Opelousas, LA- With the addition of a hotel and even center, Evangeline Downs Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel has developed into an entertainment hot spot in Southwest Louisiana. Anchored by a state of the art facility, which includes a one-mile oval dirt track and a 7-furlong turf track, the racing program has become known as the “home of the biggest fields>” Races have averaged slightly more than 10 runners per race over the past four spring and summer thoroughbred racing seasons, a distinction that only Evangeline Downs can claim.

The 89-day thoroughbred racing season gets underway April 6^th, and runs through Labor Day, September 5. Post time Wednesday through Saturday is at 5:40 p.m. with a special Labor Day post of 3:05 p.m.

Highlighting the lucrative stakes schedule is Louisiana Showcase Night, a stakes-only program restricted to horses bred in Louisiana featuring six races worth a minimum of $100,000 and totaling 10 events worth almost $1 million. Louisiana leads the nation with its breeding incentive program funded largely though the slots at the racetrack program. The casino at Evangeline Downs has over 1400 slot machines generating revenue for purses and breeding incentive programs.

Other marquee events during the season will include the Evangeline Mile and the Lafayette Stakes. The “Mile”, the premier event for older horses, will offer a purse of $125,000, up $25,000 from 2010 and be run on August 13^th, while the Lafayette Stakes for Two-year-olds will be contested on its usual spot, Labor Day, September 5^th. The Lafayette this year will be run on the Turf course for the first time and at the distance of one mile.

In addition to the surface and distance change, the Lafayette Stakes will feature a $100,000 purse, an increase of $50,000 from last year. More than $1.8 million will be distributed over the 25 black-type events offered in addition to overnight purses of approximately $170,000 a night, the same level offered in 2010.

“We continue to attract a solid group of horses and horsemen with our strong overnight and takes schedules,” says Steve Darbonne, director of racing operations. “Both the backstretch and the nearby training center are at near capacity and the morning workout lists are very long and we hope to once again offer our fans the full fields and exciting brand of racing they have come to expect from Evangeline Downs.”

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association will host the 18th annual “Le Festival de Mardi Gras a’ Lafayette” from Friday, March 4th through Mardi Gras day at U.L.- Lafayette’s Cajun Field. The Festival will include an exciting carnival mid-way, native Cajun foods, and an outstanding line-up of live music. To make the Festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, the route for all of Lafayette’s parades will pass directly through the Festival grounds. This popular festival enters it’s 18th year with a robust line-up of live music, a gigantic carnival midway, ample parking, and terrific viewing spots for all of Lafayette’s parades.

“The Festival has earned a reputation for being a wonderful, family oriented celebration of Mardi Gras. We are constantly working to improve the event and the entertainment we offer. We’ve designed the Festival so that it offers something for everyone.

The Louisiana Lottery midway will offer a wide variety of rides, from an area specially designed for small children, to fast, exciting, and wilder rides. We have also developed several price promotions that make our carnival within everyone’s budget. The Rouses Soundstage has one of the most extensive and diverse arrays of local, regional, and national musicians ever assembled. Borden will be on hand with free rides on the popular Borden train. Plus, all of the parades pass right through the Festival grounds,” Mann said.

“Cajun Field will be transformed for the 5-day event, with the huge carnival midway, the live music soundstage and plenty of convenient parking. It’s quite a sight to see and everyone wants to be at Cajun Field for Mardi Gras!” Mann said. “We are very excited to have local restaurants and caterers participating again this year. The quality and variety the food these local vendors provide is tremendous. We work hard to make the Festival site the easiest, safest, and most convenient spot to watch the parades,” Mann added.

What’s the best part about “Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette?” — IT’S FREE! Admission to the Louisiana Lottery Midway, the Rouses soundstage, the Borden train , as well as the parade viewing areas are free. There is a $10 charge for parking at Cajun Field. All of the money generated from the Festival will be used by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association to develop and promote Lafayette’s Mardi Gras parades and activities. The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Lottery, Rouses Supermarkets, Borden and the Lafayette Regional Airport Commission.
The festival is hoping to announce a few surprise performers, so keep everyone is encouraged to visit the festitvals FaceBook page (search “Le Festival”), or visit www.GoMardiGras.com and sign up for the email list.

All children, except one, grow up … but there’s a bit of him in each of us. Perhaps that’s why we hold his story so dear. Lafayette Ballet Theatre is delighted to announce its next spring production, “Peter Pan,” as never before experienced in Louisiana. This full-length ballet in two acts promises to please grown ups and children of every age — complete with humor, suspense and adventure, along with all the romance of classical dance. Tickets on sale now!

This spectacular show — slated for Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center — will feature the acclaimed choreography of the New Orleans-born Washington Ballet artistic director Septime Webre and guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet. This is the first time a work of Webre, one of the nation’s most sought-after choreographers, will ever be presented in his home state. Setting the choreography on the local cast will be Cincinnati Ballet’s ballet mistress, Johanna Wilt. Another plus: trust and a little pixie dust — with help from America’s best aerial effects company, Flying by Foy — will send the stars soaring beyond the crowd’s greatest expectations.

Tickets are available at the Heymann Center Box Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (337-291-5555) and through all Ticket Master outlets including online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Celebrating the professional dance company’s 15th Anniversary Season, Houston Metropolitan Dance will be in Acadiana for a 5 day stretch of non stop events! Performing Thursday, February 10 and Friday, February 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the AcA’s James D. Moncus Theatre, this company is a must see dance ensemble.

During the visit to Acadiana The Houston Met Dance Company will also be involved in Educational and Community Outreach, Master Classes and Talk Backs with the audience. Professional dancers and students will be offered master classes in ballet and modern dance; this unique artist-to-artist opportunity connects professional dancers in the field with those in the Acadiana community.

This is your opportunity to experience the passion and focus it will take to be in a professional dance company. Take classes with the incredible teachers and dance of the Company and learn the repertory of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company along side the Met’s own company members. Experience the diversity and excellence in training that is the signature of the Company.

Houston Metro Dance Event Line-up:

Wednesday, February 9, 4-5:30 p.m
Ballet Master Class
ACA’s James D. Moncus Theatre
$10 for AcA  members or students and $15 for non-members

Wednesday, February 9, 6-9 p.m
Open rehersal. FREE and Open to the public.
AcA’s James D. Moncus Theatre

Houston Metro Dance Performances:
Thursday & Friday, February 10 & 11, 7:30 p.m
AcA’s James D. Moncus Theatre
$10 for members of the AcA $12 for non-member in advance
$13 for members $15 for non-members day of event

Friday, February 11, 9:30-11a.m
Modern Master Class
AcA’s James D. Monucs Theatre
$10 for AcA members or students and $15 for non-members

Friday, February 11- Free
Post-show discussion with Artistic Director and company members following the Friday Performances

The company is composed of 15 dancers and will perform two programs featuring works from te company’s extensive and diverse repertoire. Including: Consumed, an intense and frenetic work by NYC based choreographer Kate Skarpetowska, which explores the globalization of humanity set to a cacophony of music and sound. Kiki Lucas’s resonant dance work, Semi-Detached, is a powerful and athletic piece which touches on the human need for different elements of control. Renowned jazz choreographer Pattie Obey has set two works on the company, Passade, a sultry trio and Zoom, a full-throttle work that embraces its title. Choreographer Jason McDole’s work, Conscious, and other dynamic pieces will showcase the versatility, technical prowess, and passion of Houston Metropolitan Dance Company.

The Acadiana Center for the Arts is proud to bring Cuban-American roots music sensation Raul Malo to the James Devin Moncus Theater stage Saturday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m. Raul Malo brings his chart-topping new album Sinners & Saints to a one-night-only show at AcA on his way from Texas to the East Coast and Europe.

Malo is a musical chameleon, moving fluidly from Alt-Country to Blues, Jazz and Latin, connecting all through great vintage rock and roll. A master at infusing his songwriting with sonic ingenuity and emotional sincerity, Malo’s performances are abundant with surprising twists, from the twang of a country guitar to the melancholy of a trumpet and the punctuations of a Mexican accordion.

The founder of alt-Country band The Mavericks and of Latin All-Star group Los Super Seven, Malo has over the years collaborated with a who’s who in music, from Willie Nelson to Emmylou Harris, Los Lobos to Susanna Baca, Joe Ely to Rick Trevino.

Backed by a five-piece band and endowed with a phenomenal vocal range, Raul Malo is one of the great independent voices in music today. Hearing this extraordinary musician in the acoustically pure environment of AcA’s 300-seat James D. Moncus Theater will be a memorable experience.

Entertainment Weekly stated, “Malo is one of those rare singers who transcend the mundane with the sheer operatic sweep of his marvelous instrument. He’s among the last of a breed: a country stylist with finesse and brawn in equal measure, turning his laments into bittersweet valentines.”

Ticket prices are $20 for AcA members, $25 for non-members in advance, $25 for members and $30 for non-members at the door.

Tickets are available online at AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org, by phone at 337.233.7060 or visiting our Box Office at 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 – 5 p.m.

Magic 107.4 will be hosting the annual Zydeco Music Awards at the Heyman Performing Arts Center on Thursday January 20, 2011. Red Carpet will begin at 7:00 P.M and Awards Show will immediately be following at 8:00 P.M.

Beginning a tradition of honoring and showcasing the south’s hottest stars in zydeco music, ZMA’s is poised for a night of never-before-seen moments. This year ZMA’s is giving a Life Time Achievement Award to “Zydeco Force”, who timeless music has inspired an endless number of old and new artist yesterday and today in zydeco. The ZMA’s will have performances by J Paul Jr., Lil Nathan, Grammy Nominated Chubby Carrier, JJ Caillier, Guyland Leday, Lil Wayne and Same Ol’ Two Step, Leon Chavis and more will light the stage for a night of excitement.

ZMA’s will recognize the 2010 achievements of artists in 19 categories. Front-runner Chris Ardoin gets 9 individual nominations across multiple categories. Closely behind are J Paul Jr. and Lil Nathan with 8, while Keith Frank and Leon Chavis pull-in 6 nominations.

Brian Jack locks down 5 individual nominations of his own, while other multiple nominees include Lil Wayne and Same Ol’ Two Step, Jo Jo Reed and Geno Delafosse. New artist such as Lil Koray Broussard and Z Unit, Maurice, J.J. and The Zydeco Dog Pound, JJ Caillier and Keith and The Zydeco Hot Boy’s secures a nomination for Best New Artist.

The ZMA’s will team with Citadel Broadcasting, to make the inaugural Zydeco Music Award a most Memorable celebration in music. With top name nominations, attendance and one-of-a-kind performances, the ZMA’s will establish itself as the hottest ticket in Zydeco.

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival and Acadiana Center for the Arts have teamed up to celebrate five days of movies with an opening night event on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival is also pleased to announce their Jan. 26-30, 2011 festival films and events at venues around Lafayette, including the AcA, Cite des Arts, LITE, Pack and Paddle and the Lafayette Parish South Regional Library. Filmmakers, who have long supported this boutique film festival because of the our unique culture, will be in attendance from New Orleans, Shreveport, Austin, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and Toronto, Canada. A complete schedule of events is posted at www.cinemaonthebayou.com. Support is provided by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission.

Opening the festival on Wednesday, Jan. 26 will be the Louisiana premiere of “Disfarmer: A Portrait of America,” a documentary on the discovery of an artistic genius who created hauntingly beautiful portraits of the American heartland in Heber Springs, Arkansas in the 1940’s and 50’s. The film will screen at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a reception for Toronto based filmmaker Dennis Mohr. Complimentary wine and appetizers will be served. Tickets for the opening night event are $10/$8 for AcA members and are available at www.acadianacenterforthearts.org or at the door.

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival, in partnership with the Acadiana Center for the Arts, will also present its closing day events on Sunday, Jan. 30 beginning at 12:00 noon at the AcA. Events include the screening of “Tootie’s Last Suit,” about the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, along with a short film on the rural southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras at Tee-Mamou and a panel discussion on urban and rural Mardi Gras traditions moderated by esteemed French Louisiana folklorist Barry Ancelet. The Festival will also present on Sunday afternoon the Louisiana premiere of the documentary “Coals to Newcastle – The New Mastersounds: from Leeds to New Orleans,” with filmmaker Marca Hagenstad in attendance. The Festival will close on Sunday afternoon at AcA with the screening of Harry Shearer’s documentary on the flooding of New Orleans after Katrina, “The Big Uneasy,” with Mr. Shearer in attendance. All events on Sunday at AcA are free.

“Cinema on the Bayou is proud to include the Acadiana Center for the Arts and its state-of-the-art James Devin Moncus Theater as the opening and closing venue for this year’s festival,” said Artistic Director Pat Mire. “We look forward to working with Gerd and his staff this year and in years to come to introduce a wide variety of wonderful films and filmmakers to the Acadiana area.”

In addition to an evening of films at Pack and Paddle on Thursday and LITE on Friday, there will be a full day of films screened on Saturday at Cite des Arts, as well as Saturday and Sunday at the Lafayette Parish Public Library South Regional Branch. Films include Win Riley’s “Walker Percy: A Documentary Film,” Shreveporter William Joyce’s “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” Aaron Walker’s “Bury the Hatchet,” Tim Watson’s “The Music’s Gonna Get You Through,” Elizabeth Coffman and Ted Hardin’s “Veins in the Gulf,” and distributor Carnivalesque Films’ “Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo,” “Citizen Architect,” and “Loot.” The Southern Culture Film Series includes the Louisiana premiere of “Fire In The Mountain” as well as “Me, My Father and the Hurricane.” The Narrative Shorts Series includes Louisiana premieres of French language films by Paris based filmmaker Josephine Mackerras and Texas based filmmaker Edward Tyndall. Belgian born filmmaker Jimmy Ferguson will present the Narrative Shorts Series of films and will introduce Ms. Mackerras’ films in both French and English.

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association will host the 18th annual “Le Festival de Mardi Gras a’ Lafayette” from Friday, March 4th through Mardi Gras day at U.L.- Lafayette’s Cajun Field. The Festival will include an exciting carnival mid-way, native Cajun foods, and an outstanding line-up of live music. To make the Festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, the route for all of Lafayette’s parades will pass directly through the Festival grounds. This popular festival enters it’s 18th year with a robust line-up of live music, a gigantic carnival midway, ample parking, and terrific viewing spots for all of Lafayette’s parades.

The LOUISIANA LOTTERY midway will offer a wide variety of rides, from an area specially designed for small children, to fast, exciting, and wilder rides. We have also developed several price promotions that make our carnival within everyone’s budget. The HOME BANK Soundstage has one of the most extensive and diverse arrays of local, regional, and national musicians ever assembled. BORDEN’S will be on hand with displays, Elsie and the popular Borden’s train. Plus, all of the parades pass right through the Festival grounds,” Mann said. “Cajun Field will be transformed for the 5-day event, with the huge carnival midway, the live music soundstage and over 70 recreational vehicles making up “STEVENS RV CITY”. It’s quite a sight to see and everyone wants to be at Cajun Field for Mardi Gras!” Mann said. “We are very excited to have local restaurants and caterers participating again this year. The quality and variety the food these local vendors provide is tremendous. We work hard to make the Festival site the easiest, safest, and most convenient spot to watch the parades,” Mann added.

What’s the best part about “Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette?” — IT’S FREE! Admission to the LOUISIANA LOTTERY Midway, the HOME BANK soundstage, the BORDEN’S train and display area , as well as the parade viewing areas are free. There is a $10 charge for parking at Cajun Field. All of the money generated from the Festival will be used by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association to develop and promote Lafayette’s Mardi Gras parades and activities. For more a complete schedule and more details, visit www.gomardigras.com.