Acadia Music Festival to feature Nicholls students’ performances

The Acadia Music Fest, the first music festival of its kind in Thibodaux, will feature Nicholls students’ musical groups on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Acadia Plantation Town Center.

The event director of Thibodaux’s first Acadia Music Fest said this event will stand out as a local, one-stage Jazz Fest. The festival’s entrance will open at 9:30 a.m. and the music will start at 10 a.m.

“My vision is to have as much of our local talent in one place, so that the community can appreciate what Thibodaux has to offer,” Tommy Meyer, event promoter for Acadia Music Fest, said.

Nicholls students are members of two groups on Saturday’s lineup, “Caro & Company” and “Forgetting Last Friday.”

“I took lessons from Mr. Tommy of ‘The Groove’ so it’s cool to be playing on the same stage as him,” Caroline Robichaux, a senior allied health major from Thibodaux and member of “Caro & Company,” said.

“Caro & Company” has never participated in such a large event. Robichaux said their group will probably be one of the least known, but that it would be a great opportunity for them to play a wide variety set and to show people the extent of their group’s talent.

“To have a big stage and a sound crew is all new to us because I’m normally the sound crew,” Quentin Landry, a senior management major from Napoleonville and member of ‘Caro & Company,’” said.

“Caro & Company’s” third member is Tate Aucoin, a senior athletic training major from Labadieville.

Harley Talbot, a senior business administration major from Labadieville and member of “Forgetting Last Friday” said their group can really feed off the crowd in Thibodaux and their strong fan base makes them want to keep playing.

Other performances at the festival include “The Jacob Hebert Project,” “Swayze Sunrise,” “Bang Bang,” “The Groove,” John Daigle, “The Jordan Anderson Band,” “Flow Tribe” and Mackenzie Bourg.

Advanced tickets can be purchased for $22.50 and tickets purchased at the door will be $30.

“We didn’t want to overprice the event so we could be sure that college students and large families could come,” Meyer said.

Proceeds from the festival will go to Upside Downs, a non-profit organization and educational trust fund committed to raise awareness and funds for the Downs-Syndrome community.

Talbot said that their group is honored to be a part of music taking off in Thibodaux while supporting a good cause.

The festival will also feature local food vendors such as Grady V’s, The Jambalaya Shoppe and three food trucks from New Orleans who will be out showing off and selling their specialties.

Meyer said the festival is more of a young adult event by design. He said Thibodaux has lots of family-centered events but this is intended to be something different.

“I wish there was more people stepping out and showing their talent,” Landry said.

He said he hopes “Caro & Company’s” performance at Acadia Music Fest encourages other local talent to play publicly.

“The local music scene is so much fun because we all support each other,” Robichaux said.

Meyer said since the festival is so close to Nicholls and the University’s football team will be playing an away game, this will be a prime opportunity for students to partake in the rich culture.

“It is awesome to have a chance right at the University’s back door to participate in and experience something so representative of the community,” Talbot said.