From his expressive celebrity portraits to his colorful renditions of Catholic iconography, Jacob Zumo has always been an artist with a close relationship to his subject matter. He’s said he strives to make his vast and growing body of work approachable to all while still retaining the mystery that all great art should hold. shop.jzumo.com
Cora Barhorst 12.1%
Brandon V. Lewis 11.1%
Madi Zaine 10.1%
Meghan Simoneaux of Maeleigh Rose Photography 9.1%
Best Local Original BandSince forming in 2012, Parish County Line has staked its place as Baton Rouge’s resident band of red-blooded country revelers. Even a quick glance at song titles like “Back Roads,” “Bud Light” and “Don’t Mess With My Country” gives a clear appraisal of what the group is about: the kind of old-school country that courses through our region. Find them at the Texas Club or anywhere where there’s a big game, beer and enough space for a bonfire. parishcountyline.com
Chase Tyler Band 20.6%
Chris LeBlanc Band 18.8%
Michael Foster Project 16.4%
Karma & The Killjoys 5.9%
When it opened in early 2022, Chelsea’s Live became an instant refuge for music lovers, local bands and touring acts alike at a time when many of the city’s top music venues were still closing or restricting their activities due to the pandemic. Now, the spacious and glittering Chelsea’s continues to enjoy a rightful seat among Baton Rouge’s premier venues. With regular shows from local bands and recurring events like Emo Night and Shut Up and Sing Karaoke filling the spaces between headliner shows, Chelsea’s has all the goods to back up its favored status in Baton Rouge and beyond. chelseaslive.com
The Texas Club 16.2%
L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge 15.5%
Varsity Theatre 13.7%
Manship Theatre 11.3%
Best Performing Arts Group The powers of a full classical ensemble of skilled musicians are mighty and manifold. Now, Baton Rouge Symphony aims to make those majestic musical experiences accessible to everyone in the Capital City. Catch the group’s Hip Hop Classics Candlelight Concert this month or its more classical Bachtoberfest in the fall. brso.org
Theatre Baton Rouge 25.5%
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre 15.6%
Playmakers of Baton Rouge 13.2%
Of Moving Colors Dance Company 7.3%
The Murphy, Sam & Jodi show has become an indispensable part of the daily routine for those who tune in to 96.1 The River on weekday mornings. With decades of experience under their belts, the trio behind the show has a signature mix of helpful life tips and irreverent table-talk down to a science, and listeners know they can depend on them for their daily dose of comic relief. murphysamandjodi.com
LaTangela Fay 16.1%
Matt Moscona 15.2%
T-Bob Hebert 14.5%
Austin James 10.8%
Award-winning reporter Kiran Chawla prides herself on being an old-school investigative newshound. Her vocal love for Louisiana and the South manifests in her unflagging dedication to sharing the city’s untold stories. unfilteredwithkiran.com
Jay Grymes, WAFB 12%
Sylvia Weatherspoon, WBRZ 11.9%
Chris Nakamoto, WBRZ 8.7%
Liz Koh, WAFB 4.6%
Best Radio Station “Louisiana’s Country Station” requires little introduction. The Tiger is known throughout the region as the go-to station for the music of the Bayou State. Tune in for country, zydeco and swamp rock, or the loveable banter of the likes of camo-clad radio hosts Big D and Bubba. 1007thetiger.com
98.1 Eagle 12.5%
102.5 WFMF 12.5%
96.1 The River 12.2%
92.7 K-LOVE 10.6%
At this point, the legend of Chef John Folse spans far beyond the cookbooks bearing his name that have made their way through generations of Louisiana kitchens. He has opened restaurants from the Baton Rouge area to Moscow and even once served a feast of Louisiana staples like gumbo, catfish and alligator sausage at the Vatican State Dinner. Now, at 76, he remains the face of White Oak Estate & Gardens, the culinary institute at Nicholls State University and many other projects. jfolse.com
Jim Urdiales, Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine 14.6%
Chris Motto, Jubans 13.9%
Thien Nguyen, Soji: Modern Asian 12.5%
Cameron Cage, City Pork 9.7%
There’s much room for sports bars in Baton Rouge, but only one slot for the fan favorite. For two decades now, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux has been enticing sports fans with its LSU history—the founders met as walk-ons on the basketball team—and, of course, game-day-appropriate bites and drinks. walk-ons.com
The Chimes 11.6%
Mid City Beer Garden 10.6%
Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill 8.8%
Superior Grill 6.9%
With its stately facade and a latticework of oak branches shading the grass, Houmas House is a local icon of Southern elegance. Many couples seek out the storybook estate as an idyllic location of their big day. houmashouse.com
White Oak Estate and Gardens 19%
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol 17.4%
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens 11.7%
Capitol Park Museum 9.7%
This article was originally published in the July 2023 issue of 225 magazine.
