What’s up

Or “flamingo blood,” as the krewe responsible for the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade calls it. The annual painting of the flamingos, before they pop up in lakes and yards around town, is usually confined to a warehouse on Government Street. But with 400 large flamingos (about six feet tall) and 800 smaller ones this year—the largest flock in parade history—the project spilled out onto an empty lot in Mid City last month. Organizer Bill Brumfield says the process has gotten more streamlined over the years, with board members and friends volunteering throughout the day. When and where the flamingos end up remains a secret, though a flock has already congregated at City Park lake. The Spanish Town parade is set to roll downtown Saturday, Feb. 9. spanishtownmardigras.com—Benjamin Leger

The legendary Diana Ross is set to perform with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra for its 10th anniversary celebration Feb. 8—a show that sold out in just a few short weeks. We asked a few locals to share their favorite tunes from Ms. Ross’ career:

Arianne Deruise, lead singer of U4ria:

“You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (The Supremes)

“The passion behind Diana’s voice in those lyrics should resonate with any woman who’s ever been in love, lost, and can’t let go. I can definitely relate, and anyone who has seen U4ria perform knows I love a good angry woman song!”

Dr. Timothy W. Muffitt, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra music director:

“Good Morning Heartache”?

“While I love all her hits, I really love her version of “Good Morning Heartache.” It’s great to hear her sing that old standard.”

Clay Achee, WHYR 96.9 FM music director:

“Someday We’ll Be Together” (Diana Ross and The Supremes)

“It delivers all the promise that pop music offers: love, the fulfillment of desire, and that everything is going to be all right. I can not think of a more perfect way to spend 3 minutes and 30 seconds.”

When the trailer for the new movie The Host dropped late last year, it wasn’t surprising to see Baton Rouge in the background. But this big-budget film, based on a popular Stephenie Meyer book, also turned to the Capital City for architectural inspiration for its futuristic city. Look closely at the trailer and you’ll see identical Shaw Centers in a CGI cityscape that factors heavily in the film. Executive Producer Ray Angelic says the straight lines of the Shaw Center and State Museum meshed well with Director Andrew Niccol’s fondness for such modern structures in his previous films like Gattaca. “We were headed in that direction from the early concept work,” Angelic says. “But when we scouted, the only city [in Louisiana] that had anything close to what we wanted was Baton Rouge.” The cast and crew shot here and around South Louisiana in February 2012. The Host hits theaters March 29.—Benjamin Leger