Robbie Austin’s Memories are uncertain friends. features paintings on field book survey papers encased in bamboo frames, and will be open from March 30 through May 27 in the second floor gallery. Robbie Austin is a local artist who’s been active since the early 2000s. Robbie was born in Lake Charles, but was educated in Southern California at the California Institute of the Arts. Since Hurricane Laura in 2020, he has been experimenting with field book paper in his art, “I began working with field books after a hurricane blew my tree and treehouse onto a neighbor’s property, exposing a trove of material. She had boxes and boxes of these old books. I was enchanted. The paper is stormproof. It’s infused with resin and has an inherent object-ness.” The original code-like markings along with the irregular contours of the pages make for dynamic springboards of compositional play. Robbie takes advantage of these irregularities to create something truly unique.

Experience the arts at this year’s Expo with performances and visual arts exhibitions from our public schools! Student Arts Expo is a free and family-friendly festival of student artwork, live performances, and fun arts activities.

In celebration of the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center‘s newest exhibit, Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish, a series of presentations will be held at the museum on Saturday, April 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The presenters will provide in-depth information on the exhibit.The presentations include:The Life and Times of Martin Donato, Etha Simien AmlingHistory of St Ann Catholic Church in Mallet: 1856 to the present, Vivian Broussard GuilloryOrigins of Free People of Color, Alex Lee

A turning point for modern western music. There is no greater transformative turning point for classical and modern western music than the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the music written to celebrate it. This Lenten-themed concert will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata No. 4, which he wrote for Easter in 1707. Cantatas were written for church services, and in honor of Christian holidays, and are marked by an emphasis on vocal presentation, with an instrumental accompaniment. Bach wrote more than 200 cantatas in his lifetime, which were critical in the development of both vocal and instrumental music, and are considered to be some of his best work. To purchase tickets, click here.

Bio Art on the Bayou Vermilion presented by Artist, Henry Sanchez, of the BioArt Bayou-torium. In keeping with the 8th Annual River Symposium's environmental education theme this year, BVPA is co-hosting a family education event. This hands-on workshop provides participants with the opportunity to experience the bayou as a scientist and an artist. No Registration required!

Show will take place at 7 p.m. in Angelle Hall on the University Campus.

The 2023 Spring Gala will be held at the Alumni Center on Saturday, March 25 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Bryan Hanks has been named the 2023 honoree, recognized for his continued passion for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, exceptional dedication to Acadiana, and commitment to the future successes of both.For more information about this university event and others, click here.

The 2023 season of Banners at McNeese State University kicks off with 16 events spread out over several weeks from March 4 to April 29. This year’s entertainment offers a spectacular lineup showcasing concerts, puppets, the McLeod Lecture Series, the 33rd Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibit, documentaries, lectures, a dance party, an outside family film night, a Grammy-nominated singer and so much more.For more information on this year’s Banners lineup, various levels of membership available or ticket prices for some of the events, check out the Banners website at www.banners.org or call the Banners office at 337-475-5123. Tickets to Banners events are also available at the door and McNeese and Sowela students are admitted free with valid student IDs.

The Cathedral Choir and Chamber Orchestra will present "A Musical Journey Through Lent". Works will include "The Last Seven Words of Christ" by Theodore Dubois. Soloists include Whitney Chaumont, Dr. Brian Harrell, Danielle Stegall, Colette Bulber Tanner, Damian France, and J. Reggie Rogers, II. Concert is free. A "love offering" will be taken. The concert will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM.

The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA , the City of Lake Charles, and First Federal Bank of Louisiana are bringing back the popular, free to the public music and art festival, Live @ the Lakefront after a successful 2022 run.  For the 11th anniversary, Live @ the Lakefront (L@LF) will feature local bands, live art demonstrations, an outdoor art market and food truck market to create a full-fledged music festival on the shores of Lake Charles. L@LF will take place on three consecutive Fridays in March; the 17th, 24th, and 31st, from 5:30PM to 10PM at the Arcade Amphitheatre.For vendor applications or more details on the event, visit  www.artscouncilswla.org  or contact the Arts Council at (337) 439-2787.

The world-famous literary legacy Detective Dave Robicheaux, created by author James Lee Burke, is coming home to Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The official Books Along The Teche Literary Festival: Celebrating New Iberia, Dave Robicheaux's Hometown will be held March 31 - April 2, 2023 predominately in New Iberia's historic district, but will also include events around Iberia Parish. Various venues will celebrate literature and its impact on our culture with a Burke symposium, children's activities and workshops, book fair, reader's theater, live music, local cuisine, Dave Robicheaux tours and more. The annual festival invites all literature lovers to stop by Iberia Parish for a great time.For more information on the schedule of events, visit https://booksalongthetecheliteraryfestival.com/.

Now in its 37th year, The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is a five-day event held each spring in New Orleans' historic French Quarter that attracts participants from around the world. They also host Saints+Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival the same weekend. Vist SASFest HERE.