NEWS

Take a walk in Robicheaux's footsteps

Dominick Cross
dcross@theadvertiser.com
James Lee Burke

Detective Dave Robicheaux has walked the streets of New Iberia since 1987.

This weekend, the gumshoe brought to life by local author James Lee Burke, returns to The Beri in fine fashion with Dave Robicheaux’s Hometown Literary Festival.

“It’s been in the works for a few years, but it was just ironed out this year for the festival,” said Brittany Racca, Communications coordinator for the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau. “What kicked it off was James Lee Burke, the author, he created the character, Dave Robicheaux. And out of the 20 books, most of them, not all of them, are set in New Iberia.”

According to the IPCVB, one of the hallmarks of the Robicheaux novels is the keen sense of place. Not only do people from far away develop a full, three-dimensional image of New Iberia and its environs, but people who know the area also recognize places and their memories are sharpened by the effects of Burke's prose.

And it became something to build a festival around, which includes ticketed and free events over the weekend.

“They talk about different (New Iberia) locations in the books, like Shadows on the Teche, the Bayou Teche, things like that,” said Racca. “And so, the festival was more like honoring the author and the character.”

Although there will be plenty of Robicheaux look-a-likes around New Iberia and a contest to the end, Burke won’t be there.

“James Lee Burke won’t be there, but he gave his blessings for the festival,” said Racca. “He’ll be out of town of the festival.”

That said, the festival includes local authors who’ll read from their own works at various locations downtown and you can also expect re-enacted scenes from one of Burke’s novels.

“There will be authors that are reading from their own work, but (Iberia Performing Arts League) is doing vignettes from his first book, “The Neon Rain” (1987),” said Racca. “They’re taking different scenes directly from the book and they’re going to perform them.”

In addition, guided tours to some of the real-life versions of key places in the detective's world are scheduled. Billed as the "Last Tour to Elysian Fields," the tours offer a number of stops at local Robicheaux landmarks. The tours also include a meal at Victor’s Cafeteria.

An afternoon tour is Friday and on Saturday there will be both morning and afternoon tours. The morning tour will begin at 8 a.m. with breakfast at Victor's and the afternoon tours begin with lunch at Victor's at 12:30 p.m.

The itinerary includes stops at Books Along the Teche, the Iberia Parish Courthouse, Shadows-on-the-Teche and other locations from the books and films. A self-guided version of the tour is also available at the welcome center.

Friday night kicks off with Bayou City Jam, a pig-roast party at the Shadows-on-the-Teche; and Saturday begins with the Neon Rain 5K run. A University of Louisiana at Lafayette Academic Symposium with panel discussions follow the run.

Also that morning, an author/publisher roundtable will be open to the public and IPAL will perform vignettes with readings. Saturday evening includes a Black Cherry Blues & Boudin showcase with Cajun food from one of Dave's favorite restaurants, Bon Creole, and blues music by the Keith Blair Trio.

During the weekend, the Grand Theater will show “In the Electric Mist,” starring Tommy Lee Jones.

For more information, visit www.iberiatravel.com/james-lee-burke, or call at 337-365-1540.