268. Langston A. Williams, Part 1

268. Part 1 of our interview with filmmaker Langston A. Williams. Langston didn’t start off with a plan to make a social commentary as his master’s thesis film at the University of New Orleans. But the summer after Williams finished writing the screenplay for a horror short, a 37-year-old named Alton Sterling was shot by police officers in Baton Rouge. Williams discovered then that he had an entirely different screenplay in him – one about race, police brutality and the media. “The story almost wrote itself,” said Williams (M.F.A.,’17). Now, Williams’ 25-minute short film, “Stay Woke,” is racking up honors on the film festival circuit and, most impressively, was invited to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner on May 17, a first for a student film made through UNO’s Department of Film & Theatre program.

1. This week in Louisiana history. July 7, 1912. Grabow 'Lumber War' shootout takes place near DeRidder, 3 killed, 37 wounded.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beginning in the mid-1930s, and for several years after, the Recreation Project of the WPA sponsored the "Summer Showers" program in conjunction with the New Orleans Fire Department. Several days a week throughout the summer, firemen closed off a street, opened the hydrants and attached special nozzles to their hoses so the children of New Orleans could frolic and beat the heat. Opening day of the Summer Showers program was traditionally celebrated with a certain amount of pomp and circumstance. City and WPA leaders gathered at Engine House 26, 231 S. Broad, for the ceremonial turning on of the showers. Opening day festivities too place on Broad Street, July 7, 1939.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Cajun Music and Food Festival
   July 20, 2018 to July 21, 2018
   Friday 4pm-11pm & Saturday 9am-11pm
   Admission: $8.00 - Children under 12 Free
   (337) 794-2541
   Burton Coliseum
   7001 Gulf Hwy
   Lake Charles, LA 70605
   Celebrating 31 years of preserving and promoting Cajun music and heritage with continuous live Cajun music, traditional Cajun foods, arts and crafts, Cajun waltz and two-step dance contests, and children's activities all at Burton Coliseum starting at 4:00 to 11:00 PM, Friday, July 20th and again Saturday, July 21 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. In addition, we have a Cajun French mass and donut social on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM at the CFMA Building and Museum located at 3481 E, Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Frog & Henry plays on Frenchmen St.

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