A&E

Beethoven, Barbecue and Beer

by Mary Tutwiler

There's more than one way to support the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra this fall. There's more than one way to support the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra this fall. For starters, get your tickets for ASO's performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony which takes place Saturday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. Along with the "Ode to Joy" choral, ASO is tempting music lovers with a menu of barbecue and beer, a little getting down chow to spice up the high cultural event.

Tickets are available at the Heymann. For more information, call 291-5555 or click here to purchase tickets.

The second way to help raise funds for ASO is to pay a visit to the Acadiana Symphony Decorator Showcase of Homes. This year there are three houses showcasing different design styles. It's a great way to see what's new, what's possible, what works well together and what's at the cutting edge of design. This is an event that requires months of planning, plus the talent and expertise of designers and builders and the help of many volunteers. Kudos to the ASO and to the Acadiana Symphony Women's League and all who have dedicated time and resources to help make the 2010 showcase a must see event.

All three houses on tour are located in River Ranch Development. Visitors can walk through a contemporary condominium just off the town square, and then visit the transitional cottage (designed for the mature market) and a traditional house with classic Southern style. Home builders, design specialists and decorators have created rooms that are live in ready and present new design ideas with a unique blend of furnishings, lighting, flooring and accessories from premiere vendors. It's a shopping experience extraordinaire where everything is for sale, whether by piece or by property.

"This is a whole new concept," says Jeffery McCullough, Design and Fine Art Consultant. McCullough is serving as this year's Design Director, the first one to hold the position to help with scheduling and coordinating design with style. "In the past, each designer has been assigned one room," he explains. "This year areas are zoned, and that creates more cohesiveness, and you can get a better feel for what each designer does. Nine designers have curated the best of the best that's available to present a wonderful shopping experience."

In addition to tours of the property, there are several special events planned. There will be a Mystery Masquerade October 22 and a Celebrity Luncheon and an evening Wine Pairing Event on October 29. Don't miss this opportunity to see three distinct properties and three distinct styles of décor. Houses are open Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 16-31.

Acadiana Symphony Decorator Showcase of Homes:
Oct. 16-31
Tours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays
Group Tours, by reservation, Mondays through Wednesdays, call 232-4277

Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for students with an ID
Tickets can be purchased online, www.acadianasymphony.org, at ASO office, Whitney Bank locations, River Ranch Realty, City Club at River Ranch, Delaune's Pharmacy in New Iberia, Dunn's Designs, The Kitchenary, Lafayette Music, the Paul Michael Company and Town Pharmacy.

House Locations:
River Ranch, Lafayette
Transitional Cottage: 110 Levison Way
Traditional Home: 410 Biltmore
Contemporary Condo: 605 Silverstone Rd., #205, Carriage House

Special Events:
Mystery Masquerade, 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 22, 110 Levison Way-$40
Celebrity Luncheon, 11 a.m., Wed., Oct. 29-$65
Wine Pairings Event, 7 p.m., Fri., Oct. 29, 410 Biltmore-$60
Purchase tickets for these events online or at the ASO office