Shaking Out the Good Stuff – PASA Serving People with Performances

This week's "Shaking out the Good Stuff" spotlight from Morton Salt's Weeks Island facility shines brightly on one the most recognized names in performance art in South Louisiana. The acronym is PASA, It used to stand for the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana but after some reorganization, the moniker now stands for Performing Arts Serving Acadiana and for decades the organization has lived up to both of those monikers and more.

Under the direction of Jackie Lyle PASA has been a driving force for the arts in South Louisiana for decades. The organization not only brings internationally renowned musical acts to the stages and performance halls of South Louisiana but the group strives to make each performance a teachable moment too.

PASA does this by offering student performances during the school day, such as the one that many South Louisiana school-agers will enjoy on Tuesday when the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is in town for a 10:30 am performance for select sixth graders at Lafayette's Heymann Center.

Not only does PASA offer these daytime student performances, but they usually include a Master Class with almost all of their offerings. These classes allow interested students and adults for that matter a chance to ask questions and learn directly from the artists themselves. Or in the case of a theatrical performance, the master class might include a detailed discussion of the plot, the music, the acting, and the reasons why and how the performance came to be.

The PASA repertoire of performances is all about variety. For example, the upcoming season for PASA this year begins with Mutts Gone Nuts! a canine cabaret of dogs performing various stunts, tricks, and other amazing things. That performance is October 5th, by the way.

The season for PASA also includes jazz pianist Sean Mason and his Quintet on November 14th in a Jazz Tribute to the 100 Years of Disney. Jessie Mueller and Seth Redetsky are a can't-miss for fans of Broadway. It's an evening of music and musings about life on the "great white way". That show is set for January 21, 2024.

Fans of dance will want to be a part of AILEY II on February 24, 2024. That night the Heymann stage will be filled with passionate performers offering an unforgettable night of dance. And then on February 27th, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live will come to the Heymann Center. The special event is based on the PBS show of the same name and many of us older folks will recall our first meeting with Daniel Striped Tiger from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

Tickets for PASA performances can be purchased here. 

Keeping Acadiana's appetite for live performance art satisfied is a daunting task and PASA has been "Shaking Out the Good Stuff" for decades. That's why we're proud to highlight this community organization that always has a focus on giving back and education in our Morton Salt spotlight.

By the way, if you're looking for work with a community-minded company that believes that art elevates life, you might consider one of the many fantastic opportunities available at Morton Salts' Weeks Island facility. They are hiring now and would love the chance to discuss what they have to offer with you.

If you have an idea or a suggestion for a group or individual that is "Shaking Out the Good Stuff" in South Louisiana, would you let us know about them? Like that good stuff from Morton Salt, we want to sprinkle the good news all over Acadiana to help spread the word.