If you’re out and about this weekend, chances are you’ll come across a combination of live music and shopping. Tons of vendors, shops and bands have come together to throw a chain of holiday parties across Acadiana! You can check out a show and great vintage pieces, welcome back an Acadiana staple, or get some handmade goods in historic Breaux Bridge. This year, you can attend a party and come home with presents for everyone on your list.
12/14: The shops at Martial’s Holiday Event: Located at Martial Drive across from Masala Indian Kitchen, the shops at Martial Drive will host this event with exclusive sales, specials and treats! Shops include Dunn’s Furniture and Interiors, Scrubworx, and La Madeline Café’. La Madeline Café’ will host a blood drive, and every donation receives a free T-shirt and $25 gift certificate to Amazon. 99.9 KTDY will broadcast live from 3-5 p.m.
12/14: Holiday Dance at the Alamo with The Daiquiri Queens and Feufollet: This Friday from 8 p.m.-2 a.m., the Alamo, located at 318 W. Simcow St., will host two Cajun music acts as well as fun pop-ups for a Christmas party. Porch, Wine, and Gravy’s Jolie Meaux will serve food, Indigo Light Studio’s Olivia Perillo will have a photobooth ready and Cobra Club Vintage’s Holly Garrison will have various clothes available. Expect an art market with local artists and vendors!
12/15: Made Bayou Art and Craft Show, Breaux Bridge: This inaugural handmade showcase will take place at La Petite Carolina, located at 105 N. Main St., from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All items are Made Bayou! Items up for grabs include jewelry, ironwork, blacksmith work, woodturning, weaving, pottery, photography, glasswork, homemade pies and more. Joi De Vivre Café will serve food, and there will be tons of live music. All are welcome to join in on a Cajun music jam from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Boma Bango will perform from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and the Congolese rumba/Latin jazz act includes Glenn Fields and Daniel Coolik of the Revelers, Megan Brown of T’Monde, Patrick Hodgkins of Lagniappe Records and Bill Smith of ESA’s Music Faculty.
12/15: Alexander Books Grand Re-opening: Beloved used books store Alexander Books, which once stood on Congress Street near campus, is celebrating its new ownership and new location, 2116 Johnston St., this Saturday with a party. The daylong party begins at noon and ends at 8 p.m. Local vendors will be on site, as will two new music acts – hemlock, Carolina Chauffe’s solo work and Scenic World. Live music begins at 6:30 p.m., and the show is donation-based.
12/15: Old Time Christmas Family Day: Acadiana is invited to experience the simple joy of an old-fashioned Christmas at Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park. The Family Day celebration is from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., with lots of live music, learning opportunities, Native American storytelling, arts and crafts and self-guided tours. The French Santa Claus, Papa Noel, will be present, and kids can write letters to him sealed with wax. Artisans will demonstrate holiday crafts such as candle-making, Victorian paper ornaments, and more. Admission is $5.
