Iberia Cultural Resources Association patrons were wined, dined and offered a preview of April’s upcoming Symphony Sunday in the Park at the patrons’ party Thursday evening.

New Iberia is “one of the fastest growing subscription and ticket” areas for the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, says conductor Mariusz Smolij — due in large part to the orchestral opportunities provided by the Iberia Cultural Resources Association.

With the Christmas concert, the first of which was last year, and Symphony Sunday in the Park, scheduled for 3 p.m. April 19, the orchestra now performs two annual concerts in New Iberia for the ICRA. It also has “a very nicely growing number of people coming for other things, with room to grow that,” said Smolij.

From left, Lauren Baker, Boris Blagoev and Ivan Antonov perform Thursday night at ICRA event. MARY CATHERINE MARTIN / THE DAILY IBERIAN Advertisement

Smolij said the concert in April will be “an exciting afternoon of music” consisting primarily of “American Pop” music, with the example of a George Gershwin suite from “An American in Paris.”

John Fraser and his wife Lynette are members of the ICRA, and John frequently works with newcomers to the area.

“I just think this is so neat for the community, to have cultural things,” John Fraser said. “It’s one of the first things new people ask about.”

Lynette Fraser said Symphony Sunday in the Park is “so great for the community” and a great family event and community get-together.

“For a long time New Iberia didn’t have that,” she said.

The ICRA will also provide a cultural opportunity targeted especially at youth, but available at no charge to the general public, with the Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra performing a “Youth to Youth Concert” March 8 at 3 p.m. at the Sliman.

The patrons’ party also had donations of delightfully delicious food provided by Dupuy’s Oyster Shop, Charley G’s, Coyote Blues, Lagniappe Too, iMonelli, A la Carte Catering, Cypress Bayou Catering, Bonefish Grill, Zea’s Restaurant, Nash’s Restaurant, Little River Inn and Clementine, with flowers provided by Interior Plant Services, wine by Republic Beverages and beverages by Bi-lo.

“We are just thrilled with the turnout, the food, the music,” ICRA President Cathy Indest said. “It’s a great celebration and a wonderful prelude to our upcoming concert.”

Indest added that people can still become patrons of the symphony and to contact her at 364-1603 if they would like to contribute at any level.