Peace, Love Art & YOGA

2nd Annual PLAY Festival

Did you know Ruston is home to a festival devoted entirely to the well-being of your mind, body and spirit? It’s the PLAY Festival hosted by Louisiana Yoga & Paddle. Come out October 11 to celebrate Peace, Love, Art & Yoga!

There’s no doubt yoga is rapidly growing in popularity as a way to stay physically and mentally balanced. The multitude of benefits range from stress relief and heart health to better posture, improved flexibility and weight management. 

The Yoga Barn

Yoga instructors from North Louisiana have joined together to bring this festival into its second year as a way to give back to the community. You can expect a variety of yoga and fitness classes throughout the day, led by different area instructors. Events on the agenda include stand-up paddleboard demonstrations, sessions in slack lining, aerial yoga and acro yoga. There will also be classes on belly dancing and Zumba. Yoga sessions will be held in various locations on site like the open-air Yoga Barn, the beautiful pond for stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga and a colorfully-decorated open pasture.

Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga

The PLAY Festival will also be showcasing a variety of works from local artists. Visitors will have the opportunity to shop jewelry, clothing, paintings, pottery and much more. Food vendors will be on site, as well as local musicians providing live entertainment. And the fun won’t stop until the sun goes down! 

Bring the entire family; there’s something for everyone! Yoga classes for beginners and children will be offered throughout the day. Also featured are presentations on stretching, meditating and nutrition. Other activities for the kids include wilderness trails, face painting and farm animals! 

Last year, the PLAY Festival was a huge success for Courtney Thibault of Louisiana Yoga & Paddle and the many instructors who donated their time. More than 400 people of all ages and backgrounds were in attendance. With more than 20 exhibitors registered, this year’s festival is becoming a highly anticipated event. 

Aerial Yoga

Come out and celebrate yoga, art and a healthy lifestyle. This event is free and open to the public, beginning at 8 a.m. Not experienced or don’t think yoga is for you? This is the PERFECT opportunity for anyone interested in a healthy lifestyle to learn more about yoga and its benefits!
Louisiana Yoga and Paddle is located at 3458 LA Highway 818, Ruston, LA 71270. For more information visit www.yogaandpaddle.com or call 318-548-7071.
Grab your yoga mats (and a change of clothes for SUP Yoga) and we'll see you there!

 Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

FALL CRAWL IS NEARING…

Written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director

Now that we have passed Labor Day, I find myself yearning for Fall. Most of September is officially the fall season, even though Louisiana weather often disagrees. However, everyone is back in school, football has begun, and our minds begin to wander toward pumpkins and cooler weather. To celebrate this new season and enjoy an early evening outdoors, be sure to come downtown for the Fall Crawl. Several arts-businesses in downtown Ruston are joining together for a great evening on September 19, from 5-8pm.

  

Painting by Frank Folino, OFM

Fine Line Art Supply will be featuring Frank Folino, OFM, of St. Thomas Aquinas. Father Frank’s mixed media paintings, with bold color and deep relief, are expressionistic and engaging. Kelly Moore Bag will be featuring husband and wife photography team Hannah Cooper McCauley and Zachary McCauley. These artists are Masters Candidates at Louisiana Tech and each has been recognized, awarded, published and exhibited nationally in the last year. This is a great opportunity to buy works by artists on the rise. Kelly Moore Bag will also be hosting music by Josh + Jenn.

Be sure to stop by Main Street Exchange, who will be featuring toys created by Christiane Drieling, whose craftsmanship is impeccable. Main Street Exchange’s featured nonprofit of the month is NCLAC—so sales at the shop will support our organization this month! Makers Union will have James Gilcrease from Day Old Blues Records with a pop-up shop chock full of vinyl. He’ll be spinning records, of course, so head over to treat your ears.

Works by Andi and Robert Moran

Just down the street at Studio 301 is another husband and wife team, Robert and Andi Moran, who will be exhibiting sculptural works. Robert and Andi are a creative powerhouse, with experience as designers of furniture, ceramics, lighting and more. Around the corner at Pastry Moon, owner Bonnie Ferguson will have her new autumn soaps as well as the artists she regularly features, such as Dorene Kordal’s felt, Whitney Caskey’s photography, and Lora Lee’s jewelry. I hear a buzz about a musician at Pastry Moon as well… Frame of Mind will be exhibiting new works by artist Peter Hay, who recently graduated from LA Tech’s MFA program, but has since moved back to Oklahoma. Peter is a fine printmaker and painter, with a style rooted in surrealism, often depicting beautifully illustrated animal imagery.

At the Dixie Center for the Arts, Dubach artist Nina Stephens’ oil paintings will be featured. As a self-taught artist, Nina channels her emotions and energy by creating pieces that represent personal journeys along with locally inspired pieces and animal portraits. Art Innovations is joining the Fall Crawl, and will have an installation titled A Walk in the Woods, featuring bird houses and bows by Francis Carson, and small paintings by Jackie Cochran. Alexandria Bozeman will be on site creating “Energy Portraits,” and there’s rumor of hot dogs and s’mores!

Plans are still begin generated, with conversations about food, music, and book readings, so be sure to mark this date on your calendar. If you remember, there was a Spring Crawl earlier this year, and there were people everywhere! It was a wonderful night. Let’s make it happen again. Grab a friend and head downtown after work. Join our facebook event for continued details.

 Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

Top Fall To-Do in Ruston, LA

It's going to be a great fall in Ruston! We hate to see summer go, but with cooler weather and beautiful Autumn colors also comes many of our favorite events. Festivals, music, theatre and of course, FOOTBALL! Don't miss out on all the excitement. Take a look at the Top To-Dos in Ruston this coming Fall.

Masters of Soul
October 21 at 6 p.m.

The Masters of Soul is a celebration of Motown artists and their music and lifestyles. You don't want to miss the stylish costumes, choreographed tributes and of course, the dynamic vocals of these seasoned musicians!

Lincoln Parish Library - 910 North Trenton Street - Ruston, LA 71270

Eli Young Band

November 13 at 9 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

We love great music out on the big stage! Come check out one of country music's hottest bands at this outdoor concert! Get your tickets here.  

The Revelry - 2647 South Service Road West - Ruston, LA 71270

Jason Coleman

November 15 at 7 p.m. 
Don't miss this inspiring performance from Jason Coleman and the Piano Magic of Floyd Cramer! This unique concert features Jason honoring his Grandfather Cramer at the piano.  
Dixie Center for the Arts - 212 North Vienna Street - Ruston, LA 71270

17th Annual Holiday Arts Tour

November 20-22

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts. Join us for this celebration of local artists as downtown merchants host a weekend of art, music and shopping. For more information visit www.nclarts.org.

Downtown Ruston, LA

ARToberfest

October 24 from 5 to10 p.m.

This annual event benefits the North Central Louisiana Arts Council and features local brewers providing sample of their beers alongside many regional and national beer providers. Food trucks will also be onsite site! Come out and support the arts! 

Norton Building - 207 West Mississippi Avenue - Ruston, LA 71270

Louisiana Chicken Festival 

September 26-17

It's time again for this annual festival in Dubach, LA! You can enjoy arts & crafts booths, live music, a parade, carnival rides and so much more! For more information visit www.rustonlincoln.com. 

Downtown Dubach, LA

                

P.L.A.Y Festival

October 11 beginning at 8 a.m.

What does NELA have in common with San Francisco, NYC and London? An annual festival centered around the well-being of your mind, body and spirit! Come out and celebrate Peace, Love, Art and Yoga!

Louisiana Yoga & Paddle - 3458 LA-181 - Ruston, LA 71270

Country Western Boot Skoot Boogie Night

October 25 at 6 p.m.

Put on your blue jeans and dust off those cowboy boots for this shindig at the library!

Lincoln Parish Library - 910 North Trenton Street - Ruston, LA 71270

China Circus Acrobats

September 27 at 7 p.m.

You do not want to miss this incredible performance from the China Circus Acrobats! 

Dixie Center for the Arts - 212 North Vienna Street - Ruston, LA 71270

Til Beth Do Us Part

October 9-12

Come have a few laughs as the Ruston Community Theatre acts out this romantic farce written by Jones Hope Wooten. 

Dixie Center for the Arts - 212 North Vienna Street - Ruston, LA 71270

Spooktacular Night at the Dixie

October 30 

It's going to be a night of Halloween reels and chills featuring the Tom Hanks 1989 comedy and suspense film The 'Burbs!

Dixie Center for the Arts - 212 North Vienna Street - Ruston, LA 71270

LA Tech vs. Northwestern State

September 20 at 6 p.m.

Come out and watch the Bulldogs dominate the field! For a complete game schedule visit www.latechsport.com. Check out the list of home games below.

October 4 - LA Tech vs. UTEP
October 18 - LA Tech vs. UTSA
November 1 - LA Tech vs. Western Kentucky (Homecoming)
November 29 - LA Tech vs. Rice

21st Annual Piney Hills Classic Mountain Bike Race

September 27-28

Round 3 of the Texas Cup, this is one of the oldest races in the south! Join this cross country race open to all ages and abilities!

Lincoln Parish Park - 211 Parish Park Road - Ruston, LA 71270

Grambling State University vs. Alcorn State

October 11 at 2 p.m.

Football frenzy is swing! Check out the GSU Tigers take on Alcorn State University. For a complete game schedule visit www.gsutigers.com and take a look at the home games listed below.

October 18 - GSU vs.University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Homecoming)
November 15 -  GSU vs. Alabama State University 

Cotton Country Horse Show

October 18

Come enjoy these beautiful creatures in this all-breeds horse show.

Northeast Louisiana Exhibition Center - 165 Fairgrounds Road - Ruston, LA 71270

Gulf Coast Bike Championship

November 16

Watch as the top racers from Mississippi and Louisiana go head to head to determine who is the best in the Gulf Coast Region.

Lincoln Parish Park - 211 Parish Park Road - Ruston, LA 71270

 Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!