Issuu

DECEMBER 2023 • FREE HOLIDAY TOY DISPLAY 14 UMAMI JAPANESE BISTRO 51 THE NUTCRACKER 61

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Happy hour! A GUIDE TO

80+

PLACES TO GRAB

DRINK SPECIALS IN BATON ROUGE

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CONTENTS //

Features 14 Where to find a bright, shining holiday toy display 19 What’s the story behind this soul food staple 48 How LSU and SU fans styled their game-day looks this season 61 Who will make a cameo in The Nutcracker And much more…

Departments 14 19 26 28 45 51 61 68

What’s Up Our City I Am 225 Cover story Style Taste Culture Calendar

ON THE COVER

Happy hour SIP SIP HOORAY! It's December in the Capital Region. And chances are high you'll be celebrating something this month. Whether it's a holiday get-together with visiting family and friends, an end-of-the-year shindig with coworkers or a quiet date night after all the holiday list to-dos with your partner, there's a happy hour for you in and around Baton Rouge. For this month's cover shoot, staff photographer Collin Richie captured the specials inside Hayride Scandal's intimate Parlour room. For a guide to more local happy hour drinks and bites, turn to page 28.

Umami’s Ube Cheesecake

COLLIN RICHIE

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE //

I FOUND MY favorite drink in Mexico City on a boat. It was the humble, unassuming michelada— and it was glorious. I’m sure you’ve had Mexico’s version of the bloody mary before. But not like this. Aboard a floating tour of the canals of Xochimilco, our guide recited snippets of history before a make-your-own-michelada lesson. First, we drenched the rims of our cups in blueberry chamoy. It was a sticky, gummy paste—just the right consistency for our next step: dipping our cups in sesame seeds and Tajín. Once we’d garnished our glasses, we coated the inside with liberal amounts of a savory chamoy sauce. “Drizzle it down the sides of the glass, Starbucks-style,” our guide instructed us. We added generous squirts of Worcestershire and soy sauces, dashes of Tabasco, Maggi seasoning and a squeeze of lime. Finally, we slowly and ceremoniously poured in our cervezas, gingerly swirling everything together so it wouldn’t get too foamy. I took one sip, and my life was changed. I’ve dabbled in micheladas around Baton Rouge before—and we’ve written about them in 225—but this was next level. The heat of the rich, savory drink was quelled by the thick, candied rim. Long after I’d departed the boat, I clutched my empty cup, continuing to study that beautifully crafted rim. I’d been so excited to visit Mexico City for the first time last month and explore its culinary scene, which includes several bars that are ranked

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

Cocktails, the eras When researching for our cover story, we learned the happy hour concept is more than 100 years old. It has evolved and changed much over the years, morphing from a secret ritual during the speakeasy era to the cherished afterwork tradition we know today around the ’70s. Around Baton Rouge, we found plenty of spots that speak to the history of bar culture, too. We photographed Hayride Scandal, with its prewar-inspired decor and its Victorian-style, antiques-filled Parlour room. We ventured to Pelican to Mars, admiring its terrazzo floors, midcentury furniture and bold color palette. Inside the Watermark Baton Rouge hotel—a historic building that was once home to the Louisiana National Bank—we captured The Gregory. And finally, we ventured to Mid City Beer Garden, inspired by the beer garden concept that itself dates back to 19th century Germany. At each of these spots, you’ll find classic and craft cocktails alike that celebrate drinkmaking through the decades. Next time you’re having a drink in one of the city’s swankiest spots, raise a glass to history—there’s a good chance it helped shape the ambiance that surrounds you—and the menu, too.

Shake it up,

COLLIN RICHIE

Tales of a cocktail

on The World’s 50 Best Bars list. But all I wanted for the rest of the trip was to recreate this beer cocktail experience. I ordered the drink again and again, at fancy restaurants and dive bars alike. I even got one at a lucha libre match. No two versions were alike. Some leaned limey; others were tomato-forward. The week after our trip, we immediately tried to recreate our boat drinks. To Ideal Market, we went! We secured watermelon chamoy paste and peppery chamoy sauce. At home, we attempted to candy some sesame seeds, but they ended up getting hard and sticky. Our DIY michelada didn’t quite live up to my new Mexico City standards. Now, I’m hunting down new-to-me versions around town. As with all good research, I am starting on Google Maps. I gasped when I saw photos of red-hued, Tajín-rimmed micheladas loaded with shrimp at both Villa del Mar on Monterrey Boulevard and Los Plebes on Florida Boulevard. And as long as this michelada mood sticks around, I’ll ask for one at places where I would normally order a margarita. Because a good drink should be a conversation piece. Something you can’t stop thinking about. The kind of concoction you want to rebuild at home, with flavors you need to tell all your friends about. I love when a drink surprises me, hitting notes I hadn’t considered before. It’s like listening to a song over and over, and finally realizing you’d been singing the lyrics wrong all along. A good drink—just like a good song, or a good piece of art—will grow on you. And that’s the spirit behind this month’s cover story, which is a snapshot of Baton Rouge’s happy hour offerings in 2023. Nearly every spot has one, and no two look alike—just like no two versions of a classic cocktail taste alike. Happy hour gives us a chance to have these culinary and social adventures more regularly. It makes trying something new or venturing somewhere different accessible and affordable. It makes a fancy restaurant feel worthy of a casual, afterwork meetup. It’s a chance for date-night vibes, all the time. Because a great drink doesn’t have to be made with fancy tools or expensive spirits—and going out with a friend or loved one doesn’t have to be a special occasion.

Jennifer Tormo Alvarez 225 Editor-in-Chief

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

UPCOMING SHOWS Getting You In The

Holiday Spirit

Chief Content Officer: Penny Font Editor-In-Chief: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez Managing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson Digital Staff Writer: Olivia Deffes Digital Content Editor: Dillon Lowe Multimedia News Producer: Oscar Tickle Staff Photographer: Collin Richie Contributing Writers: Katie Dixon, Jillian Elliott, Gabrielle Korein, Tracey Koch, Benjamin Leger, Brooke Smith Contributing Photographers: Ariana Allison, Jillian Elliott, Gabrielle Korein, Amy Shutt

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A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC Chairman: Julio Melara Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto Vice President-Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert Chief Content Officer: Penny Font Chief Digital Marketing Officer: Erin Pou Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone Chairman Emeritus: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr. Circulation/Reprints 225.928.1700 • email: circulation@225batonrouge.com 9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 • 225batonrouge.com ©Copyright 2023 by Melara Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved by LBI. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Business address: 9029 Jefferson Highway, Ste. 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Telephone (225) 214-5225. 225 Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material—manuscripts or photographs—with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

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‘Relationships Mat ter’ Mercedes-Benz & CAUW partnership making a difference in Baton Rouge

hat began as an exceptional carbuying experience has grown into a partnership between MercedesBenz of Baton Rouge and Capital Area United Way to raise awareness and resources to better serve our community. George Bell, now president and CEO of CAUW, purchased his first Mercedes-Benz vehicle in 2002. Since that time, he has returned over the years to purchase vehicles for himself and his wife. “The sales experience has been a very good one. They’re knowledgeable, it’s not a highpressure kind of activity and they make it enjoyable,” he says. “But I think the greatest thing about them is the way they stand behind their commitment to service.” Over the years, Bell established a relationship with MBOBR General Manager and Co-Owner Nick Pentas. After learning of Bell’s work, Pentas shared that it aligned beautifully with the mission of Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge.

The dealership is now actively involved with helping support CAUW’s mission of impacting the 10-parish capital region in education, health, income stability and basic needs. Pentas serves on CAUW’s Resource Development Cabinet, and the MercedesBenz dealership conducts an annual United Way campaign, where employees can choose to support CAUW through payroll deductions. Additionally, MBOBR provides a company match. MBOBR is also a supporter of the George Bell & Friends Holiday Jazz Concerts. The tradition grew out of Bell’s desire to bring happiness to patients who were in the hospital during the holiday season. Before joining CAUW, Bell previously served as the administrator of Baton Rouge General – Mid City. With the help of hospital staff, Bell, a trumpeter, would identify patients without many visitors and make the rounds playing his trumpet. Word spread, and Bell was asked to perform

during a thank-you event for hospital donors. His first concert was held in 2011, and the event has grown tremendously since then. This year, the George Bell & Friends Holiday Jazz Concert will be held Dec. 1 at the newly renovated Baton Rouge River Center Performing Arts Theater. Bell says he has always been a person who values quality relationships, both professionally and personally. “Mercedes-Benz has really exceeded my expectations regarding the quality of the cars themselves, and the quality of the people and the service they provide. And it’s even nicer to be able to do business with people who also understand the importance of supporting our community,” Bell says. “That’s the icing on the cake for me.” Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge is located at 10949 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Give the team a call at (225) 424-2241 or visit mbobr.com. 225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

OUR CITY //

Family values

COURTESY DCFS

After upheaval, Terri Ricks is working to overhaul the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services TERRI PORCHE RICKS’ path has brought her back to the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) time and time again. She started her career as an eligibility determinations examiner in the department, then known as the Department of Social Services, in 1991, where she worked directly with pregnant mothers and children in need. She left the department to attend law school and worked as an attorney, before she returned to the department from 2004 to 2008 as undersecretary under the late Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Eight years later she came back on to serve as the department’s executive counsel before being promoted as Deputy Secretary. And when the organizaIssue Date: Dec 2023 Ad proof #1 tion faced upheaval in 2022, • Please respond by e-mail or phone with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hrs from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

she was called to take on the department’s top leadership role. A press investigation into the death of multiple children under the department’s watch led to the resignation of then-Secretary Marketa Garner Walters. In December of last year, Ricks was named as her successor. “The press allowed people to understand that we really had a need,” Ricks says. “It was a calling card for those who really wanted to be a part of the solution to come forward.” A year in as secretary, Ricks has focused on finding those individuals and staffing up the organization. Chronic understaffing was a major complaint voiced by DCFS workers amid the scrutiny. By November, the department had added 333 full-time employees and reduced its statewide turnover rate. 225 sat down with Ricks to discuss where DCFS stands and what the future looks like. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.

–KATIE DIXON

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[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

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OUR CITY //

tragic child deaths. That allowed us to really You’ve worked with children and families put a focus on the number of vacancies that we for quite some time. What led you to this were living with at that time. The first focus was agency? to open up means of communication with our I am and was drawn to this department employees and to tackle the vacancies. because I love the thought of helping people, honoring them, treating them What other key changes need to well and providing a bridge be made within the department? where needed for people to get We’ve opened up avenues back on their feet. Full-time employees for people to bring forth their added to DCFS concerns. We’ve gotten some What in your past experiences between Oct. 2022 feedback, paid attention to the has prepared you for your role and Nov. 2023 legislative auditor’s Child Welfare today? Job Satisfaction Survey and had Being a front-line worker as LSU help us to do some research my first job, I never forget what about turnover. We’ve taken what it was like to be a direct services we’ve learned and put it back into various worker talking to women, seeing their children things. For example, we now have an employee and being in a field office. I left that job to go assistance program. That was rolled out in to law school, and as an attorney, this helps me several different regions to recognize that the with the myriad and complex problems that DCFS staff needs support for the very difficult we have—whether it’s needing more human work that they do. capital, the legal complexities of several of our These changes are bringing us to a place programs or the workforce and development where staff is hearing, seeing and beginning to activities. Having a degree in psychology helps believe that we do value them. I’m really trying me in understanding some of the clients. to say thank you a lot to the staff. Ministry training helps me to look inward to understand how I fit into a bigger picture and I imagine this job is emotionally tolling. How keep everything family-centered. do you avoid burnout? I don’t always get it right. But I’m so very What was the first change you wanted blessed to have a very good support system. to implement when you took over the It includes my faith, my family, the DCFS team secretary role? and my executive coach. When I took over, we were reeling from a We are a team that will look each other in lot of press that was focusing on some very

333

the eye and say, 'You really need to go home.' Sometimes it’s very, very difficult work. But we must look at the people we’re helping. I do look for incredible stories of triumph and assistance. When I look at the DCFS employees who are sacrificing to do the work, it certainly helps motivate me to continue forward. Let’s talk about the future. How do you think DCFS should ultimately function? The future of DCFS is one where we continue to make our values a priority: to treat all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity. We are working daily to increase the sense of belonging and pride in DCFS and the meaningful work we do for the people of Louisiana. What I envision is slowly coming into view. We have set goals and are already making significant strides toward achieving them. What is DCFS' role? DCFS works to provide safety for children in need and support families through The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, child support enforcement services, foster care, workforce development, disaster preparedness and other programs. dcfs.louisiana.gov

MAIN CLINIC & PEDIATRICS AT PERKINS 7373 PERKINS ROAD PEDIATRICS AT INDUSTRIPLEX 12351 INDUSTRIPLEX BLVD For pediatric appointments, call (225) 246-9290 For all other appointments, call (225) 246-9240 URGENT CARE 7479 PERKINS ROAD l (225) 246-9997 You shouldn’t have to wait to feel better. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

AS WE CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS FOR THE CONTINUED TRUST AND SUPPORT FOR OVER 75 YEARS.

BATONROUGECLINIC.COM 225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

I AM 225 //

James Hyfield

JAMES HYFIELD WASN’T exactly into reading as a child. Rather, the co-owner of Red Stick Reads remembers wandering around the old Elliott’s Book Shop not for books, but for games like Dungeon & Dragons. In middle school, something changed. That’s when he discovered Stephen King. “You get into Stephen King when there’s nothing left that you want to read and people aren’t really keeping track of what’s appropriate for you,” he laughs. Today, at 46 years old, Hyfield, loves to read. And he spends 35 hours a week surrounded by books. Hyfield and his wife, Tere, opened Red Stick Reads in Mid City in 2020, after appearing at local popups for about two years. Hyfield remembers building bookshelves and even mowing lawns for extra cash, ensuring all the money made by the shop went back into it in the early days. “We knew that we were going to have to get latched on to by a community,” he says. “There was no way a bookstore was going to survive.” In three years, it’s safe to say Red Stick Reads has found that. The shop expanded within its South Eugene Street strip in 2022. It hosts events like author visits and storytimes, and has gained loyal customers, from doting dads who come to browse picture books to Baton Rouge Magnet High School teens who walk over for afternoon reading. Hyfield says the best part about being an independent bookstore owner is, well, the independence. Getting to wear flip-flops is another perk, he jokes. Though he can pretty much always be found behind the counter at Red Stick Reads, Hyfield makes time for other passions. He still plays Dungeons & Dragons and is the drummer in three local bands. On some mornings, he continues cutting grass for extra cash and to stay in shape. And somehow, Hyfield still finds plenty of time to read. redstickreads.com

“I don’t know that there’s any way a retail store can survive in Baton Rouge without finding a specific community to support them.”

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

COLLIN RICHIE

—OLIVIA DEFFES

COVER STORY //

DIGIT

1913

The approximate year the happy hour concept was born. Back then, groups on U.S. Navy ships dubbed early evening social sessions as “happy hours,” with activities like movies, music and boxing. Alcohol entered the mix during the Prohibition era, as people snuck pre-dinner “happy hour” drinks at secret bars or inside their homes. Happy hour specials as we know them today, though, didn’t become widespread at bars until around the ’70s. Source: Thrillist

No, this retro bar is not a relic of the 1970s, when happy hours first took off at bars across the country. It’s Pelican to Mars, a midcentury-inspired, petfriendly bar that opened in Mid City earlier this year. What’s on the happy hour menu? Turn the page.

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

A rebrand?

As happy hours change alongside the shifting economy and consumer interests, they’re also being renamed. “Aperitivo Hour,” “Golden Hour” and “La Hora” are a few modern monikers seen around the country, inspired by the drinking cultures of destinations like Spain and Italy. Here in Baton Rouge, a “Bon Temps Hour” at Bistro Byronz and “Social Hours” at spots like The Library Wine & Provisions mirror our city’s own distinct style. Source: Punch

COVER STORY //

The

happiest hour

80+ bars and restaurants for specials on sips and bites around Baton Rouge PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

IT’S 5 O’CLOCK somewhere. Actually, make that 3 o’clock. Or even … 11 a.m.? Happy hours start early in Baton Rouge, and they are plentiful. Like eager kids waiting for the bell to ring at the end of a school day, workers around town plot their off-the-clock socializing. At last, rotating frozen margarita machines signal sweet, slushy relief as colleagues conspire on the patio at Superior Grill. Dates transpire in moody, dimly lit bars like Hayride Scandal. Glasses perspire as friends chatter at Olive or Twist. It’s all happening. Because happy hour is about more than saving a dollar on draft beers. It’s a ritual. And with so much chaos in the world, it’s one we need. To compile this guide, we called, texted, DMed and digitally stalked as many Baton Rouge bars and restaurants around town as

we could for intel on their current happy hour specials. A few housekeeping things to keep in mind while reading: First, there’s more where this comes from. This is not an all-inclusive or comprehensive list of every single special in town, though we tried to capture as many as possible. If you know of one we missed, we’ll keep updating the digital version of this feature at least through December, so shoot us an email at editor@225batonrouge.com. Second: Menus are ever-changing, so be sure to call to confirm happy hour specials before you go to the bar. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try something new. Venture across town. Change up your drink order. Chat with a bartender. Invite out that new coworker. Break a ritual to build a new one. This is your hour. Make it a happy one.

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

COVER STORY //

SAVE THE DATE

Wine Walk Wednesday

Happy’s Running Club isn’t the only mobile downtown drinking ritual. Once a month, this recurring bar crawl sweeps attendees from one side of downtown to the other. Each hour, attendees migrate to a new stop, and they can enter or exit the crawl whenever they wish over the four- to five-hour night. Tickets are $10 and include one to two small tastings of wine per bar. Follow it on Facebook for updates on the next event

KEY TERM

Reverse happy hour

Happy hours usually reward those who arrive first to the bar, but what about those who are there last? At spots like Olive or Twist and Red Stick Social, happy hour starts all over again for those who hang out past 10 p.m.

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

Hayride Scandal's $8 happy hour menu includes drinks like the Champagne Cocktail and Aperol Spritz.

COVER STORY //

y Happ ho urs

lvarez by Jennife A d e r Tor m o c ompil a De ition

18 BAR AT 18 STEAK

777 L’Auberge Ave. When: Tuesday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m. What: Happy Hors D’oeuvres Hour, with bites starting at $8

AGILE BREWING

14141 Airline Highway, Suite 4J When: Wednesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: $1 off all beer pours

BARRACUDA TACO STAND

2504 Government St. When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $6 classic margs, $3 beer, $5 nachos, $5 queso and chips and $5 Crunchies (3 basic tacos)

BEAUSOLEIL COASTAL CUISINE

7731 Jefferson Highway When: Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. What: $5 select craft beers, wines and happy hour cocktails (including old fashioneds, Moscow mules, French 75s, classic hummingbirds and martinis), plus discounted bites

BELOVED AT ZEELAND STREET

2031 Perkins Road When: Wednesday-Saturday, 5-7 p.m. What: Rotating specials on cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer

BENGAL TAP ROOM

Add

al re p

orting

livi O by

BLUE CORN TEQUILA & TACOS

7673 Perkins Road, Suite A5 When: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. What: $6.50 small frozen margaritas, $7 wines and discounted draft beers

BOUDREAUX AND THIBODEAUX’S

ff es

CITY SLICE PIZZA

124 W. Chimes St. When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $3 doubles, half-off wine, $1 off pints, plus service industry specials

CITY PORK

Editor’s note: As of press time, the bar was planning to move to 333 Third St.

When: Friday, 5-9 p.m. What: Drink specials and live music

7327 Jefferson Highway 18143 Perkins Road E. What: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: Half-off cocktails, house wine and beer

BRASAS PERU

THE CHIMES EAST

7520 Perkins Road, Suite 100 When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $3 domestic beers, $5 organic margaritas and $6 pisco sours

10870 Coursey Blvd. When: Daily, 4-7 p.m. What: $1 off draft pints

BR.CADE

445 N. Sixth St. When: Daily, 3-6 p.m. What: $8 wines, $1 off drafts and $3 off wells

2963 Government St. When: Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m., and Sunday, all day What: Free arcade games

BRICKYARD SOUTH

174 South Blvd. When: Monday-Wednesday What: $3 Jameson and half-off domestics on Monday; ladies nights with $5 martinis, $2 Avión tequila and halfoff seltzers on Tuesday; service industry specials and more on Wednesday

BRQ SEAFOOD & BARBEQUE

COCHA

CYPRESS COAST BREWING CO.

5643 Government St. When: Tuesday What: $5 select pints and other specials that vary by day

DARK 30

151 Third St., Suite B. When: Daily, 4-7 p.m. What: Specials vary by day, like service industry nights on Monday, 30% off wine bottles on Wednesday and $12 specials Thursday and Sundays

421 Third St. When: Monday, all day, and TuesdayFriday, 3-7 p.m. What: $3 wines, $5 cocktails, $5 double wells and $1 off beers

10423 Jefferson Highway When: Monday-Saturday until 6 p.m. What: $5 house wines and $3 beers, plus $5 cocktails from 4-6 p.m.

BIN 77

10111 Perkins Rowe When: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. What: $4 select beers and $7 select cocktails and house wines

4385 Perkins Road When: Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m. What: Select doubles for the price of a single, $5 house wines, 50 cents off pints and $1 off pitchers

4580 Constitution Ave. When: Tuesday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. What: 50% off drinks (bar seating only)

BISTRO BYRONZ

CAPITAL CITY GRILL

DUVIC’S

Multiple locations When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: Bon Temps Hour including $4 petite vodka freezes, draft beers, house wines by the glass, well cocktails and select appetizers

BLEND

304 Laurel St., #1B When: Wednesday-Friday, 5-7 p.m. What: $10 wine flights on Wednesday; half-off wine glasses on Thursday; $7 classic cocktails on Friday

THE BULLDOG

100 Lafayette St. When: Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: $2 off house cocktails, half-off domestic beers and $4 house wines

LA CARRETA

Multiple locations When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $5.50 margaritas, plus other specials that vary by location

CHEBA HUT

DRAGO’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

2854 Kalurah St. When: Monday-Saturday, 3-7 p.m. What: $1 off drinks, plus specials that vary by night, like $6 martinis on Wednesday

ELSIE’S PLATE & PIE

Your go-to’s

We polled our Instagram followers about their favorite happy hour orders. Here’s what they said:

“City Pork—one of their amazing craft cocktails” —@hydratedbetch

“$6 martinis at Duvic’s on Wednesdays”

—@itsmeal_ertime

“Rocca’s Violet You’re Turning Violet” —@avlaoden

“Umami’s Brussels sprouts and rolls”

—@suZzz.marie

“Half-off cocktails and apps at Rouj” —@andrehsavoie

3145 Government St. When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: Half-off craft bottles and cans, house wines and signature cocktails

“100% Superior Grill’s happy hour margs”

—@nanakins_

411 Ben Hur Road, Suite A When: Monday-Friday, 4:20-7:10 p.m. What: $1 off house beers; specials vary by night (ie., trivia on Tuesday) 225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

COVER STORY //

The MOST POPULAR happy hours More than 15,000 readers weighed in on this year’s Best of 225 Awards, and these were the top five picks for the city’s Best Happy Hour:

1. Superior Grill, 26.3% 2. Olive or Twist, 11% 3. Rocca Pizzeria, 6.8% 4. Rouj Creole, 6.4% 5. Bistro Byronz, 6.2%

Pelican to Mars’ $8 happy hour cocktails include drinks like the Strawberry Daiquiri, Margarita Spritz and Jungle Bird.

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE

7321 Corporate Blvd. When: Sunday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. What: Social Hour shareable bar bites and $9 craft cocktails

GEORGE’S PLACE

THE LIBRARY WINE & PROVISIONS

7530 LA 44, Suite 103, Gonzales When: Tuesday-Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. What: Social Hour $9 small plates, $8 cocktails and $15 wine flights

860 Saint Louis St. When: Tuesday-Thursday, 4-7 p.m., service industry specials on Monday What: $3 beers and $4 wells, plus more specials that vary by day

LIT PIZZA

GILLA BREWING COMPANY

5625 Essen Lane When: Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m. What: $1 off draft beers, $8 cocktails and $9 bites

13025 Highway 44, #108-109 When: Daily, 4-7 p.m. What: Specials vary by day, including BOGO Mondays, $10 flights on Tuesdays and more

THE GREGORY

150 N. Third St. When: Daily, 2-7 p.m. What: $5 draft beers, $6 wines, $10 cocktails, $15 charcuterie and more

HAPPY’S IRISH PUB

136 Third St. When: Daily, 3-6 p.m. What: $2 off margs and select cocktails and $1 off drafts and wines

HAYRIDE SCANDAL

5110 Corporate Blvd. When: Daily, 4-7 p.m., all day Sunday What: $8 craft cocktails, $5 select beers and $8 wines

ISTROUMA BREWING

5590 Bayou Paul Road, St. Gabriel When: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday What: Specials and times vary by day, like Golden Hour Happy Hour on Thursday with half-off of Golden Retriever beer, margaritas and the appetizer of the day

IVAR’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

2954 Perkins Road When: Daily, 6-8 p.m. What: $2.50 domestic beers and $3.50 White Claws. Other food and drink specials rotate, including $5 burgers on Monday; 75-cent wings on Wednesday; and more

JOLIE PEARL OYSTER BAR

315 North Blvd. When: Tuesday-Thursday, 4-7 p.m. What: $1 off drafts, $3 domestics, $5 wines and margs, $6 flavored margs

KOK WINGS & THINGS

1509 Government St., Suite D When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $20 beer buckets, $7 lemon drops and $5 frozens, plus discounted bites

Multiple locations When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: Discounted wines and beers

THE LOST COVE

THE MAIN LOBBY

668 Main St. When: Monday-Friday until 7p.m. What: $8 cocktails

MASON’S GRILL

OUR MOM’S RESTAURANT

THE RIVER ROOM

THE OVERPASS MERCHANT

ROCCA

250 W. Lee Drive When: Daily, 2-6 p.m., and Sunday all day What: Rotating specials, like half-off craft cocktails and $2 off drafts

2904 Perkins Road When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: $1 off domestic bottles, $7 drafts and discounted doubles

13556 Jefferson Highway When: Weekdays, 3 p.m. until close What: $2 off select drafts, wines, wells and calls, plus food deals like wings for 75 cents on Thursday

PELICAN TO MARS

MID CITY BEER GARDEN

PHIL’S OYSTER BAR

3808 Government St. When: Sunday after dark What: $2 off wine, specialty cocktails and apps, $4 wells and $5 “Gold Star” specials

MID TAP

660 Arlington Creek Centre Blvd., Suite D When: Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. What: $7 cocktails (old fashioneds, martinis, margaritas, Moscow mules, French 75s and gin and tonics), $4 domestic pints and $5 craft pints

MODESTO TACOS TEQUILA WHISKEY

3930 Burbank Drive When: Tuesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: Half-off house margs, drafts and wine glasses, plus $10 dip trios

MOTHER’S LOUNGE

143 Third St. When: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday What: Specials vary by day, including $5 martinis and doubles on Thursday

OLIVE OR TWIST

7248 Perkins Road When: Sunday-Monday, all day; Tuesday-Saturday until 7 p.m.; plus reverse happy hour Friday-Saturday, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. What: Specials vary by day, including BOGO drinks on Monday, $5 burgers on Tuesday and more

2678 Government St. When: Daily, 4-7 p.m. What: $8 specialty cocktails, $19 wine carafes and $2 Natural Lights

4335 Perkins Road When: Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-close What: Specials vary by day, including $1 raw oysters and $2 draft beers on Monday and $2 sliders and $2.50-$3.50 beer bottles on Tuesday

PIZZA ART WINE

7673 Perkins Road, Suite C1 When: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.6 p.m., and Sunday, 5-9 p.m. What: Specials vary by day, like halfoff select wine bottles on Tuesday

PROVERBIAL WINE BISTRO

9659 Antioch Road, #105 When: Tuesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: Half-off wine and beer, $6 French 75s and $8 old fashioneds

THE RADIO BAR

3079 Government St., Suite B When: Daily until 7 p.m. What: Specials vary by day, including $2 PBRs Monday-Wednesday

RED STICK SOCIAL

1503 Government St. When: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., plus reverse happy hour 10 p.m.-close What: $4 domestics, frozen margs, wells and house wines, and $5 bites

RESTAURANT 1796

7747 Highway 61 St. Francisville When: Monday-Saturday, 4-5 p.m. What: $9 specialty cocktails, $4 draft beers and half-price wine pours

222 Laurel St. When: Monday-Thursday, all day What: Specials vary by day, like $7 classic cocktails on Tuesday and halfoff wines on Wednesday

3897 Government St. When: Tuesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: Half-off select beverages and pizzas (margherita, cheese, pepperoni and four cheese), plus discounted bar bites

ROCK-N-SAKE BAR & SUSHI

3043 Perkins Road, Suite A When: Tuesday and Thursday, all day What: $6 select cocktails, wine and hot sakes on Tuesdays and half-off bottles of wine on Thursday

ROCK PAPER TACO

166 W. Chimes St. 7242 Perkins Road When: Daily, 10:30 a.m-7 p.m. What: $2 off margs and $1 off beer, plus kids eat free on Wednesday

ROUJ CREOLE

7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., #100 When: Tuesday-Thursday, 2-6 p.m., and Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. What: Half-off apps and drafts, $6 select wines and cocktails (old fashioneds, French 75, spritzes, and gin or vodka martinis) and $7 daiquiris, mules and lemon drops

RUFFINO’S

18811 Highland Road When: Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: Half-priced beer, wine and cocktails

SOLERA

4205 Perkins Road When: Tuesday, 4-9 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. What: $6 drinks and $5 bites, with specials varying by day

SOLOU

7246 Perkins Road When: Daily, 3-6 p.m. What: $3 beers, $6 select cocktails and wines and $9 premium wines

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

COVER STORY //

HOW TO

happy hour Happy hours only last for a limited time, so it’s important to plan ahead to get the most out of these deals. Nothing’s worse than arriving too late to enjoy the discounts. Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck.

—OLIVIA DEFFES

Be mindful of start and end times: We’ve compiled a detailed list

Hayride Scandal’s happy hour Sazerac

of days of the weeks and times for local happy hours—take notes. Arrive early to give yourself enough time to enjoy the specials, especially if the discounts only last a few hours.

SOJI: MODERN ASIAN

SUPERIOR BAR AND GRILL

TSUNAMI SUSHI

SPOKE & HUB

TALLULAH CRAFTED FOOD & WINE BAR

100 Lafayette St. When: Tuesday-Friday, times vary What: $6 martinis, $5 select wines, drafts and sakes, $4 wells, plus sushi and sashimi discounts

Catch a ride: It can be easy to enjoy one cocktail too many, especially when they are discounted. Be sure to designate a sober driver or hitch a rideshare to ensure a safe night—and many more happy hours to come.

UMAMI JAPANESE BISTRO

Pace yourself: Happy hours are

5050 Government St. When: Tuesday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m. What: $7 cocktails and wines by the glass, $3 beers and $5 Soji Bombs

5412 Government St. When: Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. What: Half-off wine and classic or specialty cocktails and $2 off drafts

SQUEAKY PETE’S

326 Third St. What: Tuesday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. When: Half-off beers and wines, two-for-$12 apps, $5 Stoli vodka doubles and other specials that vary by night

STROUBES

107 Third St. When: Wednesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m., and Saturday-Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. What: $3 off select cocktails and wines, half-off beers and $7 martinis

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE 5252 Corporate Blvd. When: Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m. What: $7 bites and cocktails

Multiple locations When: Monday-Sunday, 3-6:30 p.m. What: Two-for-one margs, mixed drinks and drafts and $4 wines

7000 Bluebonnet Blvd. When: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. What: Half-off wines on Wednesday; half-off drafs on Thursday; half-off specialty cocktails on Friday

3930 Burbank Drive When: Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. What: Two-for-one drafts and house wines, $4-5 small plates and rolls, $5 sakes and $5-6 cocktails

TAP 65

UNCLE EARL’S

515 Mouton St. When: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. What: 20% off beer and wines on tap, 30% off bottles of wine, $8 frozens, $7-10 cocktails, plus food specials that vary by day

3753 Perkins Road When: Wednesday-Saturday, 4-7 p.m. What: $3 drafts, $4 bottles and $5 doubles

TIN ROOF BREWING CO.

2380 Towne Center Blvd. When: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., SaturdaySunday, 11 am.- 5 p.m. What: $1 off beers, other specials vary by day

1624 Wyoming St. When: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., Sunday, noon-8 p.m. What: $1 off select pints

THAI KITCHEN

4550 Concord Ave. When: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. What: $1 off beers, hot sake and wines, $4 off wine bottles, plus other rotating specials vary by day

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

ZEA ROTISSERIE & BAR

ZEE ZEE’S

2943 Perkins Road When: Tuesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. What: Half-off select drafts and apps

marathons, not sprints. Take it slow and savor each sip. We recommend starting with a drink to enjoy while browsing the menu, then ordering a snack or meal before ending your evening with one more cocktail. Don’t forget that happy hours are offered daily all over town, so rest assured you’ll get to enjoy many more drinks in the future.

Make it a meal: Nowadays, happy hours offer deals for more than drinks. Need a last-minute meal to go with your bevs? Check out happy hours that include discounted dishes so you can snack between cocktails without having to worry about a hefty check at the end of the night. (Find our guide to happy hour bites on page 37.) Read the fine print: Most happy hour food deals are only for dine-in customers, and some happy hour specials are only for customers seated at the bar. Try something new: With deals on drinks and meals, you might as well take the opportunity to sample something you’ve never tried before. Lower prices from happy hours make new treats accessible without breaking the bank.

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225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

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COVER STORY //

Discount dining Where to find snacky specials with happy hour drinks B Y M AG G I E HE Y N R I C HA R D S O N

FOR MANY OF us, scoring a discounted nosh is every bit as important as the cheap(ish) drinks that wash it down. And let’s face it: Happy hour nibbles serve that dual role of whetting your appetite for a late dinner, or simply lining the stomach for $5 drink specials. In any case, there’s plenty to chew on in the local happy hour scene. Here’s a taste.

The Gregory 150 N. Third St. Daily, 2-7 p.m.

The Gregory dishes out $5$10 drinks, $15 charcuterie spreads and free valet parking (!!!) for happy hour.

Ease into a charcuterie board for two for $15 during The Gregory’s sevendays-a-week happy hour inside the artsy-edgy Watermark hotel. Chef Patrick Trahan sources artisan cured meats from Denver-based River Bear American Meats and cheeses from New Orleans’ St. James Cheese Company to create a board rounded out by porter mustard, fruit compote and pickles—all housemade—and baguette slices. Savor fennel pollen salami, cured pork shoulder and beef bresaola, along with cheeses like St. Malachi, blue ash and manchego. They’re tasty foils for $10 cocktails and $6 wine and $5 beer specials. Best of all, valet parking is free (not including tip) when you present your receipt to the parking attendant.

Solera

4205 Perkins Road Tuesday-Friday, times vary Along with discounted drinks, take advantage of dine-in Tapas Tuesday specials with nice prices on stuffed piquillo peppers, patatas bravas and other Spanish tapas. Knock a few dollars off the restaurant’s signature paella and sangria pitchers on Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.

Beausoleil Coastal Cuisine 7731 Jefferson Highway Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m.

Sip $5 wine, cocktails and craft beers, and dig into chargrilled oysters, Gulf fish tacos, Korean chicken sandwiches, burgers and more. Dishes range from $9-$16.

Our Mom’s

250 W. Lee Drive Monday-Saturday, 2-6 p.m. Sunday, all day The week’s rotating food and drink specials include $5 burgers on Mondays and $5 roast beef po-boys on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, raise a glass to $5 martinis and 25% discounts for LSU students and faculty.

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

COVER STORY //

Soji Modern Asian

Umami Japanese Bistro

With $3 beers and small plates at $6 or $7, you could exit Soji with a happy hour tab hovering around $10. Choose from Szechuan chicken wings, shumai dumplings, steamed edamame and three different sushi rolls, and select from $7 wines and cocktails. The Thursday Girls’ Night Out special bundles a cocktail, sushi roll and small plate for $25.

What better onramp to high-quality sushi than Umami’s happy hour, which offers salmon or yellowtail rolls, grilled nasu (eggplant) nigiri, pork dumplings and other tasty bites for just $4 or $5. Pair them with $5 sake and $6 cocktails, like the Japanese mule or lychee martini. Wine Down Wednesdays feature two-for-one glasses or bottles of house wine served 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

5050 Government St. Tuesday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m.

Rocca Pizzeria

3897 Government St. Tuesday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. Rocca’s generous dine-in happy hour features four half-priced, wood-fired pies and half-priced select wines, beer and cocktails. The black truffle popcorn, Rocca meatball and gluten-free citrus olives are also discounted, making this a happy happy hour indeed.

3930 Burbank Drive Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m.

The Smiling Dog

4215 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. Order a $6 half-pound burger with fries on Tuesdays from 6-10 p.m. at this canine-loving pub that includes a doggie menu and patio dining for pooches. On Thursdays from 6-10 p.m., all appetizers, including faves like chicken wings and cheese curd poutine, are half priced. So is the complete list of 32 draft beers.

What about brunch?

BRUNCH IS BREAKFAST’S answer to happy hour, an excuse for multiple rounds of mimosas paired with opulent spreads of pancakes and Benedicts. Here are some spots to find deals on bottomless bubbly. —COMPILED BY JILLIAN ELLIOTT

BISTRO BYRONZ

Sunday, 11 a.m-3 p.m. $12 for bottomless Champagne, plus an option to purchase juice

CAPITAL CITY GRILL Sunday, 11 a.m.-2p.m.

$9 bottomless Champagne and juice for $5

CITY SLICE PIZZA & PINTS Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

$15 bottomless mimosas

FINBOMB SUSHI

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $12 bottomless mimosas

MASON’S GRILL Black truffle popcorn, anyone? Rocca Pizzeria not only offers 50% off of select drinks, it also serves discounted snacks and four half-priced pizzas.

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $15 Champagne bottles with juice

MID TAP

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $16 bottomless mimosas (with entree purchase) or $22 bottomless mimosas (without entree)

OLIVE OR TWIST

Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $18 (bottomless classic mimosas) or $25 (for flavors like lavender and passion fruit)

RED STICK SOCIAL

Sunday, 11 a.m-3 p.m. $20 bottomless bloody marys or mimosas

ROUX 61 SEAFOOD & GRILL Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

$13 bottomless mimosas

PORTOBELLO’S GRILL Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m

$25 for individual Champagne bars, with a bottle of Champagne and an array of juices

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

SOMETIMES PLANS FOR a night out never make it out of the group chat. We’ve all been there. Either we’re too tired to commit to those happy hour plans, or our couch just looks too inviting. Luckily, there’s the bar cart. It plays double duty as trendy decor and a place to neatly stash alcohol. Having a dedicated space for drink making is essential for hosting low-key gatherings and fancy dinner parties or simply mastering at-home bartender skills with TikTok cocktail recipes. Because who says you can’t nurse a homemade mojito while binge-watching your favorite show or balance a freshly shaken cosmo in one hand while you do dishes with the other? Once you find the right vehicle, it’s time to stock it. Local liquor stores and home goods shops, like the recently rebranded Bin Q Liquor, are filled with bar cart essentials. “Since we’re under new ownership now, we have a lot more to offer,” Bin Q manager Brooke Hutto says. “We have a lot of different liqueurs, (about) five different types of cherries, all sorts of mixers that not even Total Wine or a bigger shop would have. We have more variety, and I think you can find most of anything that (you’re) looking for here.” We asked Hutto and the Bin Q team for suggestions on curating a versatile bar cart.

t i n h g i N

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

Good drinks require some assembly, and tools are required to precisely measure shots, mix cocktails and muddle fresh berries. Bin Q stocks everything from shakers and jiggers to strainers and stirring spoons.

Bar tools

It’s OK if you don’t feel like playing bartender. Just crack open a beer or pour a premade cocktail or THC seltzer from a can right into a fancy glass.

Canned libations

BY OL I V IA DEFFE S

The anatomy of a bar cart: How to create your own athome happy hours

COVER STORY //

Don’t forget to add some pizazz. Charming coasters, ice buckets and paper napkins can turn your cart into a functional piece of decor. Tea towels from shops like Local Supply can clean up spills and lend a stylish pop of color. Get creative—dress up your cart with a vase of flowers or even a celebrity prayer candle like the ones sold at Bin Q.

Decor

up your go-to drinks, whether it’s fruit juices or agave syrups. Find other add-ins like stuffed olives at Bin Q, and keep a bowl of limes or lemons for a fresh squeeze or rind-twist garnish, Hutto says.

Hutto recommends having wine glasses and rocks glasses for serving your homemade drinks. And you can’t go wrong with personalized cups from shops like The Keeping Room or The Queen Bee.

Glassware and accessories

Vodkas, gins and whiskeys are prerequisites for classic cocktails, but the Bin Q team also recommends adding flavored liqueurs like triple sec to give your concoctions an added smack.

Spirits and flavored liqueurs

Mixers and garnishes Pick whatever you’d use to mix

COVER STORY //

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

COVER STORY //

ASK SANTA HIS go-to drink, and he might say a frosty whole milk. But he probably hasn’t tried the warm, spiced and sweet seasonal cocktails that bartenders and restaurateurs are decorating their menus with for the holidays. Though we’re not sure how well these alcoholic bevs pair with a plate of warm cookies, we think they might just make Mr. Claus reach for something stronger when he stops in Baton Rouge this year.

y a d i l Ho

s t i r i p s

What local restaurants and bars are shaking up for seasonal cocktail menus

The Grinch

at Beausoleil Coastal Cuisine Crème de menthe, cream, spritz and white chocolate liqueur make for a drink reminiscent of the mischievous, green Dr. Seuss character.

B Y O LI VI A D E F F E S

Southern L ongleaf Pine Margarita

at The Brakes Bar at Spoke & Hub Who says you can’t enjoy margaritas when it’s cold out? This one features lemongrass, thyme-kumquat liqueur, fleur de sel, bay and sassafras.

Cran-Merry Fizz

at City Pork Jefferson City Pork tries its hand at a holiday French 75, with gin, rosemary syrup, cranberry, lemon and prosecco.

Quaked Oatmeal Stout

at Tin Roof Brewing Co.** Made with midnight wheat and pale chocolate malts, this stout is swirled with maple and brown sugar.

Santa’s Cookie Cocktail

at La Contea This one might make the big man forget the chocolate chip treats and instead opt for one with vanilla vodka, amaretto, and hazelnut and white chocolate liqueurs.

Frozen Espresso Martini

at Rocca Pizzeria* A frosty vodka drink gets a jolt of caffeine from coffee and chocolate liqueurs and espresso.

Remi’s Mulled Cider

at The Overpass Merchant This warm drink, with apples, oranges, brown sugar and festive spices, can be made zero-proof or with brown sugar bourbon, mezcal or spiced rum.

Hazy Shade of Winter

at Chow Yum Mulled wine and tequila mingle with a splash of grapefruit for a tropical taste in the chilled weather.

Hot cocktails

at Hayride Scandal* Along with seasonal drinks, Hayride is serving up some steaming beverages like a toasty Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum or Mulled Wine to beat the chill.

MORE SPIRITS!

For our expanded guide to holiday cocktails, scan this QR code or visit 225batonrouge.com/ holidaydrinks. KEY *Included in happy hour specials (but always confirm with the bar or restaurant). **Included in happy hour specials when the drink is offered on tap.

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

S’mores Old Fashioned

at Mid City Beer Garden* The gang behind the Beer Garden is sprucing up the Old Fashioned with sweet flavors from toasty campfire nights. Marshmallow syrup, chocolate bitters, chocolate liquor and a few sprays of mezcal spritz are added to this drink before it’s topped with a toasted marshmallow garnish. Or, try the garden’s Hot Cider or Cran Daddy.

This Month [ D E C E M B E R ]

@ BREC ZOOLIGHTS BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo Dec. 1-30 | 5:30-8 p.m. Closed Dec. 24 + 25

OPEN HOUSE JUNIOR SINGLES ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT

Capital One Tennis Center at City-Brooks Community Park Dec. 1 | 4-8 p.m.

REINDEER RIDE Farr Park Dec. 1 | 6-8 p.m.

BREC GREEN FORCE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Frenchtown Conservation Area Dec. 2 | 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKING North Street Park Dec. 2 Saia Park Dec. 9 Kernan Ave Park Dec. 19 6-8 p.m.

RECYCLED GINGERBREAD VILLAGES Highland Road Community Park Dec. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jackson Community Park Dec. 22 | 4-6 p.m.

SENSORY SANTA

GIVE BACK

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! brec.org/volunteer

North Sherwood Forest Community Park Dec. 9 | 9 a.m.-noon

MAGNOLIA MOUND CREOLE CHRISTMAS + HOLIDAY FAIR

SATURDAY MORNING STUDIO: THE DAY YOU BEGIN

GEMINID METEOR SHOWER

Milton J. Womack Park Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-noon

3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Kernan Ave Park Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

LET IT SNEAUX

Perkins Road Community Park Dec. 9 | 5-8 p.m.

Magnolia Mound Dec. 10 | noon-5 p.m. Highland Road Park Observatory Dec. 13 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

SUNSHINE SOCIALS: SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY Milton J. Womack Park Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m.

REINDOG RUN Comite River Park Dec. 16 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

BREC.ORg/thismonth BREC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, veteran status or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

celebrate

ALL THE REASONS TO

HAPPY HOUR | BRUNCH | DATE NIGHT GIRLS NIGHT OUT | HOLIDAY PARTIES

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

7673 Perkins Rd, Ste C-1 | Baton Rouge 225.408.5062 | pizzaartwine.com

I N S I D E : Year-in-review: style at fall football games

Merry & bright How to spruce up your spruce and festive decor with hues that go beyond the classic holiday color scheme B Y O L IV IA DE FFE S / / P H OTO S BY CO L L I N R I C HI E

An assortment of holiday goodies line the shelves—and mantels—at Baubles by Bella Bella this month. 225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

STYLE //

ED, GREEN … and rainbow? It may seem unnatural to decorate with colors outside of the holiday norm, but Baubles by Bella Bella is embracing a fresh and fun decorating approach this season with a technicolor world full of chartreuse reindeer heads, martini-glass ornaments and bubblegum-pink stockings. It began to look a lot like Christmas at the local home shop all the way back in October. That’s when the shop’s employees started working like busy elves to put together lively displays full of fun, colorful items. Co-owner Ashley Thibaut says she shops Christmas decor almost a full year ahead at home and gift markets, which helps ensure a strong inventory will be ready for the shelves after Halloween. “With clothing and shoes, we go (to market) in August to buy for fall. We go in February to buy for spring,” she says. “But, with home and gifts, we’re going in January, right when Christmas is over, to buy Christmas.” Thibaut says the rainbow color scheme has become increasingly popular at market, so much so that these pieces now occupy a majority of Baubles’ holiday displays. It helps that these candy-colored products fit in perfectly with the vibe of the store, which usually stocks vibrant items for the home along with gifts and accessories for all ages. “We wanted everything to be young and fun,” Thibaut says. “We didn’t want to be a serious home and gift store, because (Baton Rouge) already has those. All of the colors are perfect for us.” Shoppers can still find items offered in red, green and even neutral shades at Baubles, located toward the middle of the store. But its vivid Christmas displays in rainbow overload seem to get more attention. Best-sellers from last year include Glitterville Studio’s Papa Noel serving dishes and cocktail-themed ornaments, Thibaut says. Other hot items included Cody Foster & Co.’s blown-glass ornaments in playful shapes, like a Botox syringe, and neon and flocked statues of Santa, reindeer and more. Thibaut is most excited for this season’s selection of celebrity ornaments, exclusive art by Cora B. Gallery and nutcracker items from Tomato Jane. Going through Baubles’ display back in November, she also pointed out what she would use to trim her own tree, and she didn’t stop at just the ornaments and garland on display. “I’ll stick anything in a tree,” she says, motioning to a small, decorated bottlebrush tree. “I’ll stick these (flocked) deers in the tree. It’s fun, and I like it that way. And, anything Cody Foster. He’s slowly becoming one of my favorites.” Though the holiday displays at Baubles will be gone after Dec. 25, Thibaut will already have the 2024 season on her mind. And, in January, she’ll gear up for the market to look for new items and buy more of what customers couldn’t get enough of—in every color, of course. bellabellashop.com

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

Baubles by Bella Bella co-owner Ashley Thibaut says the rainbow color scheme has become increasingly popular for holiday decor.

STYLE //

STREET STYLE

Campus or catwalk? How LSU and SU fans styled their game-day looks this season By Jillian Elliott // Photos by Jillian Elliott and Ariana Allison IN THE SOUTH, game-day culture—the tailgates, pregames, rituals and everything in between —is often as beloved as the football games themselves. Students, alumni and fans flock to campus in a range of dress codes. Some turn the Parade

Grounds into their personal fashion show, while others dress for practicality. We wandered LSU’s and SU’s campuses to scope out what fans are wearing to cheer on their favorite teams—and where you can get their looks.

Marcus Hubbard, Marcus Hubbard Jr. and Tiffani Hubbard Marcus’ ’fit: SU Marching Band shirt and Chuck Taylor All Star shoes Marcus Jr.’s ’fit: Homemade monogram shirt, Walmart pants and Nike shoes Tiffani’s ’fit: Homemade monogram shirt, Fashion Nova pants, Nike shoes and TELFAR purse Their game-day style: “Fashionable but comfy.”

Adrienne Adams and Martha Gottwald Laine Lohfink The ’fit: Set and purse strap from Hemline, boots from DSW and Currently With Caroline Monograms purse Her game-day style: “I normally wear a dress or matching set.”

Adams’ ’fit: Dress from HerringStones, Prada bag and boots from Revolve Gottwald’s ’fit: Neubyrne top and Prada skirt Their game-day style: “Slaying runway looks.”

Kinslee Butler and LaTonja Butler Kinslee’s ’fit: Anthony Lawrence Collection shirt, Old Navy pants and Nike shoes LaTonja’s ’fit: TOP Choice shirt, Old Navy pants and Nike shoes Their game-day style: “(We) like to be comfortable.”

Connor Couret and Kaleb Kenney Their ’fits: GameBibs overalls and necklaces bought from “some dude that was walking around earlier” Their game-day style: “Nothing but fun.”

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

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I N S I D E : A Christmas Crock-Pot recipe

Still rolling Umami Japanese Bistro, in new hands, continues to impress with its freshness and flavor

COLLIN RICHIE

Umami’s Sexiest Woman Alive roll

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R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W

Umami Japanese Bistro BY B E N JA MIN LEG E R // P H OTOS B Y COLLIN R I C H I E About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades. umamibr.com 3930 Burbank Drive Monday-Thursday, 11a.m.-9:30p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11a.m.-10:30p.m.

EVERYONE HAS THEIR favorite Japanese restaurant—the one they insist serves the freshest sashimi, the most interesting sushi rolls, the best ambiance. For me, that’s long been Umami. It opened in the former Hello Sushi at a time when the THE BASICS: Launched in Baton Rouge food scene was 2016, Umami has remained a getting more adventurous respected Japanese favorite for with ingredients and plating, its show-stopping plating and and chef-driven menus were quality ingredients. Founding owner and chef Cong Nguyen all the rage. sold the restaurant in 2021 to Former owner and chef the team behind Geisha, Sushi Cong Nguyen was known for with a Flair. It's now run by dishes that looked like art. He Jimmy Nguyen, Tien Le and also specialized in omakase, Michael Tran, but the menu has remained similar. an experience where the diner trusts the chef to lead them WHAT’S A MUST: Hamachi through a multi-course meal Crudo is an excellent way to catered to their tastes, which start, with delicate yellowtail in a bright yuzu citrus sauce. Umami still offers today. The Lollipop Lamb Chop is a With a change of hands in delectable contrast to a meal 2021, I was curious if Umami heavy on fish. The signature retained its inventive dishes rolls offer something (even a lot and quality sushi. So I visited of things!) for everyone. Save room for the Matcha Crepe on midweek with friends. Cake or the Ube Cheesecake It had been a few years for a subtly sweet finish. since my last meal there, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the crowd of diners still offered a mix of adults who know good sushi and college students who crave it close to LSU. were all surprised at the lack of We started with a couple of salt. Usually, you’d see a visible cocktails and warm sake, and then sprinkling of sea salt, but there dove into the small plates. was none here. First up was the Spicy Garlic We knew there would be plenty Edamame. The soybeans were of fish on the horizon, so at our super tender and the garlic and server’s suggestion, we tried the chili oil had a nice kick, but we Lollipop Lamb Chop next.

um 39 M 9:3 Fri 10

Two respectably sized lamb chops were coated in a garlic soy sauce and balsamic reduction and cooked to a nice char. The sauces made a bright dressing for the accompanying spring mix and cilantro puree. But the lamb chops were the showcase here. A friend

even commented he would have picked away at the bone with his hands if we weren’t in public. The last of our starters was possibly my favorite dish of the night: Hamachi Crudo. Five slices of yellowtail sashimi were doused in yuzu citrus sauce

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

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and basil oil, then topped with black sea salt and a sprinkling of microgreens. The sweet yellowtail practically melted in the mouth, and the sauces were subtle enough to let the fresh fish shine. It was lovely. With the starters out of the way, we were ready for sushi rolls. I’m usually a sushi roll purist: Give me fresh tuna or salmon wrapped in rice and nori. But Umami’s list of signature rolls is long, and I was encouraged to go for a more elaborate option. Thus, came the Sexiest Woman Alive roll, featuring—deep breath— spicy tuna, jalapeno and snow crab in a soy wrap topped with interwoven slices of tuna, salmon, mango and avocado, drizzled with wasabi aioli and eel sauce and topped with microgreens. It was a lot. And also difficult to eat without it falling apart between chopsticks. I found myself picking out each ingredient, but this mostly just reminded me how flavorful the components were. I

avoided the overly generous sauces pooled on the plate, but appreciated that Umami’s spicy tuna wasn’t gloopy and mayo-laden. My friends ordered the Sumotori and Love At First Bite rolls. The word count limit for this review prevents me from listing all of those rolls’ ingredients (Reader, there are a lot!). But suffice to say, there were no complaints. Highlights included fried crispy bits of shallots as a topping and a sweet, bright-orange passion fruit sauce. To round out the sushi feast, we wanted something straightforward yet intriguing. From the sashimi options, we tried the Bluefin Toro, which the menu called the “Wagyu of the Sea.” The two slices from the fatty belly portion of bluefin tuna were deep pink in color, clean, buttery

Umami’s Bluefin Toro, nicknamed “Wagyu of the Sea.”

and topped with a delicious wasabi scallion relish we all wished could have accompanied each dish. After all those savory-salty flavors, dessert was in order. Anyone who has read 225 regularly knows of the writers’ fondness

for Umami’s Matcha Crepe Cake. But I wanted something new, at least to me: Ube Cheesecake. Ube, or purple yam, gives this dessert its brilliant hue. This cheesecake was more cake than cheese, and we were all OK with that. Garnished with whipped cream and slices of strawberries, it was a simple and mellow end to the meal. There were very few misses in our dinner, and some dishes I can’t wait to try again. We all left feeling like Umami nailed that consistent flavor and freshness we remembered. Perhaps the presentation wasn’t as meticulously artful as it used to be, but the quality and interesting ingredients are still inspired.

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On the menu • Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney • Savory French-style King Cake with chutney, Camembert and bacon • Mini Mincemeat Pies Recipes by Tracey Koch

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

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DINING IN

Holiday happies A recipe that keeps on giving, all holiday season BY TRACE Y KO CH // P H OTOS B Y A M Y S H UT T

IT’S DECEMBER, AND the crazy hustle and bustle of the holidays are in full swing. If you are like me this time of year, I find myself rushing around looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family, planning meals for holiday gatherings, all while trying to enjoy the season. To make it all a little less hectic, I’ve had to reassess and find ways to simplify things. I looked through some of my old recipes and came across an easy chutney I had written and decided this was the right recipe to aid in keeping things simple.

I like to keep a batch of this chutney on hand to use in several recipes during the holidays, like mini vegan mincemeat pies or my riff on a savory, French-style king cake. You can also serve the chutney on a charcuterie and cheese board, or as a condiment to complement your favorite meats. I also serve it with biscuits or rolls or atop oatmeal for a quick holiday breakfast. And I’ve even used it to fill festive Mason jars to give as gifts. Here is my recipe for easy Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney along with a few ways to use it.

Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney This easy recipe is so delicious and versatile, and the best part is that the slow cooker does most of the work. After just a few minutes of chopping and mixing, simply place all the ingredients into your Crock-Pot and hours later? Voila, homemade chutney. An added bonus is that the chutney will fill your kitchen with all of the sweet scents of the holidays as it simmers. Best yet, this chutney is all natural, gluten-free and plant-based, making it appealing to the masses. Yields 6 cups 6 cups sliced Granny Smith apples Zest and juice of 1 large orange ½ cup raisins ½ cup dried cranberries 1 cup chopped dried apricots 1 cup brown sugar ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon curry powder 2 teaspoons cinnamon ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 2 cups apple juice or cranberry juice ¼ cup cornstarch

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1. Place the sliced apples, orange zest and dried fruits into a slow cooker, and set to high.

2. In a mixing bowl, blend together

the brown sugar, salt and spices. Pour the blended sugar mixture into the slow cooker with the fruit.

3. In a large measuring cup, whisk

together the juice from the orange, apple cider vinegar, the apple or cranberry juice and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved.

4. Pour the juice mixture into the slow cooker, and stir until everything is well blended. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours. Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking an additional 2 to 3 hours or until the mixture has thickened and the apples have cooked down. 5. Turn off the slow cooker and

remove from the base to allow the chutney to cool. Once the chutney has cooled, divide into containers with an airtight lid and place in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

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Savory French-style King Cake with chutney, Camembert and bacon French king cake or a galette des rois, as it is called in France, is traditionally served during the 12 days of Christmas, from Dec. 26 through Jan. 6, to celebrate Epiphany. I love making this dessert and have found a way to make it quite simple by using store-bought puff pastry dough. This time, though, I decided to change the filling to make a savory version of this cake using the Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney. This savory French-inspired tart is an easy dish that will wow guests or gift recipients. I like to serve it during the holidays for a New Year’s Eve midnight breakfast, for lunch to complement a salad, or as a hearty appetizer.

Serves 6 2 frozen puff pastry sheets 6 to 8 slices of bacon 8 to 10 ounces of Camembert cheese 2 cups prepared Crock-Pot Chutney 1 egg yolk 3 tablespoons water

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1. Thaw the puff pastry, heat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Lightly dust the work surface with a little flour and roll out the 2 sheets of puff pastry

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[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

into 9-inch circles. Place one of the circles of puff pastry on the lined baking sheet.

3. Cook the bacon until it is crispy, crumble it and set it aside. Slice the Camembert and place the cheese slices in a single layer on the puff pastry that’s on the baking sheet, making sure to leave a 1-inch border all the way around. 4. Spread the Chutney (see previous

recipe) over the slices of Camembert and top that layer with the crumbled bacon.

5. Whisk the egg yolk and water together, and brush the egg wash around the border of the puff pastry. 6. Use a fork to prick a few holes across

the second puff pastry round and place the second puff pastry round on top to cover the tart. The holes will help to vent the tart as it bakes, allowing the top to become light and flaky. Gently press the edges together to seal and then fold the edges over and crimp with your fingers.

7. Brush the top of the tart with the

remaining egg wash and place the tart in the warmed 400 F oven.

8. Bake the tart for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden.

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Mini Mincemeat Pies Mincemeat pie, also called minced pie or Christmas pie, dates all the way back to medieval England. The original recipe contained dried fruit, nuts and beef or venison all baked in a pie dough. The flaky crust was made from suet, which is the fat taken from around the kidneys of a cow or sheep. Nowadays, the up-todate or modern recipes for mincemeat pies (thankfully) use vegetable shortening in place of the suet in the dough. Also, in many of the newer recipes the filling does not contain any meat, making this an easy dessert to convert into a completely plantbased dish with a vegan pie dough. The Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney can be used as the filling as it has many of the same flavors found in a traditional mincemeat. I top the pies with a little chopped pecans to give more texture and flavor.

Yields 6 mini pies 2 (9-inch) pie doughs 6 (3-inch) mini pie tins 1 ½ cups Christmas Crock-Pot Chutney ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

zoo

1. Heat the oven to 350 F. Roll out the pie dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into 4-inch circles.

2. Press the pie dough into the mini pie

tins and prick each with a fork to prevent the dough from puffing up as it bakes. Bake in the mini pie shells in the warmed oven for 4 to 6 minutes.

3. Remove the mini pie shells from the oven. Divide the chutney between the 6 pie shells and top each with a little of the chopped nuts.

4. Place the mini mincemeat pies back into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and the filling is bubbling along the edges. 5. Remove the mini pies from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the mini pies out of the tins and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely. 6. Before serving, dust the tops of

the pies with a little powdered sugar if desired. For how to make homemade vegan dough for these mini mincemeat pies, visit 225magazine.com/recipes.

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I N S I D E : Inside a new mirror-themed art exhibit

Fantasies fulfilled As its founders retire, The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou continues to shine— and expose new generations to ballet B Y MAGGIE H E YN R ICH A R DSO N

on the bus ride home having hyper, hyper-intense daydreams about being on stage, because there were kids my age on stage,” Hebert says today. “I’m kind of a movie nerd and I always liked musical theater, too.” Time passed for Hebert, now 34, but the dream didn’t fade. The married father of three says he recently told his wife that maybe one day he could weasel his way into The Nutcracker “as a party dad or something.” And that’s exactly what happened. Like a number of local media personalities over the years, Hebert was asked to perform in the party scene of Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s 2023 production of The Nutcracker - A Tale from the Bayou.

COURTESY BATON ROUGE BALLET THEATRE

BATON ROUGE SPORTS talk radio host and former LSU offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert had a secret childhood fantasy, and it didn’t have anything to do with football. The son of New Orleans sports commentator and then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert, he recalls joining classmates on a third grade field trip to see The Nutcracker at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre. Hebert found himself particularly enraptured by the iconic ballet’s first act party scene. Parents and children gather for a Christmas fete, where they dance, trim the tree and exchange gifts, one of which, of course, is the titular nutcracker given to the lead character, Clara. “I just very vividly remember

225batonrouge.com | [225] December 2023

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Rachel Magee, Sophia Robison, Gabriela Bautista and Irelynn Harris, the four local dancers who will play Clara in this year's production. Each will star in a different performance.

PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

He said yes. “This is the most fun thing I’ve ever done,” Hebert says. “I love it. It just feels good to be doing something creative.” Created by BRBT co-artistic directors Molly Buchmann and Sharon Mathews, The Nutcracker - A Tale from the Bayou was first performed in 1992. It’s one of a handful of shows across the country that add a regional twist to the timeless classic. Lavish sets depict Clara as a child growing up on the bayou who dreams of life in a stately mansion. Her reverie continues with a nutcracker who transforms into a mousedueling prince and takes her to an enchanted land filled with dancing sweets against the backdrop of the Old State Capitol. “We wanted to keep it as traditional as possible so people would recognize a traditional Nutcracker, but with this particular setting,” Buchmann says. In the early ’90s, Buchmann and Mathews hired set designer F. Nels Anderson, LSU School of Theatre professor emeritus, to design the show’s whimsical backdrops. The originals are still used today and are considered a fundamental part of the audience experience. Among others, they include the bayou scene with Clara’s cabin home, a fancy mansion that could be in New Orleans or in rural Louisiana, and the interior of the Old State Capitol complete with a spiral staircase and stained glass. More than 100 cast members perform in the show this month. Along with local cast members, the show features professional dancers Dana Benton as the Sugar Plum Fairy/Snow Queen and Francisco Estevez as Cavalier/Snow King, Marlon Grigsby, a BRBT alumnus as Arabian/Nutcracker, and Celia Fishbein, another BRBT alum, as Arabian.

Local media personalities have been asked over the years to perform in the party scene of The Nutcracker - A Tale from the Bayou. Local sports talk radio host T-Bob Hebert practiced with the cast earlier this fall ahead of his December debut.

Clara is played by young local dancers Gabriela Bautista, Irelynn Harris, Rachel Magee and Sophia Robison, each of whom will star in a different performance. It’s the final Nutcracker for Buchmann and Mathews. The two have led BRBT since 1976 and will

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

retire at the end of the 2023-2024 season in April. BRBT veterans Rebecca Mathews Acosta and Johnna Cox are on deck to take over. They will continue to stage the arts organization’s productions and operate its dance education programs. “We feel great about it,” Mathews says. “It’s in good hands.” Buchmann says The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou has been an essential part of BRBT’s ethos. “It’s important for a ballet company to have a Nutcracker because it’s a good revenue generator, but also because it’s so important for a community,” she says. “Sometimes, it’s the first exposure to the arts kids will get. That’s how you expose generations of people to what will hopefully be a lifelong appreciation for the arts.” Just ask T-Bob Hebert.

SEE THE SHOW The Nutcracker A Tale from the Bayou Dec. 16 +17, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts batonrougeballet.org Note: The River Center Theatre has a clear bag policy.

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Mirror, mirror

By Brooke Smith

A new LSU Museum of Art exhibit encourages the viewer to become part of the art AT FIRST GLANCE, the digital and mechanical mirrored pieces in a new LSU Museum of Art exhibit may appear as blank screens or intricate puzzles. Yet, the true revelation lies in the moment you step before it. Daniel Rozin’s “Mirror Mirror” is not merely an art exhibit; it’s a sensory adventure. Each sculpture

Daniel Rozin’s Peg Mirror

inside the new exhibit, open now through March 3, is adorned with adjustable tiles or digital pixels that respond to your every move. The idea is to turn spectators into an active architect of the composition itself. Rozin’s mirrors are crafted from recycled scraps, whimsical pompoms and even brass materials

traditionally used to make musical instruments. Almost like a wizard, he seamlessly blends mechanical components with cutting-edge computer software into his artful designs, which move and change alongside the person standing before them. His first mirror, made from 835 pine pieces, earned him recognition from Wired.

IMAGES COURTESY LSU MUSEUM OF ART

C U LT U R E / /

With digitized, interactive— and highly Instagrammable—art exhibits growing in popularity nationally, LSU MOA Chief Curator and Director of Programs Michelle Schulte believes “Mirror Mirror” will offer Baton Rouge a glimpse into an evolving genre. “Rozin is a pioneer in pushing the boundaries of interactive art. He treats technology as his artistic medium, much like a painter uses a brush,” Schulte says. “His skill in allowing viewers to interact with a finished sculpture while concealing the mechanics, as demonstrated in the PomPom Mirror, sets him apart from other contemporary artists.” Amidst extensive research and unwavering determination, the Jerusalem-born, New York-based artist painstakingly unraveled the secrets of the mirror, transforming the concept into a luminous interactive marvel—and he hopes his art inspires personal exploration with individuality as the centerpiece.

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Here, the artist gives a window into his work. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. What was the initial inspiration that led to your mirror series? My series of 'Mechanical Mirrors' has been evolving for 25 years, and each piece has its own little inspiration. As a whole, I would say that my curiosity about the creation of image and about the involvement of the viewer in the creation of my art are foundational to my art pieces. Can you describe the technical elements and materials used to bring your pieces to life? All of my mirrors, both software and mechanical pieces, share the underlying technology of connecting a camera to a computer and selectively displaying the image back to the viewer by some means. For the mechanical pieces, it means connecting hundreds of motors to the computer and manipulating

interact with my pieces, they almost always smile and sometimes jump up and down. I think my art gives joy to people.

these in a choreographed manner so they reproduce the image by manipulating some aspect of a material. In the case of my PomPom Mirror, it means pushing and pulling on 900 fur puffs, halfblack and half-white, to reproduce a dynamic black-and-white image of the viewer. How do you balance the interactive and aesthetic aspects of your art? This is a very difficult balance and one that keeps many artists from engaging in interactive art. Artists are typically control freaks and want to maintain and control every aspect of their art. Having your art be interactive means leaving aspects of the piece open for the viewer to complete. It means relinquishing control and opening up your art to a possibility of being less than ideal under certain circumstances. This is a huge price to pay for an artist. Since viewer participation is such a foundational concept in my art,

SEE THE EXHIBIT Daniel Rozin’s digital art exhibit, “Mirror Mirror,” runs Nov. 30, 2023, to March 3, 2024, at the LSU Museum of Art. For information and admission details, visit lsumoa.org.

and also the source of much of my satisfaction, this balance is not that difficult for me. What emotions or ideas do you hope viewers will take away from their experience with your artwork? Art can be many things: serious, profound, sad, disturbing and important. When I watch people

What impact do you think interactive exhibits like ‘Mirror Mirror’ have on the way people engage with modern art? I think interactive art flips over the paradigm of art viewing. When you look at traditional noninteractive art—say a masterpiece in a museum, the Mona Lisa in the Louvre—you see hundreds of people crowding to see a small protected artifact, and the overall feeling is that this artifact is very important and they are not. In a well-designed interactive art piece, the artifact is not that important—it is the viewer and this fleeting moment of interaction that are important. I find this healthier and more rewarding. My pieces are static and somewhat boring until a viewer stands in front of them— and then they fill up with motion, beauty and meaning.

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MUSIC BEST BETS

DEC. 2 The Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s A Very Merry Museum returns for its fourth year. Sponsored by the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, this day of festive fun includes activities, holiday-themed shows and a visit from Santa Claus. lasm.org

DEC. 8 Bluegrass and country musicians Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent will take the stage at Manship Theatre together for the Dailey and Vincent Christmas Show. The duo will sing Christmas songs like “Mary Did You Know” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” manshiptheatre.org

DEC. 2 + 8 Learn a new skill at workshops hosted by Local Supply with Louisiana artists and makers. On Saturday, Dec. 2, Philosophies & Notions will teach a Beaded Ornament Workshop, and on Friday, Dec. 8, The Lost Luna will teach participants how to make a butterfly Christmas ornament. All classes include supplies to make the craft, which attendees get to keep. localsupplybr.com

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ARTS BEST BETS

DEC. 9 Grab those go-go boots and boogie your way over to Chelsea’s Live for a night of ABBA, the Bee Gees, Donna Summer and more. Gimme Gimme Disco is a traveling DJ-led dance party providing all the hits to dance and sing along to. chelseaslive.com

DEC. 8-10 + 14-17 Travel through time with the Theatre Baton Rouge cast for a retelling of Charles Dickens’ holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. Hear the story of the cranky Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by ghosts who try their best to soften his heart. theatrebr.org

DEC. 9 Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and Chorus welcome families for its annual Home ISTOCK for the Holidays performance. Listen or sing along to holiday classics from movies like Home Alone, The Polar Express and more. brso.org

DEC. 9 Mid-City Artisans collaborates with 225 Theatre Collective for a winter edition of the 225 Poetry Slam. Poets are welcome to prepare work to share with the audience in an openmic setting. Attendees and performers are also encouraged to explore the Mid-City Artisans’ space and enjoy refreshments. midcityartisans.com N

DEC. 31 Ring in 2024 at L’Auberge’s New Year’s Eve Bash featuring the cover band Werewolf. The party will be the local band’s final show after 20 years of performing, so come rock out to hits from the ‘80s. Tickets to this event include access to the show and an open bar. lbatonrouge.com

COUR TESY MID-C

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COURTESY MANSHIP THEATRE

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December

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COURTESY BATON ROUGE GENERAL

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All month

COURTESY CANADIAN PACIFIC

BRIGHT LIGHTS Drive by the corner of Picardy Avenue and Bluebonnet Boulevard, and you can’t miss Baton Rouge General’s Holiday Lights. On this lighted walking path, visitors can spot towering and glowing Santa hats, snowmen, ornaments and more. Stroll through the light-up structures and stop for family photos along the way. brgeneral.org/holiday-lights

ALL ABOARD! The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make a stop in Baton Rouge to show off its bright lights. Grab your holiday gear and head to the railway tracks at Government Street and South 15th Street to await the train’s gleaming arrival. Guests are welcome to explore the decorated train cars as well. cpkcr.com

ON THE ROAD

Corporate Blvd at Jefferson • 225.925.2344 townecenteratcedarlodge.com •

NEW ORLEANS

DEC. 2: Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade, nolaholidayparade.com DEC. 7-10: LUNA Fête, lunafete.com DEC. 9: Tank and the Bangas, tipitinas.com

[225] December 2023 | 225batonrouge.com

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ALSO THIS MONTH

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ALL MONTH Check out the annual Zoolights display, presented by Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. Attendees can enjoy photo ops every day and visits from Santa Claus on Fridays and Saturdays. brzoo.org

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DEC. 3 Go back in time to celebrate the holidays at the LSU Rural Life Museum with live demonstrations, musical performances and more. Rural Life Christmas is a day-long event that ends with a festive bonfire and a visit from a special guest. lsu.edu/rurallife

COURTESY RIVER CENTER

A NIGHT AT THE BALLET Take in a performance by talented members of Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre as the troupe and world-class guest artists put on The Nutcracker – A Tale From the Bayou. The cherished production transforms the River Center Performing Arts Theatre into a magical fantasy world fitting for the classic holiday story with a Louisiana twist. batonrougeballet.org

SOLVE THAT PUZZLE! Always dreamed of buying a vowel? Spinning the wheel? Or solving that puzzle? If so, you might be a great fit for Wheel of Fortune Live! A live replica of the classic TV game show is making a stop at the Raising Cane’s River Center and is choosing local audience members to be contestants. Make guesses to solve the puzzle and spin the wheel. raisingcanesrivercenter.com

DEC. 9 Parades are not just for Mardi Gras season. Since 1948, the Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade has drawn in large crowds and made charitable donations through this family-friendly event. Bundle up and get ready to watch the festive floats roll downtown. christmasinbr.com DEC. 22 Gather the family for a viewing of the classic holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life at Manship Theatre. Follow the heartwarming story of George Bailey as he discovers his worth in life with the help of his guardian angel. manshiptheatre.org

Try these at any location! 1538 W HWY 30 Gonzales, LA 5117 Essen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 28195 Walker South Rd Walker, LA

MORE EVENTS Subscribe to our newsletter 225 Daily for our twice-weekly roundups of events. 225batonrouge. com/225daily

LAFAYETTE

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DEC. 1: Bag of Donuts, rocknbowl.com DEC. 1-23: Noel Acadian au Village, lafayettelarc.org DEC. 9: Holiday Art Market, downtownlafayette.org

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FRAMED //

In every issue of 225, you’ll find a free print on this page. FRAMED celebrates life and art in Baton Rouge, each one featuring a local photographer, place or graphic designer. Cut it out to hang in your cubicle, or frame it for your home gallery wall. Show us where you hang them by tagging them on social media with #225prints.

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PHOTO BY COLLIN RICHIE FOR ‘225’ / collinrichiephoto.com GET FEATURED We love spotlighting local photographers, artists and designers for this page! Shoot us an email at editor@225batonrouge.com to chat about being featured.

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