Quick: Name the 1989 civil revolt, also known as the Gentle Revolution, that led to the overthrow of Czechoslovakia's communist regime! Bone up on your trivia, test your command of random knowledge and, most important, help Camp Bon Coeur at the 8th Trivia Night...
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5
We profiled it last week, but it bears repeating: Rock 'n' roll and beer are a great combination. Toss in classic rock and Motown tunes performed by some of Acadiana's best Cajun and Creole musicians and it's something else entirely. Louisiana Folk Roots' Rootstock concert Wednesday at the Vermilionville Performance Center will be a double debut - for Bayou Teche Brewing's new dark suds, Bière Noire, and for the record En Français: Cajun 'n' Creole Rock 'n' Roll, a compilation featuring bands such as Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, Feufollet, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole and the Malfacteurs performing hits from the likes of The Beatles, Linda Rondstadt and Black Sabbath. Yes, Black Sabbath, damn it. The record rocks and we've no doubt that Bière Noire will be a gamely addition to Bayou Teche Brewing's stellar lineup of brews. Rootstock begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Call 234-8364 or log on to LaFolkRoots.org to find out more.
FRIDAY, OCT. 7
Quick: Name the 1989 civil revolt, also known as the Gentle Revolution, that led to the overthrow of Czechoslovakia's communist regime! Bone up on your trivia, test your command of random knowledge and, most important, help Camp Bon Coeur at the 8th Trivia Night, Friday at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Goodnight Drive. Teams of six to eight members pay $30 per person to compete in seven rounds comprising 10 trivia questions each. The theme for Friday's Trivia Night is "Flappers and Mobsters," so bring some bootleg whiskey and a Tommy gun. Kidding, don't bring whiskey or weapons, but dinner and snacks are included in the entry fee. Camp Bon Coeur provides a traditional summer camp experience to children with congenital heart defects. Call 233-8437 or log on to HeartCamp.com for details. Oh, and the answer is the Velvet Revolution.
FRIDAY, OCT. 7
The Acadiana Center for the Arts is on fire, but don't run from it - run at it. From various concert and film series to dance and theater performances, the AcA's 2011-2012 series is bulging at the seams. The second installment in the center's All Stars Concert Series brings acclaimed blues musician Robert Cray and band to the stage of the James Devin Moncus Theater Friday. Cray is the real deal, folks - a multi-platinum recording artist with 20 records and five Grammy Awards to his credit. Hell, Fender even named a line of Stratocasters after him. Says AcA Executive Director Gerd Wuestemann, himself a world-class classical guitarist, "Robert Cray is an extraordinary musician, a guitarist's guitarist. He's the kind of player that hears, feels and shapes every note in his mind, before transmitting it to the strings. He can really make the guitar sing and weep." Hear Cray's guitar gently weep - that was Beatles reference No. 2 for those of you keeping count - beginning at 8 p.m. Call 233-7060 to find our more.
SATURDAY, OCT. 8
Carnival time? In October? Yes, and it's for a great cause. The nonprofit group Louisiana Lunch Money is hosting a charitable carnival Saturday to help families in need in the Lafayette Parish School System defray the cost of meals. The family-friendly event will feature magic shows, balloon artists, a petting zoo, face painting, pony rides and live music by, among others, Chubby Carrier, David Egan and Delta Papa. Five bucks buys a wrist band to enjoy the various offerings, and barbecue plate lunches will be sold, too. The carnival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crown Room, 4607 Johnston St. Dial 258-5259 to get further info.
SUNDAY, OCT. 9
EarthShare Gardens will be the beneficiary Sunday at the Blue Moon Saloon for Harvesting Harmony, a fundraiser concert featuring Lafayette's incomparable Miss Emily & The Collard Greens along with special guest Flatbed Honeymoon out of Baton Rouge. Both groups play the kind of antique country music that makes the young feel old and the old feel young. The event, from 5-10 p.m., includes a jam session to close out the show and will also feature a gumbo/T-shirt/plant sale. EarthShare Gardens of Lafayette is a group devoted to community-supported agriculture and operates an organic community garden on Louisiana Avenue. For details on Harvesting Harmony, call 412-9207 or email [email protected]. - Compiled and written by Walter Pierce