Photos: Weekly Gallery, 5/12/13

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Biology Ph.D. graduate Ben Dubansky, center, pumps his fist at family in the stands after receiving his diploma while education Ph.D. Michelle Botos, left, smiles during LSU’s graduation ceremony Thursday.

Each day, a select few of The Advocate’s published photographs are chosen to be featured here. You’ll see a variety of subjects displayed, including local sports, top news, community events, entertainment, landscapes, architecture & wildlife. Check it out daily to see what’s new.

The Advocate Looks Back

Advocate file photo by GARY HUNTER<br />Renovating the Bellemont, May 12, 1985<br />Landscapers provide part of the renovation project at the Bellemont Hotel. The hotel was built in 1946 by A.C. Lewis Jr. and former Lt. Gov. Jamar Adcock, of Monroe. Room-rates for the original 36 rooms were $2.50 a night. The hotel and the Great Hall was demolished in June 2012.

Each week The Advocate will reminisce with its readers by showcasing a photo from days gone by. So, join us here each week as we step into yesteryear and take a look at the area that was.

Photos: Class 5A baseball Championship

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELD -- Catholic's Connor Whalen dives on top of the pile as players celebrate their 3-2 win over Zachary Sunday, May 12, 2013, during the Class 5A championship at Tulane's Turchin Stadium.

Clay Moffitt’s complete game and a pair of key hits from Connor Whalen lifted Catholic past Zachary 3-2 in the Class 5A state baseball title game Sunday afternoon at Tulane’s Turchin Stadium.

Ascension seniors get wet and wild

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- East Ascension High School seniors leap en masse into the Ascension Hospital pond across from campus during the annual pond jump in Gonzales on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

This gallery features East Ascension High School’s Pond Jump and Dutchtown’s High School’s Water Day on the last day of school in Ascension Parish.

Photos: Mother’s Day shooting

Advocate staff photo by ELIOT KAMENITZ -- New Orleans Police investigate the scene of a shooting of at least 19 people Sunday at the intersection of Frenchmen and North Villere streets. A Mother's Day second-line parade was passing the corner when the shooting happened.

In a shooting so brazen that it shocked a city hardened by recurrent gun violence, 19 people were rushed to local hospitals after gunmen opened fire on hundreds who had turned out for an annual Mother’s Day second line parade in the 7th Ward.

Photos: Weekly Gallery, 5/5/13

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- An egret hunts for food in the shallow water of the pond near Vermilionville on a rainy Friday afternoon.

Each day, a select few of The Advocate’s published photographs are chosen to be featured here. You’ll see a variety of subjects displayed, including local sports, top news, community events, entertainment, landscapes, architecture & wildlife. Check it out daily to see what’s new.

Photos: Jazz Fest, Final Weekend

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON -- New Orleans native Troy
The final weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 4-5 included music from Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean and Phoenix. May's unusually cool weather proved to be a delight for the final weekend. This year’s Jazz Fest must be among the coldest in the event’s history.

Photos: Jazz Fest, May 3, 2013

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON -- Irma Thomas sings a tribute to Mahalia Jackson at the Gospel Tent at Jazz Fest 2013 in New Orleans on Friday.

Activities continued Friday, May 3 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival including music from Maroon 5, Willie Nelson & Family and Tab Benoit. The festival continues over the weekend, ending Sunday, May 5.

Photos: Jazz Fest, April 27, 28, 2013

Advocate staff photo by ELIOT KAMENITZ -- American Indian Lowery Begay plays a flute carved to resemble a mallard duck at the Fair Grounds Race Course during Saturday's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Activities continued Saturday, April 27, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival including music from Billy Joel, Andrew Bird and Jill Scott. The festival continues over the weekend and starts back up Thursday, May 2, ending the following Sunday.

Photos: Weekly Gallery, 4/28/13

Advocate staff photo by ARTHUR D. LAUCK -- Bozie, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo's Asian elephant, who will be leaving soon for a new home at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C., stretches her trunk toward a visitor taking photos at the zoo Friday.

Each day, a select few of The Advocate’s published photographs are chosen to be featured here. You’ll see a variety of subjects displayed, including local sports, top news, community events, entertainment, landscapes, architecture & wildlife. Check it out daily to see what’s new.

Photos: Jazz Fest begins!

Advocate staff photo by JOHN McCUSKER -- Friday was the opening day of the Jazz and Heritage Festival. Dr. John performed at the Acura stage Friday, April 26, 2013.

Friday was opening day for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The festival continues over the weekend and starts back up Thursday, May 2, ending the following Sunday.

Photos: LSU beats Florida, 18-6 for sweep

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING LSU coach Paul Mainieri talks to home plate umpire Scott Cline during one of Florida's pitching changes on Saturday.

LSU baseball beat the Florida Gators, 18-6 at home at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Saturday, May 4, 2013. The 18 runs scored by LSU gave them the highest scoring game so far this season.

Photos: Weekly Gallery, 4/21/13

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- Resting place -- A dragonfly lands Monday on the end of a bottlebrush plant that has yet to flower on Castle Kirk Drive.

Each day, a select few of The Advocate’s published photographs are chosen to be featured here. You’ll see a variety of subjects displayed, including local sports, top news, community events, entertainment, landscapes, architecture & wildlife. Check it out daily to see what’s new.

Photos: Zoo To Do

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELD -- Zoological event -- Friends Kendall Joseph, 6, left, and Isabelle Merlin, 7, both of New Orleans, do the limbo Friday during Zoo To Do for Children at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. The event featured live music and performances geared for children, inflatables, face painting, crafts, games, food and a special party for patrons. The annual Zoo To Do events are the top fundraisers for the zoo. The Zoo To Do for Adults will be held Friday, May 3, from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a patron and sponsor's party beginning at 7 p.m.

Zoo To Do for Children at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans featured live music and performances geared for children, inflatables, face painting, crafts, games, food and a special party for patrons. The annual Zoo To Do events are the top fundraisers for the zoo, which have raised more than $25 million in the 35 years the event has been held. The Zoo To Do for Adults will be held Friday, May 3, from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a patron and sponsor’s party beginning at 7 p.m.