Still Fanfare - After all these years

IN1985, Harriet Vogt was teaching vocal performance in the Music Department at Southeastern Louisiana University. Out of fiscal urgency, the university was discontinuing its football program and

the semester seemed quieter with less excitement in the air. Ms. Vogt and some of her colleagues pontificated that without football, there would be an absence of excitement that came with a semester filled with games.

Considering that, Vogt and her colleagues, Karen White and Roy Blackwood, pondered what they could do to enhance the academic and cultural landscape at Southeastern in the fall. Together, they proposed to the administration that an annual arts festival be developed; one that would stimulate creativity, curiosity, and engagement while instilling fresh pride in Southeastern. They took the idea to University President G. Warren Smith along with a budget proposal and examples of other similar festivals.

by university ensembles and notable international artists.

Many of these artists would also participate in education outreach events for students from Southeastern and the surrounding region. Initially, Vogt, White, and Blackwood collectively administered Fanfare along with faculty member Larry Gray. Then, Ms. Vogt was named as the first Artistic Director. For just under 15 years, she led the charge to bring a plethora of artistic and intellectual offerings to the area. Any given October might bring over 100 presentations. Excitement was again in the air.

When Vogt retired in 1999, Donna Gay Anderson was hired to fill her position. During Anderson’s tenure, the university acquired and refurbished Hammond’s Historic Downtown Columbia Theatre so that vibrant arts presentations could grow and thrive perpetually, even when Fanfare had concluded for the year. Thanks to the perseverance of University President Sally Clausen, Ms. Vogt, and Downtown Development Director Marguerite Walter, Senator John Hainkel’s support was secured. Hainkel obtained state funding to launch the endeavor.

The Fanfare staff of three soon evolved into the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts staff of five plus supplemental positions.

A year-round main stage season was enhanced with performances by local talent of all ages. The Columbia regularly presented shows by a variety of notable ensembles and individuals such as Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Lou Rawls, Greg Allman, The Pointer Sisters, and The Aquila Theatre. The Columbia Theatre became the jewel in the crown of Southeastern, and Downtown Hammond flourished with it as a cultural and economic anchor.

After almost eleven years in the position of Artistic Director, Anderson departed and Dr. Ken Bolton briefly served as Interim Director before Roy Blackwood took the Director’s chair, operating the Columbia Theatre and Fanfare in the tradition of excellence.

Reduced funding, the pandemic, Hurricane Ida, and budget cuts have impacted what Fanfare is presently compared to what it once was. Current Artistic Director, Jim Winter, has been working very closely with Southeastern Louisiana University President Dr. William Wainwright to keep Fanfare’s spotlight shining brightly.

Fanfare 2024 promises to be truly spectacular as Southeastern Louisiana University begins a year-long Centennial celebration. This fall’s Fanfare highlights at the Columbia Theatre include, Hey! Ho! Let’s Go: 50 Years of CBGB, a concert celebrating one of the most famous music clubs in the history of New York City; the Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock, and local radio favorites Johnny Chauvin and TJ Maggio heading up an all-star cast that will recreate the historic 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast live from the Columbia’s Hainkel Hall. On Southeastern’s campus, Dr. William Robison and Dr. Joseph Burns will headline Fanfare’s annual lecture series.

The 2024 Fanfare events will extend beyond Southeastern’s campus and the Columbia Theatre’s walls. At Reimer’s Auditorium in Downtown Hammond, Southeastern Theatre will present Clybourne Park, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. With new events being added daily, Fanfare 2024 promises to be an incredible celebration of the arts! Visit columbiatheatre.org or call (985) 549-ARTS for the most up-to-date Fanfare listings and to purchase tickets.