Downtown Happenings

Downtown Lafayette has been designated by the state as a "cultural district" and that means tax-free art shopping! The designated tax-free area runs from Simcoe Street to Brashear and Gordon to the Evangeline Thruway so in this specific area, the state will waive it's 4% sales tax to encourage more activity and galleries. In addition to waiving state sales tax for original works of art, they also will be offering incentives to restore historic buildings in the area. Chad Calder with The Advocate has more details here.

And while we're talking about Downtown, listen up musicians: The Acadiana Center for the Arts will offer a free healthcare clinic for uninsured artists, musicians, and cultural economy workers TONIGHT in the main gallery at the ACA from 6pm - 8pm. The workshop will begin with a performance and testimony by local musician David Egan who is a second-hand smoke lung cancer survivor, a short Q&A session, followed by a presentation by Kathy Richard, Director of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation-Healthcare Initiative about local healthcare options.

Following the presentation there will be free food and drinks and a performance by Calico and Off-Brand Band. During the performance attendees will have the opportunity to sign-up for a variety of free services including massage therapy, healing touch, acupuncture, healthcare screenings and healthcare consultations from Tobacco-Free Living, Benefit The Boogie, Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation-Healthcare Initiative, the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic and St. Bernadettes.

For more information about Healthcare 101 please visit AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org or call (337) 233-7060.