4 Things You Should Do

1.NXT Series: Malentina. Michelle Colón, known by her stage name, Malentina, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, burlesque performer and stage and film actress. With the help of her friend and producer, Josh LeBlanc (GIVERS, Serpentine Man), she writes and composes a wide range of musical styles, from Latin cha cha cha, to hip hop, dance, and even rock & roll. Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette. AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org 

2. 88th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Held on Labor Day weekend, this festival honors the local shrimp harvest and the people who make it happen with a street fair, fairs do do, Blessing of the Fleet, loads of shrimp dishes and live music. Friday to Monday, Sept. 1 – 4. Shrimp & Petroleum Festival Grounds, 715 Second St., Morgan City. ShrimpAndPetroleum.org or 985-385-0703.

3. Bayou Fest & Boat Parade. Gather your friends, your canoe, your cooler, your fiddle, your best costumes, your dog, whatever, and get ready to float your boat and celebrate the Bayou Vermilion. The parade will set sail at 11:30 AM from the dock at Vermilionville, and wind all along the bayou to Southside Park. At the park, there will be food and drinks, games, and music. Want to paddle but have no boat? They also have canoes and kayaks available to help you get in the water and experience Bayou Vermilion. Saturday, Sept. 30. Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette. BayouVermilionDistrict.org  or 337-233-4077.

4. Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival.  The world’s largest Zydeco and LaLa music festival celebrates the spicy culture of Louisiana Creoles by highlighting, documenting, preserving and enhancing their rich heritage. Not only does the annual Festival spotlight the talent of both seasoned and new Zydeco artists, but it also has grown to encompass and share all avenues of the region’s rich culture. It is an annual cultural production of Southern Development Foundation in its commitment to promote the cultural awareness of Zydeco music & its heritage. Saturday, Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. Yambilee Festival Grounds, 1939 W. Landry St., Opelousas. Zydeco.org.

Sept. 1

Downtown Alive! ft. Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters

What: The downtown Friday night tradition that everyone knows & loves is back to celebrate Downtown Alive!’s 40th Anniversary with a top-notch lineup & more energy than ever. 

Where: Parc Sans Souci, 201 E. Vermilion St., Downtown Lafayette

When: Friday from 6 – 9 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org 

Sept. 2 – 30

Teche Area Farmers Market

What: Experience our harvest of delicious, locally grown produce and homemade products by

area farmers, artists and crafters. Also included are handcrafted cypress yard objects, bread

and fresh baked goods, ceramics, honey, jellies, jams, herbs, candies, wooden bowls and

utensils, birdhouses, garden benches and much more.

Where: Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Every Tuesday 2:30 – 6 p.m. and Saturday 7 – 11 a.m.

Details: 337-369-2330 or Facebook.com/TecheAreaFestivalandFarmersMarket

Admission: Free

Sept. 1 – 29

Food Truck Fridays

What: Every Friday, Moncus Park hosts local entrepreneurs as they serve up delicious food in a gorgeous atmosphere.

Where: Moncus Park, 2901 Johnston St, Lafayette

When: Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Details: MoncusPark.org/Food-Truck-Fridays

Sept. 1 – 29

Pie Bar Live

What: The first Friday of each month will feature local Cajun music while remaining Fridays will feature a variety of singers, songwriters as well as local legends. 

Where: Cane River Pecan’s Pie Bar, 254 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Fridays from 4 – 7 p.m.

Details: CaneRiverPecan.com/PieBar 

Sept. 2 – 30

Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market

What: Come out to the horse farm every Saturday rain or shine for some of the best homegrown goods in Lafayette. 

Where: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette 

When: Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Details: MarketAtMoncusPark.com 

Sept. 2 – 30

Beats on the Bayou 

What: A live concert under the Isle of Iberia’s pavilion. Come out, meet friends, listen to live music and dance the evening away. Tickets are $10 and admission is open to the public. If you are staying at the Isle, entertainment is included.

Where: Isle of Iberia RV Resort, 911 N.W. Bypass (Hwy. 3212), New Iberia

When: Saturdays from 6 – 9 p.m. 

Details: IsleOfIberia.com 

Sept. 2 – 30

Cajun Jam 

What: Vermilionville’s weekly Cajun Jam is led by some of the area’s finest musicians. The free jam is held in the Performance Center of Vermilionville Living Museum & Folklife Park and is open to all skill levels-beginner to professional. Admission is free but does not include entry to the park.

Where: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette

When: Saturdays from 1 – 3 p.m.

Details: Vermilionville.org or 337-233-4077

Sept. 2 – 30

Agora Open Air Market 

What: This market features local vendors and will be taking place every Saturday across from the Lafayette Public Library. If you’re interested in getting involved with Agora Market, please email lafayetteagora@gmail.com. 

Where: 720 Lafayette St., Lafayette

When: Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org 

Sept. 3 – 24

Bal du Dimanche 

What:  Bayou Vermilion District & Vermilionville host the Bal du Dimanche (Sunday Dance) every week. This live music series is held in Vermilionville’s Performance Center and rustic dancehall.  Admission includes a self-guided tour of the Vermilionville Living History museum.

Where: Vermilionville’s Performance Center, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette.

When: Sundays, 1 – 4 p.m.

Details: Vermilionville.org or 337-233-4077

Admission: $10

Sept. 3 – 24

Bourré at The Brewery

What: Each week, the brewery hosts a front porch jam session, a French table, and a friendly game of Bourré. Bourré is a popular card game in South Louisiana. It’s a trick-taking game, similar to Spades. If you don’t know how to play, the locals will be happy to show you. 

Where: Bayou Teche Brewing, 1002 Noth Lane, Arnaudville

When: Sundays from 2 – 5 p.m.

Details: BayouTecheBrewing.com or 337-754-5122

Sept. 7 – 28

Bayou Teche French Table

What: Celebrate the Cajun Culture and improve your French speaking skills regardless of your level of French. Additionally, enjoy conversations with francophones and francophiles who visit New Iberia from all over the world as well as students in the French Immersion setting at North Lewis Elementary. Vive le francais!

Where: Cane River Pecan Company – Pie Bar, 254 W. Main St., New Iberia

McDonald’s, 1501 Center St., New Iberia

When: Thursdays from 8 – 10 a.m.

Details: 337-519-7942

Sept. 8

Jonathon “Boogie” Long + Zach Edwards & The Medicine

What: Jonathon “Boogie” Long is the ultimate example of pure talent and musicianship. His powerful and meaningful lyrics, breathtaking guitar riffs, and a dynamic vocal range well beyond his years, have made his live show a fan favorite at music festivals and venues all over the world.

Where: The Grouse Room, 417 Jefferson St., Lafayette

When: Friday at 9:30 p.m.

Details: TheGrouseRoom.com 

Sept. 9

Second Saturday ArtWalk

What: The monthly event occurs monthly, every second Saturday, and features exhibits, live music, theatrical performances, and immersive artistic experiences in the shops, galleries, museums, and streets of Downtown Lafayette.

Where: Downtown Lafayette

When: Saturday from 6 – 8 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org

Sept. 9

Festival of Words Presents Words for You

What: Words for You is a project of commissioned poems, stories and songs. Each festival supporter has the opportunity to commission an original work by a favorite author. The completed piece will be given to the patron, and all the works will be read aloud at a virtual performance.

Where: Lafayette Main Library, 301 W. Congress St., Lafayette

When: Saturday  from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Details:  FestivalOfWords.org/WordsForYou 

Sept. 14 – 17

LA Food & Wine Festival

What: The Louisiana Food + Wine Festival, hosted by Visit Lake Charles will celebrate the best of Louisiana and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts to southwest Louisiana’s unique Cajun and Creole heritage and culture, seafood, artisans, live musicians and more.

Where: 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Downtown Lake Charles

Details: LouisianaFoodandWineFestival.com

Sept. 15

Flow Tribe

What: New Orleans musicians Flow Tribe will take the stage at Blue Moon Saloon performing some of the best American Funk Rock from the Crescent City. 

Where: Blue Moon Saloon, 215 E. Convent, Lafayette 

When: Friday at 9 p.m.

Details: BlueMoonPresents.com 

Sept. 15

Downtown Alive! ft. Bonsoir Catin

What: The downtown Friday night tradition that everyone knows & loves is back to celebrate Downtown Alive!’s 40th Anniversary with a top-notch lineup & more energy than ever. 

Where: Parc Sans Souci, 201 E. Vermilion St., Downtown Lafayette

When: Friday from 6 – 9 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org 

Sept. 16

Parish Proud Day 2023

What: This is an incredible opportunity to engage with community members, make new connections and leave a lasting impact in the core of Lafayette. 

Where: Parc Sans Souci, 201 E. Vermilion St., Lafayette

When: Saturday from 9 – 11 a.m.

Details: ParishProud.org/Parish-Proud-Day 

Sept. 20

Les Cadiens Du Teche Cajun Dance

What: Les Cadiens du Teche (Cajun French Music Association) dance to Cajun music with a meal, door prizes, cake walk, 50/50 and camaraderie, at their monthly public meeting.

Where: La Louisiane Banquet Hall, 5509 Hwy. 14, New Iberia

When: Every third Wednesday of the month from 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Details: Facebook.com/LesCadiensDuTeche or 337-258-1876

Sept. 21

AllStars Series: Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band

What: Known as one of the finest pianists of the past 60 years, and a living legend in the Latin Jazz world, Eddie Palmieri is a bandleader, arranger and composer of salsa and Latin jazz. His playing skillfully fuses the rhythm of his Puerto Rican heritage with the complexity of his jazz influences: Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner as well as his older brother, Charlie Palmie.

Where: Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette

When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Details: AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org

Sept. 21

Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival 

What: The sweetest festival in the state is held every last full weekend in September in New Iberia. Each year the festival honors the sugar cane producers and processors in recognition of the benefits of the sugar industry and how it affects Louisiana and the nation. 

Where: Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Thursday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Details: HiSugar.orgor 337-369-9323 

Sept. 22

Downtown Alive! with Tommy McLain ft. CC Adcock & special guests with Jon Cleary

What: The downtown Friday night tradition that everyone knows & loves is back to celebrate Downtown Alive!’s 40th Anniversary with a top-notch lineup & more energy than ever. 

Where: Parc Sans Souci, 201 E. Vermilion St., Downtown Lafayette

When: Friday from 6 – 9 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org  

Sept. 25

Les Vues Film Series

What:  Les Vues is a free monthly film series curated by filmmakers and enthusiasts, mostly from around the state. The films will range from features, documentaries, student film, shorts, animation, etc., that focus on the themes surrounding cultures. Les Vues free film series will continue the last Monday evening of each month at 6:30 PM.

Where: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette.

When: Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Details: BayouVermilionDistrict.org  

Sept. 26

Iberia Mental Health Initiative Family Support Group

What: A facility administrator led support group to assist family members and caregivers of those living with mental illness. A sharing of experiences to gain insight and coping skills in a confident setting. Fourth Tuesday of each month. 

Where: Iberia Medical Center, North Campus, Meeting Room 2 (Andre St.), New Iberia

When: Fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. 

Details: 337-944-4171 or IberiaMentalHealthInitiative.org

Sept. 28

Lafayette Comedy Presents Christopher Titus

What: Christopher Titus is a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer. As a creator, he has sold shows to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central. His wildly innovative multi-cam half-hour Titus premiered to critical and audience acclaim on Fox, earning the show an Emmy nomination, while Titus himself received a WGA Award nomination for his writing.

Where: Club 337, 1521 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette

When: Thursday at 7  p.m.

Details: LafayetteComedy.com

Admission: $25

 

Sept. 28

Marine Corps League Monthly Meeting

What: The General W.S. McIlhenny Detachment of the Marine Corps League invites all active Marines and Marine veterans to attend the group’s monthly meeting.

Where: Veterans Memorial Building in New Iberia’s City Park

When:  Fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 7 p.m. 

Details: 337–967–3650

Sept. 29

Downtown Alive! Presents Localpalooza ft. Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars + special guests

What: Join us as Downtown Alive! Presents: Localpalooza bringing an all-star cast of Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Rock from all around Acadiana. Don’t miss artists like Roddie Romero & The Hub-City All-Stars, Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet, Geno Delafose, Steve Riley, Feufollet, Corey Ledet, Jourdan Thibodeaux, and so much more. All together on one stage in the heart of Downtown Lafayette at Parc International. 

Where: Parc International, 200 Garfield St., Downtown Lafayette

When: Friday from 6 – 9 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org