Throughout the year, Banners at McNeese does quite a lot backstage for the community. However, without the annual Rouge et Blanc event, many of these good works would not be possible.

Banners’ programming reaches “beyond its main stages into the community to enrich our youth, elders, educators and diverse communities which otherwise would receive less support and targeted programming,” said Brook Hanemann, drector of Banners at McNeese State University.

To ensure that Banners’ has sufficient financial backing to make this outreach possible, they host the annual event, Rouge et Blanc.

This event gives Southwest Louisiana residents the opportunity to sample 150 curated wines paired with food from over 20 local chefs. As the wine selection and menu items change year to year, so does the experience.

“Rouge gives attendees a chance to discover culinary delicacies from restaurants in their own back-yard, expanding their appreciation for restaurants they can patronize, and it gives them a chance to expand their palate and learn about new wines which are specifically sold in their region,” she said.

Since its inauguration 16 years ago , Rouge et Blanc has sold out. For some regular attendees, this event serves as a wine cellar restock, holiday shopping, palette refinement and an enjoyable social outing.

Rouge et Blanc was specifically designed to support Banners’ infrastructure, ensuring the Banners’ Spring Cultural Season – comprising of approximately 20 events that occur over an 8 week period- is possible. Rouge et Blanc also supports every annual Banner’s event, outreach initiatives, in-house programming and strategic community partnerships.

“On the outside, Rouge may look like just a fabulous food and wine event, but in actuality it is really the largest collective philanthropic event of the year for Banners at McNeese,” said Hanemann.

“Nearly 100% of the net proceeds from Rouge et Blanc go to artists, speakers, and performers for events available to the general public, University students, along with grades 1-12 throughout our area,” said Randy Partin, Assistant Director of Banners at McNeese State University. “Since the inception of Rouge et Blanc, the diversity of programming and international talent visiting Lake Charles through the Banners program has multiplied exponentially.”

Without Rouge et Blanc, Banners would find themselves cutting programming efforts by 70%.

Banners aims to support the growth of art and culture in the community. “While the region’s arts community is growing and has the potential to match the size and scope of neighboring communities like Lafayette…we haven’t yet become robust enough to flourish without support outside of our current audience base. In other communities throughout the country, artists can live off of their art as professional practitioners.”

Hanemann believes that the SWLA community has a budding arts culture. “There is an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent in our community, and so I believe we are headed towards that kind of infrastructure.

The importance of this event and the trail of culture it creates is inarticulably vital to the sustainability and growth of Banners’ programming which reaches beyond its main stages into the community to enrich our youth, elders, educators and diverse communities which otherwise would receive less support and targeted programming.

Banners’ operates with the pillar of stewardship at its core. Partin ensures Banners’ embodies stewardship by “making choices that are effective, so the desired result is achieved on the first attempt and leveraging business and volunteer relationships to have a mutually positive outcome.”

He explained that these are some ways that good stewardship is manifested and “these are always a part of the planning, implementation, and post-event process for the current staff of Banners at McNeese State University.”

Hanemann said that while they serve the entire community, there are three specific demographics that have Banners’ focus: the next generation, first responders, military and educators, and  elders.

In order for art to remain an influential source of growth and education, it is vital to nurture a love for the arts in young people. For this reason, Banners puts in the work to provide this to students throughout the area.

“If we do not foster a love for arts and culture in our next generation, the next generation will never learn to be cultural torch-bearers,” said Hanemann. “The future of our region’s cultural richness depends on raising our children to value our heritage and artistic contributions. If we do not take this seriously, we can be assured that our cultural future will be bleak for generations to come.”

It takes hard work to grow a sustainable love for the arts in a community. “A vibrant arts community does not happen by accident. We have the responsibility to foster in our youth a love not just for great industry and infrastructure, but also for the things that bring meaning to our experience as contributing members of our society,” she explained.

The future of SWLA’s rich art culture is in the hands of the upcoming generations. “Our children and grandchildren will determine whether or not we have resources to enjoy high quality of life in the areas of culture and the arts in the future, we must make sure they understand viscerally why this is vital.”

Partin explained that to make this enrichment happen, it is critical to provide students with full and free access to the arts, “so that cultural exposure and learning within the arts is not limited to those with monetary means or connections to experience the performance.”

“A child’s life might be limited to television, seclusion at home, a computer or phone screen, or simply no diversity at all,” he continued. “A child can not grow into a well-rounded adult without having well-rounded exposure to various cultural and humanitarian subjects.”

Banners provides unique experiences to fill-in these gaps. “The exposure to something new can often provide the spark that catapults a student into a career choice or provides them with creative ideas about what they want to accomplish with their life.”

SWLA youth are able to view free stage shows like “The Magic School Bus,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “The Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.” Banners also provides STEM-based productions “that joins art and science.” These STEM productions are designed to “align with some of the interests of local industry leaders,” Hanemann said.

“We also get to enter into the schools themselves with workshops like dance programs and theatre games classes where students learn through play/performance to build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork.”

Banners makes sure to provide to adults that work vital roles in our community. “Though our programming is diverse, one thing that remains constant with Banners is a commitment to support the men and women who make great sacrifices to support our community on the front lines,” Hanemann explained.

Over the past few years, local educators have had thousands of tickets directly distributed to them.

This year, any area first responder or military personnel, or individuals over the age of 80 or under the age of 12, will be able to attend all Banners events free of charge.

This is a result of local sponsorship. “Many of our largest industry leaders give to Banners because they care for their employees and want to see them live in a region with a vibrant culture that they can help grow,” said Hanemann. “Small businesses and individuals within the community contribute mightily. One such individual, Reed Mendelson… has expanded his support to offer a staggering number of our community members free admission to each of our regular Spring Season shows.”

Those eligible for these tickets can show up to events within an hour of the event with a valid ID to receive entry.

One of the most important populations to provide the arts to is our older citizens. “We stand on the shoulders of giants…our local elders are the ones who built this community and we owe it to them to continuously raise the quality of life for our community members,” Hanemann explained. “In the realm of arts and culture, we too often see our elders forgotten. Banners is devoted to righting that wrong.”

Banners is able to bring artists directly into the homes of older citizens through behind-the-scenes outreach programs. Recently, these homes have served as a stage for Grammy Award winning musicians from the string quartet, Violectice and internationally known Steinway Pianist, Robin Spieberg.

“To walk down the corridors of elder homes… and then to gather in a room with no stage and no scenery and introduce artists and musicians who flood the room and halls with the live vibrance of instruments and song…to see old eyes light up, to hear them sing with us, or sway to music if that’s all they can do…those moments are the invaluable treasures. Those moments are the heartbeat of what McNeese gives the community through Banners,” said Hanemann.

If there was ever a time to support the arts, it is now, she said. The slate of disasters over the past few years have heavily impacted the arts scene. Hanemann explained this: “Many venues are still ravaged, many organizations are at a critical point. Some will rebuild, some will become extinct. Now it is more important than ever to do all you can to support local artists and arts organizations, and to ensure that the generations to come can enjoy the quality of life they deserve.”

“Let’s work together to keep it that way and to help our arts community flourish. Our future generations deserve it.”

This year, Rouge et Blanc is tentatively scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 7. Base tickets will be $150 to $175 with upgrade options.

Partin explained that the cost has been mindfully increased. “It has been 6 years since tickets had a price increase and every line item of expenses have gone up significantly during that time.”

For those that want to support Banners’ year-round, the Banners’ All Access Membership is an option. Hanemann calls this the “ultimate philanthropic package.”

This package includes 2 guaranteed tickets to Rouge et Blanc, 2 tickets to each of Banners’ regular Spring events and 2 tickets to the annual members-only kickoff party.

“Because Rouge et Blanc sells out annually, the All Access Membership takes the gamble and stress out of securing Rouge tickets,” she explained. “It is the ultimate holiday or Valentine’s gift. Not only does it guarantee admission to Rouge but the access to all season events carries great value.”

The Banners’ membership is “irresponsibly affordable.”“For people with limited expendable income, it is hard to expand your entertainment palate here because a single concert coming in nationally can easily cost $80 a person. You’re not going to want to test the waters outside your usual preferences because it is so expensive,” said Hanemann. “With a Banners membership, each event will cost a negligible amount which means you can go see things you’re not familiar with and potentially discover a vast and diverse array of genres and artists you never would have otherwise known that you love.”

The 2023 Season membership is $80. Upgraded memberships are available: 2023 Season Philanthropist at $150 and 2023 All Access – Cultural Season & Rouge et Blanc at $500.

Upcoming shows in the 223 Cultural Season includes performances by the Tartan Terrors, Sons of Mystro and Ruthie Foster, among many others.

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For more information on Banners and Rouge et Blanc, visit banners.org.