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Acclaimed Artist Terrance Osborne to Judge Slidell’s “Fragments of Imagination” Exhibition

Download the prospectus

Calling all artists!

The Olde Towne Arts Commission (OTAC), the City of Slidell, and the Slidell Commission on the Arts are honored to announce that renowned artist Terrance Osborne will serve as juror for the upcoming “Fragments of Imagination” exhibition to be on display at the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall June 20 – July 25, 2025.

“We are incredibly honored to have an artist of Terrance Osborne’s caliber serving as our juror for this exhibition,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “This is a remarkable opportunity for local artists to showcase their work and receive feedback from one of Louisiana’s most distinguished artists. I encourage all artists to submit their works and be part of this exciting exhibition. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Olde Towne Arts Commission for their continued partnership in bringing such high-caliber exhibitions to our community.”

Artists interested in participating may submit up to three original works for consideration by Monday, June 9, 2025. Each submission must include high-quality digital images in JPEG format (300 dpi), a completed entry form, and a $35 non-refundable application fee. All submissions should be emailed to otacslidell@gmail.com. Selected artists will be notified by email on June 13, with artwork delivery scheduled for June 16 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Click here to download the prospectus.

Osborne is celebrated for his vibrant, colorful depictions of New Orleans culture and architecture. His distinctive style has earned him international recognition, with his work featured in multiple official Jazz and Heritage Festival posters. Osborne’s art has caught the attention of major brands, leading to successful collaborations with Raising Cane’s, Nike, NBA, Coca-Cola, and other national companies. His pieces are collected worldwide and have been featured in numerous galleries and museums across the country.

“Fragments of Imagination” opens on Friday, June 20, 2025, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m., where attendees can meet Osborne and the participating artists. Awards will be announced during the opening reception. The exhibition continues through July 25, 2025 with gallery hours by appointment only, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For submission guidelines, please contact Charlotte Collins, OTAC Director, at (404) 784-6880. For exhibition details, contact Alex Carollo, Director of Cultural & Public Affairs, at (985) 646-4375 or acarollo@cityofslidell.org.

Download the prospectus

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Time to Renew Your Golf Cart Registration in Slidell

The City of Slidell announces that it’s time for residents to renew their biennial golf cart permits. To maintain authorization for operating golf carts on city streets, all existing permit holders must schedule a reinspection of their golf carts and obtain an updated permit sticker by June 15, 2025.

The inspection process remains unchanged, with appointments required at one of the city’s two authorized inspection facilities:

Coach’s Carts
39173 Hwy. 190 E.
Slidell, LA 70461
(985) 249-8731

Northshore Custom Carts
700 Old Spanish Trail
Slidell, LA 70458
(985) 847-2561

These businesses are certified to perform golf cart inspections and issue permits on behalf of the City of Slidell. Golf carts must display the permit sticker applied by the inspector once the golf cart has passed inspection. Residents who do not currently have an existing registration can also obtain one at the same inspection facilities. The biennial permit fee remains at $100.

Residents are reminded that golf cart operation is restricted to streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less, in accordance with city ordinances. During the renewal process, owners must review and acknowledge their understanding of the golf cart ordinance (Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Article V, Ordinance No. 4117). This requirement ensures all operators remain informed about current regulations and safety requirements.

To schedule an inspection or obtain additional information about the renewal process, residents can contact Northshore Custom Carts at (985) 847-2561 or Coach’s Carts at (985) 249-8731.

For more information about City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

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Fat City Swing Band Jazzes Up Bayou Jam

The City of Slidell’s popular Bayou Jam Concert Series continues on Sunday, Sept. 14 with a performance by Fat City Swing.

“The City of Slidell has been hosting Bayou Jam concerts for over 20 years, and they are a great way for our citizens and visitors to come together and celebrate as a community,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “I invite you to join me in Heritage Park on Sundays this fall and enjoy these free concerts.”

Fat City Swing is comprised of some of the best jazz musicians in the New Orleans area. Jon and Wesley Mannino founded the band to keep their family’s musical legacy alive. This 16 piece big band plays all your favorite jazz and swing tunes. For more information about the band, visit their website at FatCitySwingBand.com and view some of their past musical performances on YouTube.

Save the dates for these upcoming Bayou Jam concerts:
• Sept. 14 – Fat City Swing
• Sept. 21 – Southern Roux Band
• Sept. 28 – OZONE Music Foundation showcase
• Oct. 5 – Audio Beach
• Oct. 26 – Monster Crawfish
• Nov. 9 – Veterans Day Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra
• Dec. 7 – Vince Vance and the Valiants

All concerts will be held on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced by 1 p.m. on the day of the event through the city’s website and Facebook page.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Slidell Breaks Ground on Riecke Retention Pond

On Friday, September 5, 2025, Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert was joined by Council Members Leslie Denham (District A), David Dunham (District B), Nick DiSanti (District D) and Kenny Tamborella (District E) to break ground on the Riecke Retention Pond, a new stormwater management project designed to protect the Pontchartrain Drive corridor from future flooding.

Located just off Pontchartrain Drive at the site of the old Tammany Mall, the one acre retention pond will offer approximately 1.4 million gallons of stormwater storage. Hartman Engineering, Inc. is leading the design phase, which includes a comprehensive hydraulic analysis of the upper Pontchartrain Drive drainage corridor. Construction should begin this fall, and the project should be completed by Spring 2026.

“Investing in stormwater management infrastructure is central to our administration’s pledge to safeguard Slidell’s neighborhoods and businesses,” said Mayor Borchert. “The Riecke Retention Pond will significantly reduce localized flooding for our residents and businesses in the Pontchartrain Drive area.”

This initiative builds on the City’s ongoing efforts to upgrade drainage systems in the City of Slidell. Upon completion, the Riecke Retention Pond will join a network of retention ponds and pump stations that work in tandem to help manage heavy rainfall events across Slidell.

For more information about City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook and Instagram.

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City Offices Closed Sept. 1 for Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, city offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, and will reopen during regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
 
Essential personnel will remain on duty. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.
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Street Closures in Olde Towne for Spirit of Louisiana Second Line on August 30

In preparation for Spirit of Louisiana Second Line on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed.

Several Olde Towne streets will begin closing  at 2 p.m. Streets affected include areas of First Street, Second Street, Erlanger Avenue, and Bouscaren Street. Access to the U.S. Post Office in Olde Towne will not be obstructed.

Citizens should not park within the Spirit of Louisiana street closure area on Saturday, August 30, from 2 to 6 p.m. For public safety, bollards will be placed throughout Olde Towne and any vehicles left inside the bollards will not be able to leave Olde Towne until the bollards are removed.

About Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th Commemoration

It’s been almost 20 years since Hurricane Katrina roared through Slidell, the Louisiana city hardest-hit by the storm. The hurricane brought winds in excess of 160 miles per hour and numerous tornadoes. After hours of torrential rain and wind, residents breathed a sigh of relief when it seemed like the storm had finally passed. That reprieve was short-lived when the calm after the storm was shattered by a 20-foot storm surge that left more than 40 percent of the city submerged, with flooding in some areas exceeding ten feet. More than 95 percent of homes and businesses sustained damage. Some were completely obliterated. Virtually overnight, Slidellians discovered the harsh new reality of post-disaster life.

Now, two decades later, relentless resilience and commitments to recovery have paved the way to the rebirth of the tattered city. To commemorate the milestone anniversary of the storm, the Krewe of Black & Gold, a local non-profit organization, has partnered with the City of Slidell and Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition to present “The Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20 Commemoration.” The three-part event will begin on Saturday, August 30 at 4 p.m. in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. The ceremony will acknowledge the losses that so many have suffered plus the efforts of all the recovery workers and volunteers who contributed to rebuilding the city. Featured speakers will include Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert and former Mayor Ben O. Morris, Parish President Michael Cooper and past-President Kevin Davis.

At 5 p.m., the Spirit of Louisiana Second Line will begin at City Hall, circling the Municipal Square block, and returning to the auditorium. The procession will be led by the Storyville Stompers brass band and will honor the many selfless individuals who have been part of the recovery and rebuilding. This includes city, parish, state and national government employees, elected officials, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and healthcare workers, utility linemen, waste management teams, faith-based and community service organizations and volunteers, hospitality workers and the media who worked around the clock to keep citizens informed. The community is welcome to join the Second Line or express gratitude from the sidelines as the procession passes.

At 6 p.m., the events will wrap up with a special Bayou Jam concert in the auditorium featuring The Bucktown All-Stars, who were the first band to perform in the city’s popular Bayou Jam Concert Series post-Katrina. The concert will also include a special guest appearance by Vince Vance, who joined his band, The Valiants, for the second post-K concert.

The events have been created to share gratitude and to provide catharsis with a final look back on Katrina past, closing the door and looking ahead to a brighter future for the city and the community.

The Spirit of Louisiana events have been made possible by the Rebirth title sponsor, Visit the Northshore, with support from Sophisticated Woman, Edge of the Lake and Where Y’at magazines, and Lowry-Dunham, Case and Vivien Insurance Agency. The events are supported by a grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Community Partnership Grant program. Funding has also been provided by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs, an agency of the St. Tammany Parish Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and support by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.

 

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Katrina, Then and Now : 20 Year Commemoration – Opening Reception

An art exhibition with community contributions.
The anniversary date of Hurricane Katrina always brings with it a storm of emotions. While many people state they would rather forget it happened, it remains a defining moment in our city’s and our state’s history. Slidell was the Louisiana city hardest-hit by Katrina, with a direct hit that left 40% of the city underwater, plus 95% of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed.
To commemorate the milestone 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition presents “Katrina, Then and Now: a 20-Year Community Commemorative Exhibition,” to be hosted by the City of Slidell in the George Dunbar Gallery in City Hall, with an opening reception on Friday, August 29 from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free.
Exhibition opening night Friday, Aug. 29, 6 to 8 pm
Special hours Saturday Aug. 30, 2 to 4 pm
Regular gallery hours Monday – Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm by appointment – call (985) 646-4375
Closing date Friday, Sept 26, 3 to 6 pm
Free admission.
“Katrina, Then and Now” is much more than an art exhibition. It’s an opportunity for the community to share their photos and stories, to be archived in the Slidell for future generations.
The exhibition will include artistic photos of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina (then,) plus new shots from the present day showing those same locations in present time (now.) The event is designed to acknowledge how far the community has come from what seemed like an insurmountable natural disaster, while also being respectful and mindful that Katrina still has lasting impact on those who experienced the wrath of the storm and the aftermath, many of whom lost everything.
Members of the community and those who visited are invited to submit their own photos. This includes, but is not limited to, “then and now” images for inclusion in a video montage of past and present to be presented during the exhibition.
The public is also encouraged to share their Katrina photos and stories on the “Discussion” tab of this event Facebook page to help create a digital archive of the storm.
The event also provides an opportunity for those who experienced Katrina and its aftermath, including how they were personally impacted. Also included in the exhibition will be artifacts documenting recovery efforts, uplifting stories and media coverage. We are hopeful that those who share the stories, and those who read them, will find a bit of catharsis in the process.
“Katrina: Then and Now” will complement the Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th commemorative events to be held on Saturday, August 30, presented by the Krewe of Black & Gold, Northshore CEC and the City of Slidell. The gallery will be open from 2 to 4 pm, and commemorative events will begin at 4 pm with a community gathering in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.
Founded in 2009, the mission of the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition is to facilitate growth, development and increased awareness of the cultural economy and its impact by focusing on coalition building, public policy, business support, outreach, advocacy and arts education. To learn more about the CEC and this event, visit https://northshorecec.org.
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Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20-Year Commemoration

Coming August 30, 2025: the Spirit of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina 20th Year Commemoration, presented by the Krewe of Black & Gold and Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition in partnership with the City of Slidell.
While our hearts go out to the many people would rather forget that Katrina happened–especially those who lost so everything–we also believe that an entire generation of young people plus families who moved to the area should be provided an opportunity to learn more about the event that forever changed our lives. The 20th Anniversary marks a milestone of resilience and rebirth.
The commemorative event will begin with a Community Gathering at 4 pm in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium featuring elected officials and special guests.
This will be followed by the Spirit of Louisiana Second Line led by the Storyville Stompers. The procession will begin at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium/City Hall and parade around Municipal Square block. The event will honor the many selfless individuals who have been part of the recovery and rebuilding. This includes city, parish, state and national government employees, elected officials, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, utility linemen, waste management teams, faith-based and community service organizations and volunteers, the hospitality industry and the media who worked around the clock to keep us informed. It’s an opportunity for the public to come out and show gratitude for these individuals’ and organizations’ service.
The second line is free and open to the public, and the community is welcome to join in the procession or cheer from the sidelines for the honorees.
Following the procession is a 6 pm concert featuring The Bucktown All-Stars, which was the first band to perform in the city’s Bayou Jam Concert Series after Hurricane Katrina, providing citizens a few hours to step away from the cleanup and reconnect with family and friends for catharsis through music. Special guest appearance by Vince Vance.
The concert will be held in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, which was the last of the municipal structures to be rebuilt following the original auditorium’s post-Katrina demolition. Due to limited seating capacity in the auditorium, preregistration for free tickets will be required. (More details to come soon.) Ticketed individuals will receive priority admission until 15 minutes prior to showtime, at which time doors will open to the public for remaining seating if available.
This event is supported by a grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Community Partnership Grant program and a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by St. Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.
We are grateful for the Spirit of Louisiana title sponsor, Visit the Northshore/St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, and additional sponsors Sophisticated Woman Magazine, Edge of the Lake Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine and Lowry-Dunham, Case and Vivien Insurance.
We’re looking forward to unveiling the Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th Commemorative poster by the fabulous Adam Sambola in the near future.
This event will also be funded in part by Krewe of Black & Gold memberships. Memberships are available for a one-time donation of $25 (Founders) or $50 (VIP Founders.) Please note membership is not a requirement to participate in the commemorative events. For more information, visit https://KrewefBlackAndGold.com.
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Katrina Commemorative 20th Anniversary Poster unveiled

When the “Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th Commemorations” are presented on Saturday, August 30 in Slidell, the commissioned artwork by artist Adam Sambola will beautifully capture the essence of two decades of resilience and rebirth.

The work features Sambola’s signature RedBean the Crawfish preparing for the Spirit of Louisiana Second Line with brass instruments and Louisiana’s state flower, the magnolia, atop a leafy green fleur de lis with a backdrop of Katrina floodwaters.

The image will be featured on the Spirit of Louisiana commemorative poster, which will be offered in a limited edition of 100. Posters are 11” x 14”, available via the Krewe of Black & Gold website. The poster will also be available for purchase the day of the event if not sold out in advance. Posters are $40, signed and numbered.

Sambola’a original painting will be included in the “Katrina, Then and Now” community art exhibition opening Friday, August 29 from 6 to 8 pm in the Slidell Cultural Center’s George Dunbar Gallery in City Hall. Additional information about the exhibition is available at NorthshoreCEC.org.

The Spirit of Louisiana events have been made possible by the Rebirth title sponsor, Visit the Northshore, with support from Sophisticated Woman, Edge of the Lake and Where Y’at magazines, and Lowry-Dunham, Case and Vivien insurance. The events are supported by a grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Community Partnership Grant program. Funding has also been provided by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs, an agency of the St. Tammany Parish Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and support by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.

For additional information about Slidell’s Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th commemorative events, visit the website at KreweOfBlackAndGold.com. To see more of the artist’s works, visit sambolart.com.

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