Performance Series
May 2 | ASO: The Red Violin | St. Mary’s Church
This concert will double as the Season 39 finale and the premiere for ASO's first-ever international debut, a 10-day concert tour of Poland. The Symphony will travel with Pitcairn and her Red Violin, performing at some of the country's most prestigious concert halls and music festivals.
Concert Series
May 15 | Paul Thorn Band | Acadiana Center for the Arts
Paul Thorn has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking, and thoroughly Southern American, yet also speaking universal truths.
May 23 | AllStars Series: Patty Griffin | Acadiana Center for the Arts
The acclaimed American singer-songwriter is known for her soul-stirring, poetic folk, and Americana music. Her emotionally charged lyrics and hauntingly beautiful vocals resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
Comedy Series
Recurring Thursdays | Yeah, Comedy! A Standup Comedy Open-Mic Special Guest | Legend's Pub
May 4 | Ariel Elias | Club 337
May 10 | Dave Williamson | Club 337
May 17 | Dusty Slay | Club 337
June 6 | AcA & Lafayette Comedy's Comedy Club Series: Emo Philips | Acadiana Center for the Arts
June 13 | Sam Tallent | Club 337
June 28 | Graham Kay | Club 337
Free Concert Series
May 1 | Mercredi Show ft. Geno Delafose & The French Rocking Boogie | Pelican Park
Mercredi means Wednesday in French, and it is our chance to celebrate our heritage in Lafayette, LA. Come out to enjoy some great music and good fun. The concert series is family fun for all ages. The stage area is wheelchair accessible to accommodate our visitors. The Mercredi Show occurs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Pelican Park in Carencro. Please do not bring ice chests or pets.
May 2 | Rhythms on the River: The Molly Ringwalds | River Ranch Town Square
Rhythms on the River is a sensational six-week outdoor concert series that has become a beloved tradition in Lafayette. Held in the scenic River Ranch Town Square, this complimentary series offers an exceptional evening of live music for the community. During the spring and fall seasons, Rhythms on the River takes place on Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., providing an inviting and joyful atmosphere for the entire family. Local hospitality vendors offer food and beverage options to add to this unforgettable evening.
May 3 | Downtown Alive! ft. Dustin Sonnier | River Ranch Town Square
The entire community is invited to enjoy free, live music at Parc San Souci in Downtown Lafayette! The music starts at 6:00 p.m. and concludes at 8:30 p.m. Please leave ice chests at home to help keep Parc San Souci free to the public. Grab a drink from the beverage tent and a bite from food vendors and downtown restaurants. Most importantly, remember to support local small businesses while downtown!
May 8 | Mercredi Show ft. Three Thirty-Seven | Pelican Park
May 9 | Rhythms on the River: Wayne Toups with Swampland Revival | River Ranch Town Square
May 11 | Sugar Jam featuring Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys | Sugar Mill Pond
Join us at the beautiful Town Center in Sugar Mill Pond for the Sugar Jam 2024 music series, presented by The Apothecary Shoppe! Gather your family and friends to experience live entertainment and explore the sights of Sugar Mill Pond! This family-friendly music series is free to the public. No outside food or beverages are allowed, but food and drinks will be sold on-site during the event. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted.
May 15 | Mercredi Show ft. High Performance | Pelican Park
Annual Festivals
May 3-5 | Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival | Parc Hardy
The world-famous Crawfish Festival began 1960 as a spin-off of the Breaux Bridge Centennial Celebration. The festival is now known around the country and even the world. Thousands of hungry people flock to Breaux Bridge every May to participate in the festivities.
May 4 | Sunset Herb & Garden Festival | Sunset
This event offers everything for the garden enthusiast, with at least 100 vendors selling plants, herbal products, pottery, and garden art. Master Gardeners are on site to answer all your questions and provide expert advice.
May 18 | Acadiana Po-Boy Festival | West Village in Scott
This free-entry, family-friendly event will feature Acadiana's best po-boy samples from over 15 po-boy vendors. While tasting these delicious sandwiches, participants will experience amazing local music.
May 23 – June 2 | Cajun Heartland State Fair | CAJUNDOME
The Cajun Heartland State Fair is an eleven-day fair with ride specials, food, free attractions, and family-oriented games. Truly, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Cajun Heartland State Fair fairgrounds.
Art Exhibitions
Now - September 28 | Bending Lines: Robert Wiggs | Hilliard Art Museum
Robert Wiggs was a sculptor and educator who shaped the aesthetic agenda of Acadiana, which started in 1965 when UL was still known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Wiggs is known for his unique brand of abstraction based on keen observations of the natural world. He retired in 1987, the same year he discovered the ninth all-space-filling polyhedron he named the "Twist Octahedron."
Now - August 17 | Every|Where: Beili Liu | Hilliard Art Museum
EVERY|WHERE: BEILI LIU is comprised of three works of art. Each explores our relationship to water in different ways that raise fundamental questions about art and how we understand each other's lived experiences.
Now - September 14 | Fundamento De Palo Monte: Ana Mendieta | Hilliard Art Museum
The iconic silhouette motifs of Ana Mendieta's career represent meaningful relationships between humans and land. Filmed in Iowa, Fundamento de Palo Monte: Silueta Series (Gunpowder Works) reflects the artist's reality as a Cuban exile living in the United States.
Now - July 13 | Sitting with George Rodrigue | Hilliard Art Museum
Showcasing the exceptional works of one of Louisiana's most celebrated artists, this exhibition reflects Rodrigue's deep connection to his Cajun roots, featuring portraits of influential cultural and political figures alongside his iconic Blue Dog paintings.
Now - May 26 | Les Soeurs de la Chasse/Sisters of the Hunt-An Exhibition on Women Hunting | NuNu Arts & Culture Collective
This exhibit by photographer and filmmaker Camille Farrah Lenain explores the lives of female hunters in rural France and Southern Louisiana through stunning photographs and immersive sound art.
Now - May 11 | In Media Res: How One Story Becomes Another | Acadiana Center for the Arts
On view in the Main Gallery: IN MEDIAS RES: How One Story Becomes Another—a group exhibition featuring artworks from local and regional artists in dialogue with the poetry of former Louisiana poet laureate Darrell Bourque.
Ongoing Events
May 2 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Thursday) | Women's French Rosary | Begnaud House in Scott
Rosary will be held at 10 a.m. every first Thursday of the month.
May 4 (Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday) | Indigenous Heritage Table | NuNu Arts & Culture Collective
We are connecting tribes one table at a time. Together, we share and learn about indigenous heritage. Hosted by Clovis "Joe" Billiot, Debra Cooper Billiot, and Biloxi-Chitimacha (Tribal Member).
May 10 (Recurring monthly on the 2nd Friday) | French Table | Valsin Broussard House
Practice your French at the historic home of Valsin Broussard, founder of the City of Broussard. Whether you speak French fluently or hardly know a word, there is a seat for you at our French table.
May 11 | Second Saturday ArtWalk | Recurring monthly on the 2nd Saturday
The monthly event features exhibits, live music, theatrical performances, and immersive art experiences in Downtown Lafayette's shops, galleries, museums, and streets.
May 27 (Fourth Monday of the Month) | Les Vues Film Series | Vermilionville
A free monthly series is held in Vermilionville's Performance Center, and there are rotating films each month on various cultural topics.