What to do in Shreveport in April

Shreveport is beautiful this time of year. The azaleas, dogwoods, and wisteria are blooming, the trees are leafing out, and the city's gardeners have a riot of blooming daffodils, tulips, and other beauties to admire. If you haven't made it over to Norton Art Gallery to catch the azaleas you better hurry!

There is so much to do and so many events this time of year.  Here are some local events that have caught my eye for April:

On April 4 you can catch the Downtown ArtWalk from 5:00 - 8:00 pm where you can experience art and artists, watch fun new street performers, grab a bite at a food truck or a special at a restaurant, walk through new exhibit openings, learn about some of the history of the area in a History in 5 talk and Sketch the City with AIA architect Mischa Farrell.

April 7:  Kids day at Caddo Parish Animal Shelter:  it's the 2nd Annual Kids Day at Caddo Parish Animal Shelter where they will have books, crafts, and family fun focused on pet education! Kids will be free to watch G rated movies, read pet education books to adoption animals, craft with some fun pet education booklets, and play with adoption animals. Snacks will be provided. The event will be from 10-2 and is free.  The animals love it!

Flying Heart Brewing and BeauxJax will have a block party on April 7 featuring food trucks and local vendors as a benefit for Gingerbread House.  The event runs from 11-6 at 700 Barksdale Blvd.

The Texas Avenue Makers Fair will be April 7 and will feature many local artists.  The event is from 10:00 - 5:00 at 888 Texas Avenue.

Also on April 7, the Shreveport Opera Guild is hosting its first character breakfast: “Beignets with Belle,” from 9:00-10:30 am on Saturday morning, at Logan Mansion in Shreveport (725 Austin Place). This family event will allow guests of all ages to interact with the characters Belle, Prince Charming, and Cinderella while enjoying fresh beignets prepared by Southern Faire’s Cindy Johnson, children activities, a photo booth by PicEnvy, and a short performance by Belle. Not only will children and adult attendees be treated to a morning with the characters Belle and Prince Charming, but Cinderella will also be there.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.

On April 13-15 the Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment at Pleasant Hill in Sabine Parish.

Saturday, April 14, The Robinson will have a Family Matinee: Babe.  The cost is $6.50 and there will be pre-show prizes!

The Renzi Center will have a benefit on April 14 at The Shop on Southern Avenue.  The Jazz & Blues Brunch will feature Buddy Flett and will run from 11:00 - 2:00.  Enjoy a delicious brunch courtesy of Marilynn's Place and e a cash bar with beer, Bloody Marys, and Mimosas for the 21+ crowd. There will also be Rhino Coffee's famous hot and cold blends.  In addition to great food and live music,there will be a raffle for a 55" Phillips Smart TV, provided by Lagniappe Foods. Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance or at the event.

Red River Brewing's monthly live music jam will be April 15; this is always a fun event with great music and good food!

The Shreveport Little Theater is staging Of Mice and Men from April 19-29.  Contact the theater for ticket prices. 

You can catch Beauty and the Beast on April 20 hosted by the Shreveport Opera at Riverview Hall.  Contact the Shreveport Opera for ticket information.

Centenary College and The Meadows Museum will host Art in the Meadow on April 21 from 10:00 - 4:00.   This is a free event featuring: art, sustainability, kid-friendly activities, and fun for the whole family. There will be Artists Alley, a makers fair featuring many local artists, designers, and makers as well as interactive booths with games, crafts, and activities geared toward kids of all ages that highlight art and sustainability. Bonus: there will be food trucks!

On Sunday, April 28, the Wizard of Oz production will be at the Strand. The national tour features dazzling special effects, sets, and of course the music!

The Foo Fighters will be at CenturyLink on April 24.  Tickets start at $39.

On April 24 the Heels and Reels event at The Robinson will be Working Girl.  The event is from 5:30 - 8:30 at the Robinson in downtown Shreveport.

April 28:  The ARTini fundraiser will be from 7-1l pm at the Louisiana State Exhibit Building.  It is a Casablanca themed event this year featuring live music, local artists, and much more. Twenty-Five area restaurants will create unique martinis and compete for the coveted titles of "Judges Choice", "People's Choice", and "Most M'artisanal".

Also on April 28 you can catch Lonestar at Margaritaville. Tickets start at $30.

If local politics interests you, on April 28 you can attend Leo Savage's announcement party as candidate for Shreveport mayor.  The event is from 4-7 pm at the Agriculture Building at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds.

If that's not enough for you, there is always Mudbugs Hockey which is so fun and the organization does so much for our community.  We have many great museums: if you've never been to the Shreveport Water Works Museum on Common Street you should definitely check it out.  The Spring Street Museum is also a very cool place with many interesting artifacts and history of Shreveport.  The Shreveport Aquarium is a great place to take the kids for a little something different to do.  You can catch a baseball game at Centenary (for free!) through April or at LSUS for a small charge.

There is a little something for everyone!

If you have an event you'd like added send me an email or drop it in the comments!