Commemorate 250 Year Deportation of the Acadians

January 19th, 2:00 p. m.  (POSTPONED BY THE GOVERNOR’S REQUEST- RESCHEDULED DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR WHEN SHE CAN ATTEND) Opening of year long Commemoration of 250 Year Anniversary of Acadian Deportation; Dedication of Louisiana Acadian Governors' family mosaic coats of arms (Governor K. Blanco Tribute); Robert Dafford, artist of the Acadian arrival mural will sign mural prints.

February 10 – 6:00 p.m. - Opening Reception of "Spirit of Evangeline" Exhibition; Reading of Longfellow's literary works on Acadians & anti-slavery by Lane Longfellow, nationally known reader and speaker of the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center)

February 11, 12, 13, 14 – Evangeline Valentine Weekend

February 11 – 4:00 pm -Unveiling of Longfellow's bust under the Evangeline Oak

February 11 – 6:00 p.m. - "Calling All Lovers:  Romance Under The Oak" (Special tribute to married / engaged couples under the oak) 

February & March  – Acadian Memorial & Museum of the Acadian Memorial Opening of "Spirit of Evangeline" Exhibition collection of Dr. François Paradis, Maine author

February 12, 13 – 1929 Evangeline Film Showing at the Acadian Memorial 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

February 14 – Valentine - Evangeline Dinner / Dr. Paradis, “ Evangeline Spirit” Guest Lecturer, Acadian Memorial Choir with Evangeline & Gabrielle
 
March 19 – 10:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m.
First Annual Acadian Memorial Festival -"CALLING ALL CAJUNS",
2005 Theme: "Commemoration of the Acadian Deportation";
Reunion of all Acadians for: Theatre, Cultural Activities, Music, Food;
Genealogy, Lectures:  History of Cajun Veterans by author, Jason Theriot & more;
Twinning Reunion between Nova Scotia Grand-Pré National Historic Site & Evangeline Oak Park
REQUEST ALL DRESS IN ACADIAN COSTUMES

April, TBA – Art gallery exhibit of Acadian Artist

May 1 – Day of the Patron Saint of the Acadians Celebration / St. Martin de Tours Church, Mother Church of the Acadians

June 15 –  5:30 pm  - Acadian Memorial Foundation Annual Membership Meeting / Unveiling of Acadian Mosaic coats of arms / Celebration & Refreshments

July 19th – 6:00 pm - "Food For Thought" Lecture & Ceremony, A look at Warren Perrin's book, " Acadian Redemption: From Beausoleil Broussard to the Queen's Royal Proclamation."  Refreshments compliments of Warren Perrin!  Hot Topic! Hot Gumbo!

Aug 15th – 10:00 am - National Day of the Acadians: 2005 Theme Commemoration of the 250 Anniversay of the Acadian Deportation.   Highlight of the Day: Opening of Primitive Paintings Exhibition by Mary Anne de Boisblanc, descendent of  “Mary Rosalie Prejean: Acadian Mother/18th Century Acadian Survivor” 

September 11th – 3:00 p.m. - Opening Mass for Acadian Heritage Week, St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, Acadian Memorial Choir Sings In French

August / September / October – Ongoing Exhibit of “Saga of Mary Rosalie Prejean: Acadian Mother/18th Century Acadian Survivor” primitive paintings by Mary Anne de Boisblanc 

Daily readings of the deportation story, “ FIDDLES AND SPOONS: Journey of an Acadian Mouse” by mouse character, Madame Souris. 

November, 2nd, 10:00 a.m. – All Souls Day ceremony / Special blessing by Father Austin Leger, Grand-Pré Cross Replica in the Acadian Memorial Meditation Garden

November, 2nd, 6:00 p.m. – Belgium Jazz Band Concert, "Odyssey For Friends Big Band" brings a "A Tribute to the Acadians", Duchamp Opera House

December, 4th, 3:00 p.m. - Join us for a Cajun Christmas celebration and the last Acadian Memorial event to commemorate the 250th Acadian Deportation Anniversary / Please RSVP

• Mary Ann de Boisblanc's, Acadian Primitive Artist - 8Oth Birthday Party
• Special Hurricane Katrina Presentation & Story by Dr. Ben de Boisblanc, LSU Medicinal School Director
• Christmas Party - French Christmas Carols Sing-a-Long, Theatre, Covered Dish