This week in Acadiana, there are multiple free events, shows and activities for kids and adults alike. Personally, I am most excited for a star-studded showcase at Lafayette’s Acadiana Center for the Arts to see some of the region’s most famous legends, like Dickie Landry, and rising young stars for a multi-generational performance! There is also a new festival to check out, as well as the return of a special, multi-cultural event to Vermilionville.
8/7: Lafayette Networking Workshop Social Media and Follow Hacks: An event that inexplicably provides both free wine and free headshots, networking app Cyphtr (pronounced sifter) and organization Opportunity Machine join forces this Wednesday evening for a night of critique and networking. Professionals will give feedback on networking skills as well as insider info on how to leverage social media trends for more followers and engaging content. If you’re curious on how your elevator voice, handshake and body language come across, this is the place to be. The workshop is from 6-7:30 p.m. in Suite 111 at the LITE center. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
8/10: Downtown Sno-Ball Festival: A sno-ball, sno-cone and sneauxball is a sweet and summery confection by any other name. Try your favorite version of the Southern staple at the inaugural Sno-Ball Festival in Parc Sans Souci this Saturday from 4-8 p.m. This free event includes a sno-ball tasting and competition among some of Lafayette’s favorite sno-ball vendors, such as Creole Flavor Sno, Brain Freeze Snowballs, The Big Chill and more! Spoonbill, Pamplona, Jefferson Street Pub and Pop’s Poboys will also provide shaved ice cocktails for the adults. Performances from Rayo Brothers to follow.
8/10: Dark Matter + Light Waves, An Immersive Musical Experience: This Saturday at the Acadiana Center for the Ars, Eunice-based electronic act Skies Speak will perform with a coterie of local legends during Artwalk for an immersive musical event. Starting at 6 p.m., Skies Speak, along with Dickie Landry, Chad Viator, Ashana Sophia and more will take the stage for an improvisational and experimental performance among visual projections and lighting installations. Two hour-long sets will feature four different musicians. The first set, Dark Matter, explores darker emotions, while the second set, Light Waves, highlights brighter emotions. This is a free event!
8/11: Acadian Culture Day: Saturday marks Acadian Culture Day, Vermilionville’s annual celebrations for Creole, Native America and Acadian Cultures. This year’s celebration will honor Les Femmes du Folklore, or the women of folklore. Artists Cayla Zeek, French tables and lessons by CODOFIL, Traiteur traditions, a Cajun jam and more will be on schedule for the day, along with canoeing, a cooking demo from Ramsey Morein, kids’ arts and crafts activities, and more culturally relevant demonstrations and lessons will exclusively be available at the event by local women. This event is free to the public.
8/12: Toni Morrison – The Pieces I am: The Cane Fire Film Series returns to the ACA this Monday at 7:30 for a screening of this intimate meditation of Toni Morrison’s life and the most powerful themes of her career. Tickets are available at the ACA box office, or by calling (337) 233-7060.
