Editor's Note: Behind the Scenes
Whether we go to a concert at a big stadium or catch a show at a local venue, we are going for a good time. To enjoy the music. To see our favorite band. To be in the moment. I…
Author: Ashley Pemberton
The Makers and the Music
In workshops across South Louisiana, local craftsmen are shaping cypress and spruce into musical instruments that ensure the distinctive sound of Cajun music lives on. These instruments aren’t merely tools for making sound—they’re vessels of culture, each one representing hundreds…
Six Acadiana Wedding Locations for Your Big Day
Every couple has their unique style and preferences, so it’s no surprise that not every wedding venue is the perfect fit. We’ve curated a selection of options, however, that are sure to please with spaces from rustic to modern and…
Far and Away in Grand Isle
Traveling to Grand Isle at the bottom of Louisiana sometimes feels like heading to the ends of the earth. And that’s its major draw. This barrier island facing the Gulf attracts thousands of visitors each year for its remote location…
French Music: A History Longer Than Memory
Louisiana’s musical landscape is extraordinarily rich and varied, and has been since the beginning: the land between the Pearl River and the Sabine has long been de la terre fertile (”fertile ground”) for the growth of a variety of rich…
Loft 18’s Midori Transfusion Cocktail Recipe
When the Christmas lights are still twinkling and Twelfth Night rolls in to crown Carnival season, sports fans enjoy that golden overlap of holidays and high-stakes football. The Midori Transfusion cocktail is festive enough for a holiday toast yet fiery…
Food is Life For Chef Karlos Knott
Karlos Knott, co-owner, chef and president (though he doesn’t really go by that last title) of Bayou Teche Brewing and Cajun Saucer pizza in Arnaudville, spends his work days and nights thinking about and making beer and pizza. What does…
Should Lafayette’s Musicians Look Toward the Past to Solve Future Problems?
According to the Lafayette Music Census conducted in 2024, the economic activity of Lafayette’s music sector generates $13.2 million annually in income, with 32% of survey respondents’ annual income coming from music. That may sound impressive — and it is…
Rayne Photographer Creates Farmhouse of Her Dreams
Early in their marriage, Marc and Haylei Smith were on the…
Youngsville Openings, Pet-Friendly Restaurants & More Around Acadiana
Youngsville The Latin-owned brunch and coffee brand Bistrology (founded in Miramar Beach, Florida) is opening soon in Youngsville featuring its signature over-the-top theatrical coffee service, vibrant Latin-fusion cuisine and a jungle-inspired setting and patio. Also in Youngsville is the recently…
Generations of Goodness at Laura’s II Next Generation
Here is a bit of culinary wisdom compliments of an Acadiana kitchen master. “Without gravy, rice is just a grain,” according to Laura’s II Next Generation owner, Madonna Broussard. If anyone wants to argue against that notion, then they should…
Spend The Day in Time Plaza
Fine Jewelry Southern Jewelers of Lafayette 5431 Johnston St. • 337-450-3059 • southernjewelerslft.jewelershowcase.com New Wellness Experience Palm Beach Tan 5411 Johnston St. • 337-988-1631 • palmbeachtan.com/locations/la/lafayette-johnston-street Metro Suit Miller’s Formals 5433 Johnston St. • 337-983-2266 • millers-formals.com Shrimp Poboy…
Dr. Natalie B. Brasseaux
Having practiced dentistry for 28 years, Dr. Natalie B Brasseaux has owned and managed Natalie Brasseaux, DDS for seventeen of those years. While a family-based practice, Dr. Brasseaux jokes that she is either a friend of, a classmate of, or…
Julie DesOrmeaux Rosenzweig
Born and reared in Abbeville, Louisiana, Julie DesOrmeaux Rosenzweig practices law in Lafayette, focusing on estate planning for growing families, including wills, trusts, successions, powers of attorney, guardianship designations, special needs planning, and long-term care planning from her office in…
Nadia de la Houssaye
Raised in rural Louisiana, Nadia de la Houssaye is a nationally recognized leader in digital health and telemedicine. A partner and co-leader of Jones Walker LLP’s Healthcare Industry Team, she combines a passion for virtual care with more than 30…
Dyan Schnaars
Dyan is the owner and operator of Schnaars Law Firm and practices primarily in family law. Dyan is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Lafayette Parish Bar Association, and the Past President of the Paula K. Woodruff Family…
Christy McDonald Lenahan
As founder and co-owner of Serenity MedAesthetics, Christy McDonald Lenahan was able to grow a small startup into a thriving medical spa serving more than 1,800 clients across Acadiana. For Christy, aesthetics is about more than appearance; it’s about wellness,…
Lauren Suire
A passionate entrepreneur, community advocate, and proud Cajun woman, Lauren Suire is the owner of LA Hope Properties, a growing real estate investment company, and the co-owner of The Cajun Table, a Lafayette restaurant known for authentic Cajun cuisine. Dedicated…
Mary Hays
An unapologetically proud Southern woman, Mary Hays, with Geaux Run by Fleet Feet, is an avid sponsor of philosophic entities. Having lived amongst impoverished cultures around the world, including West Africa, Mary has experienced the very poor and the very…
Holiday Gift Guide
Giving gifts to all the unique people in your life can be an overwhelming task. Get inspired by our top holiday gift picks sure to suit every taste. Green Tourmaline Ring With Diamond Halo Dianna Rae Jewelry 500 Settlers Trace,…
Why Was the Xactci Dance Forbidden? The Story of Its Revival
Once labeled as The Devil Dance, the Xactci Dance has returned. But why now? Citizens of the Canneci Tinné Tribe of the Louisiana Apache, based in Lafayette and St. Martin parishes, presented the once forbidden Xactci Dance for the first…
New Parade for Light Up The Lake in Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La (press release) — This year, the City of Lake Charles will add a new Christmas Walking Parade to its annual Light Up The Lake celebration at the Lake…
Rayne, La Nominated for "America's Favorite Small Towns" Contest
RAYNE, La (press release) — The Acadia Parish Tourism Office nominated the City of Rayne to participate in the nationwide contest "America’s Favorite Small Towns," presented by Parade magazine and…
November Holiday Events in Lake Charles
Ready to celebrate the holidays? As November ends, a range of holiday events in Lake Charles leads up to December. Enjoy the full guide below on everything holiday-related. "The Nutcracker" at Lake Area Ballet Theatre This season, the Lake Area…
"The Creole Nutcracker" Returns to Acadiana
Lafayette, La (press release) – This year, "The Creole Nutcracker" returns Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. "The Creole Nutcracker," presented by Heritage Parc, blends Louisiana culture with the classic story of "The Nutcracker"…
Lafayette Ballet Theatre's 25th Anniversary of "The Nutcracker"
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) — The Lafayette Ballet Theatre will celebrate the 25th anniversary of "The Nutcracker" with its performances on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14. Founded in 1982, the Lafayette Ballet Theatre is Acadiana’s only professional classical…
After 160 Years, Louisiana Apache Ritual Dance Returns
OPELOUSAS, La (press release) – Citizens of the Canneci Tinné Tribe of the Louisiana Apache will present the Xactci Dance on Saturday, Nov. 22, during National American Indian Heritage Month. The Canneci Tinné Apache Tribe has lived in Louisiana since…
How Participation in Taste Louisiana Impacts Acadia Parish
This year, “Taste Louisiana in NYC” brought the diverse flavors of Louisiana to Chelsea Market in New York City, featuring dishes from 11 renowned Louisiana chefs. Taste Louisiana is a collaborative effort of the Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana…
U.S. Tour of "Menopause The Musical 2" Comes to Luling
LULING, La (press release) – "Menopause The Musical 2" comes to Luling at the Lafon Performing Arts Center for one performance only on Nov. 20. "Menopause The Musical 2" is the sequel to the international show "Menopause The Musical," a…
Acadia Parish’s Wayne Toups Performed at “Taste Louisiana in New York City”
NEW YORK, NY (press release) – Local Grammy Award-winning artist Wayne Toups, sponsored by Acadia Parish Tourism, performed at “Taste Louisiana in New York City” on Oct. 28 at Chelsea Market. The event included food from 11 Louisiana Chefs in…
Candlelight Brings Christmas Carols to Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – Candlelight, a series of live concerts presented by Fever, brings Christmas carols to Lafayette with its "Christmas Carols on Strings" performance, featuring thousands of candles in the Petroleum Club of Lafayette and holiday melodies performed…
Lafayette Travel's New "Gumbo People” Video Series Features Photographer Ben Pierce
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – Lafayette Travel released the fourth episode of its original video series "Gumbo People," which highlights the artists, culture bearers and professionals who help shape the parish’s cultural identity. The newest episode spotlights Ben Pierce, a Lafayette-based…
Downtown Lafayette Hosts 15th Annual Southern Screen Festival
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – The 15th annual Southern Screen Festival will be presented in Downtown Lafayette, Louisiana Nov. 13-16. Festival Highlights include educational session: "Film + Brand: How Entertainment Can Advance The World with Elliot Kotek (The Nation of…
Advertise - Top Doctors
The Top Doctors listing will have over 300 listings in 50 Categories who were nominated by their peers in a survey process by Castle and Connolly Medical LTD. In addition to being direct mailed to homes and businesses, this issue…
Actor Roger Guenveur Smith Kicks Off PASA Popups at Baranco
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – Actor Roger Guenveur Smith returns to Lafayette with a new solo performance: "In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat." The play is a tribute to the acclaimed neo-expressionist painter whose career skyrocketed in the 1980's, and whose…
Lafayette Travel’s Ben Berthelot Named Chair of Southeast Tourism Society Executive Committee
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – Lafayette Travel President & CEO Ben Berthelot has been appointed Chair of the Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) Executive Committee, making him the principal volunteer leader for the organization that represents the tourism industry across 13…
EatLafayette Presents 2025 Acadiana Eats Festival IV
LAFAYETTE, La (press release) – EatLafayette announced the return of Acadiana Eats Festival IV, set for Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at West Village in Scott. This free, family-friendly festival will highlight some of Acadiana’s best…
Renaissance Publishing’s Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile Magazines Win 17 International Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile, two Renaissance Publishing titles, earned a combined 17 awards at the 2025 International Regional Magazine Awards (IRMA). These honors recognize excellence in journalism for content produced in 2024. Each year, IRMA’s prestigious awards…
Editor's Note: Fall Feasting
I’m always excited when we get that first cool snap in the weather, usually in late October. Though our fall is short and inconsistent, it’s still much anticipated. Moods usually lighten because the heat isn’t as oppressive, and we feel…
Best of Dining in Acadiana 2025
Editor’s note: At the time of publication, we were not aware of the Lafayette location of SoLou closing. SoLou in Baton Rouge, however, is open. Famed food personality Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the…
Best Boudin in Acadiana
The greatest Boudin ever made can be found in the heart of Acadiana, in a cross section of towns vying for pork supremacy defined by extravagant self-appointed monikers that belie a deep cultural pride. Jennings, LA, calls itself the “Boudin…
A Season of Plays, Ballets and Art Shows Across the Region
On any given year, Louisiana’s blessed with a rich tapestry of culture, filled with both popular and classical concerts, lively dance and theater and vibrant visual art. This fall, South Louisiana adds to that repertoire, reaching into the past and…
Tracing the Roots of Boudin from Europe to the Cajun Prairie
It’s been said that “Happiness is a hot piece of boudin.” In South Louisiana, roadside stops and meat markets are distinguished by their boudin — whose is hottest, whose casing is tougher, whose rice and meat mixture has the best…
Realtor Lulu David’s Youngsville Home is a Sustainably Minded Family Oasis
For three years, Lulu David worked on the design of her new home in Youngsville’s Sugar Mill Pond neighborhood. Owner of Lulu David Real Estate Co., the seasoned Realtor had a clear vision. “From the beginning, we wanted the house…
Mawmaw’s Kitchen: Straddling Two Eras
Mémère (“Grandma”) ran a kitchen that in many ways straddled two different eras: sometimes, arriving at her house for le dîner de dimanche (“the Sunday lunch”) that followed morning mass, the deep, almost palpable aroma of strong coffee that seized…
531 Liberty Café’s Twist on a Classic Old Fashioned
The seasonally inspired Banana Nut Old Fashioned is the perfect cocktail for crisp autumn days. Created at 531 Liberty Café by mixologist Gina Domangue, it echoes the warm and inviting flavors of fall baking with cinnamon, brown sugar, nuts and…
Treasure Hunting in Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge is home to several outstanding antique shops so whatever you’re searching for, the odds are good you’ll find it here. Lagniappe Antique Mall located in the old Domingue Motor Co. reigns as the largest, with 17,000 square feet…
Enticing Fall Festivals Around Acadiana
Lafayette ‘Tis the season of bountiful harvests and fall festivals celebrating everything from gumbos, gravies and gratons to bourbon, boucheries and blackpot cookoffs with a side of pumpkin pie. Brisk weather invigorates two-stepping fans at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (October…
How Jolie Meaux Weaves Cajun History and Tradition into Her Flavorful Dishes
Whether or not you’ve heard of Jolie Meaux, it’s possible that you’ve eaten her food at a restaurant pop-up or sipped a cocktail she crafted during a bartending shift. Maybe you’ve landed on the Acadiana native’s long-running blog “Porch Wine…
Masala Indian Kitchen is Naan-Stop Flavor
Dr. Surinder Gupta still has it. More than 20 years ago, I met him at a function that he was catering in Lake Charles. After eating some of the food (I recall getting seconds), it was obvious that Gupta was…