A First Look at What's in Store at FestForAll April 6 - 7, 2013!

Baton Rouge - The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge will present FestForAll - Baton Rouge's premier art & music festival, April 6 - April 7, 2013!   Join us for a full weekend of art and entertainment along North Boulevard in downtown's Town Square and on the grounds of the Old State Capitol and the Shaw Center for the Arts.  The hours on Saturday, April 6 are 10 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 7 are 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.  FestForAll is free and open to everyone.

FestForAll 2013 will include:
Great music!      
FestForAll 2013 Music Schedule lineup includes:

Saturday, April 6, 2013

GoAuto Stage at Galvez Plaza
11:00 am - 12:00  Sunrise Brass Band (Brass Band)
12:15 - 1:00 pm    Matthew Davidson Band (Blues)    
1:15 - 2:15 pm     Martin Flanagan (Country)
2:30 - 3:45 pm     Eric Johanson (Blues/Rock)
4:00 - 5:15 pm     Brandon Ledet (Zydeco)
5:30 - 7:00 pm     Funkin' with Friends (Funk)

4th Street Stage
12:30 - 1:15 pm   Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces (Jazz/ Mississippi Blues)       
1:30 - 2:30 pm     Brad Walker Quintet (Jazz)
2:45 - 4:00 pm     Young Band Nation Blues Project (Blues)
4:15 - 5:30 pm     Quiana Lynell and the Lush Life (Jazz)
5:45 - 7:00 pm     Justin Garner (R&B)

Sunday, April 7, 2013

GoAuto Stage at Galvez Plaza
12:00 -2:00 pm     Space Capone (Sunday in the Park) (Soul)
2:15 - 3:15 pm      Soulhaven (Rock)
3:35 - 4:30 pm      CJ Solar Band (Acoustic Rock)
4:45 - 6:00 pm      Rosco Bandana (Country/Rock)
    
4th Street Stage
12:30 - 1:30 pm   Jason Martin and the Corner Pocket (Popular)
1:45 - 3:00 pm     Gravy Flavored Kisses (Blues/Rock)
3:15  - 4:30 pm    Chris LeBlanc (Blues)
4:45 - 6:00 pm     Stooges Brass Band (Funk)

Sunrise Brass Band (New Orleans Brass)
Sunrise Brass Band started playing in 1982 and has been playing for the past 31 yeras as a favorite stapple in many Louisiana Mardi Gras celebrations and parades including: Spanish Town, SouthDowns, Orion, Artimise, Mystic, and Saint Patrick's day.  They have been featured in commercials for Casino Rouge and the Louisiana Lottery.  Sunrise Brass Band will open FestForAll with a festive second line down North Blvd.  You dont want to miss this fun and festive group perform at FestForAll.  

Matthew Davidson Band (Rock & Blues)
The Matthew Davidson Band is a high-energy, upbeat rock and blues ensemble. Fourteen-year-old award-winning guitarist/vocalist and Shreveport native, Matthew Davidson began performing professionally in 2010. Since then Matthew "has achieved an immense amount of recognition, support and admiration," according to International Musician magazine. With musical influences as diverse as The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Maroon 5 and John Mayer, Davidson is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, performing rock, blues and pop with equal command. Matthew was the 2011 winner of the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation New Generation Award. He was also selected as the guitarist for the 2011 "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" Rock Camp Band performed both live on the air on "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" (a nationally syndicated radio show) and at the Dallas House of Blues with Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy.

Martin Flanagan (Country)
Professing to be the illegitimate son of Hank Williams, Sr., Martin Flanagan is a singer-songwriter whose material ranges from outlandish and humorous to the serious.  Often writing in the style of his father, Martin Flanagan is content to know his roots. Chris Maxwell, of the Red Dragon Listening Room says that Flanagan's work is"...the stuff of legends."  Flanagan writes songs in the classic country style - songs about drowning your sorrows and the memories of screen doors and Momma's home cooking. The stories he weaves can be surprisingly touching.  
  
Eric Johanson (Blues/Rock)
New Orleans based guitarist/singer Eric Johanson began playing blues in Louisiana clubs at age 14. By 16, while still attending high school, he was traveling on the weekends to blues clubs and festivals throughout the southeast US, and making a name for himself as an up and coming "young gun" blues guitarist. After his graduation, he spent a year honing his style on Beale St in Memphis, TN, where he shared the stage with blues legends like James Cotton, and was even named one of the "Top 10 Memphis Blues Attractions" in the Kansas City Blues News.  After loosing his apartment/studio in Hurricane Katrina, Eric left with just a suitcase and decided the time was right to follow his dream of moving to New Zealand. Eric soon brought his bluesy style to the nightclubs of Auckland city, earning a Friday night residency at a popular beachfront pub with his blues trio, and gaining regular rotation on NZ radio stations.  Still, for a New Orleanian, when it comes to music - there really is no place like home. On a visit back to the Big Easy in late 2010, Eric ran into soul/funk legend and Grammy winner Cyril Neville of the Meters and the Neville Brothers, whom Eric had long admired. The two immediately musically clicked, and Eric became Cyril's steady touring guitarist.  Over the last 2 years, Eric has also toured the US with Grammy winning Zydeco performer Terrance Simien, and has shared the stage with most of New Orleans' greats, such as: the Neville Brothers, Anders Osborne, Tab Benoit, 'Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Corey Henry, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Eric Lindell, James Andrews, Al 'Carnival Time' Johnson, and many others.   

Brandon Ledet (Zydeco)
Steeped in good times and great zydeco music, Brandon Ledet has been an underground creole\zydeco accordionist for quite some time. Born and raised in southwest Louisiana, he grew up listening to the creole language being spoken and seeing zydeco music performed, whether it be at church bazaars, festivals, family reunions or just sitting at his grandparents' home on Saturday morning, listening to the radio, zydeco music was there. It was his memories with his grandfather and other elders that inspired Brandon to play zydeco music and be one of the proud bearers of the musical legacy of Louisiana creole culture. Be sure to catch Brandon Ledet at FestForAll because he will show you "where da zydeco at!"

Derek's Song: Highlights from the Debbie Allen Dance Residency
The cast of Derek's Song - Here's to Life will perform highlights from the 2013 Debbie Allen Dance Residency at FestForAll.  The cast features talented local dancers between the ages of 4 and 26 who were cast and trained by Ms. Allen and master dance artists/professional dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.  Derek's Song  - Here's To Life was a tribute to Arts Council CEO Derek Gordon and included some of Derek's favorite numbers from past productions, as well as new numbers set to some of his favorite songs.  The cast will reprise a selection of these numbers one last time at FestForAll. Don't miss it - 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 in Town Square! 

Funkin' with Friends (Funk/Soul/R&B)
This Baton Rouge based soulful group brings funk and R&B music to another level. Funkin' with Friends is a collection of talented funk masters and is guaranteed to make you get up! A standout performer of this multi-genre group, Michael Foster attended Southern University where he was a member of the "Human Jukebox" (S.U. Marching Band). Over time the Michael Foster Project and Funkin' with Friends has had a plethora of talent to perform with, as members of the group including: Rod Jackson (alto sax), Steve Lands (trumpet), Chancelier 'Xero' Skidmore (auxiliary percussion), Terrance Taplin (trombone), John Gray (trumpet), Chris Lee (drums) David Harris (trombone) and Michael Foster (bass and tuba). Funkin' with Friends is always a great time they're another FestForAll 2013 band, you don't want to miss!

Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces (New Orleans Jazz and Mississippi Blues)
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans, way back up in the woods among the evergreens, you'll find Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces. Tyler and his band are a young group immersed in Rhythm & Blues with a distinct sound. With the right blend of New Orleans Jazz and Mississippi Blues, Tyler creates an original sound and feel with his music. Alongside him is the Right Pieces founded by Tyler and his brother Caleb Kinchen. Caleb keeps a soulful and smooth bass that is momentous in the expressive nature of the music. In addition, Nick Calmes plays guitar with a mixture of raw funk and blues, and Thomas Nieto keeps the tempo with impressive combinations on the drum set that range from smooth jazz to go-go funk. Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces are backed by a dynamic horn section modeled after the styles of James Brown, Tyrone Davis, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles horn sections. All of this combined with Tyler's baritone voice and impressive songwriting guarantees an attractive and high energized performance.  Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces are jazzy R&B with moonlighting piano parts and Louisiana mystery.

Brad Walker (Modern Jazz)
With a style befitting modern jazz, but evolving to incorporate elements of R&B, street music, and rock, saxophonist Brad Walker is taking hold of the New Orleans music scene. His collaborations with local heavy hitters Eric Lindell, Colin Lake, and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes is proof of the effect he's had in the short time he's been in the Crescent City. Originally from North Carolina, Walker's affinity for the saxophone brought him to study at LSU, where he was a top student. After graduating, Brad moved to Brooklyn where he absorbed the sounds of New York City, listening to the legendary virtuosos who played the Blue Note, Village Vanguard and the Stone. Inspired to make his mark on the music world, Brad decided to move to New Orleans where he delved head first into the New Orleans music scene by playing with some of the biggest names in the area. Walker's impact on the city has been wide, and his work has inspired Brad to begin his own modern jazz group. Together they seamlessly blend the language of modern jazz with electric flavors of rock, funk and soul creating a distinct sount that stands out.     

Baton Rouge Music Studios - The Young Band Nation Blues Project
The Young Band Nation Blues Project is a band comprised of 11 students of Baton Rouge Music Studios, a local school of contemporary music. The project's mission started out as a plan by director, Doug Gay, to bring young musicians closer to their rock n roll roots, which is the blues. The mission has since expanded to help young musicians become aware of the great music Louisiana artists present to the world. The musicians are learning songs from many Louisiana artists including Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, The Funky Meters, Chubby Carrier, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone and many more. The Blues Project has already secured performance spots at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, The Baton Rouge Blues Festival, FestForAll, and the Rock of Ages Youth Music Festival.

Quiana Lynell & the Lush Life (Jazz/Soul) 
Quiana Lynell, certified southern girl, infuses her classical training and gospel upbringing with her love for jazz. Embracing her four octave range, she is able to perform a limitless repertoire. Her style, Jazz, Classical, Soul and Funk, or as she has coined "Jazzicalsfunk," has been described as nothing you have ever heard. Her voice is often compared to flute like tones when she solo's over changes, embellished with operatic melismas and long tones. Sharing the stage with The Lush Life, a band comprised of standout performers in Jazz, Brass, and Funk. 

Justin Garner (Rhythm & Blues)  
Justin Garner was selected by Amazon.com: Artists on the Rise in May of 2012 and featured for his single "We Rule the Night". In addition to being acknowledged nationally, Justin was also featured on iTunes (Japan), on both Pop and R&B/Soul charts. With a wave of notable accomplishments, including being featured by MySpace, Justin began working on his first official album Take It from Here. In December of 2011, Justin co-headlined the Acadiana Pre-Christmas Bash at the Cajundome with Trey Songz, and Plies. Garner's performance led to stellar reviews. Garner performed in an online version of MTV Unplugged-shot at downtown's The Roux House in November.  Justin also released the single, "Tom Tom," early October and is slated to be a part of MTV programming.  

Special Sunday in the Park performance at FestForAll!
Space Capone (Soul) Presented by the Arts Council and 225 Magazine 
Space Capone, one of Nashville's most-praised Indie acts, is a Funk/R&B/Soul band and a past winner of BMI's "Road to Bonnaroo" competition. Space Capone's music is based on late 70's funk/soul/R&B with a fresh and modern twist. They have already set a strong precedent in the southeast as a party band that respects its influences. Space Capone is comprised of funky horns, chanky electrics and a tight rhythm section all performed by young musicians who are scholars of funk, jazz, and R&B. Lead singer/brain child Aaron Winters (professionally known as 'Space') states, "We've arrived on this planet to help save people from bad music. We're very serious about what we're doing, it just happens to be lots of fun...." Don't miss Space Capone at a special Sunday in the Park performance at FestForAll on Sunday, April 7

Soulhaven (Popular Hits)
Soulhaven performs an entertaining blend of several musical styles, and does so with cohesive and familiar sounds ranging from the smooth lines of R&B and Soul to the pounding crunch of Rock and Roll. Harmony electric guitars, glistening acoustic guitar tones, and layered vocals are supported by tight, driving rhythms. Soulhaven's set list spans the rock and soul of the 60's and 70's, the pop of the 80's, the grunge of the 90's, and the music of the 21st century. With a little bit of our Louisiana heritage thrown into the mix, Soulhaven is sure to please any crowd!

The CJ Solar Band (Acoustic Rock)
The CJ Solar Band has their own special blend of edgy, southern rock. Zach Sheffler (lead/rhythm guitar), Bennett McMordie (bass), Nick Gibbens (drums) and CJ Solar (who also contributes on lead and rhythm guitar) describe the music as "putting the rock back into country". Reviewers have called the sound "John Fogerty meets Aldean", but whatever you call it The CJ Solar Band can crank up a crowd.  After high school, each of the band members made the decision to attend Nashville's Belmont University and, at a small off campus apartment, the CJ Solar Band was born.  Jim Quinton with Mountain Country 103.9 says,"The CJ Solar Band is a real treat, they sound good and always are a fan pleaser.... they are highly recommended!"  

Rosco Bandana (Country/Rock)
The Mississippi septet Rosco Bandana is the product of teenage rebellion and its consequences; of lost love, false starts and, above all, lasting friendship. They're what happen when a group of kids take a chance on a long shot and - against all odds - it pays off. The group began when principle songwriter Jason Sanford wandered into a store in the Gulfport and struck up a conversation with the kid working behind the counter. "He was like this real cool, hip, indie sort character," Sanford explains, "and he ended up turning me on to people like Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Iron and Wine, Neutral Milk Hotel." Whether loud and rowdy or quiet and contemplative, Rosco Bandana balance both extremes perfectly.  

Jason Martin & the Corner Pocket (Popular)
Jason Martin fills the lyrics in his songs with a soulful honesty and an intimate specificity that causes you to start singing along even it's the first time you've heard the song. His melodies deal with intricately difficult subject matter like love, loss, and hope. As a native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Jason grew up with a strong sense of southern hospitality that he learned from his family. At the age of 25, Jason moved to Nashville where he started his band, Jason Martin & the Corner Pocket. In February of 2011 he independently produced and released his debut EP, First Sign of Light. Over the past few years, Jason has formed a group of amazing musicians to play along with, otherwise known as "The Corner Pocket," with Mike Tramonte on the drums, Josiah Menard on the bass/vocals, Jon Scholl on the keys, and Hana Hart on vocals.  

Gravy Flavored Kisses (Blues/ Rock)
Gravy Flavored Kisses was founded in 2010 by J. Chester Castellaw and Damon Motto and their style dares you to pigeonhole it into one genre. The influences of blues, rock n' roll, reggae, and gospel can be recognized throughout their repertoire. The result is a mixture of dirty blues riffs, soulful rock melodies, blaring horns, and infectious grooves that combine to form music that is diverse, energetic and light on pretense. They released their debut EP In the Red in November 2011 with a follow-up of The Mail EP in early November 2012. The Kisses have been busy with recording sessions, an impromptu Mardi Gras sidewalk show, performances at Uptown's Le Bon Temps Roule, and playing festivals in southeastern Louisiana.  

Chris LeBlanc (Blues)
After two decades of writing music, producing and releasing four different full lengths CDs on his own label SWEETROLL RECORDS, touring the U.S.and Europe, headlining festivals and nightclubs from Alaska to Algiers, Chris LeBlanc has become the live music performers performer. Playing covers ranging from The Beatles and Creedance Clearwater Revival to Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, or his own original music, Chris LeBlanc puts on a driving show that draws in the crowds and keeps them waiting for the next song to drop!

Stooges Brass Band (Funk)
The Stooges Brass Band has been one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans but only recently are receiving the accolades and well-deserved recognition of their importance to the music scene of New Orleans. The Stooges Brass Band has gained notoriety across the USA and the world as a full-blown musical party whether leading a second-line parade or performing their spirited stage show. In April 2011, the Stooges Brass Band were awarded the title of "Best Contemporary Brass Band" at the Big Easy Music Awards. The momentum continued in 2012, touring clubs throughout the country and appearing at famed festivals such at Bonnaroo, South by Southwest, and headlining the Utah Arts Festival.  In June 2012, the band was employed by the US Embassy as cultural ambassadors to New Orleans on a two week tour through Pakistan. Whether they're second-lining in the back streets of the Crescent City, or performing across the country, the Stooges Brass Band immerse crowds in a high-energy, cut loose vibe that's contemporary yet deeply rooted in the culturally rich musical legacy of city of New Orleans.

Great shopping with 100 visual artists from over a dozen states! 

Shop for pottery, woodwork, stained glass, jewelry, and much more from award winning artists!

The Arts Council is delighted to announce that Mr. Sam Corso is the the Distinguished Judge for the visual arts at FestForAll 2013.Samuel Joseph Corso received his BFA in Painting and Drawing in 1975 from Louisiana State University.  In 1977 he was awarded an MFA in Stained Glass, also from Louisiana State University. Because of this strong influence by both painters and designers and a keen sense of color, he has excelled in the field as a multi-media artist and exhibited work throughout the United States. He continues to create in stained glass, mosaics, bronze sculpture, watercolor and oil pastel on paper, and executes commissions in all media. 

Adding to Corso's experience as a multi-faceted artist, he has taught drawing, painting and design courses for Louisiana State University, the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the American Crafts Council.  He has won numerous awards for his works, including three Artist Fellowships from the Louisiana State Arts Council.  In 2000 he was invited to conduct a workshop in architectural glass design, present a lecture and exhibit work at the New Zealand /Australian Glass Art Society's Bi-Annual Conference in Wanganui, New Zealand.

Corso joined Paul A. Dufour, his mentor, in 1977 in the studio corporation that Dufour founded in 1964.  He has since become president and sole owner upon Dufour's retirement in 1992.  In this role he has designed and fabricated, eleven hundred square feet of stained glass for Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe, Louisiana, one thousand square feet of stained glass for St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 520 square feet of stained glass in the W.C.C Claiborne building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was a Louisiana Percent-for-Art award.

Sam Corso has established a reputation as a multi-disciplinary artist who has completed artwork for over 200 commissions for residential and liturgical architecture in a career spanning 35 years.  Additionally, his artwork is included in over 600 private and public collections throughout the United States.  Mr. Corso will award prizes for Best of Show, Award of Excellence, Awards of Distinction, Awards of Achievement and Awards of Merit to visual artists at FestForAll.   Special thanks to the Designsmith for sponsoring the two Awards of Achievement.