INDExtra

Free healthcare this weekend at Festival

by Anna Purdy

Festival Acadiens et Creoles will be hosting the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation Health Care Initiative in the hospitality tent and offering free health screenings for all cultural workers.

Festival Acadiens et Creoles will be hosting the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation Health Care Initiative in the hospitality tent and offering free health screenings for all cultural workers.

What is a cultural worker? Anyone who makes their living from the arts - musicians, painters, jewelry artisans, potters, chefs, writers, etc. - are able to be screened by healthcare workers provided courtest of LCEF. Tests for blood pressure, cholestoral and blood glucose levels will be performed on site.

You don't need any paperwork. Just show up to the artist hospitality tent by the side of the ballfield in Girard Park on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Kathy Richard, director of Lafayette's chapter of the LCEF, will be on hand with others who can talk to artists about how to attain subsidized or free healthcare.

The LCEF recognizes that Lousiana artists are a unique resource and without them the huge draw for tourism is gone. Most people, let alone artists who are technically contractors, cannot afford healthcare and preventative care screenings like the one Oct. 16 are held often. Check on the culturaleconomy.org website for resources.

Don't forget LA FĂȘte Lafayette 2011 is held at Trynd in downtown Lafayette 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Food and drinks are included Kermit Ruffins and Rex Moroux are performing and the money raised will go to support this foundation. You can purchase tickets here.