Banners is a well known non-profit organization. The group’s purpose is to bring speakers and performing artists to the area that are a notch above the ordinary. In fact, some of the artists are at the top of the entertainment world.
LaDonna McKnight and Tami Chrisope, representing Banners, presented a slide show highlighting the events on the 2010 calendar to the Westlake Rotary Club on Thursday, January 14. Of particular interest are the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Lili Cai. Cai will hold two dance workshops in April that area dance students can attend. There will also be a daytime special at the Civic Center for area school children.
The cost to bring these speakers and performers to the area can be from $2,500 up to $15,000. And Banners tries to welcome each visitor to the area with warm southwest Louisiana hospitality, giving them a taste of the food and regional landscape so they leave with a desire to return.
There are many speeches or discussion evenings that are free to the public. Robert Olen Butler, Pulitzer prize-winning author, will give a reading on February 26, and Ted Ownby will lecture about family life in the south in the 1970’s on April 20.
For the full calendar one can call 475-5123 or visit the website at www.banners.org. The tickets to any one event are no more than $20, only because of the many generous supporters of the cultural effort. One can purchase two tickets to 21 different nights of amusement for only $150.