On behalf of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and the communities of Shreveport and Bossier City, I would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season.

This year has been a whirlwind for everyone, and we do hope you've enjoyed receiving our newsletter. But most importantly we hope that you did some things you really wanted to do. Travel is always a great option for escape and relaxation from our day-to-day.

We have tried to offer you some ideas and some possibilities of things to see, do and experience in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side. From gaming at our five riverboat casinos to dining in our eclectic mix of restaurants to shopping at our popular Louisiana Boardwalk there is something to do here year round.

And as we head into 2011, I do hope that you allow yourself and your family many more great experiences no matter where you go or what you do.

So from our family here in Shreveport-Bossier to your family, we pray you have a happy, healthy and safe holiday and that 2011 brings you more joy than ever.

Stacy Brown,
President
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau


Music, great local food and artisan libations can be found at Wine Country Bistro

Great music, locally sourced food and artisan libations are what you can expect at Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop.

Starting with the music, Deidre and Bob perform every Tuesday from 6:30-9 p.m. at Wine Country. The duo's mission is to bring new and different music into the Shreveport-Bossier scene. It's been important to them to have a diverse selection of music to please music connoisseurs of all ages.

After nearly four years, they have amassed more than 1600 hours of stage performance together. Deidre's singing talent was discovered and has been nurtured since the age of 3. By 15, she was singing at everything from church weddings to school functions. In 1999, she helped form a band called "Rhythm and Voices." She's opened for Maze and the Isley Brothers.

Bob has been a working musician for almost 40 years. He's played every venue from solo to a 12-piece band and from California to Florida with stops in between at places like New Orleans and the Great Lakes.

The experience with Bob and Deidre is rounded out at Wine Country with exceptional food. The restaurant was created in July 2004 by Jason Brady, Clay Simon and Steve Simon. It was birthed as a small bottle shop, offering a wide selection of boutique style wines at every price point.

To read more about the performers and to get a copy of the restaurant's menu click here. To get a schedule of Deidre and Bob's performance at other local restaurants click here.


Get in on the Mardi Gras fun and excitement

Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier was once one of the best kept secrets. But visitors and groups are having such fun that word is spreading that northwest Louisiana knows how to party.

For groups of 10 or more, the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau hosts an annual Mardi Gras Bash on the banks of the Red River in downtown Shreveport for both major parade weekends. This year, the Krewe of Centaur's parade rolls on Saturday, Feb. 26, while the Krewe of Gemini parades on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Participants of the Bash are treated to a visit from the royal courts of the Mardi Gras krewes, Cajun food like crawfish etoufee and gumbo, live music, a private tour of the floats before the parades start, and an up close spot on the parade route to catch hundreds of Mardi Gras beads and doubloons.