. Continue stirring for 1 minute.

2. Add in the granulated

garlic, salt and tomato paste.

Stir until well combined. Slowly mix in the vegetable broth and vinegar.

3. Keep stirring to ensure there

are no lumps and the mixture is smooth. Allow the enchilada sauce to continue cooking until it thickens and coats the back of the spoon.

4. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Remove from the heat and

cool. Store sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. This sauce will last in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

TO ASSEMBLE THE ROASTED VEGETABLE ENCHILADAS:

1. Spray a 9-by-13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour 1 cup of the red chili enchilada sauce to evenly coat the bottom of the dish.

2. Place the roasted vegetables

into a mixing bowl. Toss them with 1 cup of cooled Chili con Queso sauce. Set aside.

3. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Warm 12 corn tortillas for 7 to 10 seconds per side, or just long enough to make the tortillas more pliable. Keep the tortillas under a kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out while you fill and roll the enchiladas.

4. Place a tortilla on a clean work

surface. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the vegetable filling in the middle of the tortilla. Fold one side of the tortilla over the filling. Roll up the tortilla.

5. Place the enchilada seam-sidedown in the prepared casserole dish. Continue these steps, placing the enchiladas side-by-side in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Top with 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Cover the enchiladas with foil. This can be made a day ahead of time.

6. When ready to bake, remove

the enchiladas from the fridge and bring up to room temperature. Keep enchiladas covered and bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through. Remove the foil and allow the enchiladas to cool slightly before serving.

3. Roast the vegetables 7 to 9 minutes. Stir.

Roast for another 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Remove the roasted vegetables. Let

cool until you’re ready to assemble the enchiladas.

MAKE HOMEMADE TORTILLAS Find 225’s recipe for tortillas at 225batonrouge.com/recipes.

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GET BLOOMING, BATON ROUGE: WHERE TO DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE NATIVES

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ou’ve probably noticed the buzz around native plants. Natives benefit your garden and the environment. Local host flowers bring butterflies and other pollinators. BREC shares where to find the inspiration you need to get blooming.

DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE NATIVES BREC has lush parks and conservation areas where you can see plants native to our area and learn more about conserving our habitats.

Local parks dedicated to natives: BREC’s premier conservation area is Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. It is a 103 acre staffed facility dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and tourism. The Nature Center includes live animal exhibits, natural artifact displays, and a waterfowl decoy collection and boardwalk and nature trails.

BREC’s conservation areas are set aside to protect habitat, but unlike Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, they do not have dedicated staff or entry fees. The conservation areas listed below offer a variety of habitat types and experiences. Rules and regulations vary from park to park. All conservation areas are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

• Blackwater Conservation Area: A naturalized park offering two large fishing lakes, nature trails and a pavilion with restrooms. The trees on the 57.48-acre site represent native species such as: bald cypress, tupelo gum, cottonwood, river birch, red mulberry, persimmon, pines and oaks.

• Doyle’s Bayou Park: Gently rolling terrain with meadows, streams and lakes. Open space like this is becoming rarer. Located off Main Street in Zachary, between Highway 19 and Plank Road, this site features a number of lakes (great for fishing), a playground and picnic area.

• Frenchtown Road Conservation Area: Known as “The Land Between the Rivers,” is the largest park and the largest conservation area currently operated by BREC. Its 495 acres are home to a diverse spread of flora and fauna, including several species of state conservation concern and countless migratory birds. Explore over three miles of trails winding around the park, with access to the Amite River’s beach, several overlooks, and access to countless cypress-tupelo sloughs.

• Kendalwood Road Park: Specifically protects and highlights historically native habitats within East Baton Rouge Parish. One of few parks with Bayou Manchac frontage, there is a 1.2 mile primitive hiking trail loop and a small parking area with a picnic table.

NEXT-GEN CONSERVATION:

BREC’S SUMMER CAMPS ARE POPULAR, AND FOR GOOD REASON. • Nature Explorers Camp gets your child outside for a hands-on exploration of nature with age-specific activities like themed outdoor games, fishing, hiking, canoeing, crafts, and experiments.

• Outdoor Adventure Summer Camps offer activities like kayaking, rock-climbing, archery, hiking, biking, slacklining and more. Campers learn wilderness skills while hanging out with friends. Registration is limited.

• Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center Camp explores the secrets of the swamp through thematic activities like interacting with live animals, hikes, games, and unique nature crafts.

Field trips are generally scheduled twice a week, including for Swamp Squirts sessions.

BREC camps fill up fast!

Registration begins online Saturday, March 5 at 9 a.m. for all East Baton Rouge Parish residents. Visit brec. org/Camp to register. Visit BREC.org to learn more about parks, camps, and events.

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CULTURE I N S I D E : ‘State of the Art’ / Artist’s Perspective / Jewish Film Festival

Show time

Chelsea’s Live carves a new chapter in its local music history B Y O LI VI A D E F F E S / / P H OTO S B Y CO LLIN RICHIE

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Custom neon lights made

by New Orleans’ Big Sexy Neon can be found throughout the venue, including above the bathrooms.

Baton Rouge indie-pop/jazz-rock group Wumbo performing at Chelsea’s Live in January

ON A CHILLY January Friday night, a sizable crowd has braved the weather to soak in the atmosphere at the new Chelsea’s Live. They form in pockets around the stage to watch local dream-pop band Riarosa and the accompanying acts. It’s only the second week open for the venue, but Chelsea’s has a packed house.

As the show starts, fans seem instantly at home, setting their coats and drinks along the edge of the stage.

They dance shamelessly to the dreamy sound of Riarosa’s latest EP Pinkish.

The color-changing strobe lights flicker from pink to teal, mimicking the album art. Off the side of the stage, the door to the green room is constantly opening and closing, with musicians filtering out to get drinks or support who’s performing.

Between songs, fans holler and clap while others move across the crowd to say hi to familiar faces they’ve spotted.

Regardless of the week they’ve had, everyone has convened at the same place for the same reason: to enjoy good music and meet up with old friends.

This is a place where music fans can have a family reunion every weekend.

It’s the revival of the local music scene.

It’s the descendant of a Baton Rouge staple. It’s Chelsea’s Live.

An old marquee sign from Chelsea’s Cafe glows over Nicholson Drive. It’s an ode to the original Chelsea’s Cafe,

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the famed Baton Rouge music venue that closed its doors in 2015. But now, the sign is lit up with a new name, marking a new home and a new era of Chelsea’s. And co-owner and talent buyer Aaron Scruggs promises the venue will bring the Capital City a rocking lineup of musical acts just like its predecessor did back in the day.

At Chelsea’s Live, you can expect to see a different show every weekend, from local indie bands like tonight’s Riarosa show to big country music acts, such as Charley Crockett. The venue will also play host to comedy shows, private events and parties.

The venue is the brainchild of Scruggs, local attorney Grant Miller and Dave Remmetter, who owned the original Chelsea’s Cafe. Scruggs calls it his “lifelong achievement.” He has been managing the Louisiana band Givers for more than a decade and says being on the road with the band inspired him to create the ultimate venue that’s “built on putting artists first.”

“If you pay attention to all the little fine details when it comes to a music venue and try to make the artists happy, then you’ll make the fans happy,” he says. “If the artists come in and are immediately happy, then one thing leads to the next, and you can change the whole tour with one show.”

Some of those fine details include a

[225] March 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

lounge area, dining table and kitchen in the green room. There are also two smaller lounge areas inside where bands can relax and go over setlists before the show starts. There is even a washer and dryer and two bathrooms with showers, so that bands can feel refreshed while on a busy tour.

“It’s all about splurging a little so just one day makes them feel at home,” Scruggs says. “We don’t even give artists the chance to be mad. We never say ‘no’ and give them the best hospitality. We want to make them feel as comfortable as possible.”

Walking through the venue, it’s clear the fans are a priority, as well.

With spacious bathrooms and plenty of room to move around, patrons can stay comfortable while enjoying the acts they love.

Genuine neon lights made by New Orleans’ own Big Sexy Neon can be

found throughout the venue. Next to the green room is one in the shape of the iconic ‘C’ logo, while poison dart frog signs glow above the bathroom entrances. The high-tech sound system offers crisp, clear audio and is even calibrated to sound quieter around the bar so the bartenders can hear drink orders.

And for the loyal, longtime fans, small details from the original Chelsea’s are scattered throughout the space. Outside, eagle-eyed patrons will be able to spot the old name of Chelsea’s Cafe, cleverly placed on the spine of the neon sign. Upon entering, you’ll see an entire wall of posters from bands that graced the stage at Chelsea’s Cafe during its 28 years of business. Old artwork from the original Chelsea’s adorns the walls.

Scruggs says it’s his way of bringing a sense of nostalgia to all guests and

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The high-tech sound system is calibrated to sound quieter around the bar so the bartenders can hear drink orders.

has been missed—and that the new venue is already building its own scene in the Capital City. Scruggs hopes this venue will stick around for some time.

“We want to be that anchor of culture in Baton Rouge,” he says.

“Everything in here is built on culture.

We’re always going to keep the standard and keep improving over and over so that we can be here forever.”

paying homage to the original venue from which Chelsea’s Live gets its name.

Even though there are plenty of cool details to take in both old and new, Scruggs says his favorite part of the venue has nothing to do with the materialistic things. The most special thing about Chelsea’s Live is working with his business partners Remmetter and Miller.

Together, they hope to bring back the lively music scene Baton Rouge had in the 2010s that was lost during the pandemic.

“It’s great to have more venues in the area,” he says. “More competition creates more success for everyone. If everyone is going to the same venue all the time, then they get used to it or get spoiled by it. If you’re able to go from venue to venue to see different shows, then that’s how you build a scene.”

With a packed house almost every weekend, it’s clear the old Chelsea’s

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THIS MONTH’S LINEUP March 5: Latin Night March 11: SOULFLY March 12: Ty Segall with Charles Moothart March 13: P.J. Morton March 17: American Aquarium and Margo Cilker March 18: Lucero March 19: Charley Crockett Find the full calendar at chelseaslive.com. Chelsea’s Live is at 1010 Nicholson Drive.

SCAN TO GET STARTED

MUSIC BEST BETS

COURTESY L’AUBERGE HOTEL & CASINO

MARCH 12 ‘90s band Candlebox is hitting the stage at L’Auberge Hotel & Casino, with hits like “Change” and “Far Behind,” plus newer songs from the 2021 album Wolves. lbatonrouge.com

MARCH 16 Harold Lopez-Nussa kicks off the River City Jazz Masters concert series at the Manship Theatre. The annual concert series is presented by The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the River City Jazz Coalition. artsbr. org/rcjm MARCH 18 Party like it’s the ‘80s with REO Speedwagon at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Jam out to charttoppers like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You.” raisingcanesrivercenter.com MARCH 29 Rock out with Buckcherry at The Basin Music Hall in downtown.

Enjoy music from special guests Eva Under Fire and Ventruss, as well. thebasinmusichall.com

STOCK PHOTO

MARCH 11 Take a trip back to the ‘70s with Ambrosia at the Manship Theatre.

Expect to hear all the classics like “Biggest Part of Me” and “How Much I Feel.” manshiptheatre.org

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ARTS

‘State of the Art’

By Maggie Heyn Richardson

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT the way we record what’s happening around us?

These artists have.

A new temporary exhibit opening this month at the LSU Museum of Art amasses the work of 20 contemporary artists who explore how we record the world’s chaos, change, big ideas, small moments, beauty and ugliness.

The pieces, created in a wide range of media, comprise “State of the Art 2020: Record,” an exhibition organized by the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.

“We feel honored to bring this exhibit to Baton Rouge,” says Daniel Stetson, executive director of the LSU MOA. “It’s part of a huge and very important project.”

About 60 artists participated in “State of the Art 2020” at Crystal Bridges, a museum created by Alice Walton, daughter of WalMart founder Sam Walton. The institution opened in 2011 and has amassed a large and important collection of American art

in a stunning, intricately designed contemporary setting.

“State of the Art 2020” first opened in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 shutdown. It was a continuation of “State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now,” which Crystal Bridges first organized in 2014 to showcase the contemporary art being created across the U.S. and to encourage more audiences to see it as both accessible and relevant.

With works that included paintings, sculpture, mixed media, video and performance, the exhibit drew more than 175,000 visitors, and sparked a 2019 PBS documentary that followed seven of the original featured artists.

In this ancillary exhibit at the LSU MOA, visitors can expect the same kind of dynamism and energy, Stetson says. It features 20 of the artists who participated in “State of the Art 2020.” They are David Harper, Damian Stamer, Carla Edwards, Jenelle Esparza, Marcel Pardo Ariza, Kate Budd, Mari Hernandez, Tabitha

Nikolai, Enrico Riley, Jordan Seaberry, Diego RodriguezWarner, Frances Bagley, Peter Everett, Mae Aur, Alex Chitty, Paul Stephen Benjamin, Jill Downen, Nicolas Lobo, Cory Imig and Kellie Romany.

Romany, a Chicago artist, will be in Baton Rouge for the exhibit’s opening Artist Kellie Romany weekend, delivering a performance Kellie Romany’s “In an Effort to be Held” art piece and an artist’s talk her performance art piece, “Can I Get and demonstration. Romany is an A Witness?,” in which she recites an abstract painter who focuses on bodily original poem while dark brown paint representation, materiality and the cascades slowly from one vessel to history of the painting process. She another in one of her mixed media uses a varied color palette inspired by pieces. skin tones, and her work is intended In another work, “In an Effort to to spark conversations about race, the be Held,” viewers find an interactive body and femininity. display of white ceramic saucers, the On opening night, visitors can see

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to chic

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

High-profile contemporary exhibit opens this month at LSU MOA

Marcel Pardo Ariza’s “Linda, Lee & Dorsey, Louis”

SEE THE EXHIBIT March 10-June 19: “State of the Art 2020: Record” at the LSU Museum of Art

kind that could hold keys or paper clips, organized on a long table. Each has been March 10, 6:30 p.m.: Opening painted with splashes of different skinReception featuring artist Kellie toned paint.

Romany and her performance art piece, “Can I Get a Witness?”

“Using these ‘catchalls’ is a way for me, as the artist, to connect with the March 11, 6-8 p.m.: Artist’s talk and making session viewer,” Romany says. “There’s a sense of vulnerability in that I made these things, installations, paintings, threebut that people will come and touch dimensional pieces and photographs. The them and change them around.” exhibit is not dominated by one style, but That’s intentional, Romany says, and reflects the dynamic and changing times part of what she wants people to think we live in, Stetson says. about as they interact with the work.

That, he says, is the beauty of In fact, during a past exhibit, one of the contemporary art. saucers was knocked to the ground and “I think of artists as the people who shattered, but Romany asked the curator go out into the world, put up their to leave the shards on the floor. It was Issue 2022 #3 Stetson says. “They feel things part of theDate: work’sMarch living history, she Ad says.proofantennae,” • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. and ask us to consider things we might Expect to see other immersive • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours fromthat receiptinclude of this proof.

A shorter timeframe notdeadlines. have thought about.” works digital and video will apply for tight

ALL MONTH Head to the Old State Capitol to see the “Changing Landscapes: Photographs Along the Solomon Northup Trail” exhibit from Jan Beauboeuf. Beauboeuf shows how different sites in Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave memoir have changed over the years. Each photo will make you feel as if you are traveling along the trail with Northup, a free man of color who was kidnapped and enslaved in Louisiana. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org ALL MONTH See new takes on classic art pieces with the “In Empathy We Trust” exhibit at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Explore famous paintings reimagined to include subjects of different races, genders and identities.

The photos were created by Elizabeth Kleinveld and Epaul Julien, better known as artist duo E2. lasm.org

MARCH 4-13 Watch Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie performed by Theatre Baton Rouge. This play will take you on a journey through the eyes of Amanda Wingfield and her children, Tom and Laura, as they navigate the Great Depression. theatrebr.org MARCH 7 See the musical Fiddler on the Roof at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher brings a fresh take on this beloved classic. Sing along to all the iconic songs, like “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” raisingcanesrivercenter.com MARCH 18-31 Head over to the Raising Cane’s River Center to see a different perspective of Michelangelo’s most iconic works.

“Michelangelo: A Different View” brings observers recreations of Sistine Chapel paintings to see at an up-close distance. raisingcanesrivercenter. com/michelangelo-a-different-view

STOCK PHOTO

Mari Hernandez’s “Colonizer”

COURTESY LOUISIANA’S OLD STATE CAPITOL

Peter Everett’s “Lych”

ARTS BEST BETS COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

C U LT U R E / /

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IMAGES COURTESY MARY CARPENTER FELDER

C U LT U R E / /

A RTIST ’S PE R SPE CT IV E

Mary Carpenter Felder’s

‘Rambling’

About the artist

“‘RAMBLING’ IS PART of a series of abstract quilted landscape collages inspired by my photos. Nature is my inspiration. Louisiana is a beautiful land, blessed with a rainbow of colors: green forests, blue sky reflecting off the bayous and ponds, deep red from rare irises, a hint of sunshine breaking through the trees. I strive to recycle, reuse and repurpose materials to use in my art. I have worked with a needle and thread for as long as I can remember. It is comforting. ‘Rambling’ led to the next piece and the next: ‘Roving,’ ‘Wandering’ and ‘Roaming.’ They remind me of childhood excursions into the forests on Sunday evenings.”

—AS TOLD TO BENJAMIN LEGER

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Mary Carpenter Felder gained her skill in mixed media and collages through experimentation and years of classes and workshops with local and international teachers.

Her work, featuring elements from driftwood to shells and old clothes to jewelry, has been exhibited in Florida and Minnesota, as well as Texas, where her quilts were showcased at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. She’s also been a longtime champion of the local arts community, currently serving on the Arts Council of Livingston Parish, Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana, the International Quilt Association and Mid-City Artisans. maryfelder.net

2022

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C U LT U R E / /

WHAT’S SCREENING

FILM

Feature presentations

By Domenic Purdy

AFTER BEING POSTPONED following COVID-19 spikes back in January, the Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival will bring the Jewish experience, past and present, to the Manship Theatre this month through four feature film screenings.

“We have always felt the film festival was for film fans, for movie fans,” says Ara Rubyan, one of the festival’s co-chairs and a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge.

Founded in 2007, the festival’s goal, Rubyan says, is to showcase and start conversations about the many aspects of the Jewish experience, including stories similar to his own journey to Judaism. An ethnic Armenian from Beirut, Lebanon, Rubyan is among the 17% of American Jews that converted to the faith later in life, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.

Rubyan said his story is among the

variety of tales within the Jewish community that Rubyan and his co-chairs, including his wife, Julie, and founder Paula Hoffman, hope to highlight.

“The purpose is really to show the many facets of Jewish existence— whether it’s in the United States, South America, Russia, Israel—in the past, in the present,” Rubyan says. “We are showing off (our community).”

Like any good story, Rubyan hopes this year’s films allow audiences to see an aspect of themselves in the Jewish experience, whether they have Semitic heritage or not.

Citing film critic Roger Ebert, Rubyan says: “Movies are a machine for putting feelings into an audience.”

ATTEND THE FESTIVAL Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival March 9, 12 + 13 brjff.com

IMAGES COURTESY BATON ROUGE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival returns this month

A Crime on the Bayou Wednesday, March 9, at 7 p.m.

Nancy Buiriski’s 2020 documentary tells the story of Gary Duncan and Richard Sobol, a Black teenager from Plaquemines Parish and his Jewish attorney, respectively. With the help of Sobol, Duncan challenged racist Southern legal codes in the aftermath of integration and his unfair 1966 arrest for assault on a minor. “Lord knows there’s a lot that goes wrong,” Rubyan says. “But here is a story about when it went right.”

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C U LT U R E / /

Honeymood

Born in Auschwitz

The Light Ahead

Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 13, at 1 p.m.

Sunday, March 13, at 3:30 p.m.

Hungarian filmmakers Eszter Cseke and András Takács’ 2021 documentary tells the story of the only child born in a concentration camp before liberation and the generational trauma that follows her and her children. “It’s not so much about the Holocaust,” Rubyan says. “We are more interested in showing the impact that the Holocaust had on the people lucky enough to survive it and the relationships they have with their children and their children’s children.”

Edgar G. Ulmer’s 1939 historic Yiddish film, created on the eve of World War II, is painfully aware of the strife happening in Eastern Europe as the winds of change began sweeping through the region. A love story underscored by a “hope to live a better life,” this simple story builds on the historic tradition of Yiddish theater to create a bittersweet feeling, Rubyan explains. “If you’re a fan of the festival,” he says, “then you’ve got to see this movie.”

Israeli director Talya Lavie’s 2020 movie is a rare romantic comedy for the festival. It follows Israeli newlyweds over the course of one night as hijinks ensue and doubts are brought to the forefront. The film, which shares similarities with Martin Scorsese’s 1985 film After Issue Date: March 2022 AdHours, proof #1 from a known forapproval slice-of-life •comes Please respond bydirector e-mail or fax with your or minor revisions. says.

•comedies, AD WILL RUN Rubyan AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

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• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

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CALENDAR //

March

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

Rapunzel B AT O N R O U G E B A L L E T T H E AT R E P R E S E N T S :

Where play aro to Baton R und o this monuge th C ompiled b y Olivia Deff es

All month

A STORY BOOK BALLET

SPRING INTO A CONCERT SERIES Seasonal live music shows are back this month, just in time for the start of spring weather! Here are a few to enjoy:

MARCH 26 & 27 2:00 PM

ROCK N ROWE Beginning March 10, head to Perkins Rowe’s Town Square every Thursday for a show. This month’s acts include Rusty Yates Band, United We Jam, Smokehouse Porter, Mamie Porter and the Gutbucket Blues, and The Walrus – A Beatles Tribute Band.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! perkinsrowe.com

Eye Wander Photo

River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts

LIVE ON POINTE Starting March 11, enjoy an outdoor show every Friday at Pointe Marie, courtesy of musical acts like The Chee Weez, AM/FM Band, Chase Tyler Band, and Clay Cormier and The Highway Boys. Concertgoers can enjoy music, food trucks and a cash bar. pointemarie.com

Scan for ticket information

LIVE AFTER FIVE Downtown Baton Rouge’s famous Friday concert series returns March 25. Head to downtownbr.org/live-after-five for news on the lineup.

FILE PHOTO

TH ANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

may 6-8, 2022

RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI

Three signature events in one epic weekend!

RIDGELAND FINE ARTS FESITVAL

SANTE’ SOUTH WINE FESTIVAL

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ON THE ROAD NEW ORLEANS

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MARCH 10-12: New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane, bookfest.tulane.edu

artwineandwheels.com

MARCH 17: Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stpatricksdayneworleans.com MARCH 25-26: BUKU Music + Art Project, thebukuproject.com

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Issue Date: March 2022 Ad1 proof #1 CALENDAR //

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

STOCK PHOTO

ALSO THIS MONTH ALL MONTH Try out trivia as you chow on tacos at Three Roll Estate. The craft rum distillery will be hosting this tasty competition every Thursday. Crunch your way through tasty tacos as you take out competition by answering brain teasers and questions.

Tacos ‘N Trivia is every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. threeroll.com

12+13

BUY SOME BLOOMS The LSU AgCenter’s Spring Garden Show is back at the John M. Parker Coliseum. Find carnations, mums, hydrangeas and more to add to your front porch or garden. You will also find garden accessories and learn growing tips to make your plants stand out this season. lsuagcenter.com

MARCH 1 + 2 Shop all things Mardi Gras at Mid-City Artisans Mardi Gras Mambo & All That Jazz art exhibit and market. Find New Orleans-, Mardi Gras- and jazz-related pieces all in one place. Munch on free king cake as you browse, too. mid-cityartisans.com

19

MARCH 4-6 Support your local Girl Scout troop with a delicious Girl Scout cookie sale at La Divina Italian Cafe. Whether you want one box of Thin Mints or 10, you can stock up on all your favorites after having some great Italian food. ladivinaitaliancafe.com

FILE PHOTO BY GABRIELLE FELD

STOCK PHOTO

13

KICK OFF CRAWFISH SEASON Presented by the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, Crawfête 2022 allows crawfish fans to taste gourmet dishes and different boils from competing restaurants and caterers.

Along with crawfish, there will be plenty of beer, drinks and live entertainment for a day full of good times and good food at Perkins Rowe. bresbr.org/crawfete

We Take Your Health Personally!

MARCH 12 Bring the whole family out to shop one-of-akind pieces from young creators and makers at Mid City Merchants Kids Makers Markets. Browse and shop work from makers ages 6 to 17.

Encourage these young entrepreneurs to be the makers of tomorrow at this fun market. midcitymerchantsbr.org

SHAMROCK ‘N’ LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL Celebrate St. Paddy’s with the 35th annual Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Get there early for a good spot and to cheer on runners of the Shamrock Run along the route before the parade rolls. Wear your green and get ready for a good time. Like always, the parade rolls at 10 a.m. wearinofthegreen.com

LAFAYETTE

Take the first step in a healthier direction by scheduling your initial consultation.

Call (225) 928-0486.

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NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED A goal and some serious commitment will do.

MARCH 11 + 12: Southern Gothic Film Festival, citedesarts.org

FUTUREFITNES S BR.COM | 1650 LO BD E L L AVE NUE | BATO N R O UG E , LA 70806

MARCH 27: World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off in nearby Eunice, eunicechamber.com

ST U D I O PAR K • AC R O S S F R O M TOW N E C E N T E R

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FRAMED //

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, artist or place. 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.

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PHOTO BY LEEKAY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE FLOWER FEST / leekayphotography.com GET FEATURED We love spotlighting local photographers, artists and designers on this page! Shoot us an email at editor@225batonrouge.com to chat about being featured.

UPCOMING SHOWS

UPCOMING SHOWS

THU 3.03: THE NOCTURNAL BROADCAST SAT 3.05: LATIN NIGHT THU 3.10: NITA STRAUSS FRI 3.11: SOULFLY SAT 3.12: TY SEGALL & CHARLES MOOTHART SUN 3.13: PJ MORTON THU 03.17: AMERICAN AQUARIUM FRI 3.18: LUCERO SAT 3.19: CHARLEY CROCKETT SOLD OUT FRI 3.25: GEORGE PORTER JR. FRI 4.01: SAMANTHA FISH THU 4.7: CANNONS MON 4.18: LUNA LUNA & DENT MAY FRI 4.22: DUMPSTAPHUNK THU 4.28: BATTLES & JUAN WAUTERS FRI 4.29: GOOD MORNING MON 5.1: PAPADOSIO THU 5.5: NEAL FRANCIS MON 5.16: JOHN R MILLER & VINCENT NEIL EMERSON FRI 5.20: TAB BENOIT

tickets available @ chelseaslive.com

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