A&E

Downtown Alive! for Oct. 14

by Anna Purdy

This weekend is comparable to how busy Festival International is every April. Lots to do and see, which is great if you have unlikable house guests to keep busy, no? While there are all sorts of doings in Girard Park, don't forget Downtown Alive! Friday in Parc International and featuring zydeco and UL homecoming.

This weekend is comparable to how busy Festival International is every April. Lots to do and see, which is great if you have unlikable house guests to keep busy, no? While there are all sorts of doings in Girard Park don't forget: Downtown Alive! Friday in Parc International and featuring zydeco and UL.

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles Celebration and a UL Homecoming Pep Rally are part of Downtown Alive!'s Oct. 14 festivities.

Starting off, Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express play at 5:30 p.m. in honor of this weekend's Festivals. Trahan has been a player on the Louisiana music scene and stages for more than 20 years. If you are new to Trahan just ask anyone to do that "Butt Thing" and you will get slapped or danced with. Either way, educated.

At 7 p.m. while the bands are changing over, UL homecoming will be celebrated. Announced on stage will be the coaches, football players, cheerleaders, dance team and the UL Homecoming Court of 2011. Everybody is encouraged to wear red to show their "Ragin' Cajun" spirit.

Finishing off Downtown Alive's night is Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble around 7:30 p.m. Taylor comes from a zydeco family and has been playing all of his life (his uncle is Lil' Buck Sinegal). Expect lots of people and dancing.

BikeLafayette will be hosting another bike corral. Look for them at the side of the park closest to Lee Avenue. It is a courtesy offered by BikeLafayette and Downtown Alive! but tipping is always a nice thing to do. Look for rickshaws pulled by bikes downtown as well.

As always there is no smoking in the park. Drinks are available and some noshes as well. If it walks on four legs leave em at home, if it crawls on two legs please bring em. Oh, and if you are having a hard time keeping track of the who/what/when/where/why for the Oct. 14-16 weekend in Acadiana, have a look-see right at Colossus.

See you all out there and remember: a few napkins in your pocket might save your day at any outdoor festival.