Editor's Note: Ode to a Dingo
Let me tell you a story about a dingo named Louie. He wasn’t really a dingo — my friend just called him that. He was actually a Chihuahua/dachshund/corgi rescue who remained a wildling until the end. You see, Louie was…
Author: Ashley Bravata
Dog Days of Summer
There’s nothing sadder than the sight of a pooch watching you walk out the door, keys in hand and no leash. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Acadiana offers many pet-friendly spots these days, from well-developed dog parks…
Making a Splash
Being engulfed by water — literally — can be a blessing for Acadiana during the intense heat of deep summer that can be summoned up in southern Louisiana. Whether relief is found in the refreshing waters of lakes, rivers and…
Fusing Dining Timelines
A new dining concept, All Day, is taking over the space formerly occupied by SoLou (now prevailing in Baton Rouge). Instead of focusing on traditional formats, All Day foregoes timelines, shifting from breakfast offerings (which will be available all day)…
Creole Colada
By day, the scent of blueberry muffins, double chocolate cranberry scones, pecan-studded cinnamon buns, freshly baked breads and boudin-stuffed croissants drift out of Lizzie’s on Maine, the new European-style bakery from pastry wiz Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hansen, prized for her intricate,…
Snowball Mania
If you’ve ever spent time in south Louisiana during the summer months, there’s a chance you’ve had a sweet treat unique to the region — snowballs. Perhaps you have enjoyed an Olde Tyme po’boy and followed it up with a…
Community Table
Hub City Diner owner Jason Redmon has only worked four jobs in his life. The first job was at Subway in his hometown of Bunkie. At age 20, after a rocky attempt at community college, a high school friend needed…
A Legacy of Flavor
When patrons walk through the doors leading into La Truffe Sauvage in Lake Charles, they eagerly anticipate classy service and delicious food. The eatery, located in Bayou Pines, which is perched along Contraband Bayou, has the type of ambience that…
Lafayette to Host "Traveling with Denella Ri’chard: America 250"
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, Lafayette Travel, in partnership with the Galvez Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Acadian Memorial, will host a free screening…
Searching for Pinky at Cameron
Pinky’s not hard to spot. The albino bottlenose dolphin was birthed a bright Pepto-Bismol color due to a lack of the pigment melanin. She frequents the Calcasieu Ship Channel and surrounding waterways below Lake Charles, sometimes traveling as far down…
The Catahoula Leopard Dog
Beyond the incredible natural biodiversity of Louisiana’s wild places, beyond even the — as the naturalist Charles Darwin once wrote of life’s dizzying variety across the planet — “endless forms most beautiful” that make up the prairies, forests, and terres…
UL Lafayette Chosen to Host Inaugural NIIMBL eXperience
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – On June 3, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will host the inaugural NIIMBL eXperience, an immersive program that will give K-12 science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM) teachers an inside look at the biopharmaceutical…
Summer Blueberry Picking in Acadiana at Bluesberry Fields
Lately, I've been consuming blueberries as my go-to fruit. I buy a big bag of the frozen ones at Target and top my Greek yogurt with them, making for a cold, healthy snack that is sweeter tasting than before but…
Lafayette Parish Will Host USSSA National All-State Championship
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – Lafayette Parish will host the USSSA National All-State Championship from July 28 to Aug. 2, bringing top youth baseball players from across the country to the region. The event features athletes ages 8U–14U who have…
Free Bach Lunch + Downtown Lafayette Summer Events
LAFAYETTE, La. – On Friday, May 29, Downtown Lafayette will offer a free lunchtime concert, Bach Lunch, a part of a series held at Parc Sans Souci. Organizers share that Bach Lunch is a great way for families, college students and…
New OnPath Credit Union Lafayette Branch
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) — OnPath Credit Union officially marked its entry into the Lafayette market on May 18 with a successful groundbreaking ceremony for its new, full-service branch at 1820 Camellia Blvd. The afternoon ceremony brought together local officials,…
Notre Propre Histoire Project at French Table in Rayne
RAYNE, La. – On May 7, at 9:30 a.m., a special post-graduate research project, Notre Propre Histoire, took place at the regular French Table Gathering in Rayne. According to Visit Acadia Parish, the City of Rayne hosts a weekly French…
SpaceX in Acadiana Rumors Traced
By now, you've probably heard the rumor about SpaceX in Acadiana, if you weren't already involved in the local whispers. And, if you haven't, the rumor is that SpaceX is planning for a 136,000-acre…
Lake Charles Historic City Hall Showcases "Lake Area Music"
LAKE CHARLES, La. (press release) - The Lake Charles Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center announced a new opening date for its upcoming exhibition, "Lake Area Music: Roots, Rhythms and…
New Opelousas Public Art Billboard
OPELOUSAS, La. (press release) – A new Opelousas public art billboard, an Opelousas Museum project, will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. Over the course…
Lafayette in France for Festival Interceltique de Lorient
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – Lafayette’s music, food, tourism and French heritage will take stage this summer in Brittany, France, with a new Lafayette tourism presence planned for the upcoming Festival Interceltique de Lorient, one of France’s largest urban festivals,…
10 Shrimp Recipes to Celebrate National Shrimp Day
If you need a break from the abundance of crawfish in your life, or just an excuse to make a delicious shrimp dish, the perfect day for you is coming. May 10 is National Shrimp Day. I'm not sure how…
New Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La. (press release) – Visit Lake Charles welcomed a new landmark with the grand opening of the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu on Friday, April 17. Located in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, the…
Smithsonian Center Expands Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, in partnership with the Center for Louisiana Studies (CLS) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, announced a collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as part of…
"Gulf Streams" and Summer Events at Hilliard Art Museum
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) — The Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced community and educational programs inspired by its…
Turner Industries Nuclear Fabrication Facilities in Acadiana
BATON ROUGE, La. – Turner Industries, a global leader in industrial construction, maintenance, fabrication and equipment, announced state-of-the-art nuclear fabrication facilities across two regions in Louisiana. The sites in New Iberia and Port Allen will be dedicated to the production…
2026 Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Will Honor John D. Barbry
MARKSVILLE, La. (press release) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host its 28th Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow, honoring John D. Barbry, on May 16 and 17, at the Earl J. Barbry Sr. Convention Center at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville,…
New Robert Dafford Mural Adds to Louisiana's City of Murals
RAYNE, La. – The City of Rayne, officially recognized by the state as Louisiana's City of Murals, continues to leverage public art as a primary driver of cultural tourism with its most recent unveiling by Robert Dafford. What began as…
The Hilliard Art Museum Picnic Benefit for Spring
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) — The Hilliard Art Museum Picnic, presented by BMW of Lafayette, is an elegant afternoon of art, picnic fare and philanthropy in support of the museum’s mission. “Picnic invites our community to invest in meaningful encounters…
Free 21st Annual Jambalaya Writers’ Conference
HOUMA, La. (press release) – The Terrebonne Parish Library System invites writers, readers and literary enthusiasts to attend the free 21st Annual Jambalaya Writers’ Conference on Saturday, April 25, at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library (151 Library Dr. in Houma).…
Opelousas Community Conversations Event
OPELOUSAS, La. – The Opelousas Museum will host Community Conversations, inviting community members to share and listen to stories on April 21 at the Opelousas Museum. Locals are invited to share stories of people and activities, past and present, in…
New Moncus Park Farmers Market Pavilion and b1BANK Backyard
Lafayette, La. (press release) – On April 17, Moncus Park celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion and the b1BANK Backyard. "This ribbon cutting is a milestone years in the making, and it would not…
Free One Acadiana Elections Hub Launched for May Election
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – One Acadiana (1A) has officially launched its 2026 Elections Hub, a free online resource to help voters navigate the election on May 16th. One Acadiana’s 2026 Elections Hub features key election dates, information on Louisiana’s…
BeauBassin Farm & Gardens Open House & Ribbon-Cutting
Sunset, La. (press release) – BeauBassin Farm & Gardens hosted its open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 10, welcoming community leaders, industry professionals, media partners and guests from across Acadiana. What is BeauBassin? BeauBassin Farm & Gardens is…
New EatLafayette App for Lafayette Parish Dining Scene
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) — Lafayette Travel officially launched the EatLafayette app on April 8 during its membership luncheon, where tourism and hospitality industry partners gathered for the announcement. The new EatLafayette app is designed to help locals and visitors discover,…
Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Member Alexis Barbry Creates UL Lafayette Scholarship
LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – The Alexis Barbry Scholarship, a new, non-endowed scholarship established at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will expand educational access and opportunity for students enrolled in the UL LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Program. The…
New Lafayette Dunkin' Celebrated Grand Opening with Free Coffee
NOTE: The new Lafayette Dunkin' had its grand opening Saturday, April 11, giving away 100 days of free coffee to the first 100 Dunkin’ Rewards members in line. Additionally, the new Dunkin', alongside the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, presented…
Downtown Lafayette Events in April
DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE, La. – Downtown Lafayette offers a range of events this month, with three major events happening just this weekend. Now is the time to soak up the sun, eat crawfish and enjoy music before the summer heat arrives.…
Rayne Ralph Bunche Library Received National Recognition
Rayne, La. – The Ralph Bunche Library of Rayne will be recognized as a site in the National Register of Historic Places during a ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April…
The Big Draft Flag Football Experience at Cajun Field
Lafayette, La. (press release) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana will host the Big Draft Flag Football Experience at Cajun Field on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Organizers share that the Big Draft Flag Football…
Editor's Note: Camp Life is the Best Life
For as much as many of us might moan and groan about how hot and humid the summers can get here in Louisiana, we sure end up outside a lot. Not necessarily like folks in other places. We aren’t hiking…
Meet the 2026 Acadiana Trailblazers
DANIEL BAROUSSE Daniel Barousse was five years into working what he thought was his dream job. An avid skateboarder, he was working as a sales rep for a major skateboard brand. It was 2015 and he was sitting on a…
Camp Life on Boston Bayou
Julian Hinkley wasn’t a rich man but he and his wife owned property in Pecan Island…
Insomnia Cookies, Café Nunu & More Around Acadiana
Lafayette Insomnia Cookies, known for its late-night service (until 1 a.m.) and made-to-order cookies, is opening downtown in the former DBR space. A new dog-friendly 12,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor beer garden or “ice house” venue is underway in Lafayette’s expanding Bluebird…
The Road to Jennings, Louisiana
Like many of Louisiana’s southwest cities, Jennings sprouted as a railroad depot in the late 1800's, later buoyed by oil exploration and agriculture. Today, the town off Interstate 10 between Lafayette and Lake Charles attracts visitors for its crawfish tours,…
Amy Thomasson Transforms Her Krotz Springs Home
Amy Thomasson's home was built in Krotz Spring in 2002. When she was ready for a refresh, she called Sara Vincent of Sara Vincent Designs, whom she had been following on Instagram for years after a…
Taco Sisters in Lafayette's Golden Glow Juice Recipe
For Lynn Jenkins, co-owner and creative director of Taco Sisters in Lafayette, food has always been a love language. Her early influences were Martha Stewart, whose culinary and homemaking creativity felt “both elevated and attainable,” and later, Julia Child and…
Santa Picanha Brings Southern Brazil to Lafayette
Lafayette chef and restaurateur Gustavo Rosenstengel has a passion that was born in southern Brazil. The pull of wood, fire, smoke and meat drove him to open Santa Picanha in Lafayette’s downtown in January. The restaurant’s menu is Rosenstengel’s homage…
How Our French Has Built a Modern Lexicon
Langage (“language”) — whether spoken, written, signed, or merely thought — permeates every aspect of our daily lives. But while the course of an ordinary day brings us into contact with many hundreds of unique words, it is only very…