Around Acadiana for July 3, 2012

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music, Lafayette Convention Visitors Commission, Townsquare Media, Party Central and Moss Motors are presenting “Red, White & BOOM!” on Wednesday.

Grammy nominee Marcia Ball will kick off the musical celebration in Parc International. She also will perform with the Acadiana Symphony.

In Parc Sans Souci, the Acadiana Symphony is hosting the Conservatory KidZone that will have water slides, face painting, arts and crafts and balloon animals.

Parents can enjoy a broadcast of Marcia Ball and the ASO performance while at Parc Sans Souci.

At Parc Putnam, four bands will perform from 4 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. They include the Rockin’ Rotarians and Chubby Carrier.

ASO, in collaboration with FoodNet of Lafayette, is offering free concession tickets for canned food donations brought to the celebration.

For every five nonperishable food items donated, patrons will receive one Red, White and BOOM! concession ticket redeemable at all 3 parks.

FoodNet’s most needed food items are boxed corn bread, canned tuna and peas.

International and Sans Souci gates open at 5 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

A $5 admission fee to Red, White and BOOM! gives patrons access to all three parks. Parc passes will be available at the gate. All proceeds benefit ASO’s children’s educational programs.

For information, visit http://acadianasymphony.org.

Events at Vermilionville

The Vermilionville Living History Museum and Park will host its weekly Cajun jam from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Performance Center of Vermilionville.

The free jam is open to all skill levels, from beginner to professional. Free admission is for the jam only and does not include entry to the park.

Vermilionville will host its weekly Sunday Dance.

Bradley Venable & Kickback will play a smoke-free, all-ages show in the Performance Center.

Admission is $5 and does not include entry to the park.

Women of Excellence

The 18th annual Women of Excellence Awards is accepting nominations until July 31.

The awards are presented by the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women, and honor women who have attained outstanding levels of achievement and whose contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of others.

For additional information, including how to submit nominations, call Tiffany Steward at [phone], or email [e-mail].

Business in Panama

Le Centre International de Lafayette is hosting a luncheon about doing business in Panama at 11:30 a.m. July 17 in the Petroleum Club of Lafayette.

A payment of $20 is required at registration.

For information, contact Vanessa Paredes at [phone], or by email at vpare
[e-mail].

To submit items to Around Acadiana, email Richard Burgess at rburgess@the
advocate.com, or fax submissions to [phone].