BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Some local agencies are coming together to try to build a better music scene that would uplift our entire region.
“Unfortunately, Baton Rouge is not living up to its potential for music and entertainment and we want to enhance that,” said Chris Meyer.
To do it, they’re looking to reimagine three nearby venues you’re familiar with.
“Baton Rouge sometimes gets in its own way,” said Pam Bordelon. “It has a tradition of doing that and not taking advantage of opportunities the city is presented with.”
Pam Bordelon works at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Although she believes our capital city has a vibrant art and music scene, she argues it’s still not living up to its full potential.
“We have the heritage of the blues. That’s kind of our claim to fame,” said Bordelon. “We have a blues festival and there’s no reason that that cannot become as equally important and as a driving factor as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival.”
Chris Meyer agrees.
“We’re the crossroads of music, culture and entertainment of Louisiana and we need venues to reflect that,”
As the CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Meyer is teaming up with local agencies, like the Arts Council, to complete an entertainment study. The goal is to improve music and arts by reimagining some of the assets we already have.
“Tie together our opportunities as a region, but specifically downtown and connecting corridors on how to elevate these music and entertainment venues so we can have a thriving music industry in Baton Rouge,” said Meyer.
The study is focusing on venues like the River Center, PMAC and Memorial Stadium along with other factors like hotel rooms and transportation to make their idea come to life. Providing more than $1 billion in area investments to not only attract more visitors, but benefit those who call Baton Rouge home too.
“World-class venues that would be attractive to artists and really elevate the music and entertainment industry in Baton Rouge and, most importantly, create a quality of life here that we could all be proud of,” said Meyer.
“If you’ve got a vibrant art scene, a vibrant music scene where things are happening and where people can get engaged and meet their fellow Baton Rougians, then nothing but good can come from that,” said Bordelon.
The study should be wrapped up in the next few months. Then the organizations can analyze the data and develop an action plan.
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