By Katherine Miller

STAFF WRITER

CROWLEY – Readers on Stage, hosted by the Grand Opera House of the South, was held Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m.

This event, featured local authors including Ron Gomez and Coach Beryl Shipley, authors of SlamDunked, Dave Pierce, author of Riding the Ether Express and author of Germans of Robert’s Cove, Reinhart Kondart and genealogy by Lawrence Cramer.

The night was divided into three segments, during which each group of authors discussed their book, complete with question and answer sessions.

Shipley, former basketball coach at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and Gomez, a former state legislator, in their book, tell of a handful of black players recruited by Shipley and claims that led to retaliation by racists, the Louisiana University System and the NCAA. The book also reveals questionable procedures and allegations of the NCAA, as well as newly discovered documents showing the NCAA’s actions abetting those of racially motivated Louisiana State Board of Education and others who were determined to punish those who integrated athletics in the state.

Author Dave Pierce of south Louisiana, is a former disc jockey who is also a writer, actor and director. In his book, the Riding the Ether Express, Pierce tells a first hand account of a Louisiana boy who takes a wild journey through 1960s Los Angeles, initiating the Freeform Underground Radio format.

Through the book The History of Robert’s Cove, tells of how these Germans escaped hardships of their native Germany and adapted to the new homeland. They established their own church and school and passed on their language and culture to future generations.

Following the night’s events, a meet/greet session and book signing.

Kim Gattle, executive director of the Grand Opera House of the South, said that the turnout of local residents was what was expected.

“The evening was great. Each of the authors gave a great and interesting performance,” Gattle declared. “It was a very insightful and educational event.”

In the future, Gattle hopes that this performance will encourage more and more people to attend like events at the Opera House.

For more information concerning upcoming events at the Grand Opera House of the South, log on to www.thegrandoperahouse.org or contact them by phone at 785-0440.