Bustiers: ‘Many of them are like bulletproof vests’

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Aug 3, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Leave it to the women of Covington to think outside the box and come up with an unusual use for Mardi Gras beads.

The Divine Protectors of Endangered Pleasures invite visitors to explore the heart of Covington and the art of the beaded bustier Saturday, Aug. 9, during the Second Saturday Art Walk along Columbia Street. The street stroll from 6 to 9 p.m. also kicks off the Street Divas exhibit at Brunner Gallery, 215 Columbia St.

“It started about nine years ago when a group of women were walking together, and we’d go for coffee after our walk,” said Peggy Schoen. “You know how it is; we did a lot of talking.”

They decided one way to make use of Mardi Gras beads was to create bustiers, the waist-cinching undergarment, sometimes worn as an outer garment (think Madonna). Now, the organization has more than 100 members.

“We meet each year for luncheon at Arnaud’s the Friday before Mardi Gras,” said Schoen, whose title is the Divine Keeper of Taste. “Members must wear a fully beaded bustier, and they have to make a new bustier every year. Many of them are like bulletproof vests — they are very strong.”

Schoen said the organization is led by Carol Miles, the Divine Instigator.

This year, the annual bustier exhibit is spilling out into galleries and restaurants along Columbia Street. Among the places where you’ll find the beaded creations will be Chimes Antiques, Columbia Street Mercantile, H.J. Smith and Sons General Store, Roy’s Knife and Archery Shop, The Courtyard Restaurant, Etoile, Columbia Street Natural Food Market, Tap Room, Spectrum Gallery, Fort Isabel Gallery, Lion’s Den Salon for Men, Arts and Frames, The Red Tulip and St. John’s Coffee Shop.

Brunner Gallery will host an opening reception for the exhibit Saturday, Aug. 9, but the bustiers will be on display in the downtown area three and a half weeks.

Acadian celebration
The Acadian Memorial and St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center, 121 New Market St., will observe La Fete Nationale des Acadiens, National Day of the Acadians, Friday, Aug. 15.

Events open at 9:30 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall. Grand opening and open house activities at 10 a.m. will include a marking of the Deportation of Acadians from Canada in 1758. Carl Brasseaux, Center for Louisiana Studies, will discuss land grant maps on Bayou Teche and upper Vermilion River and Florent Hardy will present “Historical Jewelry Box.”

Lunch and a viewing of the Acadian Mural is planned at noon. Additional programs will include “Patchwork Memories” by Yvonne Thibodeaux Bogan, 2:30 p.m.; a showing of the film Evangeline, 3 p.m.; and a book signing by Dhane Bernard of Cajuns and Their Acadian Ancestors: A Young Reader’s History, 3:30 p.m.; and a Deportation history presentation by Preston Guillotte and reading of Charles Olivier Guillot’s story by Jackson Beach, 4:15 p.m. Vignettes of the Deportation story are scheduled at 5 p.m. in Theatre Acadien.

People are asked to gather at the Acadian Memorial Hall at 5:30 p.m. for a procession to St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church. Tintamarre (racket) is an Acadian tradition showing Acadian pride by making as much noise as possible, so children are asked to bring noise makers. Volunteers who would like to carry an Acadian banner to the Mass should contact the Memorial at (337) 981-3289.

A dinner and social will take place at La Maison, 100 Main St. Chicken barbecue dinners will be $15. To purchase tickets, call Shirley LeBlanc at (337) 981-3289.