UPDATE: The following artists were recognized with awards at the Mixed Media opening reception:

  • 1st Place – “3D Geometric Study, No. 9” by Charles Gudaitis
  • 2nd Place – “Chameleon” by Solange Ledwith
  • 3rd Place – “Blow, Louis, Blow!” by Dustin Young
  • Honorable Mentions – “#D Wall Hanging No. 17” by Charles Gudaitis and “White Hole” by Kelly Landrum Hammell

Congratulations to all the artists!

 

The works of artists from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas will soon be on display in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall when the City of Slidell’s 31st annual Mixed Media juried exhibition opens on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, with an artist’s reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Mixed Media is open to artists from ten southeastern states. This year, 19 artists submitted 43 entries and of those entries, a total of 29 works by 15 different artists were selected for the exhibit by this year’s juror, Charlotte Lowry Collins.

A practicing artist and lifelong learner, Collins has earned two undergraduate degrees in art, as well as a Masters of Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art. She has been awarded both Assistant Professor and Associate Professor status from Kennesaw State University and a Directorship for arts programs at Southeastern Louisiana University. Within her hometown community of Slidell, she is the Director of the Olde Towne Arts Commission (OTAC), and a founder and board member for the arts krewe, the Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie. She believes “each artist has their own unique style and brings a distinct viewpoint for their viewer to appreciate.”

The artworks featured in Mixed Media are as varied as the media they are comprised of. To qualify as mixed media, each artist must use a minimum of two mediums to create their work. This year’s selections include traditional media such as paint, pastel, clay, pen, paper, glass, wood, metal and fabric, plus a wide assortment of other atypical media, including nails, jewelry, found objects, foam, balloons, clay, beads, seashells, silk,  and stained glass.

Artists selected to display their works include Elsa Baker, Lacombe; Kim Bergeron, Slidell; Connie Born, Slidell; Mary Christopher, Slidell; Kelly Dellsperger, Slidell; Charles Gudaitis, Slidell; Rita Huie, Clifton, TX; Kelly Landrum-Hammell, Carriere, MS; Solange Ledwith, Slidell; Andree Maduell, Lacombe; Kylah Odle, Helena, AL; C.J. Sheriff, Slidell; Cindy Strecker, Slidell; Kevin Walgamotte, Slidell; and Dustin Young, Slidell.

The Mixed Media opening reception and awards presentation will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall, located at 2055 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. The award presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Thursday, October 24. Gallery hours are Mondays through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only. Please call the Department of Cultural Affairs at 985-646-4375 to schedule a viewing. Same day appointments usually available. Admission is free.

For more information about Mixed Media, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646‐4375 or visit the city’s website at www.myslidell.com. For the latest city news updates and information about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletter on our website and follow the official “City of Slidell, Louisiana” pages on Facebook and Twitter.

On Monday, September 9, 2024, Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was joined by members of the Slidell City Council and city administrators to break ground on the Ducksworth Park Multi-Use Fields Project. This project involves the reconstruction of an existing multi-use field (325’x370’) at Ducksworth Park as well as the addition of a new multi-use field (150’x200’).

All South Consulting Engineers is serving as the design consultant and Warner Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this project.

The estimated cost of this project is $676,466 and it is funded with a 50/50 grant between Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Barring any weather delays or unforeseen circumstances, it should take roughly 130 days for construction with an anticipated completion date of January 2025.

Agenda (PDF)

Information about the Olde Towne Preservation District Commission

 

UPDATED:

***The Bayou Jam concert scheduled for, Friday, Sept. 13, has been cancelled due to Hurricane Francine and possible electrical issues caused by the flooding of Heritage Park. The concert will be rescheduled for a later date.***

 

Get ready for another exciting season of live music at Heritage Park as the City of Slidell’s popular Bayou Jam fall concert series kicks off on Friday, September 13, with a performance by Big Al and the Heavyweights. The concert begins at 5 p.m., and admission is free.

“Bayou Jam concerts are a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “We encourage everyone to bring their families and friends to enjoy a night of great music in Heritage Park. It’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend right here in Slidell.”

The schedule for the 2024 fall Bayou Jam concert series:
• Friday, Sept. 13 – Big Al and the Heavyweights
• Friday, Sept. 27 – Typically Booked
• Friday, Oct. 11 – The New Orleans Mystics

Big Al and the Heavyweights, originally known as the Unknown Blues Band, began performing in 1996. The founding members included Al Lauro, renowned guitarist Warren Haynes, and pianist Rick Gergen. Over the years, while some of the original members have changed, Big Al has maintained a strong lineup featuring Gergen, guitarist and vocalist Marcel Anton, Dennis Cedeno, and harp player and vocalist Dale Robinson. The band has been spreading the blues across the country, with their latest album, “Love One Another,” recorded at Suite Mix Studios in Slidell. Their live performances are known for being family-friendly, energetic, and full of fun. For more details, you can visit their website at BigAl.net.

Typically Booked is a dynamic six-piece cover band known for their high-energy performances, featuring captivating vocals, layered harmonies, and engaging saxophone solos. Their versatility spans a wide variety of genres and dance favorites, from the 1950s to today’s hits. While they cover multiple generations, the band focuses on upbeat millennial classics from the ’90s and ’00s, making them a favorite at celebrations throughout the New Orleans area. They’ve performed for notable organizations such as Ochsner, the American Cancer Society, and even for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans on game day. For more information, visit TypicallyBooked.com.

The New Orleans Mystics are a versatile singing group that performs a wide range of genres, including oldies, Motown, Top 40, R&B, disco, jazz, rock, and more, while staying true to their rhythm and blues roots. Formed in 1972, they have captivated audiences worldwide with their energetic choreography, powerful vocals, and dazzling outfits. Their performances continue to entertain crowds with their timeless appeal. For more information, visit theneworleansmystics.com.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, ice chests, and picnic baskets to enjoy these free, family-friendly events in the beautiful setting of Heritage Park.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with support from the Parks & Recreation and Public Operations departments. These concerts are part of Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and the Louisiana Cultural District, sponsored by the City’s Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine, Inside Northside, The Slidell Independent, Slidell Savings Magazine, and Sophisticated Woman.

For more information about the Bayou Jam concert series, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. Stay updated on City of Slidell news and events by visiting MySlidell.com and following us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

In case of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest updates. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

In observance of Labor Day, city offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, and will reopen during regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
 
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.

Join Mayor Greg and Peggy Cromer for the 6th annual Ugly Sweater Gala on Saturday, November 30th. The gala begins at 7 pm at the Slidell Auditorium.

Presented by Peggy’s Playground, Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and the City of Slidell.

Join Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer for a Holiday Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra on Thursday, Dec. 19th at 7 p.m. in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Admission is free.

The Northshore Community Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in St. Tammany Parish where both youths and adults can make learning and performing music a lifelong endeavor. The orchestra was established in 1987, and has operated continuously ever since. The orchestra performs several full orchestra concerts as well as some smaller group ensembles throughout the year, with genres including classical, jazz, pop, folk, ethnic, traditional, movie themes, and broadway hits. Each year, the orchestra typically performs for Slidell’s Patriot Day ceremony and Christmas and spring concerts.

The members of the orchestra come from Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and from surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans area and south Mississippi. The members represent a diverse assortment of backgrounds such as students, medical professionals, engineers, skilled tradesmen, scientists, homemakers, members of the military, educators, and retirees. Though our student members typically begin with us around late middle school or junior high age, currently our youngest member is just 9 years old, and our oldest is in his 80s. Some of the orchestra’s musicians are family members who play together – spouses, parents, children, and siblings.

The Slidell Municipal Auditorium is located at 2056 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free, but a donation to the Northshore Community Orchestra is welcomed.

On Friday, Dec. 13th Vince Vance and the Valiants return to Heritage Park for the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular starting at 6 p.m.
The King of Christmas will be performing all your favorite holiday songs, including his perennial hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Come dressed in your favorite holiday costumes and be a part of this fun concert for the whole family. Admission is free

Please join us for the opening reception of the “Salad Days Juried Exhibition of Student Art” at the George Dunbar Gallery in Slidell City Hall. The opening reception will be held on Friday, March 21st from 6-8 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display at the George Dunbar Gallery in Slidell City Hall from February March 24th-April 25th.

Gallery hours are by appointment only Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Same-day viewings will be accommodated based on availability. Please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 for appointments. The Slidell Cultural Center is located at 2055 Second Street, on the first floor of City Hall in Olde Towne Slidell. Admission is free.

Please join us for a Veterans Day concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra on Sunday, November 10th. The concert will begin at 5 pm at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium . Attendance is free!