Apr. 17 - Acadiana Film Festival

The first film I saw was Re-Awakening, the story of Kate Chopin and how she came to write one of the great "feminist" novels of all time. Astounding in that she wrote it in 1899, a time when women were sheltered or smothered, depending on your interpretations. Jessi (my daughter) loaned me the book in 2006 and I was super-excited when I found out it takes place partly in New Orleans. The documentary chronicles her life and writing career. Her family was St. Louis Creole - high class French.

For lunch, I went to Dwyer's. I'd been hearing about lots of fun places to eat in downtown Lafayette, and this was one of them. I had the best grilled cheese & fries EVER!! Plus they offer a plate lunch (more on that later). After eating I wandered over to Parc Sans Souci where Bach Lunch was in full swing. The Canes were playing - they are kind of like Sister Hazel with an accordion!! I grabbed a dance or two, but mostly watched the locals --- how do they do that?

The afternoon film was Raised on Rice and Gravy. This is a documentary by Connie Castille from Breaux Bridge about Plate Lunch Specials. This is a SW Louisiana tradition. Seems like every corner store, gas station and local restaurant serves up a pile o' food with a different menu each day. The menu is posted, but regulars know what's what!! The food is home-cooking and the price is right. The Plate Lunch at Dwyer's (above) was smothered pork chop, dirty rice, green beans, potato salad, with corn bread. If that didn't fill you up, you could always catch a serving of bread pudding. Cheap, fast, delicious!