New Downtown Music Series “Alive After 5” Announced for Spring

Shreveport DDA announced on Monday a new, three-part live music series called “Alive After 5.” The series, which will take place the first week of each month in the Red River District beneath the Texas Street Bridge, will feature bands, food, and drink from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and is aimed at keeping people downtown after business hours. The first concert, which will kick off Thursday, March 3rd, will feature local group The Good News.

“We want people to come straight from work to enjoy a couple of hours of music and mingling,” says Emery Eck Gentry, President of the Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) of NW Louisiana, the group that was the push behind the series. “We’re encouraging all YPI members, downtown employees, local residents, and anyone who loves a good time and good music to come out.”

“This is going to be fun,” says Marissa Carbine, Event Coordinator for the Red River District. “There will be food from our district restaurants…. as well as a food truck or two…”

The Red River District was full of activity when it first launched under the moniker in 2002, and has been working on re-branding itself after a dormant period of ownership by El Dorado Resort Casino. The city has been actively programming the space since it regained control a few years ago, but has struggled to bring consistent crowds. However, new businesses have been moving in over the last two years, and the vibe is shifting.

The latest spot is Bon Temps Coffee Bar which carries an atmosphere unlike any other downtown, and is rising as a destination, jockeying against the likes of Great Raft and Holiday Lanes in the Shreveport Times Best of NWLA contest for best “Group Night Out” spot.

Bon Temps joins now-veteran eateries Fully Stacked and Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant. Fatty Arbuckle’s bar, once a bastion of music programming for some time, also remains a staple. Other businesses like Appli-Ks, Hippie Baby, and Cohab are also present.

“The Red River District is a great outdoor space to hang out after work,” says Liz Swaine, DDA executive director. “After a hard day, at the end of a tiring work week, it will be a great way to decompress and rejuvenate. Come and hang out and chat, come to listen to music, or come to eat or get a great beverage — all will be there waiting for you.”

We hope you’ll come down and give it a go. The RRD’s not the same place it was a decade ago, and it’s certainly not the place it was two or three years ago. It’s something else entirely.

Cover photo stolen from DigiFest South.