June Live Lunch Connect

June Live Lunch Connect

A Woman and Her Blues

by Jenny Johnstone-Smith

 

No, we’re not talking about that time of the month or a bad break-up. Although these topics certainly could provide some great lyrics for a blues song; the specific woman the Gulf Coast chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse has in mind to share her knowledge of blues is Angie Ladner.

 

In 2000, Angie and her business partner, Allison Borders, opened the first sushi restaurant in, Oxford, Mississippi. Not a typical career for women, or a typical venue, they built a stage at the Two Stick Sushi restaurant in Oxford, MS and began to book bands. She fell in love and thrived in the entertainment industry. Angie has always been a fan of not just the music, and the connection that brings us all together, but more so, the history. She is currently working on a project with Keesler Air Force Base to find archives of the men and women that played on the gulf coast in the 40’ and 50’s.  They never received the recognition, and accolades that they deserved, and she would like to see that happen. Angie is also working on getting the first blues trail marker honoring women musicians.

 

A teacher by profession, Angie Ladner cut her teeth in the historical district of Biloxi known as the Vieuw Marche—you see, Howard street was where she grew up. As a teacher now Angie can think of nothing better than to educate others about the history of the long-gone juke joints that used to host blues bands. And as she works to educate the community about the history of Mississippi blues, she also hopes to play a part in revitalizing the downtown area and works with the some of the local economic development groups with the same aim.

 

Whether or not you are a blues fan, please join on June 16th at 11:30 am for our Polka Dot Powerhouse meeting at Layla’s Coffee House, 2079 E Pass Rd. in Gulfport. Angie will be sure to delight us with information about the Biloxi blues music scene—past and present. For a woman and her blues, sharing its rich history is in her very soul. And who knows; you might just leave with a new appreciation for Biloxi blues.

Meeting Details

Meeting Start Date/Time 06-16-2022 11:30 am
Meeting End Date/Time 06-16-2022 1:30 pm
Capacity 30
Registered 6
Remaining Seats Available 24
Location Layla"s Coffeehouse & Eatery

We are no longer accepting registration for this meeting

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