The Bach Lunch music series helps usher in autumn temperatures.
Bach Lunch usually signals cooler weather," says Marsha D'Aunoy, music coordinator for Lafayette Natural History Museum & Planetarium's weekly outdoor music series. The fall season of Bach Lunch kicks off Friday, Oct. 7 in Parc Sans Souci, and with temperatures predicted in the mid-80s with lows in the 50s, that's just the weather report D'Aunoy and Acadiana have been hoping for. The fall season of Bach Lunch runs through Nov. 11, and the lineup includes Something for Jess, Fair to Middlin,' Mark Meaux & Willie Golden of The Bluerunners, L'Angelus and Richard Revue. Bach Lunch began nearly 20 years ago at the former museum and planetarium location near Girard Park as an outlet for classical musicians, hence the name. "They started introducing more varieties of music, but the name just stuck," she says. "Now the focus is on variety for people to experience different types of music and give exposure to the musicians."
This Friday's perfomers, Les Frères Michot (pictured), have been playing Bach Lunch since its beginning, says band member Rick Michot. In addition to Rick, the traditional Cajun band's sounds are played by brothers Tommy, Mike, Louie, André and Patrick. Formed in 1986, Les Frères Michot aims to preserve the bal de Maison style of Cajun music and sings only in French, using no drums or electric instruments. The brothers also keep their day jobs and sit in with other bands. Rick is a district judge for Lafayette Parish and plays the Greek bouzouki at El Potrillo Mexican restaurant on Friday nights; Louie and André front Lost Bayou Ramblers; and Tommy is a research biologist for the National Wetlands Research Center. Youngest brother Patrick also sits in with the band, as does state Sen. Mike Michot. The brothers also have a standing Monday night gig at Prejean's Restaurant, in addition to their annual appearance at Bach Lunch. "We always look forward to Bach Lunch, and most of the time it's beautiful weather when we play," says Rick. "We always want beautiful weather."
Bach Lunch is held every Friday during the fall and spring at Parc Sans Souci downtown from noon-1 p.m. Boxed lunches from area restaurants are available for $6 or $5 for museum and planetarium members; soft drinks are available for $1. Lunches Oct. 7 will be available from Creole Lunch House, Hub City Diner and Casa Olé. Call 291-5544 for more information.