Music lovers gathered next to the Mississippi River on Sunday for a day of Louisiana food and music while the Benjy Davis Project opened the Sunday in the Park concert series. Sunday in the Park is a free, four-concert series hosted by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge in Lafayette Park at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Desiree Bourgeois, University alumna, said the concert is a sign of the resurging music and arts scene in Baton Rouge. “Everyone knows Baton Rouge is coming back,” Bourgeois said. Concert goers said they attended Sunday in the Park for the music and food but, more importantly, to promote downtown Baton Rouge. “There is so much to do that no one took advantage of before,” said Melissa Stallings, kinesiology freshman. “People can get out and see what downtown has to offer.” Stallings also said she likes the unique atmosphere of Sunday in the Park compared to other Baton Rouge local activities. “It is more modern and accessible,” she said. “It’s just different.” Caroline Mayer, kinesiology sophomore, said she likes the local feel of the concert series. “You can come out for free and have fun,” Mayer said. “And you can get to know the band.” Anna Hanks, University alumna, had never seen the Benjy Davis Project before. She said she usually comes to the Sunday in the Park concerts to support the Baton Rouge community. “It brings people downtown at a time they usually wouldn’t be there,” Hanks said. Bourgeois said she attended the concert because she liked what she described as the Benjy Davis Project’s “Cajun swamp rock sound.” Frontman Benjy Davis started the band about six years ago playing as a folk duo, and since then, the band has released four albums and toured nationwide. The band now includes Davis on guitar and vocals; Mic Capdevielle on drums; Anthony Rushing on violin, mandolin and vocals; Jonathan Lawhun on guitar and banjo; Michael Galasso on harmonica, keyboards and vocals and Matt Rusnak on bass. Davis said he was happy to play at Sunday in the Park because of the reputation the events gives the city. “There is a budding social scene in Baton Rouge that people should be proud of,” Davis said. Galasso said he enjoys playing with the Benjy Davis Project because he likes the unique local sound, lyrics and instrumentation. He also said he enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the concert. “It’s great to get out and play outdoor shows and shows that are all ages,” Galasso said. The concert series continues in Lafayette Park from noon until 3 p.m. with concerts by Cajun group Feufollet on April 13, New Orleans R&B artist Walter “Wolfman” Washington on April 20 and Grammy-winning blues artist James Cotton on April 27.
—-Contact Blake Stephens at bstephens@lsureveille.com