LAFAYETTE - On Friday evening, March 11, an important event took place to raise funds for the Elmore Morgan, Jr. Visual Arts Endowment, a fund at the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

In memory of artist, teacher and long-time arts advocate the late Elemore Morgan Jr., “Friends of Elemore” presented a benefit concert featuring the world-renowned Turtle Island Quartet in the James Devin Moncus Theatre of the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Proceeds of the concert benefit the Elemore Morgan Jr. Visual Arts Endowment. “Friends of Elemore” presented the Turtle Island Quartet, a two-time Grammy winning string chamber music group renowned for their exploration of jazz, classical, American vernacular and world music styles, taking their audiences on a journey through many musical vernaculars. This performance, with special guest Michael Doucet, included works by legendary guitarist, songwriter and performer Jimi Hendrix, as well as other compositions reflective of and inspired by Hendrix’s music.

“I have played my (Cajun) music quite a bit in the Bay area,” said Doucet. “I love sharing our music with people who love to dance to it.”

Doucet and the quartet then went on to perform a blues ballad called “Stolen Moments,” which was art in its purist form.

Along with the quartet, Doucet also paid tribute to Elmore Morgan Jr. with their rendition of “Seashells by the Sea Shore.”

Community Foundation of Acadiana’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our region by increasing giving, connecting donors to the causes they care about, and providing leadership on community needs and opportunities. Donors establish funds at the Foundation, with any dollar amount, invest the fund, and make grants on fund earnings to fulfill immediate community needs or permanent charitable objectives.

The Foundation is a 501 © (3) nonprofit entity and focuses its primary grant making within an eight-parish area, which includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes. The Foundation currently has assets exceeding $47 million and has granted more than $20 million back into the community since its inception in 2000. For more information visit: www.cfacadiana.org.