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While attendees gazed up at looming clouds, spirits were high Saturday at the 3rd annual Acadia Music Fest, October 6.
For the third time in as many years, a music festival featuring live bands playing rock music drew an enthusiastic response Saturday in Thibodaux.
The Acadia Music Festival draws its name from its venue, Acadia Plantation Park, just off Percy Brown Road. Hosted by the Ben Meyer Foundation, a local non-profit, the event boasted 10 bands. The event is the foundation’s one and only fundraiser each year.
The Ben Meyer Foundation was formed in honor of the late Ben L. Meyer, who was a 23-year-old Nicholls State University student when he lost his life in a car wreck the morning of March 8, 2001. He was also a well-regarded Tae Kwon Do instructor. Ben was a native and resident of Napoleonville.
“Think about that,” said Tommy Meyer, Ben’s older brother. “We took this from an idea to a full-blown rock concert.”
Facing Percy Brown road were two massive entry ways with signs denoting the festival. Dried hay lined the field to fend off the mud. To the left were various vendors and to the right was a towering music stage.
“I just came for the music,” said Danielle Coriell, who was attending the event for the first time, and joined by a friend, Alyce Callahan.
“We’re planning on being here all day,” Callahan said, adding that she had attended the festival each year from its inception. She was pleased that each year the acts have grown bigger and there were more selections of food. This year, she said, was no different.
The opening performance was by Ben Labat and The Happy Devil.
Labat, the lead singer and writer of the band’s material, said most bands do not like opening because crowds are still coming in.
“Somebody’s gotta do it,” he said. “We take the honor and go first.”
The broad variety of styles among acts that were booked are one reason Labat said he is pleased to be part of the event.
“We can’t play the blues festival because we’re not bluesy enough, we’re kinda folky and pop at times. Can’t play the folk festival because sometimes we’re too mainstream sounding,” he said. “All [The Foundation] do is reach out and make sure everybody is local – for the most part, besides the headliner – and get a lot of different types of music.”
The 10 bands were, in addition to Labat’s, Adam Pearce; Snapper & The Fishsticks; Bang Bang; Little John & The Dirty Clarks; Jordan Anderson & The Causeways; HRVY; The Molly Ringwalds; Marc Broussard; and Sublime With Rome.
The event also featured an artist’s market. These included paintings, jewelry, and other handmade items.
Artist Stacey Fabre showcased her work in a tent. She had a tent showcasing her art, which she called “Impasto” style. This involves her applying paint with knives and carving the paint away to form an image she desires.
Fabre moved to the bayou region from Marrero and has attended similar events in New Orleans. When asked how they compare, she said that while this is still a new event, “The people putting this on are legit top notch. I have really high hopes for this.”
She added the one aspect that impressed her was that all the art venders created their own products, rather than what she sees at some festivals, where people buy and then resell art.
Thibodaux’s Max Charter School had its own booth nestled near the artists. The school held a raffle, with home-made tuna art as a prize. The drawing will be on November 1.
Rebecca Walker, Max Charter’s principal, said the donations will help with costs because state funding does not cover all the school’s expenses.
“Once we pay benefits and salaries we become pretty strapped for other things of the same mandate that we have,” said Walker.
The choices of Max Charter as a beneficiary as well as the music being showcased were made by the foundation to reflect Ben’s life, Tommy Meyer said.
Max Charter was chosen because of its work with children who have learning disabilities. Tommy explained that his brother Ben had a learning disability, making the choice appropriate.
He also spoke with pride about the booking of Sublime with Rome. The West Coast band was founded by former “Sublime” member Eric Wilson, and singer-guitarist Rome Ramirez.
“Ben really loved music,” said Tommy. “Sublime was one of his favorite bands, so I felt very blessed to be in a position to have Sublime come to Thibodaux.”
