Enchanted

Enchanted

It’s the perfect recipe for an enchanting evening: Picnic with family and friends, mix in some great music provided by the state’s premier symphony, add a dash of beautiful artwork and sprinkle in a gorgeous sunset over scenic Bayou Bonfouca and voilà!
The city of Slidell is serving up this recipe for a remarkable evening through its ninth annual Some Enchanted Evening with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on April 23 in Heritage Park. Admission is free.
Leading the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra this year is guest conductor David Torns. As assistant conductor of the Baton Rouge Symphony and music director of the Louisiana Youth Orchestras, Torns conducts outreach, educational and pops performances.
Torns will lead the orchestra in playing a wide assortment of popular classical selections, patriotic music, show tunes and movie themes, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” John Williams’ “Suite from Star Wars,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” and a special tribute to Louisiana legend Pete Fountain. The LPO takes the stage at 6 p.m., but concertgoers will want to arrive much earlier to enjoy the pre-concert festivities.
ENCHANTED ART WALK
The Enchanted Art Walk, featuring a variety of talented artists, begins at 4 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to browse artwork, meet the artists, enjoy artist demonstrations and purchase original works and prints. Among those scheduled to display their work are Mickey Asche, Milo Asche, Elliott Bowser, Keith Dellsperger, Courtney Dusang, Phil Galatas, Kelly Landrum Hammel, Thomas Owens and many local arts organizations. Individuals considering purchasing artwork are advised to arrive early for the best selections.
MAYOR’S PICNIC CONTEST
Grab your picnic blankets and ice chests, and get ready to show off your creativity, as Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan is challenging the community to participate in the Mayor’s Picnic Contest.
Cajun feasts, Hollywood soirées, Gilligan’s Island, Phantom of the Symphony, birthday celebrations, patriotic themes and even wedding parties are but a few of the creative picnic themes of Enchanted Evening’s past. The best picnic spread selected in four categories will receive a special prize: Perfect Interlude (most romantic setting); Chromatic Overtures (most creative picnic spread); Grand Staff (best presentation by an organization or office group); and Minor Scales (little folks with big ideas, ages 12 and younger).
Participants should register near the gazebo between 4 and 5 p.m. Winners will be announced during intermission.
Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets and enjoy onsite selections from Baskin-Robbins, A Touch of Italy Café and Times Grill. For guests who don’t want to bring their own tables, the park’s smaller pavilions may be rented by contacting the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at 985.646.4375. Pavilion rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests who arrive early may bring tents to provide shade during the daytime, but all tents must be taken down by 5:30 p.m. so that everyone can enjoy the view of the stage. Park regulations prohibit barbecue grills, pets, bicycles, scooters and skateboards.
UNLOADING ZONE, PARKING
To make it easier to participate in the Mayor’s Picnic Contest, there will be an unloading zone in the front of Heritage Park for those wanting to decorate their picnic areas. Drivers will be allowed to enter the park from the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance from 1 to 3 p.m., and follow the signage directing them to the unloading area. Drivers will then exit the park at the same gate, and should park in the lot on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bayou Lane. The entrance to the park will be closed at 3 p.m. to ensure the safety of concert attendees.
Whether or not concertgoers take advantage of the unloading zone, everyone should plan to park in the lot on the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Avenue immediately outside of Heritage Park. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided from 3:30 p.m. until after the concert.
The Fremaux Avenue entrance to the park will remain closed to all traffic, as will the boat launch area, which will be used to provide parking for the orchestra members. A parking pass will be required for admission at this entry.
A limited number of parking spots for handicapped accessibility will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible guests must have a fixed license plate or passenger driver’s license with handicapped designation. All other parking within Heritage Park is reserved for musicians, vendors and staff.
For more information on this event, one of the most popular cultural activities of the year in Slidell, call the Slidell Department of Cultural and Public Affairs at 985.646.4375 or visit www.slidell.la.us.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be rescheduled for May 1. Cancellation updates will be posted on the city’s website or by calling the Department of Cultural and Public Affairs after 1 p.m. on the day of the event.