Stroll through the historic downtown of New Iberia and you’ll find gracious live oak trees, beautiful historic homes and the Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation, spots where James Lee Burke used in his best-selling novels and the cement Grotto of Our Lady of…
Hogs For The Cause Of course the highlight of this weekend the return of Hogs For The Cause. While it is pretty common knowledge that Hogs has some of the best food of any local event, it also regularly…
I am ashamed to admit this but until last weekend it had been a very long time since I truly took a moment to take in City Park. I took a long slow drive, looping my way from one…
We are in the most beautiful time of the year in New Orleans. And it’s time to step into many bars and restaurants for fun springtime sipping. We recommend enjoying this time of year with a cocktail in hand…
Of course, the big news this week is the return of the BUKU Music + Art Project to the grounds of Mardi Gras World. BUKU is one of the truly great festivals on our scene. The organizers do a…
One could say this every weekend, but this weekend, Acadiana can look forward to lots of live music! Some of our favorite musicians, and some very new touring acts, will perform in lush gardens, historic hideaways and dives as…
How many festivals and new restaurants can you attend and patronize?
My first battlefield experience was Bull Run in northern Virginia, the first full skirmish of the Civil War and one that would repeat itself years later. Listening to the park ranger talk of flanks and advances while staring at…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The spring 2019 edition of Music Under the Oaks, a complimentary concert series in Audubon Park, kicks off Sunday, March 31, at the Newman Bandstand with a performance by the Loyola Jazz Ensemble from 5:00…
NEW ORLEANS – Urban South Brewery announced this week that it will release three new beers Friday, March 15. Customers interested in trying the new beers can stop by Urban South Brewery at 1645 Tchoupitoulas St. starting at noon…
Go ahead, twist our arm! The 318 Restaurant Week, a citywide promotion of local restaurants organized by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and its partners, returns March 18 through 23 at more than 50 participating restaurants. Lunch and…
You know when the azaleas start blooming that springtime has arrived. This weekend is jam-packed with returning and recurring events that define our culture, like the return of Downtown Alive! coinciding with the weekend of Artwalk. Other events, like…
Based on the screenplay by Tennessee Williams and adapted by Pierre Laville and Emily Mann and featuring a talented cast and transformative set design.
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Audubon Nature Institute’s attractions are now open Mondays. On Monday, March 4, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, and Audubon Louisiana Nature Center walking trails will be open seven…
The weekend leading up to Mardi Gras is one of the most fun times of year in our extremely festive region, and area venues and establishments are making the most of it! Some of our favorite performers will come…
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It’s fun to watch everyone’s orbit slowly shift into the overwhelming pull of Mardi Gras. There is music everywhere and the hits keep on coming. Here are some can’t…
NOWFE 2019 Presents its line-up of Seminars and Experiences and Announces New Beneficiaries and New Events
A Theatrical Adaptation
This year, Valentine’s Day falls just short of landing on the weekend, but there are still lots of Valentine’s activities for you and your loved one in store around Acadiana. Date night events range from swamp tours to symphonies.…
Alabama, Fleetwood Mac, KISS, Duran Duran and More
New Orleans is gearing up for Valentine's Day and Carnival, and what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail? Flamingo A-Go-Go (869 Magazine St.) will host Galentine's Day on Friday, Feb. 15. They are celebrating women by showing chick flicks galore. You…
When the United State purchased Louisiana from France, practically doubling the size of the country, their next-door neighbor had a few issues with the deal. Spain, which owned the territory that’s now Texas, disputed the boundary lines on its…
I believe self-care can take many forms. As much as I love a facial or massage, part of my definition of self-care includes expanding my knowledge in some way. This weekend, there will be a collection of seminars and…
We are always looking for fun ways to imbibe in New Orleans. Many places have sent us invitations to their festive events. We want to share them with you, so you can get in on the action too. Here…
After a succession of gray days, Acadiana should have a weekend’s window of sunshine, and there is a lot to get into in and out of doors. Start your weekend with a light yoga class outside and a drink, or…
I used to beg festival organizers to place one in January, something festive to enjoy inside away from the wet, chilly weather. Then came Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival in Lafayette, a multi-day event that showcases numerous independent,…
What to do this weekend? There is The Game, of course. That is a given, but what else is there? There are quite a few happenings and gatherings this weekend that range from reverent to jubilant, and sometimes, both…
And I Am Not Performing With the Rolling Stones
Years ago, on a visit to Toledo Bend I spotted a bald eagle’s nest in a remote spot of South Toledo Bend State Park. When January rolled around this year and I was in bad need of a nature…
You’d be hard press to find yourself under-stimulated this weekend if you’re out and about in Acadiana. This year’s first Artwalk will be underway with unique performances, a new local craft store is opening in Broussard and Lafayette’s first…
Cheré Dastugue Coen is a veteran food and travel writer who combs Louisiana searching for hidden gems. A native of New Orleans and current resident of Lafayette, she celebrates her home state in her writing, which includes award-winning plays and books. Her non-fiction books include “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History;” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana;” “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags & Sachets” with Jude Bradley; “Cooking in Cajun Country” with Carl Breaux; and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Tour of Acadiana.”
She is also the author of several romance novels and the Viola Valentine Mystery Series, all involving Louisiana characters or settings, under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Visit her blogs LouisianaBookNews.blogspot.com and
WeirdSouth.blogspot.com or her websites, cherecoen.wix.com/cherecoen and
cherieclaire.net.
