By Braylin Jenkins

When you think of Southwest Louisiana chances are you immediately think of food, music and culture. Beginning Friday, May 16, one of Lake Charles’ premiere concert series, Downtown at Sundown, will kick off by Ryan and Broad Streets featuring everything you love about a downtown street fair and party. The main component of Downtown at Sundown is the music, so expect some of the best of the best performing.

For the first concert on Friday, May 16, Louisiana Express will get the crowd pumped up with their dance music, classics from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Chris Flowers is golden with her saxophone and amazing vocals. 

On Friday, May 23, City Heat, a local favorite, will perform a variety of feel good covers sure to get you out your chair and dancing in the street. They are known for their rhythm and blues and jazz and funk dance tunes. 

Grammy nominated Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars makes their return to Lake Charles on Friday, May 30 with their “Louisiana Roots” music encompassing Zydeco, Cajun and Americana. 

Topping off the concert series Friday, June 6 is Boomerang, a band that brings sizzling hot funk, classic rock and Top 40 hits.

Look forward to music talent in the 700 block of Ryan Street by Luna, and also the vendors, food and more. All beverage sales of Downtown at Sundown will benefit the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana. They ask that no pets or outside drinks be brought on site. Be sure to bring your lawn chair.  The event lasts from 6-9 p.m. If for any reason it rains, the event will move inside the Lake Charles Civic Center.

*Adapted from www.movoto.com and Mitchel Broussard

Lake Charles mixes small town charm, exciting nightlife and outdoor adventure into a combination that will have you packing before you finish reading this list.

1. This Town Doesn't Stay Down

Lake Charles has been around for centuries, but it's the town that almost wasn't after a devastating fire back in 1910. But these people are made of strong stuff. They rebuilt and bounced right back. Now the city is a booming industrial educational center.

2. Who Needs Vegas When You Have Lake Charles?

With three major casinos in the city (and a fourth opening this year), your gambling itch will be more than satisfied. And we aren't talking truck-stop penny machines.

3. Lake Charles Has ALL The Golf

Southwest Louisiana has a total of five public courses for fulfilling all of your ESPN-fantasy needs. There are also a handful of family putt-putt courses for everyone else.

4. You Can Take A Deep Breath

The Creole Nature Trail, colloquially known as "Louisiana's Outback," is one of the first official scenic byways in the country. The 180-mile driving tour offers fishing, boating, bird watching, and even crabbing. Tours are open year round so the views and wildlife are constantly changing.

5. The Best Snacks You've Never Had

This may sound a little off-putting at first, but hear me out: Boudin is made of pork meat, liver, rice, onions, parsley, and seasonings like salt, peppers and garlic powder. It's delicious, and a staple in Lake Charles along the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail. Soon to be one of your favorites.

6. Two Words: Mardi Gras

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You've heard about the crazy capers, the drunken insanity, the three days off from school and work. That's right, it's Mardi Gras! Lake Charles isn't left out of the fun (although it's a family-friendly festival), and the celebration usually draws in crowds of about 150,000 people. That's nearly double the population of the city itself, man.

7. But Don't Worry, Lake Charles Still Has Class...

The galleries in Lake Charles are constantly shifting around their art to make sure you're never bored. The Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center showcases exhibits from around the world, and of course local artists' work too.

8. Learn About History

DeQuincy Railroad Museum

Between the ever-popular local Children's Museum, the vibrant exhibits of the Mardi Gras Museum, the wonderfully nostalgic DeQuincy Railroad Museum or the area’s history at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum or Brimstone Museum, you've got your history lessons covered. But no lectures, notes, or finals required. Which is the best part, really.

9. A Pirate's Life For Lake Charles

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During the first two weeks of May, 200,000 people attend Lake Charles' Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival, clamoring for delicious food, fun music, and awesome live entertainment. In an ode to the piracy legend of the city, the festivities begin when the pirate crew of Jean Lafitte capture the city and force the mayor to walk the plank.

10. You Can Still See Men In Tights Here

The Lake Charles Civic Ballet is just what the doctor ordered for those looking for a night of high culture in southern Louisiana: The classical music (by the Lake Charles Symphony), the ridiculous costumes-they even put on a ballet version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" last December.

11. You'll See A Larger-Than-Life Relic Of US History

The USS Orleck had her glory days back in the 1800s and served in Vietnam and Korea, but nowadays she's a constant reminder in the Calcasieu River of the dedication of the armed forces. The ship also turns into a haunted ghost ship every Halloween, which is pretty much about as terrifying as it sounds.

12. This City Will Have You Dancing All Night

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Like any good Louisiana town, Lake Charles doesn't skimp on music. Restaurants and bars playing Cajun, Zydeco, rock, indie, folk and every other type of music you can think of can be found just about everywhere. Trust me, they have your nightlife covered.

13. It's Even Produced A Few Famous Musicians

Joshua Ledet at the Burton Complex

All the music in this town has to rub off on some people. Surrounding towns like Westlake have been put on the map for producing talented artists (Joshua Ledet from American Idol in 2012), but Lake Charles has made its mark too. Opera singer Paul Groves was born and raised here, and the legendary Dolly Parton recorded her first single at Goldband Studios.

14. The Grocery Stores Aren't Like Yours

See a wide range of Louisiana-grown rice available to the public, an assortment of hot sauces, the roux section, and a variety of different meat and seafood sold.  Local grocers stuff chicken and pork chops with boudin, sausage and other tasty delicacies.

Lake Charles also has a glowing admiration for farmers and all of the fruit, veggies, jams, spices, soaps, and other goodies they make. The city hosts two farmers markets that run weekly for most of the year, where you can find what you need and discover stuff you didn't even know you wanted.

15. Lake Charles Throws The Rule Book Out The Window

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Back in the city's early days, there were no actual architects who had studied and practiced the vocation at all to build houses. So the good folk of Lake Charles got their plans from pattern books, and went about building in their own styles. The result was a district of remarkably unique houses on every street. This older Historic District of the city is now called the Charpentier (French for 'Carpenter') District.

By Braylin Jenkins (a.k.a.- BrayJ), www.heybrayj.com, #heybrayj

T he excitement and fun of a community gathering, great sounds, artists and a variety of cuisine will culminate at the Arcade Amphitheater for an event like no other in the region. Live music in Southwest Louisiana is not uncommon, however a series of live musical performances that occur three Fridays in a row at the Arcade Amphitheater  with a beautifully picturesque lakefront view in the background is unique. Thanks to the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, Deep South Productions and other businesses/organizations throughout the region, Friday March 14 will mark the third year since the series first began, serving as the kick-off and start of the 2014 Live @ the Lakefront season.

On March 14, gracing the stage to kick-off the series, local jam rock band Fresh Nectar will amp up the crowd . Topping off the night is Lafayette based, four time Grammy nominated Cajun band, Pine Leaf Boys. On March 21, rockabilly and country take the stage with The Loaded 44rz, opening the second Friday. Highly sought after party rock band Flamethrowers will wrap up the night. On March 28, The Onlies come to town, opening the final night of the 2014 season with their Acadian Folk/Indie Folk sound. The grand finale of the night brings Ashes of Babylon who originated in Lake Charles, back home from Austin, Texas with their famed Roots/Reggae sound and vibe marking their second performance at Live @ the Lakefront. You have to be there!

Use #RockTheLake to share your good times at the event!

To learn more about Live @ the Lakefront, click here.