Work hard, play hard. That's our tradition here in French Louisiana. From Mardi Gras and Friday afternoon fais-do-dos (street dances), to festivals celebrating everything from Cajun and Zydeco music, crawfish and our French heritage, you'll find something every week in Lafayette.

Nightlife

Acadiana's Nightlife Calendar
Go to www.theind.com to see the most comprehensive calendar of live music venues in Acadiana. Compiled by The Independent Weekly.

 
Festival & Events

5th Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival
Jan 27-31
Annual five-day international film festival at which a wide variety of independent films will be screened along with filmmaker commentary and nightly social events.
Various Venues, Lafayette
Majority of films will be shown free of charge.
Wed.-Fri. evenings; all day Sat.; Sun. afternoon.
337-235-7845, www.cinemaonthebayou.com, festival@cinemaonthebayou.com

Lipizzaner Stallions
Jan 26
Cajundome, Lafayette
7:30 p.m.
337-265-2100, www.cajundome.com

No Limits: Freestyle Tour
Jan 29 & 30
Cajundome, Lafayette
7:30 p.m.
337-265-2100, www.cajundome.com

Krewe of Rio "Parada"
Feb 6
Annual Krewe parade, Brazilian style, with 22 colorful floats and area marching bands. Always held 10 days before Mardi Gras day.
Lafayette
6:30 p.m.
337-233-2503/337-235-6906
www.kreweofrio.com

Krewe des Chiens Mardi Gras Dog Parade
Feb 6
Krewe members & their people parade & party to raise money for the less fortunate dogs of Acadiana. The parade lines up in front of the Public Library on Lafayette Street, travels in front of the Federal Courthouse, turns left on Vermilion and ends at Parc Sans Souci.
Downtown, Lafayette
Free to attend; $25 per dog to participate ($35 on parade day)
2 p.m.
www.paradefordogs.com


Arts & Entertainment

Four Seasons
Jan 31
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and guest artist Lara St. John, violin.
UL Lafayette Angelle Hall, Lafayette
3 p.m., $25
337-232-4277
www.acadianasymphony.org

East/West: Visually Speaking
Jan 23 - May 1
A first of its kind exhibition of contemporary Chinese Art, featuring thirteen Chinese artists whose works reference Western stylistic history.
Paul & Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, Lafayette
Adults $5, Seniors $4, Students $3, Members & UL Students, Staff, & Faculty Free.
Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-noon
337-482-2278, museum.louisiana.edu