Where would you head if you wanted to hear the best music in the world (or at least in the state)? Most people think of New Orleans, “the Birthplace of Jazz”, where you’ll find music festivals galore, brass bands invigorating the streets, and amazing musicians improvising jazz tunes at clubs all over the Big Easy.
But there’s another city right in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole Country that’s giving NOLA a run for its money these days, and that’s Lafayette. Located along the Vermilion River on the western edge of the Atchafalaya Basin, Lafayette is the metropolitan hub of Louisiana’s Acadiana region, and is known for her rich cultural history, indulgent culinary offerings, and her eclectic music, from Cajun and Zydeco to…well, you name it!
If you want to experience Lafayette’s incredible live music scene at its best, now is the time to go. That’s because the city’s renowned concert series, Downtown Alive!, is in full swing and will be until November 23.
Downtown Alive! (DTA!) is Lafayette’s longest-running concert series and a weekly tradition in the spring and fall. The outdoor concerts are FREE, and are located in beautiful Downtown Lafayette at Parc International, and the more intimate Parc Sans Souci, two wonderful venues for live music. At Parc Sans Souci, there’s a really cool fountain feature, which is a big hit with children who love frolicking in the vertical water plumes. And while kids are welcomed, outside drinks, pets and smoking are not allowed. Help DTA! keep admission free by purchasing drinks and food at the concession (profits help pay for the concerts.) Food and beverage vendors open at 5:30 p.m.
Here’s a list of the upcoming concerts, which run from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Downtown Alive!’s fall season ends on Thanksgiving Eve with a festive Holiday Celebration, complete with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, carols, and a toy drive sponsored by Toys For Tots…a great way to begin the Holiday season!
So come on down to Lafayette this fall: you’ll not only see some great concerts, but you’ll also see why Lafayette is the “Happiest City in the World”! For more info, visit DTA!’s Facebook page.
