BestOfSwla Up Front Archives

New Book From Reeser

Brad Goins June 20, 2019 Comments Off

Local poet Jennifer Reeser, who is a graduate of McNeese’s renowned MFA poetry program, has just published a new collection of her verse that’s titled Indigenous. The title is likely a reference to

Modern Art That Won’t Freak You Out

Brad Goins June 6, 2019 Comments Off

Much of the general public is hesitant to go to installations of contemporary art. They may be afraid they’ll see what looks to them like a massive collection of junk and random materials. Or

Swiss Army Knife Recording Camp

Brad Goins May 16, 2019 Comments Off

The SWLA Music School’s distinctively named Swiss Army Knife Recording Camp will give youths 11 to 17 a rare opportunity to be taught how to make and record their own music with simple computerized

I Think I Found The Problem

Brad Goins May 2, 2019 Comments Off

There were a few comments around town back in January when I published a story in Lagniappe about how local government deals with trash. In mid-March, I noticed that a large crew of

Zhen Returns To Lake Charles

Brad Goins April 19, 2019 Comments Off

The group of local artists known as Nancy Melton and Friends are planning a watercolor workshop that will be led by Lian Quan Zhen, who’ll be teaching in Lake Charles April 9 to 12.

Ultimate Crime Getaway

Brad Goins April 4, 2019 Comments Off

New Orleans is always throwing out something good and new and surprising for us. Are you ready for CrimeCon 2019, which is being held in the Crescent City? If you’re thinking it’s a

Beer And Wine Delivery, Please

Brad Goins March 21, 2019 Comments Off

After many years of wandering in the wilderness, we’ve all come to a situation we thought we’d never be in: Louisiana going through a year without a budget crisis. Some thought there’d never be

Local Author’s Thriller Saga

Brad Goins March 7, 2019 Comments Off

Gail Parker recently published the fourth book in her Hidden 12 Saga. Parker, who was born and raised in Moss Bluff, spent six years writing the saga. The books consistently make use of at

Update I: King Cake Baby Gets Clothes

Brad Goins February 21, 2019 Comments Off

One of our top priorities here in the Up Front editorial offices is to get the really silly story out to the public. It’s rare that we get to follow up on one of

Album Addict

Brad Goins February 8, 2019 Comments Off

Album Addict is what Steve Belcher calls his booth full of vinyl albums at Cedar Chest Antiques in downtown Lake Charles. He thinks he has 5,000 to 6,000 albums for sale at the moment.