Attention Acadiana! If you love summer, music, fun and interacting with your community, then you should certainly check out the Concerts at Couret in Upper Lafayette! Concerts at Couret is a free monthly summer music series that aims to promote the culture and hospitality of Acadiana through music, food, shopping and more! 
Each month, a different artist is featured and the music goes on from 6:00Pm-9:00PM on Fridays. The Concerts at Couret series takes place at Couret Farms, which is located at W Pont des Mouton Rd at I-49N.
This event is open to the public and is a great place to take the family. Various local boutiques and food stands will also be at this event, so you can dance, shop, and eat ‘til you drop! Concerts at Couret is sure to be a great night of entertainment for all who come, so make sure to mark the concert schedule in your calendar! Below is the concert schedule as well as the monthly featured artists.
2017 Spring Schedule of Performers
- May 19
RAY BOUDREAUX - June 16
KEVIN NAQUIN & THE OSSUN PLAYBOYS - July 14
ZYDECO RADIO - August 18
DUSTIN SONNIER - September 8
RODDIE ROMERO & THE HUB CITY ALL-STARS
Don’t miss out on a summer of free music and fun, come dance the summer away with Service Chevrolet Cadillac at Concerts at Couret!
5 Advanced Safety Features of the 2017 Cadillac XT5
When it comes to keeping you and your passengers protected, top safety features are a must with any car purchase. Fortunately, in the 2017 Cadillac XT5, you get everything you need to drive with peace of mind. If you’re in the market for a crossover that puts safety at the forefront, the all-new Cadillac XT5 is your go-to pick. Here are just a few of the best safety systems you can find with this latest model.
Pedestrian Collision Mitigation
The Pedestrian Collision Mitigation system uses a camera to watch the path ahead for any signs of approaching people. If your car spots a passerby in front of you, you’ll receive an alert to stop. If you don’t react in time, the system can enforce automatic braking to help avoid the collision, effectively keeping you and others safer on the road.
Lane Keep Assist With Lane Departure Warning
The 2017 XT5 helps you stick to your lane with ease through helpful actions like monitoring the road lines, tracking lane boundaries, and keeping your car centered. When you add in Lane Departure Warning, you get alerts when your car shifts to another lane unintentionally. This allows you and other vehicles to avoid dangerous run-ins, especially when traveling at high speeds.
Head-Up Display
We know it can be tempting to look away from the road and distract yourself with something else. But even that split-second decision could be cause for concern, especially in high-traffic areas. But fear not, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 offers a full-color Head-Up Display (HUD) that presents valuable performance and entertainment info right on your windshield for easy viewing.
Now you won’t have to look down at the gauge cluster or at the center dash to see the odometer, your current speed, the road speed limit, and entertainment options like radio stations and song and artist info. The HUD is configurable, so you can customize the settings to show you what’s most relevant while driving.
Get ready for Lafayette’s biggest new car show and sale, the annual LADA Car Show and Sale! The 2017 Lafayette Auto Dealers Association Car Show and sale runs from May 16th to 20th at Cajun Field in Lafayette, LA. At this huge event, 10 local dealers from around Lafayette representing 19 different manufacturers gather at Cajun Field with a heap of inventory of their latest models. Over 2,000 cars, trucks and SUVs will be shown at this year’s event!
Since the first LADA Car Show in 1987, this incredible event has become one of the most successful auto shows and sales in the entire state of Louisiana, and is certainly a staple within the Acadiana community. Service Chevrolet Cadillac is one of the 10 dealers at this year’s event, and we’d love to see you out there! The LADA Car Show and Sale is a fun and exciting event for any car enthusiast or anyone in the market for a new vehicle! Not only do you get to see a huge inventory of new vehicles, you can purchase and drive away with any vehicle that is shown at the event.
On top of showing off our massive inventory of the latest Chevrolet and Cadillac models, we’ll also have a tent set-up on-site so we can answer any questions you may have about any of the models on the lot. So gather up your friends and family and head out to Cajun Field this week for this amazing event, we can’t wait to see you all there!
The 2017 Cadillac XTS jumps on the market with a sleek design and luxurious touches that make it a stylish ride for anyone. Add this to the powerful performance and high safety ranking of the XTS, and you have a sedan that’s sure to please. With a starting MSRP of $45,595, here’s a look at the top-notch Cadillac XTS.
Exterior
This sedan offers you a choice of six trims: the XTS, Luxury, Premium Luxury, Platinum, V-Sport Premium Luxury, and V-Sport Platinum. The first three don 19-inch wheels, while the higher trims bump that up to 20 inches.
Across the lineup, you can find many standard and optional perks. These include HID headlamps, LED taillamps, a platinum grille with center Cadillac crest, IntelliBeam system with automatic high- and low-beam control, and after-dark lighting in the headlamps and side mirrors upon approach.
Performance
You’ll find two engine options available with the 2017 XTS. A 3.6-liter V-6 engine with direct-injection technology outputs 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. Upgrade to the V-Sport Premium Luxury or V-Sport Platinum for a Twin Turbo V-6 engine that produces a respectable 410 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
Each engine pairs nicely with an advanced six-speed automatic transmission. But, for even more accuracy on the road, the XTS features responsive stopping power via the BREMBO front brakes, as well as a fine-tuned suspension with magnetic ride control.
Interior Comforts
You’ll feel right at home in your sedan, thanks to the ample cabin space, superior legroom in the second row, and 18 cubic feet of trunk space. You can also customize your XTS with either a Jet Black or Very Light Platinum interior. Plus, opt for the available UltraView sunroof and ambient lighting to up the luxury even further.
Other stylish amenities include refined wood trim, ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel with the Luxury trim. The Premium Luxury adds on optimal comfort with tri-zone temperature control. Select the Platinum or V-Sport Platinum trims for Semi-Aniline full leather seats with 22 adjustable settings and leather-wrapped interior accents.\
5 Exciting Upgrades Featured in The 2018 Equinox
The Equinox SUV is one of Chevrolet’s best-selling models, and the 2018 model has some exciting changes and upgrades, making it the most impressive Equinox model yet. Here are 5 exciting new upgrades to the 2018 Chevy Equinox.
Leaner and Lighter
The 2018 Equinox is considerably lighter than the 2017 model, shedding almost 400 pounds! The new body is made from a higher-strength steel, and the hood is now aluminum, creating a stiffer and lighter body. The 2018 Equinox is also about 5 inches shorter than previous models and is lower to ground for improved aerodynamics. You can also expect the Equinox to impress when it comes to performance thanks to the lighter frame. The 2018 model is estimated to get up to 40mpg on the highway, giving it a huge advantage over other SUV’s in its class.
Diesel Meets Equinox
Perhaps the most surprising of the new features of the 2018 Equinox is the option for a diesel engine. A 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission for the SUV makes it the first engine of its kind in the U.S. Both the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter gas engines also come with a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
Technology
You’ll certainly see some of Chevrolet’s latest technology in the 2018 Equinox. For starters, an available backlit instrument cluster allows the driver arrange information as they please. The Equinox also features the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system on a 7 or 8-inch touchscreen display. The MyLink system lets you access Pandora and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and it is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
MyLink also provides a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot so every passenger can stay connected on the road, no matter how long or far the drive is.
Geaux Cajuns! The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team brings another victory home by collecting their 4th consecutive Sun Belt Championship this weekend. This win also marks the 15th time they have won the Sun Belt Championship in 17 years of league competition since 2001. We couldn’t be more proud of this team and their accomplishments!
The Ragin’ Cajuns won the Sun Belt championship on Senior Day at Lamson Park following a 9-0 (5inn. ) 13-4 (5 inn. ) doubleheader against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Saturday. This also marked the first time that the two programs met for a game. By becoming Sun Belt Champions once again, the team received the No. 1 seed and a bye week from first round play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which will be held May 10-13 in Troy, Alabama.
After crossing the plate four times in the twinbill, senior player Haley Hayden moved into a tie with Nerissa Myers for the program record for career runs scored at 243 on Saturday’s game. Just one day later, Haley broke the record of career runs and recorded her 244th run. Hayley is also getting close to the program’s career Top 5 hits list. Her current career total is 265, just 11 shy of 5th place holder Jana Mower, who’s total is 276.
Another senior player, Alex Stewart, who is the current Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year, improved her season record to 19-3 on Saturday and then with Sunday’s win posted her second straight 20-win season. She also marked her season-high strikeouts this weekend, with 10 in a single game.
Before they head to the Sun Belt Conference Championship, the Ragin’ Cajuns will face off against the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Warhawks May 6-7, 2017 in Monroe, LA to close the regular season.
For a full list of the softball schedule, visit: http://www.ragincajuns.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball
Image via Wikipedia Commons
The 3 Most Exciting Concerts Coming to Lafayette
Lafayette is far from the biggest city in Louisiana, but it manages to attract a lot of very talented musicians. This year, make plans to see the following three acts. You’ll get to experience a legend, a young musician making his way, and a new band that always gets the party started.
Janet Jackson: Unbreakable World Tour
Janet Jackson got her start on The Jacksons variety TV show in 1976 when she was just 10 years old. As an adult, her fame grew alongside that of her brother, Michael, one of the most revered pop icons who ever lived.
Janet’s career took off in 1986 with her third solo album, Control. She gained even more fame in the late 1980s with Rhythm Nation 1814. With each success, she launched a new tour that brought together thousands of people in arenas all over the world.
In 2017, Janet Jackson has plans for another worldwide tour. She hasn’t solidified all of the dates yet, but Lafayette is on the list of cities she will visit.
The Unbreakable World Tour will combine Janet’s pop-oriented music with expertly staged choreography and lighting. It’s Lafayette’s biggest musical event of 2017. You don’t want to miss it.
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle is the son of popular country singer-songwriter Steve Earle. The younger Earl released his first album, Yuma, in 2007. Since then, he has seven more albums. The most recent effort, an album called Kids in the Street, will come out May 26.
Justin will come to the Acadiana Center for the Arts on May 6 in support of his new album.
If you’re not familiar with Justin’s work, head to his website for free samples that will help you decide whether you want to go to the concert. Much of his music combines elements of country, rock and roll, and rockabilly. It’s fun music that inspires plenty of dancing.
Most concept vehicles never come to dealerships. Companies use concept projects to develop new technologies that may find their way into other vehicles, but the concept cars themselves don’t usually get sold to consumers. According to several rumors, the Cadillac Escala could break this rule in the near future. If it does, you can expect to find these intriguing features in the new sedan.
An Extremely Powerful Engine
Currently, the CT6 sits at the top of Cadillac’s luxury brand. It comes with a 3.0-liter twin turbo V6 engine that generates 404 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. That’s an impressive amount of power. The Escala, however, will offer an even larger 4.3-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that churns out about 500 horsepower.
Drivers who get a thrill from speed and power will want to test drive the Escala to get a taste of what a real high-performance vehicle can offer.
Beautiful Trim for the Interior
The Escala has a streamlined, minimalistic interior that emphasizes the importance of quality materials. Expect to find beautiful trim that includes American walnut, brushed aluminum, and plenty of leather.
Cadillac refers to the Escala’s interior as having a “dual personality.” Aluminum dominates the front of the cabin, but the rear relies on wood accents.
The LED instrument panel gets surrounded by wood and fabric that make the technology look even more futuristic without venturing into absurdity. The sedan’s interior does a good job of balancing nature and tech. The result creates a relaxing environment where drivers have access to all of the information they need to make smart choices on the road.
You never know where influential movies were filmed until you take a close look at their histories. It turns out that several important movies were made in the Lafayette area. If you want to watch a film with scenes recorded near your home, check out these four flicks. You may spot a few places you recognize.
Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
Directors have made more than 40 versions of the Tarzan story. The first Tarzan film was shot in 1918. Technological limitations at the time meant that director Scott Sidney could only make a silent film. Unfortunately, audiences never got to hear Tarzan’s signature yell.
Sidney filmed much of his “Tarzan of the Apes” in Morgan City, which he felt had a similar look and feel as the African jungle where Tarzan lives. The swamp may not look exactly like a jungle, but it’s a close approximation for an early movie that didn’t have much funding.
The Blob (1988)
Chuck Russell’s remake of “The Blob” is supposedly set in a town called Arborville, California. In reality, Russell made most of the movie in Abbeville, Louisiana, which is only about 20 miles from Lafayette.
“The Blob” didn’t do well in movie theaters, but it gained a cult following after its release on VHS. Some fans claim that it is one of the best films of all time. The movie does have extraordinary special effects, especially considering the year and budget constraints.
3 2017 Chevrolet Models Ideal for Your Teen Driver
Purchasing a car for your teenage driver can be a very exciting experience. However, it can also be very stressful. Fortunately, if you want to make sure you’re putting your teenager behind the wheel of a safe and reliable vehicle, you can get peace of mind by purchasing a Chevy.
Chevy has several models that are ideal choices for teen drivers, particularly if you choose a model that comes equipped with Chevy’s teen driver technology. When you’re shopping for a car for your teen driver, you should make sure to prioritize a Chevy vehicle that provides teen driver safety systems.
2016 Malibu
One of the most popular choices of cars suitable for a teen driver is a mid-size sedan and there’s almost no better mid-size model than the 2016 Chevy Malibu. In addition to including teen driver technology, the Malibu includes several features that both you and your teenage driver will be sure to love.
For example, the Malibu is available with Wi-Fi hotspot technology, which your teen driver can use to stay connected. To give parents peace of mind, the Malibu features an EPA estimated 36 MPG on the highway, and affordable starting MSRP of $21,625, and active safety systems like lane keep assist and front automatic braking.
2017 Volt
One of the fastest growing segments in the car market is electric cars, and if you and your teen driver are interested in an electric model, you should consider the 2017 Chevy Volt. The Volt is set to shatter expectations for the electric car class, and serves as a perfect vehicle for a teen driver.
In a car meant for a teen, reliability is key, and that’s what you’ll get with the Volt thanks to its EPA estimated 53 pure electric miles and up to 420-miles range per charge and full tank of gas. In addition, Chevrolet expects that owners of the Volt will drive 1,000 miles between fill-ups with regular charging. Like the majority of Chevy vehicles, the Volt is also an incredibly safe vehicle thanks to advanced safety features. Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Automatic Crash Response are just a few available features that can make every drive your teen takes a safe one. The 2017 Volt also has Teen Driver Technology, so you can be there even when you’re not.

