SHREVEPORT LABOR DAY BLUES FEST: Official Statement. Playaz and Playettes, Inc will not be able to present the event this year due to lack of support from sponsors both public and private. Our initial involvement in this endeavor was to raise awareness of the cultural significance and impact that the local Shreveport artists and musicians both past and present have had in this genre of music regionally, nationally and worldwide. However, just like most things concerning elevating the Black community here in Shreveport, there is and was very little support from the powers that be. Over the past 5 years even the Mayors office and the Black Mayor, Cedric Glover put up road blocks to sabotage our efforts. The Caddo Commission has never extended a hand either, but supported other events that bore no fruit yet failed to see the importance of branding Shreveports glorious past and present. Our event was successful for 5 years and gave the indigenous Black community of Shreveport a sense of pride as well as a damn good time on the Labor Day holiday weekend. The ironic part is that Black Shreveporter’s historically and presently are the majority of laborers in this city. One would think that all the money spent in this town by blacks that local businesses and service providers would be more than happy to support a event that caters to the passions of their consumers. We are thankful that we were able to get Resolution 153. of 2013 passed through the Shreveport City Council which acknowledges Shreveport as the Southern Soul Capital. We have worked with the local S/B Tourist Bureau as well as the State Tourist Bureau to build on this cultural branding for Shreveport. We hope that they continue to carry the ball which is their job anyway to find the cultural treasures of our community and advertise it to the world. As Ive said previously, Southern Soul is not just music. Its a way of life from cooking to dressing to thinking and acting. Festivals, Concerts and events such as this are not cheap and usually dont return all the money spent on organizing them which is contrary to what some people think. I personally had to bite the bullet, so to speak for the past 5 years just to make it happen for our city and my people. I even had to borrow some money from dear old mom a couple of times to make it happen. I want to thank Yokem Toyota, The Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation for their support in our effort. Also a big thanks to Vickie Marshall and Pam Atchinson of Shreveport Regional Arts Council for jumping through a few hoops to ensure our event and efforts were successful. Playaz and Playettes, Inc will continue to serve our targeted population with the same passion and determination as always. Ron Hardy Executive Director Playaz and Playettes, Inc
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:04:12 +0000
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