This weekend in Acadiana offers plenty of chances to check out new music, enjoy a downtown staple in a special way and celebrate one of the unique cultures that help diversify our region! The Lao New Year in Broussard is one festival you may not have attended yet, but you’ll definitely want to after you go just once. Saturday will also prove to be eventful, with a new crop of artists performing to benefit a local non-profit, and some experienced acts taking on each other’s repertoires at Blue Moon Saloon.
4/18-4/21: 2019 Louisiana Lao New Year Festival: Visit the Wat Thammarattanaram in Lanexang Village in Broussard for a free, four-day event honoring the year of the pig. The Lao community has hosted this event in Acadiana for 30 years with this event, which aims to be even more inclusive. The event includes lots of exotic food and entertainment! A VIP pass grants you a tour of the temple on Saturday morning and reserved parking. VIP tickets are available for $50 each on Eventbrite.
4/18: Watercolor: Louisiana Landscapes: Are you looking to learn a new skill? Basin Arts will host a series of two-hour painting workshops beginning this Thursday at 10 a.m. Artist Amelia Vidrine will instruct and assist attendees in creating a Louisiana landscape that is their own. Tickets are available through the Mindbody app and Mindbodyonline.com. This class is also offered on April 23, May 7 and May 16.
4/19: BYOBottles Wine Dinner: Downtown staple The French Press is known for its brunches, but have you been for dinner? This Good Friday, the downtown staple will provide a five-course meal by candlelight, minus the corking fee. A special seafood menu crafted by Chef Justin Girouard will provide items unique to the event. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is $65 per guest. To book, call (337) 233-9449.
4/20: Hearts of Hope Benefit Fest: Alexander Books will host multiple young local acts this Saturday afternoon to benefit a local non-profit. Presented by Catin Collective, the band Shrugs, solo singer-songwriter Alyse Young and performer Belle South and more will take the stage from 1-6 p.m. to benefit sexual violence and trauma agency, Hearts of Hope. Representatives from Hearts of Hope will also be available to discuss their mission and services they provide. Entry is $5, though additional donations will be accepted. All proceeds and donations benefit Hearts of Hope!
4/20: Melting Pot Show #8: Want a show with a bit of everything? The Blue Moon Saloon will host acts of a wide range of genres and challenge them to play each other’s songs! Singer-songwriter/composer/pop-punk enthusiast Hunter deBlanc, raucous throwback band Dr. C and the Gris Gris, and folk/rock outfit DG & the Freetown Sound will take turns performing each other’s tunes. The non-traditional take is a new way to expose yourself to various genres at once. Doors open at 9 p.m.