Smash-a-thon is on
Sparkhound is hosting its second annual Smash-a-thon event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Celtic Movie Studios, at 10222 Celtic Drive, in Baton Rouge.
Last year’s event recycled 5,045 pounds of equipment, drew over 300 attendees and raised money for The Companion Animal Alliance.
In addition to smashing old IT equipment, the family-friendly event will also include:
Smashing pumpkins (the activity, not the band)
A floppy disk Nerf shooting gallery
Build your own video game controller and use it!
Puppies for petting
Free food
Live music
Fall Fest BR is Oct. 4
The Walls Project announces Fall Fest BR 2025, a day-long community celebration taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Baton Roots Community Farm, located at BREC Howell Park. The event will highlight Baton Rouge’s vibrant culture through hands-on art, agriculture, youth programming, and local vendors, providing an engaging experience for families, neighbors and visitors.
Youth and agricultural engagement
Through Baton Roots, youth and families will have the opportunity to participate in agricultural projects, including strawberry planting, food forest planting, fall crop planting, mulching, composting demonstrations and the construction of a Little Free Food Library. The day will also feature an Apprenticeship Information Session and Lunch-and-Learn, offering pathways for continued involvement in Baton Roots programming.
Farmers market and vendor fair
In addition to the arts and gardening activities, Fall Fest BR 2025 will feature an on-site farmers market showcasing local growers and fresh seasonal produce. Attendees can also explore the Community Resource Fair, Atmos Energy Kid Zone and Sprouts Healthy Living Zone, where free health screenings, wellness checks and educational resources will be available to support healthier living across Baton Rouge.
Gala on the Bluff
Get ready for a night of unforgettable music and celebration as R&B legend Evelyn “Champagne” King headlines Southern University’s Gala on the Bluff on Oct. 17. Known for her timeless hits like “Love Come Down” and “I’m in Love,” King is set to bring her energy to Baton Rouge for Southern University’s Homecoming 2025.
The semi-formal gala kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center, 4728 Constitution Ave., in Baton Rouge, and promises an evening full of rhythm, soul and Louisiana flair. Joining King on stage will be zydeco powerhouse Dwayne Dopsie and the dynamic Harry Anderson Band.
Organizers have set a $100,000 fundraising goal to support scholarships for students in Southern’s College of Business.
Tickets and sponsorship tables can be purchased online at galaonthebluff.com. Guests may also call Marilyn Doherty at (225) 771-5191, or buy in person at Agnes Andrews Allstate Insurance Agency, 214 S. Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge, (225) 383-0877.
Louisiana Book Festival 2025 Wordshops
The Louisiana Book Festival has announced the faculty for its 2025 WordShops writing workshops, which include a former Louisiana Poet Laureate, multiple award-winning authors and a top-selling literary agent.
The three-hour writing workshops will be held Oct. 31 at the State Library of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The courses are open to writers of all levels of experience, with each focusing on a different topic, ranging from creative writing techniques to the business of writing.
The schedule features two concurrent sessions in both the morning and afternoon on Oct. 31.
9 a.m. to noon
Does Your Writing Smell? The Power of “The Fifth Sense,” with Julie Kane
Building a Writing Career with Michele Filgate
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Great Character Surrender with Kionna Walker LeMalle
Selling Your Story: Strategies from a Top-Selling Literary Agent with Jesse Byrd
Full course descriptions and faculty biographies can be found on the WordShops webpage. Instructors will also attend the Louisiana Book Festival on Nov. 1.
Registration for each WordShop is $50; for anyone attending both a morning and an afternoon WordShop session, the cost is $90.