5 things to do in downtown Shreveport

If you love music, great theater or fun art and don’t mind capping it with a little fruit of the vine, Downtown Shreveport is the place for you. We welcome one of NPR’s ‘ten best songwriters’, a Tony Award-winning musical set in pre-war Germany, blankets of beads and walls of art and a wine event with friends, food and lots of sampling! Join us for the fun in our #CoolDowntown.

1 Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! It’s time again for Cabaret. Travel back in time to 1931 Berlin and the KitKat Club for an evening of Tony Award-winning entertainment. Remember to bring your wallet, because money makes the world go around. When: Thurs. Jan. 18, 8 p.m. Where: Strand Theatre, 619 Louisiana Ave. Cost: $45.50/$74. Info: thestrandtheatre.com

2 It’s time to bring out the beads in Shreveport Common. Twenty beaded blankets, creations that took thousands of hours to assemble, are being unveiled as a permanent display. Come see these unique works of art and hear the stories behind them, enjoy live performances, food trucks and tours, too! When: Sat., Jan 20, noon- 6 p.m. Where: Start at Central ARTSTATION, 801 Crockett St. Cost: Free. Info: FB/unscene: beaded blankets

3 From Shreveport Common, walk over to Artspace for the opening of On the Wall, a series of full-wall paintings by artists Lisandra T Di Liberto Brown, Eric Francis and Wil Brown. See the fusion of fantasy and reality and determine if art styles collide! When: Sat., Jan. 20, 4 pm- 7 pm. Where: artspace, 708 Texas St. Cost: Free. Info: FB/onthewall

4 Love good wine? Combine it with great food, fun games and friends, and you’ve got a serious winner! Mishka Valentina Jensen & Laura Seymour Schlidt host the Ernest’s Orleans Wine Event. Bring a $10/$20 bottle of your favorite vino and be prepared to share. Cost includes a three-course meal and wine games. When: Mon., Jan 22, 6:30-9 pm. Where: Ernest’s Orleans, 1602 Spring St. Cost: $25. Info: FB/ernests wine

5 NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered’ has labeled him one of the ‘10 best living songwriters’ and David Dondero has also been featured on NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ concerts. Now, he’s in downtown Shreveport for a songfest along with Sandra Odom and Mr. Christopher w/Kern. Drawings by Shadi Darzeidan and edibles by GoGreenly cap this musical event at Minicine?, a place for experimental and independent film and art. When: Wed., Jan 24, 7-10 pm. Where: 846 Texas Ave. Cost: $5. Info: FB/dondero