Animal lovers, beer aficionados and friendly dogs will all come together for the 10th annual Larry Hartzog’s Twisted Brew Fest, a place where the beer will be cold, the food will be scrumptious, and the free parking will be plentiful.
The Mystic Krewe of Brew homebrewing organization will host the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. event to benefit the Northshore Humane Society inside the Castine Center in Pelican Park near Mandeville on June 17.
There will also be plenty of adoptable pups on hand, all of them looking for new best friends and forever homes, so human attendees at the fest are advised to put their best feet forward.
In addition to dogs galore, the fest will feature more than 200 beer samplings from local homebrew and commercial breweries around the state, including Chafunkta, Abita, Gnarly Barley, Urban South and more.
Beer-makers will serve their top sellers and their newest brews. Attendees will also be able to enjoy delicious food, music, various vendors and a "people’s choice" competition among the home-brews.
Each paid ticket into the festival will be allowed to vote on their favorite home-brewed beer; designated drivers will not get a vote. The home-brewer that receives the most votes will be crowned the festival winner, get a first-place medal, their picture on the Larrybrewfest.com website and bragging rights until the next Larry Fest winner is crowned.
The festival's namesake, who died in 2012, was an active krewe member and beer-maker known for off-the-wall ingredients and wild homebrew concoctions. To honor his memory, his krewe members organized the first homebrew competition in a Covington pizzeria. The event has grown ever since, right along with the popularity of beer-making.
General admission tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. The ticket price will include all beer samplings. (There will be no ticket refunds.) Early entry, designated driver tickets and T-shirts will also be available. There is no charge for canines who attend with their owners, but only bring the friendly ones to the party, please.
For more information on the event or to reserve tickets, visit northshorehumane.org or https://larrybrewfest.com/bjcp-contests/.
THEATER
BLOCKBUSTER: The 30 by Ninety Theater in Mandeville is featuring the musical comedy "The Producers" from June 10 to July 2 under the direction of Emily Carmadelle, with musical direction by Jesse White, based on the music and lyrics of Mel Brooks and the book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Follow a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his feckless accountant concoct a scheme to produce a notorious flop in order to fleece show backers. Watch Max Bialystock, played by Gordon Carmadelle, and Leo Bloom, portrayed by Michael Breath Jr. maneuver in this insanely funny adventure and poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. See 8 p.m. shows June 16-17, 23-24 and June 30-July 1; 2:30 p.m. matinees on June 18, 25 and July 2. Tickets at https://30byninety.com/shows/.
MUSIC
TRIBUTE: Rockabilily and blues tribute artist Finley Watkins will entertain in two evening shows on June 23 & 24 at the Cutting Edge Theater. In the first half of his "Finley Show," the 14-year-old prodigy pays tribute to Elvis; the second half will include a variety of Finley's own songs and tributes to a variety of others, from Jerry Lee Lewis to Johnny Cash. Tickets start at $32. Tickets and info at (985) 649-3727. Show at 767 Robert Blvd. in Slidell.
RIVER ROCKING: The next Sunset at the Landing free concert will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 16 at the Columbia Street Landing on the Bogue Falaya River at 100 N. Columbia St. The entertainment has not yet been announced, but concertgoers should bring chairs or blankets for seating and are invited to also bring snacks and beverages.
HARBOR: Singer-songwriter-guitarist Patrick Sampson will bring his multioctave voice to the intimate Lobby Lounge stage at the Harbor Center on June 21, performing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Although barely in his 20s, Sampson channels the maturity of an older, seasoned songwriter, having written his first at the age of 15. The depth of his lyrics and storytelling abilities could have been created by songwriters at least twice his age. Tickets on eventbrite are $20, plus fees and taxes.
CONCERT: "The Last Chance Bluegrass Band" will perform bluegrass and country gospel music at First Baptist Church, 16333 La. 1085, in Covington at 10:30 a.m. June 20 in the Central Hall. A Heart Adults 55+ program. Online registration is required by noon on June 16 at www.fbccov.org/adults-55. Cost is $15, payable at the door, which includes lunch at noon.
ART
COPPERPLATE: “Just Scratching the Surface,” a gallery student/teacher show exhibiting 12 copperplate etchings at various points in the process of creation, will hang in the Art Works building on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey through June.
EXHIBIT: Fontainebleau High School Senior Art Exhibit in the Atrium Gallery at Christwood retirement center in Covington through June 30. Showcases the work of 11 recently graduated seniors. Free and open to the public.
GUMBO OF EVENTS
ROOTS: A New Orleans genealogical professional with a special interest in the history of Louisiana Creoles and African Americans will meet with the public to share his knowledge of tracing one’s roots to mark Juneteenth 2023 in Mandeville. Jari Honora is a research assistant with the Historic New Orleans Collection and also does historical and genealogical research professionally, including work for the TV programs "Finding Your Roots," will give his Juneteenth Genealogy presentation on June 17 from 10 a.m.to noon in the Trailhead Depot Museum, 675 Lafitte St.. If planning to attend, reserve a seat by emailing acasborne@cityofmandeville.com or calling (985) 624-3147.
KIDS IN CHARGE: There will be a special farmers market in Madisonville on June 17 when kids run the booths and sell all kinds of goodies, from crafts and toys to baked goods. There will be no fees or other charges to the kids who participate, and all products will be made and sold by the kids. More than 50 kid vendors and multiple kid entertainers already signed on. Sign up to be part of the "Market Munchkins All Kids Market" on Jahncke Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to sign up, email bridgetglassman@yahoo.com
TRUCKIN': Join the fun for Food Truck Friday on June 16 at from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Abita Springs Trailhead Park. Live music by Soundtrack Era with performances by Pandorium. This is a new event the town is hosting to determine if there is interest in making it a regular attraction.
SUPPORT: The next Parkinson's Support Group will meeting June 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Road, in Slidell. Dr. Gerald Calegan, a neurologist, will discuss how to maintain a positive, proactive mindset as a PWP and the importance of exercise to build and maintain muscle mass. Meetings are open to people living with Parkinson's disease, their care partners, medical professionals or anyone else interested in learning more about living well with Parkinson's disease.
CHECK: The Checkmate Chess Club holds open chess time at the Covington Library once a month. Find a chess partner at the Covington branch, 310 W. 21st Ave., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 17 and. Bring a chess set or borrow one at the library. Free and open to the public. Visit www.sttammanylibrary.org/adult-events/ for more information on library-sponsored adult programs.
WOMEN: The Widows’ Social Club of Slidell's next meeting is June 24 at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 360 Robert Blvd., in Genesis Hall. The guests will be specialists speaking about CASA, whose volunteers represent the interest of children in foster care. Before the meeting, at 9:45 a.m., there will be a brief memorial service in honor of lost loved ones in the Prayer Garden near Genesis Hall.
SAVE THE DATE
PARTY: The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce will host its premier event of the season and a great night out with casino games, open bars, samples from fine-dining restaurants, and both live and silent auctions. The Southern Nights soirée on July 21 is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Greystone, 935 Clausel St., in Mandeville and is presented by Covington Trace ER & Hospital. Get tickets today at StTammanyChamber.org. or by emailing info@sttammanychamber.org.