NEW IBERIA QUEEN CITY OF CULTURE Iberia Preservation Alliance Announces: "New Iberia is a Center For Visual Art, Culture, History, Literature, Music and Performing Arts and Preservation"
Visual Art
Bayou Teche Museum The Museum houses rotating George Rodrigue exhibits as well as works from other well known artists such as Hunt Slonem, Chestee Harrington and Melissa Bonin. George Rodrigue’s Carmel Studio, including his last unfinished painting, is a planned permanent exhibit by the Museum. Plans for a George Rodrigue Pocket Park on Main Street will feature an eight to ten foot Blue Dog Sculpture.
Downtown Art Walk This community event is held twice each year and is sponsored by the New Iberia Arts and Cultural Commission and the New Iberia Main Street Program. Art by local and visiting artists is displayed in downtown retail shops, restaurants, and professional offices.
Iberia Arts District This district is located in the 300 block of St. Peter Street and is home to two downtown art galleries: A & E and NILA.
Iberia Parish Library The library displays a variety of art exhibits throughout the year featuring local artists’ work.
L'Acadian Art Guild L'Acadian Art Guild has been in existence over 30 years. The guild encourages the artistic talents of adults and youth of the Acadiana area through monthly meetings and exhibits parish wide, competitions at the Sugar Cane Festival, and competitions with monetary awards for the youth.
Shadows-on-the-Teche The Shadows has hosted Artists in Residence, both visual and performing and hopes to offer this again in the future.
Shadows-on-the-Teche Arts and Crafts Fair This bi-annual event features over 100 vendors and is held under the live oak trees on the grounds of The Shadows, the only property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Louisiana.
Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air This competition, sponsored by The Shadows-on-the-Teche is the only one of its kind in Acadiana. It selects artists from around the country to paint outdoor scenes of New Iberia and surrounding areas. It concludes with an exhibit and auction of the artists’ paintings.
Special Exhibits and Contests Special exhibits and contests are held several times each year featuring students from local schools at various campuses and galleries throughout Iberia Parish.
Window Wonderland Envision da Berry coordinates this dressing up of business windows on Main Street happens each December. Artists bring the city to life with festive holiday window displays.
Culture
Acadiana Dragon Boat Races Acadiana’s only Dragon Boat Race is sponsored by the On Tap organization and features over 20 teams in all day races down the Bayou Teche. Burger cookoff teams, kid zones, tons of competition and family-friendly entertainment are also part of this event.
Bunk Johnson Foundation The Bunk Johnson Foundation sponsors an annual festival which engages people in the arts and music. This event pays tribute to internationally acclaimed trumpeter, Bunk Johnson, who was a New Orleans native and a New Iberia resident.
Christmas Season "Magic on Main" and the Annual Downtown Business Association's Christmas Parade are held in conjunction with "Window Wonderland." Envision da Berry pulls together volunteer groups, artists, and individuals to enhance the charm and architecture of New Iberia's downtown by decorating business windows with themed holiday displays.
French Friendly The first annual French-friendly Louisiana Award was presented to Iberia Parish in 2016. The award is presented by CODOFIL and Centre International.
French Immersion Since the 2002-2003 school year, all kindergarten students have had the opportunity to enroll in the district's French immersion education program at North Lewis Elementary School. Singer Zachary Richard often visits the school to sing with the kids.
French Table Local French speakers meet every Thursday at 7 a.m. at Victor's Cafeteria on Main Street.
Habitat For Humanity "Berry Queens Ball" This event is all about the "Berry Queens" including a membership of over 100 women using their inner and outer tiaras to benefit their community in bigger haired, sparklier and more enhanced ways. These women exhibit philanthropy by volunteering their time at numerous community events throughout the year.
Iberia Cultural Resources Association This organization offers four informative programs a year on such topics as cuisine, history, music, and literature. The association also presents four Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Concerts, including "Sounds Of The Season", " A Prelude To Spring", "Symphony Sunday In The Park" and "Stars And Stripes A Musical Celebration". In addition 21 Trilingual Historical Plaques have been placed in New Iberia by the association designating important buildings and events in New Iberia's past with plans to do more markers in the future.
Jefferson Island & Rip Van Winkle Gardens The Joseph Jefferson Home (ca. 1870) is a grand architectural masterpiece built as a hunting lodge and painting studio for famous 19th century actor, Joseph Jefferson, who portrayed Rip Van Winkle.
Les Cadiens du Teche The Cajun French Music Festival showcases Cajun bands, dancing, food and refreshments. Members are grass roots Cajuns who want to preserve their heritage by teaching the authentic Cajun language, traditions and music of their Acadian ancestry. Their monthly meetings at La Louisiana Banquet Hall feature live Cajun music.
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Since 1941 the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Association has celebrated Louisiana’s prestigious sugar cane industry during the last full weekend in September each year. Parades honoring farmers, crowning of King and Queen Sugar, livestock shows and 4 H competition, flower and art competition, and of course, “sweets” are sponsored events.
New Iberia Main Street Program The Main Street Program initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a trademarked program which revitalizes business districts by focusing on economic development to aid the creation of sustainable historic commercial districts. New Iberia is one of the few cities across the country that has earned the highest of Main Street rankings, including the Great American Main Street Award® in 2005.
New Iberia Marching Men This Irish group, Fir Màirseàil Nua Iberia, puts on the annual Irish Parade in downtown New Iberia on St. Patrick's Day.
New Iberia Spanish Festival El Festival Español welcomes everyone to a fun-filled, educational family weekend promoting our city's Spanish culture and heritage through flamenco music and dance, paella, tapas, genealogy displays, theatrical re-enactments, student exchanges, cemetery tours, children's activities and so much more.
On Tap’s Movies In The Park The latest movies are shown in New Iberia City Park on a huge inflatable screen. Concessions and food trucks are available to all. This event is supported by over 700 families each showing and is free family fun for everyone.
Showtunes Sing-Along A monthly cabaret & karaoke Showtunes Sing-Along, sponsored by Envision da Berry, happens every last Saturday of the month. Patrons belt out big Broadway numbers accompanied by a live piano player with lyrics projected on the wall. Join us for a night of lively music that creates great memories and lasting friendships.
Tabasco® Avery Island is the home of this world famous pepper sauce and located just nine miles from New Iberia. Visitors can learn about the history and see how Tabasco is made, tour the spectacular nature preserve, taste South Louisiana cuisine and shop in the Country Store.
Teche Area Farmer's Market The Teche Area Farmer's Market is held every Saturday morning and Tuesday afternoon in the heart of downtown New Iberia at Bouligny Plaza. Get there early as locally grown produce and baked goods sell quickly.
Tour Du Teche The Tour Du Teche is a three-day staged race beginning the first Friday in October for canoes, kayaks, pirogues (the traditional Cajun canoe) and stand up paddlers along the Bayou Teche in Southwestern Louisiana. A total of 135 miles including small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River are traveled during the race.
Twin Cities New Iberia's sister cities are Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium, Aquin, Haiti and Alhaurín de la Torre, Spain.
World Championship Gumbo Cookoff The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual World Championship Gumbo Cookoff . Taking over historical downtown Main Street, the two-day event features the coming together of locals and visitors to celebrate Cajun cuisine and music. Competition is fierce among the one hundred plus entries and the event brings in over 20,000 people to our city.
History
Bayou Teche Museum The Museum is a modern interactive museum. It is housed in an historical building downtown on Main Street. The exhibits tell the story of the history, culture and industry of Iberia Parish. It is also home to a permanent, rotating exhibit of original art by New Iberia native and Blue Dog artist, George Rodrigue.
Conrad Rice Mill The Conrad Rice Mill is the oldest operating rice mill in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Districts New Iberia has two historical districts: the East Main Street National Register Residential Historic District and the Downtown Commercial Historic District which was the 2005 winner of the Great American Main Street Award.®
Iberia Cultural Resources Association Twenty-one trilingual historical bronze plaques have been placed in New Iberia telling the story of historically significant buildings and events.
New Iberia Spanish Festival El Festival Español, a three day festival celebrating our Spanish Founding Fathers, is held in November. Reenactment of Francisco Bouligny’s landing in New Iberia as well as dancing, authentic Spanish food, music, cemetery tours, and history entertain one and all.
Shadows-on-the-Teche This beautiful National Trust plantation home nestled in the middle of Downtown New Iberia sponsors school programs, history camps, evening lectures for adults, special focus and holiday history tours.
Tombstone Stories By remembering, honoring and learning from our ancestors we can create a better future. Tours of St. Peter's Historic Cemetery.
Literature
Books Along The Teche This locally owned bookstore offers author book signings and is your one stop for the latest James Lee Burke book along with a variety of other literary selections.
Dave Robicheaux’s Hometown Literary Festival This three day festival features lectures by local and out of state authors, readings, book signings, local cuisine, bus tours, workshops, theatrical vignettes, music, bourré lessons and is of course, inspired by James Lee Burke and his detective.
Iberia Parish Library The library offers an array of lectures, concerts, storytelling activities and art exhibits held throughout the year. It has received the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Award for its extensive programming. The library encourages reading by hosting a book sale four times each year. Gently used books are donated by the community. The money raised benefits many of the library's programs.
Poetry Readings The Louisiana poet laureate and many of our local poets perform throughout the year at A&E Art Gallery, found in the arts district on St. Peter Street.
Music and Performing Arts
Bunk Johnson Brazz Band Formed in 2010 with native New Iberian members, the band performs music from all genres including old school jazz to the essence of Mardi Gras, R&B and soul while keeping its commitment to upholding the tradition of brass bands.
Bunk Johnson Jazz, Arts and Heritage Festival This spring festival features a weekend of music, arts, education and food dedicated to the famed New Iberia resident trumpeter. Visitors can also learn more about Bunk Johnson in the historical collection hosted at Iberia Parish Library's main branch and also visit his gravesite at St. Edward Cemetery.
Iberia Community Band Founded in 1987, the band is comprised of professional musicians and middle and high school student musicians from the New Iberia area. They perform three major concerts a year including sharing the stage with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra for the annual Stars and Stripes concert.
Iberia Cultural Resources Association This organization presents four Acadiana Symphony Orchestra concerts during the year including "Sounds Of The Season", a Christmas concert, "A Prelude To Spring", featuring classical music, "Stars And Stripes-A Musical Celebration", which concentrates on patriotic music and "Sunday Symphony in the Park", a springtime outdoor pops concert.
Iberia Parish School Board Public and private schools have active drama groups that present productions open to the public.
Iberia Performing Arts League The league is a group of talented actors, directors and producers that present five major award winning productions a year. Musicals have included Oklahoma, Chicago, Man of La Mancha and South Pacific. Plays such as Driving Miss Daisy, Spamalot and A Christmas Carol received rave reviews.
New Iberia Beneath The Balconies This event which is presented by The Iberia Preservation Alliance features musical and theatrical vignettes performed on balconies of buildings on award winning Main Street. Local schools, theater groups, and local musical groups perform a variety of entertainment enjoyed by all on a Sunday afternoon.
Showtunes Sing-Along This event offers monthly cabaret and karaoke at a local venue and is open to all.
Preservation
Bayou Teche Museum The Museum is a modern interactive museum. It is housed in an historical building downtown on Main Street. The exhibits tell the story of the history, culture and industry of Iberia Parish. It is also a repository of myriad collections from the region that will one day be available to the public. The Museum is home to the last studio used by the late New Iberia native and Blue Dog artist, George Rodrigue as well as a permanent, rotating exhibit of his work. (337) 606-5977, [email protected]
Iberia Cultural Resources Association Twenty-one trilingual historical bronze plaques only found in New Iberia, Louisiana are placed on buildings of historical significance throughout downtown. (337) 298-7964, [email protected]
Iberia Preservation Alliance The alliance is a coalition of the following groups which currently produces New Iberia Beneath the Balconies and Dave Robicheaux's Hometown Literary Festival. Bayou Teche Museum, (337) 606-5977, [email protected] Iberia Cultural Resource Association, (337) 298-7964, [email protected] Shadows-on-the-Teche, (337) 369-6446, [email protected]
New Iberia Main Street Program, the Main Street Four-Point Approach® This program is a unique preservation-based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtowns. New Iberia's Historic Commercial District won a 2005 Great American Main Street Award® sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for its successful revitalization efforts and is still only one of two in Louisiana with this designation. In addition, New Iberia is a 2016 nationally accredited Main Street program directed by a nationally certified program director. (337) 369-2330, [email protected]
Shadows-on-the-Teche: National Trust For Historic Preservation Site This site is the only one in Louisiana which offers programs that promote preservation such as skilled craftsmen who demonstrate proper techniques and materials for preservation. (337) 369-6446, [email protected]
Annual Happenings
A Night at the Museum Gala January 2017 This gala event which takes place annually at the Bayou Teche Museum features an unveiling of a new and unique exhibit in addition to the rotating exhibits of original paintings and other art by New Iberia "Blue Dog" artist George Rodrigue. Marcia Patout (337) 606-5977 [email protected]
George Rodrigue Park and Iberia Parish Schools’ Art Exhibits, New Iberia Arts District This planned pocket park will be a memorial to George Rodrigue's art as well as his education philosophy, commitment to his hometown and his dedication to inspiring future artists and educators. Paul Schexnayder (337) 321-1956 [email protected]
A&E Art Gallery Ongoing Art Exhibits, Art Classes, and Poetry Readings Ongoing Paul Schexnayder (337) 321-1956 [email protected]
NILA Art Gallery Ongoing Art Exhibits, Arts & Tarts Ongoing Phanat Xanamane (337) 378-9469 [email protected]
Shadows-on-the-Teche Annual Arts and Crafts Fair Saturday, October 1, 2016 Pat Kahle (337) 369-6446 Saturday, March 4, 2017 [email protected]
Books Along The Teche Ongoing Author Book Signings Ongoing Howard & Lorraine Kingston (337) 367-7621 [email protected]
Iberia Parish Library Ongoing Art Exhibits, Lectures & Children's Program Sami Haggood (337) 364-7150 Ongoing [email protected]
"A Prelude to Spring" ASO Chamber Music Concert Sunday, February 26, 2017 Cathy Indest (337) 298-7964 [email protected]
Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air Saturday March 11 – Saturday March 18, Jerome Weber (337) 365-6677 2017 [email protected]
"Symphony Sunday in the Park" Sunday, April 2, 2017 Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert Cathy Indest (337) 298-7964 [email protected]
Dave Robicheaux’s Hometown Literary Festival Friday - Sunday, March 31 - April 2, 2017 Iberia Convention and Visitors Bureau www.iberiatravel.com Eventbrite.com for ticket information Fran Thibodeaux (337) 365-1540 [email protected] www.daverobicheauxliteraryfestival.com
Acadiana Dragon Boat Races Saturday, March 25, 2017 On Tap Wess Robison (337) 207-2806 [email protected]
Downtown ArtWalk April & October, 2017 Jane Braud (337) 369-2330 [email protected]
Bunk Johnson Jazz & Heritage Festival May, 2017 Gilbert "Doc" Thomas (337) 201-1130 [email protected]
"Stars & Stripes" Sunday, June 25, 2017 Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Concert Cathy Indest (337) 298-7964 [email protected]
Habitat for Humanity "Berry Queens Ball" September, 2017 Jerre Borland (337) 380-9270 [email protected]
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival September 22-24, 2017 Doyle Copell (337) 369-9323 [email protected]
Tour du Teche Canoe Race October, 2017 Ray Pellerin (337) 394-6232
World Championship Gumbo Cookoff October 7-8, 2017 Janet Faulk-Gonzales (337) 364-1836 [email protected]
ON TAP Roux Run – 5K October 7, 2017 Wess Robison (337) 207-2806 [email protected]
New Iberia Beneath the Balconies November, 2017 Cathy Indest (337) 298-7964 [email protected]
El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia Friday - Sunday, November 17-19, 2017 La Asociacion Espanola de Nueva Iberia Ebrar Reaux (337) 365-4289 [email protected]
"Sounds of the Season" Sunday, November 26, 2017 Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert Cathy Indest (337) 298-7964 [email protected]
"Magic on Main" & Christmas Parade December, 2017 Downtown Business Association, Inc, Jennifer Toups (337)207-5670 [email protected]
Showtunes Sing-Along and Window Wonderland Last Saturday of each month and Phanat Xanamane (337) 378-9469 late November [email protected]
Cultural and Community Groups in New Iberia
Berry Queens Jerre Borland, (337) 380-9270, [email protected]
Bunk Johnson Foundation Gilbert "Doc" Thomas, (337) 201-1130, [email protected]
Bunk Johnson Brazz Band Dwalyn Jackson, (337) 519-1681
Envision da Berry Phanat Xanamane (337) 378-9469, www.daberry.org
Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce Janet Faulk-Gonzales, (337) 364-1836, [email protected]
Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau Fran Thibodeaux (337) 365-1540, www.iberiatravel.com
Iberia Community Band Jerry Fruge, (337) 577-3852
Iberia Performing Arts League Donald "Doc" Voorhies (337) 364-1975, www.ipaltheater.com
Iberia Preservation Alliance - a coalition of: Bayou Teche Museum, Marcia Patout, (337) 606-5977, www.bayoutechemuseum.org Iberia Cultural Resources Association Cathy Indest, (337) 298-7964, www.iberiacultural.com Shadows-on-the-Teche Pat Kahle, (337) 369-6446, www.shadowsontheteche.org Iberia Preservation Alliance currently produces Beneath the Balconies and Dave Robicheaux’s Hometown Literary Festival
La Asociacion Espanola de Nueva Iberia - Spanish Festival Ebrar Reaux (337) 365-4289
L'Acadian Art Guild Margaret Melancon, (337) 577-0385, [email protected]
Les Cadiens du Teche Fred Romero, (337) 277-1188, [email protected]
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Doyle Copell, (337) 369-9323, [email protected]
New Iberia Main Street Program Jane Braud (337) 369-2330, [email protected]
On Tap Wess Robison, (337) 207-2806, iberiaontap.com “A Social Group with a Community Conscience”
Tombstone Stories Wendy Parich, (337) 230-7129