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2011

Le Grand Réveil Acadien / The Great Acadian Awakening 2011

            The organization Louisiane-Acadie was created to promote the Cajun heritage and culture, and to educate the people of Louisiana about the rich history contained in the area of Acadiana. The Grand Réveil Acadien / Great Acadian Awakening event, taking place in October 2011, will be an event to gather people of Acadian ancestry in Acadiana to celebrate their culture. Taking place over 10 days, the Great Awakening will offer attendees activities, concerts, lectures, business opportunities and festivals.

            Preparations for the Grand Réveil will begin in 2010, when youth organizations will be created, and their members mobilized to promote the event and plan various activities. Through networking, students and teachers from Acadiana and Acadia, in Canada, will be encouraged to participate in anticipation of this memorable event.

            The Réveil itself will reach many different areas of Louisiana, starting in New Orleans, with the dedication of the Acadian monument in the port of the city. Acadian monuments, consisting of “La Croix de la Déportation,” have been installed across North America in cities significant to the history of the Acadians because of their role in the great deportation of Acadians in the 18th century.

            Over the following few days, the Réveil will feature events in the cities of  Houma, Lake Charles, Lafayette and New Orleans, and include, among many other things, academic conferences, lectures on language, and cultural activities specific to the regions hosting the events. In Houma and Lake Charles, the events will be held in the cities’ Civic Centers and other venues, while Lafayette will be holding a more festival-like approach: events will take place all over the city, in open areas as well as in venues such as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus and Girard Park.

            In addition to more formal approaches like conferences and lectures, some of the cultural festivities will focus on promoting and showcasing traditions by displaying them and inviting attendees to participate. Following a French Sunday mass at the cathedral of Lafayette to initiate the closing ceremonies, there will be a procession from the church to the festival that will be made up of various traditional processions: the “Tintamarre,” “Courir de mi-carême,” “Chandeleur,” and, of course, “Mardi Gras.” All of those traditions encapsulate the richness of the Cajun culture, as they date back hundreds of years. Full of color, vibrant music, songs and general joie de vivre, the procession will be a true testament to the warmth, pride and life of the Cajun people.

Schedule

Grand Réveil Acadien / Great Acadian Awakening 2011
October 7th – October 16th
Come when the weather is nice and cool
(Louisiana)

Event mission: to awaken the population of Louisiana, primarily those of Acadian descent and the youth, to the realization that we are losing our language, culture,
and coastal lands, and to seek support, partnerships, solutions and concerted plans of action through large gatherings with Acadians from all over the world.

October 7, 2011 Unveiling of Acadian Monument in New Orleans, LA
October 8, 2011 Showcase New Orleans area
October 9, 2011 Opening ceremonies in Houma, Louisiana
October 10, 2011 Showcase Houma area
October 11, 2011 Ceremonies in Lake Charles, Louisiana
October 12, 2011 Showcase Lake Charles area
October 13, 2011 Ceremonies in Lafayette, Louisiana
October 14, 2011 Showcase Lafayette area.
October 15, 2011 Festival des Acadiens et Créoles
October 16, 2011 Closing ceremonies Lafayette, at Festivals Acadian et Creole (www.festivalsacadiens.com)

The event will focus on showcasing the regional culture and developing closer ties between all Acadians throughout the world by hosting:

Family Gatherings ● Seminars ● Lectures ● Many Other Cultural Activities
“Come celebrate and help preserve the Acadian culture”
For More Information Contact
Ray Trahan, Louisiana Acadie President
Phone: (337) 288-2681
Email: beaufile@bellsouth.net

2010

October 6, 2010- L'Ordre du Bon Temps supper

October 6, 2010- L’Ordre du Bon Temps Supper

Gala dinner to be hosted at the City Club at River Ranch by L’Ordre du Bon Temps (Order of Good Cheer), a subgroup of the Acadian Memorial Foundation. Executive Chef Patrick Mould and International Guest Chefs prepare and deliver an extraordinary gourmet dining experience in the tradition begun in Acadie 404 years ago. Call the Acadian Memorial for info on tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

August 15, 2010 - National Day of the Acadians

National Day of the Acadians has become International Day of the Acadians!
Celebrate the culture and heritage with educational lectures, storytelling,
Acadian films, and reception at the Acadian Memorial ending with a French
Mass at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church.

Banner Names and Schedule

July 28, 2010 - Day of Remembrance

Join the Acadian Memorial for an afternoon of commermeration:
Induction of Bernie David, Louisiana representative of the Mi'kmaq Nation,
into the Acadian Museum Hall of Fame "Living Legends."
Program co-hosted by the Acadian Museum of Erath, & held at the Acadian Memorial in St.
Martinville. Ceremony for the Métis and Mi'kmaq nations.

St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church French Service and Mass
to remember the day the Deportation Order was signed.

March 19-20, 2010 - The Acadian Memorial Annual Festival

Click here to view the above poster in PDF format

Schedule of Events

6th Annual Acadian Memorial Festival
THEME: ACADIANS: BAYOU TECHE TO ATCHAFALAYA
2010 Honored Acadian Families: Breaux & Guidry

Festival Kickoff- Friday March 19, 2010, 5:30 pm- 8:00 pm
Evangeline Oak Park, Historic Downtown St. Martinville. Enjoy an Art Walk, St. Martin de Tours Church tours & Crawfish Boil at Maison De Tours Reception Hall, sponsored by L’Ordre du Bon Temps.  Crawfish tickets must be purchased by March 15th, call  337-394-2258.

Festival Day- Saturday March 20, 2010, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Evangeline Oak Park, St. Martinville, LA (Corner of Evangeline Boulevard & South New Market Street) Acadian Costumes encouraged!

10:00 AM
Opening ceremony- Welcome, announcements & introduction of special guests

10:30 AM
Renaissance Cadienne Cajun Dance Troupe- corner of Evangeline Blvd and South New Market Street

10:45 AM
Presentation by Marty Guidry on Guidry Family Ancestry- 2nd floor, Acadian Memorial

11:00 AM
Storytelling for children by Cheri Armentor- Old Castillo Hotel
See her website at www.mardigrasbookinabag.com

Cajun Band Moi-J’aime-Ça-Comme-Ça –corner of Evangeline Blvd & South New Market Street
11:00am-1:00pm, resumes at 2:00 pm.  

11:30 AM
Théâtre Acadien performs Deportation Vignettes – 1st floor, Acadian Memorial

12:00 PM
Presentation by Artist Georgette Bourgeois- 2nd floor, Acadian Memorial

12:30 PM
Théâtre Acadien performs Deportation Vignettes – 1st floor, Acadian Memorial

1:00 PM
Reenactment of the Arrival of the Acadians on Bayou Teche in St. Martinville- Spectators gather along the banks of the Teche and the Boardwalk to welcome Breaux and Guidry families.  Presentation of Evangeline Queen 2010 from International Acadian Festival in Plaquemine.

2:00 PM
Cajun Band Moi-J’aime-Ça-Comme-Ça- corner of Evangeline Blvd & South New Market Street

Presentation by Debra Credeur on the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area- 2nd floor, Acadian Memorial

Storytelling for kids (ages 5-8): Fiddles & Spoons: An Acadian Mouse’s Deportation Story- “Blue House” porch

2:30 PM
Egg Paques “Egg Knocking Contest”- Meet on the porch of “the Blue House,” contest takes place at the Bayou

Film: Evangeline (90 min, bw, 1929) - City Council Room, City Hall

3:00 PM
Presentation by Gayle Breaux Smith: France to the New World: Tracing the journey of our Breaux ancestors over 350 years- 2nd floor, Acadian Memorial

Throughout the day

Voices of the Atchafalaya (photography and sound exhibit) - Media Room, Cultural Heritage Center
Romero Brothers Instrument Exhibit- Gazebo near the Evangeline Oak
Breaux family photo display- 2nd floor, Acadian Memorial
Food & Sewing Demonstrations- Boudin, Jambalaya & Gratons; quilt making, stitching lessons
L’Ordre Du Bon Temps- Cajuns cooking game and fish, samples for sale until 2:00 pm. 
Antique Cars, Wooden Boats along the Bayou, Arts & Crafts booths

February 11-14, 2010 - Calling all Lovers - Weekend Schedule

City of St. Martinville/ Acadian Memorial / Old Castillo B&B
South New Market, St. Martinville, LA

Happy Valentine: Acadian Memorial & Old Castille Hotel Host Afternoon of Celebration About Famous Love Story of Evangeline and Gabrielle.

St. Martinville - Join the city of St. Martinville, Acadian Memorial,
Cultural Heritage Center at the most romantic and most photographed oak tree in the United States. A most important aspect of intrigue and adventure that can bring romance to couples for Valentine Day!

On February 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Longfellow's poem, "Evangeline" and the romance behind it will be part of a tribute to all couples who were married or engaged under the famous oak tree in St. Martinville. Many marriage proposals and weddings occurred under the boughs of this famous and magnificent oak tree situated along the Bayou Teche. Some of these couples will tell about their reason for coming to this romantic town and famous tree to keep a most precious memory of their marriage and proposal.

Peggy Hulin with Old Castillo Hotel: La Place du Evangeline, ( 220
Evangeline Blvd, St. Martinville 337.394.4010 ) will co-host the event and the city of St. Martinville invites all couples to be a part of this annual romantic celebration. Come enjoy a Valentine romance "Cajun Style" then dine in our historic city.

Enjoy a reception with music, door prizes, lecture on Longfellow's
"Evangeline" and the influence this story has on romance for couples and the history of the Acadian/Cajuns. Come early and catch the 1929 film of "Evangeline" shown at the Acadian Memorial Conference Room (121 South New Market~ 337.394.2258.

Free and open to the public.

Thursday February 11, 2010,
Calling All Lovers: Romance under the Oak
6:00pm at Old Castillo B&B
Reception honoring all couples who were married or engaged under the Evangeline Oak.
Come early and catch the 1929 silent film, Evangeline, shown at 1:30pm & 4:00pm in the Acadian Memorial Conference Room.
Please R.S.V.P. at 337.394.2233

Saturday February 13, 2010,
La Grande Boucherie des Cajuns
10am-7pm, Magnolia City Park
Cajun & Zydeco MUSIC 10 am - Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
12:15 pm - Sid Melancon
2:30 pm - Ice Gator Girls
3:00 pm - SideShow
5:00 pm - Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys
Also featuring Arts & Crafts, Food, Fun, Refreshments, and Much More!
www.cajuncountry.org

Sunday February 14, 2010
New Comers Mardi Gras Parade
1:00pm, Main Street, St. Martinville
Parade starts at Piggly Wiggly on the south end of town and ends at St. Martinville High School.for more info, call Chairperson Clara Baptiste Tyler at 337-380-6031.

Brenda Comeaux Trahan
Curator Director Acadian Memorial & Museum of the A.M.
Director of St. Martinville Department of Tourism
www.acadianmemorial.org & www.stmartinville.org
337.394.2258
fax 337.394.2260

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