April 23, 29, 30 @ 7pm, April 24 @ 2pm

Starting with the music of Nellie Lutcher, followed by a talk on her importance in history and to Lake Charles, and ending with the 1-woman play by Carolyn Woosley, Nellie.

Nellie Lutcher (1912-2007) a Lake Charles native and product of Second Ward Elementary School, New Sunlight Baptist Church and the rigorous the classical training of Mrs. Eugenia Reynaud, Nellie travelled the local circuits, and in the mid-1930s moved to the entertainment capital of Los Angeles. After playing local clubs for 12 years, accompanying the likes of Lena Horn, she was discovered via a Hollywood talent show. Nellie Lutcher was a roots-of-rock, jazzy, queen of scat, swing-style singer with a winsome piano style that wooed the crowds. Four of her tunes broke into the pop charts. This made her one of the few, rare crossover black musicians of her day. Later, Mrs. Lutcher was the first female African American elected to the Board of Directors of Local 47 Musicians’ Union where she labored to defend the rights of other musicians. Set in the offices of Local 47, late 1950s.

Performed by Leah Howard Robinson