SUMMARY: A weathered banner from Zachary Richard’s Reveille concert symbolizes Acadiana’s enduring cultural spirit, rooted in solidarity and pride. This legacy, born of resistance to cultural erasure, now flourishes through artists who merge local identity with global relevance. From Drake LeBlanc’s assertion that culture is lived, to artists like Mare Martin, Herb Roe, and Carley Dupré, contemporary work reflects both tradition and innovation. Amid national arts funding crises, Acadiana’s creative institutions are expanding, proving art is foundational, not peripheral. Regional art here isn’t just preservation—it’s living memory, countering homogenization by showing how deeply rooted culture fosters global dialogue.

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SUMMARY: Attorney Juan LaFonta is hosting his 5th annual free Juneteenth celebration this Thursday at the lakefront in New Orleans, honoring the end of slavery with community, culture, and joy. The event includes fireworks, live music by DJ Papa, 400 pounds of crawfish, snowballs, free food and drinks for the first 100 guests, and kids’ activities like kite flying and chalk art. LaFonta, known for his generosity and commitment to uplifting his community, also leads year-round initiatives supporting youth, seniors, and local heroes. The celebration runs from 6 to 8 p.m. near the Lakefront Arena between Franklin Avenue and the Seabrook Bridge.

Juan Lafonta stops by to talk about the free Juneteenth event he’s hosting for the 5th year.

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SUMMARY: Jacoby Landry, a Breaux Bridge-based builder, purchased Lafayette’s Northgate Mall for \$2.8 million with plans to transform it into a mixed-use hub anchored by a spa, fitness center, and indoor pickleball courts. The 20.8-acre site will blend retail and professional services, aiming to revitalize North Lafayette. Supported by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, the redevelopment leverages new legislation empowering LEDA as a redevelopment authority. The mall sits in a special taxing district generating \$400,000 annually. Landry, a local with deep ties to the community, views this as a transformative investment in the area.

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