A Cajun & Creole Christmas — Performances

There is so much to do this holiday season! Here is a list of special holiday performances held throughout Acadiana, from the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Lil’ Band O’ Gold’s Christmas musical specials to the massive choir of Lafayette’s First Baptist Church on a 24-foot Christmas tree. It’s a good idea to call or visit the corresponding web sites to verify times and dates and to learn about admission charges.
     For a complete list of Cajun and Creole Christmas events, visit LafayetteTravel.com.
    Downtown Alive! free music concert series features The Pine Leaf Boys Nov 21 in Parc Sans Souci and includes the Lighting of the Official City Christmas Tree and Toys for Tots Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m.

Downtown Alive!

    "A Christmas Tuna," a comedy for all ages, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21-24 and 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at Cité des Arts. And yes, that means they are having a show on Thanksgiving evening!
    Join the Griswolds when Movies in the Parc presents “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at dusk (5:30 p.m.) in Parc International of downtown Lafayette. Cost is $2, free for children 5 and younger. Bring blankets and snacks. Info: (337) 291-5566.
       The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra performs Christmas songs and classical selections as part of the “Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra” at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at St. Peters Catholic Church, 108 E St. Peter St. in New Iberia. Free. Info: (337) 364-1603.
    The Acadiana Center for the Arts presents the award-winning Playing By Air, a fusion of music, juggling, and circus in which traditional theatricality meets absurd comedy, at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 & 28. Admission is $10 adults, $7 children.
    The UL-Lafayette School of Music and Performing Arts will present its annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, in Angelle Auditorium on the UL campus. The performance will feature the combined talent of the UL Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir and Percussion Ensemble with each group performing Christmas classics. Info: (337) 482-6224.
    If you missed Lil’ Band O’ Gold’s Christmas special last year – with the golden sounds of some of the most influential musicians coming out of Acadiana – here’s another chance. Lil' Band O' Gold's “The Return of the Annual Swamp Pop Christmas Pageant” will be performed at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in Lake Charles and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. Info: (337) 233-7060.
    Firelight Performing Arts, a Louisiana non-profit theater group, will present “Scrooge, the Musical” on Dec. 6 through 9 at UL-Lafayette’s Burke Hall. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec-6-8 and 2 p.m. Dec 8 and 9. Tickets $15; call (337) 962-0306.
    Iberia Performing Arts League presents Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7 and 8 and Dec 13, 14, 15 and at 3 p.m. Dec 9 and 16. Tickets $10, available at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flowers and Accentrics on Main Street and by calling (337) 364-6114.

Singing Christmas Tree

    The Singing Christmas Tree is a Broadway-style Christmas show for the entire family with a choir singing from a 24-foot tall Christmas tree with more than 100,000 lights synchronized to music. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8 and 10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the First Baptist Church in Lafayette. Info: (337) 593-3757.
     “The Nutcracker” will be performed by Lafayette Ballet Theatre with special guests at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette. The ballet’s annual fundraiser “Land of the Sweets” follows the Sunday matinee (about 4 p.m.) at the Heymann Convention Center (behind the theater). Attendees may enjoy coffee or soft drinks while sampling hors d’oeuvres and sweets from area restaurants and “Nutcracker” stars will be on hand for autographs and photos. Info: (337) 262-0444.
    Chorale Acadienne presents Christmas by Candlelight at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Grand Opera House of the South in Crowley.
    The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presents “Louisiana Christmas” with special guest artist Sonny Landreth and the ASO children chorus at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette.

"The Nutcracker"

    The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana presents Cirque Chinois, the National Circus of the People’s Republic of China, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
    Lessons and Carols, traditional candlelight service of readings and choral music for the Christmas season in the historic St. John Cathedral, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at 914 St. John St. in Lafayette. Free. Info: (337) 232-1322.
    The Acadiana Repertory Theatre present “Carol, A Broken Chain,” a commissioned world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” featuring carolers and special events in the lobby of the Acadiana Center for the Arts, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-22.
    Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival will be performed at 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Cajundome.
    The Children’s Museum of Acadiana offers a New Year’s Noon Countdown & Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31 at the museum in downtown Lafayette. The cost is $6 per person and includes exhibits, confetti, cannons and prize drops. Info: (337) 232-8500.
     This is only a tip of the holiday iceberg. Be sure and check out the full schedule at http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.

A Cajun & Creole Christmas – Shopping Opportunities

    There’s so many great opportunities to shop for holidays gifts in Acadiana, from original artwork to unique cultural creations. And you can save on sales tax! The State of Louisiana designated Downtown Lafayette as a Cultural Products District in March 2010 so all state sales tax is exempt from purchased original artwork.
    Be sure and “like” the Facebook page of ShopLafayette, which promotes shopping along with overnight stays at hotels and motels in Lafayette Parish. Once they reach 7,000 fans they will be giving away a World’s Best Chicken Cooker from Bruce Foods!

Second Saturday ArtWalk, Lafayette

    Here is a list of special activities where great shopping can be had during the holiday season.
    C’est Jolie Flowers, Gifts, and Christmas Store, 203 E. Bridge St. in St. Martinville will be selling trees, decorations, wreaths and more from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31.
    Lake Arthur Merchant’s Association presents Glitter & Garland, holiday shopping with photos with Mrs. Claus and more from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 on Lake Arthur’s Arthur Avenue. Free. (337) 774-5101.

     Holiday Magic among the Jeff Davis Parish retail stores will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 16-17. Free. (337) 824-0933.
      Christmas in Vermilion offers a variety of holiday activities Nov. 23-Jan. 1 throughout Vermilion Parish. (337) 898-6600. 
    Le Grand Noel, with musical performances, demonstrations, holiday refreshments and horse and carriage rides, will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 24 throughout the shops of historic Grand Coteau. 337-662-1032.
    Christmas Shoppe, featuring local crafters displaying handcrafted jewelry, beauty products, handmade candles & soap, food products and much more, will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Willow Wood Park Recreation Center in New Iberia. (337) 229-1982.
     Christmas at Coteau, featuring vendors and a gourmet luncheon, will be Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, 1821 Academy Road in Grand Coteau. Admission $7. (337) 662-5275
     The 20th Annual Christmas Shopping Extravaganza with 48 booths of crafters from throughout the area, will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the corner of S. Avenue East and Elm Street in Crowley. Admission $1 per person; 12 years and younger free. (337) 783-9076.

San Souci Gallery

     Carencro Country Christmas, an event that features a parade and music in addition to arts and crafts booths, will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Carencro Community Center in Carencro. Free.
     Noel Acadien au Village is 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly Dec. 1-23 at LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette. There will be more than a half million lights, nightly entertainment, local cuisine, photos with Santa, carnival rides and items for sale. (337) 981-2364.
    Christmas in Crowley “A Holiday Affair” will include local merchants as part of its varied holiday event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 in historic downtown Crowley. Free.
     Abbeville's 14th Annual Christmas Stroll, where merchants open their businesses for holiday shopping, is 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 in downtown Abbeville. (337) 898-6600.
    Kaplan Area Spirit of Christmas, where merchants open their businesses for holiday shopping in addition to other activities, will be Dec. 6-8 in downtown Kaplan. (337) 898-6600.

The 18th Annual Festival of Light, with shopping, Santa, music, food and real snow, will be 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Oil Center of Lafayette. (337) 232-1267.
    A Merry Marketplace, Lafayette's newest Holiday shopping event, will be Dec. 7 at Top Shelf Sports Arena in Youngsville.
    Le Vieux Village’s 11th Annual Christmas Lighting will also feature local merchants, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in Opelousas. In addition there will be Christmas music, carols sung by a choir, refreshments, a horse-drawn buggy ride and Santa. Free. (337) 948-5227.

Lafayette Art Association Gift Shop

     The 2nd Saturday ArtWalk, featuring more than a dozen galleries in downtown Lafayette and artwork in area businesses and restaurants, will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Free. (337) 291-5566.
    The Lafayette Art Association’s Christmas Exhibit begins Dec. 10 with a 6 p.m. opening party at their gallery at 1008 St. Mary St. and the artwork will remain up until Jan. 8, 2013. Be sure and check out the association’s gift shop and the wonderful creations for sale from participating artists.
    This is only a tip of the holiday iceberg. Be sure and check out the full schedule at http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.

A Cajun and Creole Christmas - Ongoing Events

    Lafayette and the surrounding area becomes transformed every year into a sparkling winter wonderland. Events vary, from festivals of light and parades to tours of homes and live performances. Not only is it spectacular, but unique to South Louisiana and our Cajun and Creole culture.
    “A Cajun and Creole Christmas” has been voted a Top 20 December Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and you’ll find out why when you visit. For a complete list of individual events in our area, visit http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.

    The following are events that are ongoing throughout the holiday season:
     The Hanley-Guéno Neapolitan Presepio Exhibit, showcasing 18th nativity tableau, is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Museum in Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 232-1322.
     Christmas in Crowley Lights to Music Spectacular will be 5:30 p.m. to midnight Nov. 22-Jan. 3 at City Hall, 425 N. Parkerson in Crowley. Over 50,000 dazzling animated holiday lights are synchronized to music and you can listen to the lights by tuning in on your car radio!
     Safari of Lights is a holiday event with lights, animation and the North Pole Express train at the Zoo of Acadiana, held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 23-24 and Nov. 30-Dec. 30 at the Zoo, 5601 US Hwy. 90 East in Broussard. By admission. Info: (337) 837-4325.
     Christmas at the Alexandre Mouton House features holiday decorations at the historic home from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Nov. 29-Dec. 29, at 1122 Lafayette St. in downtown Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 234-2208.
    Noel Acadien au Village (shown) is a holiday extravaganza with thousands of lights, activities and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly, Dec. 1-23, at LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 981-2364.
     Victorian Christmas at Grevemberg House will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Dec. 1-31 at 407 Sterling Road in historic Franklin. By admission. Info: (337) 828-2092. Also in Franklin is Oaklawn Manor, home to former Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster, and the home will be adorned for the holidays and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, Dec. 1-Jan. 6, at 3296 Oaklawn Drive, off Irish Bend Road in Franklin. By admission. Info: (337) 828-0434.

     Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home & Rip Van Winkle Gardens is offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1-Jan. 8 at the historic home, gardens and café at 5505 Rip Van Winkle Road in New Iberia. By admission. Info: (337) 359-8525.
    Shadows Merry Making Season in the Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation Home & Gardens decorated for the holidays will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3-31 at the historic home at 317 E. Main Street in New Iberia. By admission. Info: (337) 369-6446.
    Old-Time Christmas at Vermilionville will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11-20 and include Papa Noël, demonstrations on how to make wax candles, citrus pomanders and soap, Christmas singalong and a reading of “A Cajun Night before Christmas.”
    This is only a tip of the holiday iceberg. Be sure and check out the full schedule at http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.

All Saints Day is 'La Toussaint' in Lafayette

    Ancient people believed the threshold between the dead and the living grew thin around All Hallow’s Eve, of Halloween, and tried to appease the spirits with treats. Christians later designated Nov. 1 as All Saints Day to honor the departed Saints of the Catholic Church. Today, residents of South Louisiana honor their loved ones who have passed on All Saints Day or La Toussaint by placing wax, silk or fresh flowers on grave sites.
     Because much of South Louisiana has a high water table, the dead are buried in above ground tombs, from the simple to the extreme, accented by statues, cast iron detail and wrought iron gates. Every fall residents clean up these tombs, sometimes whitewashing the exteriors and making sure the cemetery is spruced up and weed-free for its Nov. 1 visitors.
    In Acadiana, La Toussaint is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation.
    “The day after Halloween, All Saints Day (La Toussaint), is more important in south Louisiana than in any other area of the country both as a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation and as a day of family unity,” writes Jane Vidrine in Louisiana’s Living Traditions.

    Some florists sell a specific fake flower arrangement just for the occasion— sometimes called a coronne de toussaints, a wreath — since All Saints flowers should last throughout the year. 
    In many communities a Mass is held, then a candlelight walk to the cemetery.
    The Cathedral of St. John, the oldest church in Lafayette, will be offering silk flower arrangements for both All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which follows on Nov. 2. Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park in Lafayette offers wax flower demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2013, culminating with a reenactment of La Toussaint with Vermilionville artisans on Nov. 1, 2013.

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2012 bigger than ever

    Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, which pays tribute to Acadiana’s Cajun and zydeco music, grows every year, with new events both at the festival site and throughout Lafayette.
     This year’s fete honors Louisiana’s bicentennial celebration of its statehood, one of the 200th anniversary’s kick-off events statewide. Among the many stages of live music at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles will be the Louisiana Bicentennial Stage, hosting a wide variety of talent.
    The festival takes place Oct. 12-14, 2012, at Lafayette’s Girard Park and is actually a collection of festivals. The three days of fun includes the Festival de Musique/Music Festival, the Bayou Food Festival, the Louisiana Craft Fair, La Place des Petits for the kids, Culture Sur La Table/Culture on the Table workshops on Cajun and Creole cooking and Louisiana Folk Roots, which features jam sessions and interviews with Cajun and zydeco legends.
    This year’s poster by artist Megan Barra is a good example of the interconnectivity of Acadiana’s culture, a fabric tree with intersecting threads showcasing the influences of many individuals on Cajun and Creole-zydeco music. The trunk of the tree represents the collective festivals with James Domingue, organizer of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, watering its growth. Domingue is this year’s honoree for his work keeping French alive in South Louisiana.
    “It’s been referred to as our family tree,” Organizer Patrick Mould explained of the poster.
    Bands appearing include Balfa Toujours, Jo-El Sonier, Feufollet, the Savoy Family Band, Lil’ Band o’ Gold, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Wayne Toups, Cedric Watson, Soul Express Brass Band, Pine Leaf Boys and Michael Doucet with Mitch Reed, among many more. In addition there will be jam sessions led by accomplished musicians.
    To view a full schedule of bands, food and craft vendors and more, plus activities happening in town outside the festival grounds, visit http://festivalsacadiensetcreoles.com.

Scary happenings coming to Lafayette!

    It’s that time of year, when spooks walk the earth and we love to be scared. And the Lafayette Science Museum is happy to oblige.
    The annual Museum of Fear returns to downtown Lafayette from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October, held on the spooky third floor of the Lafayette Science Museum at the corner of Congress and Jefferson streets.
    Admission is $8 at the door, where you leave all rational thought behind.
The fun concludes with the inaugural ZombieWalk beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at corner of Lee and Jefferson streets on the lawn of the old City Hall, next to the statue of Gen. Mouton (who may participate).

   The zombie parade will march down Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette, ending at Parc Sans Souci for an after-party and costume contest. The lucky winners of the costume contest earn the right to haunt visitors from within the Museum of Fear’s cemetery.     Participation in ZombieWalk and walking among the living dead is free.
    Both events are geared for the whole family. As organizers put it, “A family that scares together shares together!”
    For more information, call (337) 291-5544 or visit lafayettesciencemuseum.org.
    Both events are fundraisers for the downtown museum.
    Other horrific October events in Acadiana include:
    The St. Landry Catholic Church is located next to its historic and impressive cemetery in Opelousas. Annual cemetery tours are offered in October and this year’s tour examines "Louisiana 200 Years." Tours will be offered at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 13-14 and 20-21, 2012, at the St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 N. Main St. in Opelousas. Tickets are $10. For information, call (337) 942-8318.
    Downtown Lafayette’s Movies in the Parc presents the family favorite “Ghostbusters” Saturday, Oct. 20, at Parc International. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $2, free for children ages 5 and under. Parking is available at Parc-Auto du Centreville at Polk and Vermilion streets. Concessions are available on site.
    Lafayette's inaugural Zombie Ride bike ride will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in downtown Lafayette, with stops at downtown watering holes. Some downtown sponsors will be offering drinks to those "dressed to kill."
    The Lakeview Park and Beach in Eunice presents its third annual "Hwy 13 Haunted House" at 7:30 p.m.-until every Saturday in October plus Oct. 26 and 31. Every house has been revamped and there will be a zombie apocalypse. Tickets are $7.
    Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park will offer a Halloween celebration at the village with Boo Bayou, a fall carnival, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. Activities include games, costume contest, trick-or-treating throughout the village and entertainment by Louisiana Performance Center and Renaissance Cadienne.

Fall means endless fun at food festivals!

    When fall arrives in South Louisiana, it has the same effect as spring in most parts of the country. Suddenly, everyone appears to be in love, residents flock to fall festivals and thoughts turn — naturally — to the prospects of good eating.
    Louisiana hosts more than 100 festivals a year, many of them revolving around food. Couple that with the harvests of many crops and you have outstanding fall festivals!

    Here’s a taste — pun intended — of some fall festivals featuring food in Acadiana:
    The St. Martinville Kiwanis Club Annual Pepper Festival has expanded to two days and will offer live bands, a pepper eating contest, a street fair, arts and crafts and food vendors Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15, 2012, at the St. Martinville City Fairgrounds. 
  Festival del Taco will be Saturday, Sept 15, 2012, at the Farmer's Market Pavilion in Le Vieux Village of Opelousas, just a short drive from Lafayette.
    Come explore the sweet side of our state at the annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival which celebrates one of Louisiana's largest crops. The fun will be Sept. 26-30, 2012, in New Iberia. 
    Latin Music Festival will include food and activities in its musical lineup from noon to midnight Saturday, Oct 6, 2012, in downtown Lafayette.
    Festivals Acadiens et Creole combines music, food and culture in Girard Park of Lafayette Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12-14, 2012.
    The International Rice Festival celebrates one of South Louisiana’s major crops Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 18-21, 2012, in nearby Crowley.

     The Boudin Cookoff celebrates one of Lafayette’s traditional foods on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Parc San Souci of downtown Lafayette. Come help pick the best boudin!
     Folks come from all over the country to attend the South Louisiana Black Pot Festival and Cookoff, to be held Oct. 26 and 27 in Acadian Village. Camp out, join in the cooking and jam sessions or just visit for the food, fun and dancing. 
    The Acadiana Wine and Food Festival, a fundraiser for the Paul & Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum of Lafayette, will take place from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, on the grounds of the museum.
    Food Day Acadiana 2012, honoring local farmers, artisans and restaurants, will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at the Heymann Memorial Park off South College Road in Lafayette. 
    Nearby Rayne is known as the Frog Capital of the World for its shipping of native bullfrogs to the nation’s finest French restaurants. The Rayne Frog Festival honors this history Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 7-11, 2012. 
    For a complete list of Louisiana festivals, visit Louisiana Travel. For a list of Lafayette-area events, visit Lafayette Convention and Visitor’s Commission.