Plenty to do in the Red Stick

People from all over the world and the country love to visit south Louisiana. I’m sure most of you have friends and family who live out of state and visit Baton Rouge from time to time. Whether your guests are coming to town to visit plantations, take a swamp tour, float down the Mississippi River or experience some of the best cuisine in the country, they can now download the new Welcome: Baton Rouge Visitors Guide app on any iPhone or use the mobile-friendly version at welcomebatonrouge.com.

 Whether your guests are visiting for business or pleasure, you’ll discover our region’s rich history, distinctive arts and entertainment, unique cuisine and numerous surprises to make the most of their time here. This app features everything they need to know about where to stay, what to do, places to visit, and of course, an array of delectable delights.

They’ll also find helpful maps to guide their travels and the ability to search “what’s nearby” or sort their options alphabetically. So whether they’re looking to shop, find a restaurant, listen to great music or visit museums or plantations, the Welcome app will make your guests’ visit both easy and enjoyable. 

Speaking of entertainment in Baton Rouge, we have some great local events coming up. Swine Palace is presenting Rising Water March 6–17 at the Studio Theatre at LSU. This drama follows a couple as they awaken in the night during Hurricane Katrina and find their pitch-dark house filling with water, forcing them to rush into their attic. For tickets and more information, visit theatre.lsu.edu.

The Capital Region Builders Association is hosting the Habitat Home and Garden Show March 9–10. Get ideas, check out new products and meet one-on-one with professionals who can help you make informed decisions that are right for your budget and your garden’s unique needs.

Other events coming up this month are The Little Prince at the Planetarium, the Oak Alley Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, the Annual Providence Corporate Cup 5K Run/Walk—look for 225, InRegister and Business Report to be there—and the Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Visit 225batonrouge.com for more information, because there is no shortage of things to do in Baton Rouge!

Whether it was at a friend’s house, at the park or in our own backyards, most of us have fond memories of climbing the ropes and ramparts of children’s forts and tree houses. For many, these were the first and best places for adventure, escape, creativity and imagination in our youth … a time to make believe, a time to claim for our very own. Baton Rouge is filled with unique tree houses, and freelance writer and mom Martha Stickle spent time with the creators and young visitors of three magnificent examples for this month’s feature story.

You’ve probably already experienced some of what this new addition to Baton Rouge’s cultural scene has to offer, but you’ve never experienced L’Auberge Casino Hotel like this. 225 sent Chris Frink, a contributing writer and diehard fan of Hunter S. Thompson (author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), to explore the new casino in the creative, stream-of-consciousness style of the wild-man journalist he so admires. Read the results—if you dare. Accompanying the story, behold the edgy illustration by 225‘s newest contributor, artist Joy Taney.

It’s been a long time coming, but Chicago’s reigning “King of the Electric Blues” makes a triumphant return home this month for a live performance at Manship Theatre on March 16. The Louisiana native and former Baton Rougean moved to the Windy City at 21, then became world-famous and critically acclaimed for his blistering guitar-playing and memorable voice. For this month’s cover story, Editor Jeff Roedel spoke with the now 75-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer about Baton Rouge, his storied career and his many acolytes. Read the story starting on page 48.