Culture

Storytelling: A Fading Pastime

“Dans ce temps-ça, ils onviont pas beaucoup des affaires à faire d’autre chose que s’assir et conter des contes.” (“In those days, they didn’t have many things to do besides sit down and tell stories.”)   Between the time that…

Hoop Net Fishing

At Butte La Rose, the Atchafalaya River makes a sharp turn east-northeast in yet another bid to lure the Mississippi into its path. The river here runs black. It’s slender, smooth as paper. On a warm morning in late December,…

Made in Louisiana: A Distinction that Deserves a Label

I was listening to the radio the other day, an old program from the 1960s hosted by the late Dudley LeBlanc: “Les Nouvelles de la Semaine” (“The News of the Week”).  Among a certain generation of Louisianians, “Cousin Dud,” state…

"Forest Bathing," It’s good for what ails you

There’s an old saying in Louisiana, which goes: “Février est pas bâtard,” meaning (very) roughly “February isn’t half-hearted.” If that’s only a little less clear than troubled water, there’s another expression, quite similar, said still in France: “L’hiver est pas…

The Caribbean Connection

While the Louisiana winter is a sometimes pleasant, sometimes harsh reminder that we are indeed a part of the North American continent, and while, culturally, we do share many historical connections with our French cousins far to the north, as…

Calling Acadiana Home

The waves of immigration that contributed to our culture in southern Louisiana did not cease with the end of the Grand Dérangement or with the last ship to transport enslaved Africans. More recently, the arrival of Vietnamese refugees or Spanish…

Teaching Artists

There are so many reasons to love you, Acadiana. I love the food and the festivals (I’ve danced my heart out at several recently). I love the natural beauty that surrounds us,…

Into the Oaks

Lake Charles Check out Chef Andrew Green’s new Fire & Oak, tucked away in an enchanting nook amid majestic oaks draped with lights that add a glow to patio dining with…

Pro Fighters for Kids

Abbeville, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Lafayette, Opelousas, Carencro The Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana (bgcacadiana.com) received a $500,000 donation from UFC Fighter Conor McGregor to enhance summer camps. Inspired by the Good…

Lâche Pas

Sustaining and spreading the tradition of Cajun boucherie