A&E

Annual Encan du bon temps (Good Times Auction) tonight

by Dege Legg

CCET Good Times Auction happens tonight at the Abacus Ballroom.

The good times must roll even when times are bad. Not saying they are bad now, just that they must roll. Onward. In this case, the good times will be rolling in the form of the Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism's annual Encan du bon temps (Good Times Auction). What initially began as a way for CCET to showcase Louisiana artists while raising funds to support the center's efforts has magically evolved into an auction that features cultural keepsakes and items you can't find anywhere else in town.

For the lean sum of a $25 donation, participants gain entry to the live and silent auction as well as food, drinks and music. Among the array of items to be auctioned off is a signed copy of Edwin Edwards' new biography, a 1982 print by Phillip Gould, and original artwork from James Hebert. Dig it. In addition there will be a ton of other cool stuff up for auction, including rare record albums, packages of books, CDs, DVDs, entertainment and dining certificates, and memberships to Vermilionville and Tipitina's Co-op. All proceeds support CCET's regular outreach and free community programming, including its monthly In Your Own Backyard series at Vermilionville and the recently launched Film @ the Center partnership with Acadiana Center for the Arts. Money raised will also fund fieldwork such as interviews and documentation of little-known traditions of our culture.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with live music by the Pepper Jack Shrimp Playboys. Barry Ancelet will conduct the live auction at 7:30 p.m. Be at the Abacus Ballroom (530 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette) tonight, March 18 to support the Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event contact the CCET at 482-1320.