Steppin’ Out for Thirty Years

August 31, 2016 by Charlie London

STEPPIN’ OUT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS ON PUBLIC TELEVISION
WYES’ Weekly Arts & Entertainment Program Remembers Three Decades

WYES-TV’s weekly arts and entertainment program STEPPIN’ OUT celebrates 30 years. And what better way to toast the anniversary than to reflect on the three decades of New Orleans’ cultural scene on A STEPPIN’ OUT SPECIAL: 30 YEARS AND COUNTING!

The 30-minute program airs on Friday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. on WYES-TV/Channel 12.

“I always felt like there was a need for a show that would spotlight our city’s ever flourishing visual and performing arts scenes.” said creator, producer and host Peggy Scott Laborde.

steppinout30“Over the years we’ve covered hundreds of plays, art exhibits, local books and of course food and restaurant news. Initially airing on WLAE-TV on March 19, 1986, the program moved, complete with set, over to WYES in January 1988. During that time WLAE had ceased local production temporaritly and fortunately then WYES general manager Mike Labonia saw the need for this type of program in the community,” recalls Laborde. Included in the special will be an excerpt from the first show.

From the first season until his passing in 2009, theatre critic Al Shea covered the performing arts scene. He started his long television career at WDSU and was considered to be among America’s first television broadcast entertainment critics. Debuting that first season and still covering the visual arts scene for STEPPIN’ OUT is Louisiana Life Magazine Art columnist John Kemp.

Among the weekly features for many years has been the Artist Spotlight, introducing a new artist to the viewers each week. Also popular is the Julia Street New Orleans trivia question (courtesy of New Orleans Magazine). In the more recent past, the program has added performance segments featuring bands, theatre productions and even Mardi Gras marching groups. “We have been so honored to have Deacon John Moore, Irma Thomas, the late Allen Toussaint and many other fine musicians on our program, recalls Laborde. “We have also had internationally known but New Orleans born tenor Bryan Hymel and soprano Sarah Jane McMahon with us as guests.”

steppinout30aAppearing on the program on a regular basis are food writer Poppy Tooker and theatre critic Alan Smason. Among the program’s occasional guests are WWNO’s book reviewer Susan Larson and WWL movie reviewer Alfred Richard, who provides updates on the local movie and television production scenes.

In addition to the weekly overview of the arts, since the program’s first season Mardi Gras historians Errol Laborde and Arthur Hardy have previewed the annual celebration with a special edition called STEPPIN’ OUT “It’s Carnival Time.”

For the past five years, the Celeste Judell Arts Award has been given to someone who is active on the local performing or visual arts scene.  Judell was a longtime New Orleans arts patron and worked with the STEPPIN’ OUT production staff. This year’s honoree is actor/playwright/producer Ricky Graham.

The program has garnered numerous awards over the years, including the New Orleans Press Club Award for Best Talk Show.

Tom Gregory is reporter and director of STEPPIN’ OUT.  Ashli Richard Morris is associate producer.  Kelsi Schreiber is production associate.  Larry Roussarie is editor.

ABOUT WYES:

For over 59 years, WYES has worked to inform, teach, illuminate, entertain and inspire our entire community. It is the oldest public television station serving southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the 12th oldest in the nation, and the most utilized non-profit organization in our two states with as many as a half-million people using our broadcasts, outreach activities and website each week. We are proud to be part of the nation’s largest classroom, the largest stage for the arts and a trusted window to the world. For more information, call (504) 486-5511 or visit wyes.org. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram.

Filed Under: Featured, Living Well Tagged With: 12, arts, bayou st john, entertainment, faubourg st john, New Orleans, news, television, tv, wyes

Times Picayune Highlights Voodoo on the Bayou

October 27, 2011 by Charlie London

by Melinda Shelton in the Times Picayune
October 27, 2011

Melinda Shelton writes, “The FSJNA’s 22nd annual fundraiser ‘Voodoo on the Bayou’ is Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the Pitot House, 1440 Moss St. Proceeds from this year’s Halloween bash will go to renovations at Desmare Family Park and the Re-Bridge project.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door, and can be bought at Terranova’s Superette or Swirl Wines on Esplanade, Cork & Bottle at the American Can Co. on Orleans Avenue, or New Orleans Bamboo on Magazine Street.

Wear a costume or festive attire for an evening of music by Los Po-Boy-Citos, and Lips and the Trips. Enjoy food from a host of local eateries, an open bar, and a silent auction.

For more information and a look at the event’s smashing poster, go to voodooonthebayou.com.”

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SATURDAY | Oct 29 | 8:30 pm | PITOT HOUSE | 1440 Moss | New Orleans

Contact: [email protected]

Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association is pleased to announce the 22nd Annual Voodoo on the Bayou celebration which will be held on the grounds of The Historic Pitot House.
The event will feature live music by “Los Po-Boy-Citos” (winners of the 2011 Big Easy Award for Best Latin Band) and the New Orleans sounds of “Lips & the Trips”.

Open Bar, food from some of New Orleans most beloved restaurants including Café Degas, Santa Fe, Nonna Mia and Angelo Brocato’s.

Also featured will be a wonderful variety of silent auction items including a Mignon Faget necklace, a Treme Poster signed by cast members, a Chris Owens costume, 1996 Sports Illustrated featuring and signed by Archie and Peyton Manning.

Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door the night of the event) and available at:

Terranova Supermarket 3308 Esplanade Avenue
Swirl Wine 3143 Ponce de Leon
New Orleans Bamboo 6065 Magazine Street
Cork & Bottle 3700 Orleans Avenue

[email protected] or Call the “Voodoo Queen” at 504.486.7793

For more go to www.voodooonthebayou.com

Filed Under: More Great Posts! Tagged With: adult, bayou, best latin band, dance, drinks, entertainment, experience, food, fun, los po-boy-citos, oct 27, party, pitot house, times picayune, Voodoo, voodoo on the bayou

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