Visitors can tune to La. music at website

Photo provided by LYNN DORSEYThis new kiosk along La. 2 in Sarepta features panels which tell about the people, places and history of Webster Parish.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is launching Louisiana Soundtrack, a website for visitors to enjoy the state’s musical offerings and plan a personalized music-themed vacation.

The site, http://www.LouisianaSoundtrack.com, contains audio and video of indigenous music genres such as jazz, Cajun and zydeco. Visitors can also learn about the heritage and evolution of Louisiana music, and information on venues and events showcasing the state’s music is also available.

“With so many great live music venues and music-themed festivals in Louisiana, visitors can be overwhelmed by the many experiences offered,” Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, whose office oversees Louisiana’s Office of Tourism, said. “We hope folks will use the site as a one-stop shop to learn about Louisiana music and then set a personal itinerary based on the region of the state or the dates they will be visiting.”

The site also features listings and links to information about Louisiana’s major music festivals, live music venues, historical music sites, recurring concert series and jam sessions. Music fans can visit http://www.LouisianaSoundtrack.com and sign up to receive information on upcoming music events.

Kiosks in Webster Parish

Drive along La. 2 in Webster Parish and you may notice kiosks with interpretive panels touting the people, places and history of the parish.

The newest such kiosk is in Sarepta. Among the panels, visitors can learn about Bayou Dorcheat and the role it played in the settlement of the parish, the region’s agriculture industries including logging and farming, and its recreational opportunities at Lake Bistineau State Park, Bayou Dorcheat and Caney Lakes.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.visitwebster.net/

Motorsports park opens

The NOLA Motorsports Park is celebrating its grand opening Sunday, June 10.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the public is invited to explore the 750-acre entertainment facility. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the occasion, followed by a parade lap around the 2.75 mile North Track, free to any car or bike. In addition, guests can enjoy hot laps with a professionally-trained driver, high-adrenaline racing with world-class karting, and lessons on how to properly control a skidding car.

The event will also feature appearances by Hornets mascot and dancers, Hugo and the Honeybees, and cuisine by New Orleans native Chef Scott Boswell.

The park will offer: a 23-acre kart facility where guests can experience high-speed and high-performance karts; a 2.75-mile motorcycle and car track with a professional driver; garages for commercial and private use; a full-service speed shop; and food at the Kart Café and Stanley at the Track by Chef Scott Boswell.

NOLA Motorsports Park is located at 11075 Nicolle Blvd. in Avondale. The park is open seven days a week. For more information on hosting meetings and special events at the park, call [phone].

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.NOLAmotor.com

Concerts in Lake Charles

The Lake Charles Community Band is performing outdoor concerts at 7 p.m. each Monday in June. The concerts are held on the front lawn of the Lake Charles Civic Center. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and a picnic meal.

In case of rain, the concerts will move to the second floor Civic Center Mezzanine.

For more information, call [phone].

Tours in Monroe

Visitors can explore the Bible Museum at Biedenharn Museum and Gardens in Monroe Thursday, June 14, with Executive Director Ralph Calhoun.

Calhoun will tell the stories behind many of the artifacts on display including Bibles, Russian icons, paintings of plants of the Bible, Mediterranean antiquities and the artwork of Arkansas native Don Marr.

Tours will start at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tours are $6, and includes admission to the Biedenharn’s other three attractions: the Biedenharn Home, ELsong Gardens and the Coke Museum. Reservations are needed. Tours are limited to 20 persons per tour.

This will be the last time to tour some of these exhibits with the director. Calhoun said that the exhibits in the Bible Museum will be changing during the summer and two of the exhibits are scheduled to return to the artists.

To make a reservation, call the museum at [phone].

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.bmuseum.org

The Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Biedenharn Museum and NOLA Motorsports Park provided items for this column. Louisiana Travels is a biweekly column about travel destinations and events in Louisiana. Email items for Louisiana Travels to [e-mail] or [e-mail] or fax to [phone].