Lafayette Public Library Museum Pass expands to include five Lafayette museums and historic sites

The Lafayette Public Library is proud has expanded its museum pass program to provide free family admission to five museums and historic sites in Lafayette Parish. Due to the success of the library's partnership with the Hilliard University Art Museum, the museum pass program will now include the following five participating museums:

Hilliard University Art Museum
Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum
Children's Museum of Acadiana
Lafayette Science Museum
Vermilionville Living Museum and Folklife Park

The free family admission pass is currently available for anyone with a valid Lafayette Public Library card to check out from any library location. The pass is good for a one-time family admission and must be used within seven days of being checked out. Only one pass may be borrowed at a time and the library card holder must be in good standing with the library. (Note: The Library Museum Pass will be honored as a regular family admission pass but may not be applicable for certain museum special events.) Call the Lafayette Public Library to reserve a pass, or visit any library location to check one out at the circulation desk. Patrons will not be able to place an online hold on a museum pass. For more information about the library museum pass, visit LafayettePublicLibrary.org.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Lafayette Library's Drag Queen Story Time to now be held Oct. 6 at South Louisiana Community College

The Lafayette Public Library's program titled "Drag Queen Story Time," scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, is being moved from the Main Library on Congress Street in downtown Lafayette to the South Louisiana Community College. The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Health and Sciences Auditorium on the SLCC campus at 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette.

The event is being hosted by SLCC's Umbrella Club and the Lafayette Public Library.

According to LPL Director Teresa Elberson, the move addresses the need for a larger venue due to an anticipated-overflow crowd and resulting safety concerns. In addition, the expected disruption to regular Saturday activities at the Main Library makes moving the program to another venue practical.

The titles to be read by Delta Lambda Phi have been reviewed and selected. They are “From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea” by Kai Cheng Thom, “Strictly No Elephants” by Lisa Mantchev and “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister. The titles are now listed on the library's website at LafayettePublicLibrary.org

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Hurricanes Katrina, Rita heroes & helpers to be honored; ‘Cajundome Mega-Shelter’ book to be released

Acadian House Publishing along with Dr. and Mrs. Paul Axar will unveil the new book, “The Day of the Cajundome Mega-Shelter,” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Cajundome Convention Center, 444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette. The program begins at 6:30 p.m., and everything is free and open to the public.

The book details when the Cajundome evolved into the nation’s first mega-shelter almost overnight after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. ,The Cajundome was also a shelter for those evacuated from Hurricane Rita, which hit Louisiana almost one month later. 

The event features the release, sale and signing of "The Day of the Cajundome Mega-Shelter" by Jefferson Hennessy with Leigh Hennessy Robson and Mark B. Robson. There will be public recognition and thanks to those who fed, sheltered and provided medical attention to evacuees. 

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country.” She writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

UL-Lafayette Wind Ensemble to premiere African drum performance “Congo Square”

            The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Wind Ensemble present the premiere of “Congo Square” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in Angelle Hall on the university campus. This performance is for African Drum Quartet and Wind Ensemble.

            San Antonion composer James Syler will be on campus two days before the event to interact with UL students, and author Freddi Williams Evans will give a pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m. Her book, “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans,” published by University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press, served as an important resource and inspiration for Syler’s new work. 

            The first band to perform is the Symphonic Winds conducted by Dr. Eric Melley, which features music by Holst and others. After intermission, the UL Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. William Hochkeppel, will do a program of five works. After an opening Fanfare, the premiere of “Congo Square” will take place. A few program highlights include: Ecstatic Fanfare by Steven Bryant, Overture for Winds by Felix Mendelssohn, Fantasia in G Major by J.S. Bach, and Dance for the New World by Dana Wilson.

            The UL Band is a member of the consortium commissioning project by Syler, who also wrote “Storyville,” two historic places in New Orleans jazz. The work will also be featured at the new “Music For All” Regional Festival in March, when the Wind Ensemble is the featured ensemble.

Louisiana Book News is written by Cheré Coen, the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Lafayette picks 'Long Walk to Water' for big read

            The Lafayette Public Library System is teaming up with area public schools and other local partners to encourage Lafayette to read and discuss the same book in a program called Lafayette Reads Together.

            The inaugural program will focus on the New York Times bestseller “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, a survivor’s tale inspired by the real story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, who not only saved himself, but improved the quality of life for many. Every public school seventh grader in Lafayette Parish will read the book and discuss it in class. School curricula will also include lessons surrounding the themes of the book, as well as the history and culture of South Sudan.

            Library programs include a documentary screening and book talk at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at North Regional Library and 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at South Regional Library and a presentation by photojournalist Eli Reed about his experiences documenting the Lost Boys of Sudan at 2 p.m. Saturday at South Regional. Check out Reed's discussion about his photography in this video.

            Other events include a Skype conversation with author Linda Sue Park at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at South Regional and a book discussion led by City-Parish President Joey Durel, City-Parish Council member Brandon Shelvin and Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jason El Koubi on March 2. There will also be a display of artwork by Lafayette Public School System children, inspired by South Sudanese culture, from March 9–20 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, with a special presentation during ArtWalk on March 14.

            For a list of events, visit LafayettePublicLibrary.org.

            In other library news, the second year of the Lafayette Public Library System’s 100 Book Club concluded with 176 people successfully completing the challenge of reading 100 books or more in 2014. These readers will be recognized for their accomplishments at the library’s reception at 6 p.m. Thursday at South Regional Library.
            In 2014, more than 900 people signed up for the program and read more than 26,000 books. The program is continuing in 2015 and readers may register at  any library branch or at LafayettePublicLibrary.org.

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.