Featuring football, live music and entertainment, April 15-17

The biggest football rivalry in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) history takes place during the weekend, April 15-17. The Bayou Classic football game will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 16, at Independence Stadium, where the Grambling State University Tigers go head-to-head with the Southern University Jaguars for year-long bragging rights.

“To gear up for football fans and their families, the Port City Fest will be the ultimate fan experience,” said Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins. “For three days, there will be food, fun and educational activities to showcase the rich culture of Shreveport and the heritage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It’s not only a win for fans but an even bigger win for our local economy and our tourism industry -- hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” Off-the-field entertainment will start with the Party on the Red music festival, April 16- 17, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. The Friday event is from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be fantastic food, all-day entertainment and craft vendors. Friday’s entertainment lineup includes Southern Komfort, brass band out of Mississippi; Alter Ego, jazz; Brandon Campbell, lineup includes Bun B, southern rap; zydeco; and Calvin Richardson, R&B. Saturday’s entertainment Tipsey the Band, R&B; Hot 8 Brass Band; and Tank, R&B. The cost is $15 for a single ticket, a two-seater pod is $40, a three-seater pod is $60, and the four-seater pod is $80. VIP tents are $225 and accomodates eight people. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

In the Red River District, the party will continue with libations and hip hop sponsored by Loving This Life Jada, 8 p.m., April 15 at Fat’s Oyster House. April 16, Big Freedia, queen of bounce music, will perform in the Red River District plaza. Tipsey the Band, a local music group, will perform at Fat’s

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Oyster House, April 17 at 8 p.m. Laugh Out Loud Comedy, located in downtown Shreveport, hosts The Ratt Packs of Comedy, April 16-17. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $15 presale on Eventbrite and $20 at the door. Purchase tickets by visiting www. eventbrite.com/o/32917739419.

Classic Expo, presented by the Shreveport- Bossier African-American Chamber of Commerce, will showcase local black-owned businesses and provide educational seminars, as well as engaging panel discussions, April 15- 17, at the Shreveport Convention Center. This event is free and open to the public.

Classic Vibes presented by Envision will be held Thursday, April 15, from 7-11 p.m. on the Remington Suites Hotel and Spa rooftop. Sounds will be presented by Scooter Man Pro with special guest Bay Bay featuring The Red Sample. General admission tickets are $50. VIP tickets are $350 and include six tickets, swag bags and a live painting raffle. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

April 16, there will be a GSU versus SU alumni party called “Perfekt Isolation” at the 601 Spring St. events venue. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. with The Party Crashers, DJ Love and Boogiedmc. There will be an open bar, VIP section, food and photo opportunities. Tickets range from $30 to $500 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

318 Infused Cigar and Spirits Lounge will host Bayou Brunch with Chef Tiff and DJ B Smoove from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. on April 17. The menu features shrimp and grits, fish and grits, mimosa, chicken and waffles. For more information, call 318-564-3050.

Daytox will happen on April 17, from 5-9 p.m., at the Remington Suite Hotel and Spa rooftop. This event is being hosted by MC Fiji with sounds by DJ Neff and DJ Teddy B. Tickets to this event are $36.50. A reserved section costs $450 and includes six tickets, premium bottle and hookah. Tickets can be purchased at www. curatedbychlo.myshopify.com.

Throughout the entire weekend, fans are encouraged to shop, dine and play in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana. With so many things to see and do, this is bound to be the classic experience everyone has been waiting for all year.

The proud sponsors of this event are the City of Shreveport, Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Caddo Commission, City of Bossier and Bossier Parish Police Jury.

Organizers are asking all participants to wear masks and social distance at each event. All CDC guidelines will be encouraged. For more information, visit www.PortCityFest.com.