LCVC- Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission

Lafayette. Genuine Cajun. Uniquely Creole.

Spotlight

Lafayette Celebrates Louisiana's Bicentennial

On April 30, 1812, the United States admitted Louisiana as the 18th state into the Union. Louisiana was the first state to have a majority Catholic French- and Spanish-speaking population, reflecting its origins as a colony under France from 1699-1763 and Spain from 1763-1803. Louisiana's distinctive French Catholic Creole culture eventually blended with the American English Protestant culture to create a distinct Creole-American society. Two hundred years after statehood, Louisiana remains one of the most unique states in the union. The state's rich Creole heritage is evident in the use of the Civil Code, the organization of parishes as local political units, and the celebration of Catholic traditions such as Mardi Gras. So as Louisiana commemorates this important bicentennial event, we can also celebrate the Creole-American culture that U.S. statehood has fostered.

2012 Schedule of Events

February

2/11/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

March

3/3/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

3/4/2012: “Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture 1735-1835” lecture featuring Jack D. Holden, MD and H. Parrott Bacot. Alexandre Mouton House, 1122 Lafayette Street, 1:30pm, free. Presented by the Lafayette Museum Association.

3/8 & 3/9/2012: Louisiana Business Challenge: Tourism in Louisiana finalist competition. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 8:30am-5:00pm. 337-482-6491, moody.louisiana.edu, presented by the BI Moody III College of Business Administration.

3/8 & 3/9/2012: Louisiana Crossroads presents A Tribute to Louisiana’s Little Walter, featuring James Cotton with Henry Gray. Moncus Theater at Acadiana Center for the Arts. 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org.

3/10/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

3/10/2012: French Month exhibit opens (through April 12, 2012). Acadiana Center for the Arts, 10:00am. 337-233-7060,

www.acadianacenterforthearts.org.

3/10/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

3/17/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

3/19/12: “Life, Times and Short Stories of Kate Chopin.” South Regional Library, 7:00 pm, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

3/22/2012: Festival of the Arts opens (through March 31, 2012). University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 337-482-6224,

arts.louisiana.edu, presented by the College of the Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

3/22/2012: “The Rabble” play. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 337-482-6224, arts.louisiana.edu, presented by the College of the Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

3/24/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, ?presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

3/29/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode One: This Affair of Louisiana. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

3/31/2012: Second Annual Holi Festival. Girard Park, www.aialafayette.org, presented by the Acadiana Indian Association.

3/31/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

April

4/2/2012: 200 Years of Technology exhibit opens (through December 2012). Lafayette Science Museum, 10:00am. 337-291-5544, www.lafayettesciencemuseum.org, presented by the Lafayette Science Museum.

4/2/2012: The Rifle: Past, Present & Future exhibit opens (through December 2012). Lafayette Science Museum, 10:00am. 337-291-5544, www.lafayettesciencemuseum.org, presented by the Lafayette Science Museum.

4/3/2012: French Film Festival opens (through April 7, 2012). Moncus Theater at Acadiana Center for the Arts, 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org, presented by Acadiana Center for the Arts.

4/05/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode Two: The New Americans. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/7/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Children’s Bicentennial Workshop. Children’s Museum of Acadiana. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, info@cmalaf.org, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

4/10/2012: Clovis Crawfish Puppet Show for ages 3+ (through April 12, 2012). South Regional Library, 10:30am, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/10/2012: Fevre Dream Book Club Discussion. South Regional Library, 6:15pm, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/10/12: Beethoven Mass in C. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 7:30pm, $10-25. www.choraleacadienne.com, presented by Chorale Acadienne.

4/12 - 4/14, 4/19 - 4/21, & 4/26 - 4/28/2012: “The Land of Dead Giants” play. Cité des Arts, Tickets $15 & $10. 337-291-1122, www.citedesarts.org, presented by Cité des Arts.

4/12 & 4/13/2012: Louisiana Crossroads presents An Exploration of Quebecois, Acadian and Cajun/Creole Connections: De Temps Antan, Cedric Watson, Anna Laura Edmiston, David Greely. Moncus Theater at Acadiana Center for the Arts. 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org.

4/12/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode Three: War on the Home Front. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/14/2012: Hands On Music Festival: Bicentennial Celebration. Children’s Museum of Acadiana, 11:00am, $12/person,

includes museum entrance. 337-232-8500, www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com, presented by Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

4/14/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

4/16/2012: Louisiana Story Time for all ages (through April 19, 2012). Various locations and times, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/17/2012: Kids Are Artists Too XXVI exhibit opens (through May 4, 2012). LAA Main Gallery. 337-269-0363, www.lafayetteart.org, presented by the Lafayette Art Association.

4/18/2012: I Love Louisiana Mobile Craft (ages 5-12). Jefferson Street Branch Library, 4:00pm, free. Pre-registration required, call 337-261-5787. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/19/2012: I Love Louisiana Mobile Craft (ages 5-12). Milton Branch Library, 3:30pm, free. Pre-registration required, call 337-856-5261, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/19/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode Four: The Search for Order. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/21/2012: Louisiana Story Time en Français (Ages 3+). South Regional Library, 11:00am, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/21/2012: “Early Louisiana Music and Dances” performed by Renaissance Cadienne. South Regional Library, 2:30 pm, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/22/2012: “Under the Telling Tree” story performance. Cité des Arts, 2:00pm. 337-291-1122, www.citedesarts.org, presented by Cité des Arts.

4/25/2012: I Love Louisiana Mobile Craft (ages 5-12). Youngsville Branch Library, 3:30pm, free. Pre-registration required, call 337-856-9385. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/26/2012: I Love Louisiana Mobile Craft (ages 5-12). South Regional Library, 4:00pm, free. Pre-registration required, call 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/26/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode Five: The Currents of Change. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

4/25 - 4/29/2012: Festival International. Downtown Lafayette, 5:00pm, free. 337-232-8086, www.festivalinternational.com, presented by Festival International.

May

5/3/2012: Louisiana, A History - Episode Six: No Story Is Ever Over. South Regional Library. 6:00 pm. Free. 337-981-1028. www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

5/9 & 5/10/2012: Louisiana Crossroads presents Zigaboo Modeliste: King of the Funky Drums. Moncus Theater at Acadiana Center for the Arts. 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org.

5/12/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented

by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

5/12/2012: Student Arts Expo: Louisiana Bicentennial. Acadiana Center for the Arts, 10:00am. 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org, presented by Acadiana Center for the Arts.

5/19/2012: Civil War Living History Day and Lithograph Display. Alexandre Mouton House, 1122 Lafayette Street, 10:00am-4:00pm, free. Presented by the Lafayette Museum Association.

5/20/2012: Governor Mouton and General Alfred Mouton lecture featuring Dr. William Arceneaux. Alexandre Mouton House, 1122 Lafayette Street, 1:30pm, free. Presented by the Lafayette Museum Association.

5/27/2012: “Remembering Louisiana’s Heroes” concert. Angelle Hall at ULL, 3:30pm. www.lcband.org, presented by the Lafayette Concert Band.

June

6/9/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

6/9/2012: Faith & Form: Art in Acadiana’s Catholic Churches exhibit opens (through September 1, 2012). Hilliard University Art Museum, 10:00am. 337-482-0811, museum.louisiana.edu, presented by Hilliard University Art Museum.

6/16/2012: “Selections from the Photography Collection” exhibit opens (through September 8, 2012). Hilliard University Art Museum, 6:00-9:00pm. 337-482-0811, museum.louisiana.edu, presented by Hilliard University Art Museum.

6/27/2012: "Louisiana in 1812" lecture. South Regional Library, 6:30pm, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

6/28/2012: "Louisiana in 1812" lecture. North Regional Library, 6:30pm, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by Lafayette Public Library.

July

7/8/2012: “Under the Telling Tree” story performance. Cité des Arts, 2:00pm. 337-291-1122, www.citedesarts.org, presented by Cité des Arts.

7/9/2012: “Becoming American: the Path to Statehood” exhibit opens (through August 12). South Regional Library, free. 337-981-1028, www.lafayettepubliclibrary.org, presented by the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission and the Lafayette Public Library System.

7/14/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented

by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

August

8/11/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority

8/15/2012: Acadian Day celebration. Vermilionville, all day. 337-233-4077, www.bayouvermilionville.org, presented by Vermilionville Living History Museum.

September

9/8/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented

by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

9/8/2012: Elemore Morgan Lifetime Retrospective exhibit opens (through November 3, 2012). Various museums

and locations throughout Lafayette. 337-233-7060, www.acadianacenterforthearts.org, presented by partners Acadiana Center for the Arts, Hilliard University Art Museum, Lafayette Science Museum, Vermilionville, Jean Lafitte Park, Saint John’s Cathedral, Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Acadian Village & Mouton House.

9/15/2012: Three Louisiana Women exhibit opens (through December 15, 2012). Hilliard University Art Museum, 10:00am. 337-482-0811, museum.louisiana.edu, presented by Hilliard University Art Museum.

9/22/2012: “Sculptural works by Shawne Major” exhibit opens (through December 15, 2012). Hilliard University Art Museum, 6:00-9:00pm. 337-482-0811, museum.louisiana.edu, presented by Hilliard University Art Museum.

October

10/6/2012: “Under the Telling Tree” story performance. Cité des Arts, 7:00pm. 337-291-1122, www.citedesarts.org, presented by Cité des Arts.

10/6/2012: Latin Music Festival. Parc International, 12:00pm-10:00pm, free. 337-944-0011, www.aclalaf.org presented by the Asociacion Cultural Latino-Acadiana.

10/13/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented

by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

10/16 & 10/19/12: "A Celebration of Our French Musical Heritage" Place TBA, 7:30 pm, $10-25. www.choraleacadienne.com, presented by Chorale Acadienne.

November

11/10/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

December

12/8/2012: ArtWalk. Downtown Lafayette, 6:00-8:00pm, free. 337-291-5566, www.downtownlafayette.org, presented by downtown gallery owners with Downtown Development Authority.

12/30 & 12/31/2012: “Beausoleil, Acadiana’s New Year’s Celebration.” Venue and time TBA. 337-232-4277, www.acadianasymphony.org, presented by Acadiana Symphony Orchestra.