What’s Up – January

It’s no secret that Baton Rouge Gallery’s Jason Andreasen has wanted to book the New Orleans Bingo! Show for years—“They’re one of the reasons we put on the event in the first place,” he says—and this month’s Surreal Salon finally makes it happen. The cabaret-style troupe does it all, with music, dancers, comedy and, of course, a bingo game or two. It’s the perfect amount of spectacle for a night already brimming with avant-garde and interactive art, costumes and revelry.

In the short weeks between New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras, you might as well stay in party mode. The Arts Council brings that party to the streets with the Laurel Street Palooza Jan. 11. Expect music by the likes of The Michael Foster Project and food from Beausoleil, Monjunis, Tsunami and more. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door. artsbr.org

When golden-voiced indie soul singer Florence Welch (of Florence + The Machine fame) wanted to make a big impression at Austin City Limits in October, she donned a feather headdress designed by Baton Rougean Kristy Hoffman, co-founder of the Cousin Cupcake line of accessories and featured in our September issue.

Hoffman’s friends at Roar Salon in Austin were styling Welch’s hair, and the local designer had one day’s notice to create something unique and ship it overnight to the rock star. Welch loved the bleached peacock feathers and wowed thousands wearing it.

“I was beyond excited,” Hoffman says. “Florence is such a talent.”

Filmmaker Richie Adams’ 2010 debut Inventing Adam returns in a big way this month. The Baton Rouge-set relationship comedy staring MadTV and That ’70s Show alum Josh Myers had a long road to distribution, but starting Jan. 29 it will be available in 2,800 Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Backed by promotional tie-ins with Raising Cane’s, Jan. 28-30 will see a theatrical re-release at Grand Cinema on George O’Neal Road.

“Now we just try to spread the word, through friends and family, social networking, and hopefully let word-of-mouth do its thing,” Adams says. “With Inventing Adam finally in the marketplace, I can put my focus solely on future projects like [the drama] Una Vida and [documentary] Dog Man.” inventingadam.com