The Carl Parker Center at Lamar State College-Port Arthur will be rocking April 28, when 50s heartthrob Frankie Avalon takes the stage to entertain patrons of the ninth annual “Gulf Coast Gala.” Avalon is a veteran of more than 30 movies and two dozen hit records including "Venus," "Bobby Sox to Stocking" and "Why." The formal event, which includes dinner and entertainment, begins with a 6 … [Read more...]
Ford on art: ‘That’s My Life’
March 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
After teenaged Mary Jo Ford was released from her “iron lung,” she began post-polio therapy that taught her how to use a pencil. Decades later, her paintbrushes flick through oils and watercolors that bloom into buckets of sunflowers, and bucolic scenes she recreates from her family’s spread in LaBelle. “That’s my life,” the soft-spoken artists said as a smile spread across her … [Read more...]
Cole goes west, stays there
March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
From the time Amy Cole painted a Native American, she says her style was forever changed. She still keeps a focus on warm colors of the west as she creates images of cowboys young and old carrying out their daily duties. Texas Artists Museum will feature her riders silhouetted by the sun and still life scenes of beaded moccasins in March. “Sheltered Rain” shows a cowboy in a yellow … [Read more...]
Temporary Exhibit
March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Temporary Museum of the Gulf Coast exhibit shows how a children's book, "Roscoe and the Pelican Rescue," comes together from sketches to finished product. Author and illustrator Lynne Rowe Reed's 2011 book was inspired by events related to the Deep Horizon oil spill. … [Read more...]
Have your Taste of Gumbo in PA
March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
King Gumbo is George Newsome’s title for Taste of Gumbo, Etc., the Rotary Club of Port Arthur’s annual house-packing fundraiser serving up the best from area restaurants and service groups. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, visitors can get their fill of Cajun elixirs featuring sausage, chicken and seafood. Newsome will head the Taste, which will also feature other types of food. … [Read more...]
Lighthouses and Longhorns Texas Tour wraps up in PA
March 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A coast-loving gang of lighthouse lovers will “focus” on the fresnal Sabine Banks house lens at Museum of the Gulf Coast. Lighthouses and Longhorns, the U.S. Lighthouse Society Texas Tour, wraps up in Port Arthur this weekend. Lighthouse fans from all over met up at the Alamo and headed south to explore unique Texas landmarks. After their Port Arthur overnight, the adventurers will explore … [Read more...]
Museum, movie may yield free Taste of Gumbo tickets
March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A global glimpse of Mardi Gras-style celebrations around the world is enough to lure visitors to Museum of the Gulf Coast for ¡Carnaval! Those who step in at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, will get the treat of a free screening of the documentary “Eggs, Fire, and Ashes.” The first 20 to attend will receive a ticket to the anticipated Taste of Gumbo on March 17. ¡Carnaval! is a traveling … [Read more...]
Port Arthur pilgrimage highlights faith-filled sights
February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Revelry of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas traditionally leads to the more reflective Lenten season. A faithful group has planned a 5-mile walk with stops at some of Port Arthur’s sacred sights. The group will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and proceed to Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens to begin the walk. The day will include spiritual talks, reciting of the … [Read more...]
Briscoe stains glass into coastal scenery
February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment
Stained Glass artist Stephan Briscoe sees blue herons all around Port Arthur, so it’s natural he’d want to capture one in glass. The proud plumage in his colorful panel at Texas Artists Museum shows a male in a preening mating stance. The strong, orange-yellow beak is designed to spear fish. The blue heron hunts alone, Briscoe said. “They’ll eat anything they can catch,” said the … [Read more...]
Wayne Toups “can’t get enough” of Port Arthur’s Mardi Gras
February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Everybody wants Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun to play their Mardi Gras, but Toups is committed to the Port Arthur fans who help him close down the festival nearly every year. “There’s magic in the air . . . the beads . . . the costumes . . . People have fun,” Toups said. “I just can’t get enough.” From Feb. 16-19, lighted night parades with bead-tossing revelers fill the … [Read more...]
Toss a chicken; head for Longneck Road
February 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The chicken toss courir parade opens Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas 2012 on Thursday, Feb. 16. That’s when children chase a chicken who, by tradition, lands in a gumbo. This one is symbolic, and will keep its feathers on for festival fun. After the parade passes by Port Arthur’s historic homes along the sea wall, Longneck Road will kick off a weekend of concerts from headliners including … [Read more...]
Coconuts a “lucky score” at Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas
February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
All that New Orleans research must have been so hard on Jan Walker, but her Majestic Krewe of Aurora want the 20th anniversary of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas to go down right. “We’ve reached back to the roots of Mardi Gras and will be honoring all the traditional symbols of the season. Don't be surprised if you encounter a little Cajun Spice; a Jazz Man; some Justice, Faith and … [Read more...]
Come to ¡Carnaval!
January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mardi Gras means parades, music and Cajun food in Port Arthur. We get all green, gold and purple as Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas draws revelers to downtown Port Arthur, Feb. 16-19. Across Europe and the Americas, masked good times are called ¡Carnaval!, the title for a Museum of the Gulf Coast exhibit highlighting the season where cultures let loose. The National Endowment of the Arts display … [Read more...]
Mardi Gras: Catch the Excitement
January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The ever-popular Wayne Toups will be among headliners for the 20th anniversary edition of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, the party that colors downtown Port Arthur green, gold and purple from Feb. 16-19. Lighted night parades with bead-tossing revelers fill the schedule along with chicken and motorcycle parades. Elaborate costumes , Cajun music, a carnival and street food make a family-friendly … [Read more...]
“Southern Discomfort”
January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Museum of the Gulf Coast will present several showings of the BBC documentary “Southern Discomfort” to celebrate what would have been Janis Joplin's 69th birthday. Showings will be at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day beginning Thursday, Jan. 19 through Sat., Jan. 21. Film attendance includes complimentary admission to the Museum's many exhibits including the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame featuring … [Read more...]
