After establishing itself as a destination for American Roots music, Louisiana Grandstand is entering a new chapter with plans for a privately funded, multi-phase entertainment destination at the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City.
The development will bring together live music, dining, hospitality, history and future entertainment experiences along the Red River. The first phase, The Parish Standard, is scheduled to open in November 2026.
Since its concert debut in 2019, Louisiana Grandstand has become known for its intimate, acoustics-first approach to live music, featuring artists in country, Americana, folk, roots and Southern music. Artists who have performed on its stages include Zach Top, Jordan Davis, Kix Brooks, Marty Stuart, Marcus King, Robert Earl Keen, Sara Evans, Red Clay Strays, The Castellows and Braxton Keith.
The organization has also received regional and national media attention for its efforts to strengthen Northwest Louisiana’s reputation as a live music destination and support emerging artists through its Artist Ambassador Program, which features Shreveport natives Kix Brooks and Jordan Davis.
The Parish Standard
The Parish Standard will be located in the former Joe’s Crab Shack space at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The approximately 220-seat restaurant and dedicated listening room will be built around a music-first concept.
The venue will feature Louisiana-inspired food, cocktails and live music. Guests will order at the counter and receive table service. The restaurant will operate Tuesday through Sunday before transitioning into a music-focused venue on weekend evenings with ticketed concerts featuring artists connected to the Louisiana Grandstand brand.
The space draws inspiration from New Orleans’ Garden District and is intended to give visitors another reason to spend time at the Louisiana Boardwalk before or after a concert.
Building on Northwest Louisiana’s music history
The Louisiana Grandstand project draws on the region’s long history of shaping American music.
Shreveport was home to the Louisiana Hayride, which was broadcast from the city from 1948 to 1960 and helped launch the careers of artists including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton and Kitty Wells. The region has also been associated with artists such as Lead Belly.
Louisiana Grandstand was founded in 2019 and later established its original home at the historic Woman’s Department Club, a building constructed in 1925 and known as the “Lady on Line.” The theater has hosted notable figures including Robert Frost, Katharine Hepburn and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
The organization began its partnership with the Woman’s Department Club in 2020 and presented its first concert there in 2021. The Louisiana Boardwalk development will carry that music-focused mission into a larger destination.
Louisiana Boardwalk sees continued investment
The Louisiana Grandstand announcement comes as the Louisiana Boardwalk undergoes continued investment and redevelopment.
Over the past two years, tenants have invested more than $13.5 million at the property, while property ownership has made or projected another $3.5 million in investments for improvements, marketing, security, events and tenant recruitment.
“We are looking at the Boardwalk through a much larger lens,” said John O’Shaughnessy, Principal at Commercial Retail Group. “This isn’t about one improvement or one announcement. It’s about making thoughtful, intentional investments that build on one another and create a stronger destination over time. Every improvement, every new partner and every new experience contributes to where we want The Boardwalk to be five years from now.”
The Boardwalk has also added new businesses and experiences, including national franchise The Picklr.
“We chose The Boardwalk because we wanted to be part of the revitalization here,” said Chris Phillips, Co-Owner and Developer of The Picklr at the Boardwalk. “That’s played out faster than we expected. Our membership drive exceeded every expectation we had going in, and today we’re serving hundreds of active members across our 11 courts. And we’re not done. Next month we open The Brine, the first culinary concept to be added to a Picklr franchise. Chef Gabriel Balderas is bringing an elevated concept to what we’d argue is the most beautiful view from any restaurant in Shreveport-Bossier.”
Larger Louisiana Grandstand development planned
The Parish Standard will be the first phase of the larger Louisiana Grandstand development.
A future Louisiana Grandstand auditorium is planned as the centerpiece, with an anticipated capacity of approximately 2,700 guests. The auditorium is expected to draw inspiration from venues such as Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium while maintaining its own identity. It is currently targeted to open in the first quarter of 2027, approximately six months after The Parish Standard.
Additional plans include museum experiences, outdoor spaces and other amenities intended to encourage visitors to spend more time exploring Northwest Louisiana.
The development is intended to create a larger destination for live music, dining, culture and tourism while continuing Louisiana Grandstand’s focus on artists and audiences.
The Parish Standard is scheduled to open in November 2026, with the future Louisiana Grandstand auditorium targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
