Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie ready to rock Music & Market

Geno Delafose
    Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie rock Music & Market Friday, Oct. 28 at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas. The weekly music series, which is free and open to the public, lasts from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with music beginning at 6p.m.
    Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie is one of Acadiana's hottest bands, often playing six or more area events in a single weekend. 
    Delafose was born into a family of zydeco musicians. He got his start at the age of eight in his father’s band, John Delafose and the Eunice Playboys. He continued to play in the band until his father’s death in 1994. 
    That year, he debuted with album, French Rockin’ Boogie, on Rounder Records. The name of the record  is also the name of his back up group, which include several family members. 
    He released two more albums from the label before signing with Time Square Records to release Everybody’s Dancin’ in 2003. 
    In 2007, Delafose was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album category for his Le Cowboy Creole album. His style is deeply rooted in traditional Creole music with strong influences from Cajun music, country and rhythm and blues. 
    Delafose lives in Duralde, near Eunice, where he operates his Double D ranch raising cattle and horses.
    Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards covering the cost of bands and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed. 
    The featured vegetable for the event will be sweet potatoes. Other vegetables and agricultural commodities will be offered as well as cooked foods and arts and crafts. Ice chests are not allowed as beer. Wine and soft drinks, along with bottled water, are sold on site.
    The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, and St. Landry Parish Government.
   For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Horace Trahan, Lil Kenny entertain for French Friday Nov. 4

     Opelousas Main Street, Inc. will host its annual French Friday from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 4 on Main Street. The event, which will be held around the historic Courthouse Square located at 118 S. Court Street, will spotlight Cajun and Creole cultures with music by Lil Kenny and the Heart Breakers, followed by Horace Trahan & the New Ossun Express. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature food, Art Walk and student Chalk Art Exhibit.
Horace Trahan
    Horace Trahan is a world renowned Cajun and zydeco performer who has had a great influence on the Louisiana music scene. A native of Ossun, Horace learned to play the accordion when he was 15 years old. Horace was 16 when he began singing Cajun music in French. 
    Not long after high school graduation, Horace began touring with cajun music legend D.L. Menard. Two years later, in 1996, Horace and D.L. Menard recorded a CD on Swallow Records. In the year 2000, Horace revamped his band with all new members calling it the New Ossun Express. In 2001, came his third album entitled “That Butt Thing,” for the title song. In September, Horace released his fourth CD, “Keep Walking,” under his own publishing company. 
    Lil Kenny and the Heart Breakers, which features popular band leader Kenny Janise, is a favorite festival and night scene band of southwest Louisiana. The band delivers everything from Cajun, country, rock, disco, classics, a mix from 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and today. Janise has been playing music for over 56 years having started when he was only four years old. In addition to playing in a band, Janise is also a private music instructor where he teaches guitar, bass, accordion, sax, piano and vocals. 
    The event will also feature Cajun and Creole food delicacies such as gumbo, jambalya and sweet dough pies. Artists who wish to participate in the Art Walk for French Friday can sign up by contacting Robbie Sebastien at 337-948-4367. There is no fee to participate. 
    Louisiana Main to Main is a statewide initiative designed to foster economic development in Main Street communities and enhance the image of the State by promoting the Louisiana cultural experience in our many successful Louisiana Main Street communities. A list of all 'Main to Main' events statewide is available at www.LouisianaMaintoMain.org
    This year’s sponsors include City of Opelousas, St. Landry Parish Tourist, Commission, CLECO, Savoie’s Food Products, Centerpoint Energy, Wal-Mart, Louisiana Lottery, Union Pacific, and Delta Media Corporation. For more information about French Friday events, call 337-948-5227 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

River Road leads Music & Market to downtown Opelousas

    Downtown Opelousas will be the setting for the Oct. 21 edition of Music & Market in Opelousas where recent Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee, River Road, will perform. The event takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with music beginning at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Square located at 118 S. Court Street. 
River Road
    River Road was an American country music band composed of Tony Ardoin (guitar, vocals), Mike Burch (drums, vocals), Richard Comeaux (steel guitar), Steve Grisaffe (lead vocals, bass guitar), and Charles Ventre (keyboards, vocals). Founded in 1989, the band signed to Capitol Records Nashville in 1997, releasing their self-titled debut album that year and charting three singles on the Billboard country charts, including the #37-peaking "Nickajack". 
    By 1998, River Road had transferred to Virgin Records Nashville and recorded "Somethin' in the Water". While on Virgin, the band began work on its second studio album, with its lead-off single "Breathless" charting as well. 
    Virgin Nashville was dissolved by the end of the year, however, and "Somethin' in the Water" was never released. Also in 2000, after four Billboard chart singles and five Country Music Television videos, River Road disbanded with each member going in different directions. 
    In April of 2010, River Road once again came together for a reunion at Cowboys Night Club in Scott, Louisiana. After a very successful evening, River Road had a meeting and the decision was made to resurrect the super group. Calls were made and Nashville responded with new material and a new CD. The release date for this new 10-song release is slated for the beginning of 2011. 
    This week's featured vegetable at Music & Market is pumpkins. Other vegetables and agricultural commodities will be offered as well as cooked foods and arts and crafts. Ice chests are not allowed as beer, wine and soft drinks along with bottled water are sold on site. Bring your lawn chairs for this free event. 
    The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, and St. Landry Parish Government. 
    For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hadley Castille, Donnie and Pooldoos rock Music & Market Friday

    The Oct. 14 edition of Music & Market in Opelousas features the sounds of Hadley J. Castille and the Sharecropper’s Band as well as entertainment by Donnie and the Pooldoos. The free concert series takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Farmer’s Market in Le Vieux Village, just off I-49 at exit 19B.
    Hadley J. Castille and the Sharecroppers Band, including son Blake and granddaughter Sarah Jayde Williams, play authentic South Louisiana Cajun fiddle music with interpretations of turn of the century songs, along with a swing-influenced sound that creates a blend of both the traditional and contemporary. Born and raised in Pecaniere, a community near Opelousas, Castille began singing and playing fiddles when he was 11-years old. For over 60 years, he has dazzled audiences worldwide with his Cajun melodies. 
Hadley Castille and the Sharecroppers Band
    Castille's performance correlates with the grand gathering of Acadians in Louisiana called the “Grand Réveil Acadien" or "Great Acadian Awakening.” Hosted by Louisianians, the entire region of south Louisiana is opening its doors to welcome family and friends who want to celebrate and help maintain the culture, customs, traditions and history of the Acadians. This celebration continues through Oct. 16 in four Acadian regions -New Orleans, Houma, Lake Charles, and Lafayette. 
    The Oct. 14 Music & Market also features zydeco, swamp pop and Gulf Coast rock 'n' roll. Donnie & The Pooldoos are lighting up the dance floors with their intoxicating sound that could only come from one place- the bayous and swamps of South Louisiana. The group consists of veteran musicians who honed their craft in front of some of the toughest critics around, the dancers and dancehall pardons of the “Crawfish Circuit” of the Gulf Coast. 
Donnie and the Pooldoos
Longtime musician Don Carpenter leads the band on accordion and vocals.
    Don grew up in the heart of the 
Atchafalaya Basin, down in Morgan City, where the congruence of all these Louisiana sounds occur naturally. On bass and vocals is Phil Kaelin and rounding out the group are two of the best known musicians to come out the roots music circuit of Louisiana-Blake Castille on guitar and Kenny Alleman on drums. Between the two of them they have played on dozens of recording sessions and performed with a who’s who of Louisiana Cajun, country and zydeco musicians. 
    The featured vegetable for the event will be cushaw squash. Cushaws are a large squash variety. They are bulb shaped with a slightly sweet yellow flesh. They’re good for baking and for making pies.
    Other vegetables and agricultural commodities will be offered as well as cooked foods and arts and crafts. Ice chests are not allowed as beer, wine and soft drinks along with bottled water are sold on site. Bring your lawn chairs for this free event. 
    The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, and St. Landry Parish Government. 
    For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Two big concerts coming to Plaisance in November

    National music acts will perform Nov. 19-20 at the Ultimate Jam and the KXKC Big Country Bash, two concerts coming to Zydeco Park, site of the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance. Rap superstar Ludacris headlines the Ultimate Jam Saturday Nov. 19.
   Ludacris, a.k.a. Christopher Brian Bridges, is a Grammy-winning rapper and actor with roles in 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast Five and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His opening acts include Lloyd, Bobby V, Trill Fam, J. Paul, Tucka, Mr. Magic, Charlie Boy and Kirko Bangz.
    Young country stars Chris Young and Easton Corbin take the stage Sunday, Nov. 20 for the KXKC Big Country Bash. Since 2009, Young, 26, has scored four No. 1 country hits – Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song), The Man I Want to Be, Voices and Tomorrow.  Corbin, 29, hit No. 1 in 2009 with A Little More Country Than That and Roll with It in 2010.
    Other performers include national hitmakers Chris Cagle and Josh Thompson, along with Kaplan’s homegrown singer and songwriter Jaryd Lane. A limited number of $25 advanced tickets are available through Oct. 16 at www.kxkc.com. The price increases to $30 on Oct. 17. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.
    Ultimate Jam tickets of $20 are available through Oct. 16 at www.ultimatejamtickets.com. Tickets increase to $30 Oct. 17. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.
    99.1 KXKC, Nissan of Opelousas and Cumulus Media are Big Country Bash sponsors. Cumulus and Nissan, along with Q95.5 KRRQ and Magic 104.7 KNEK present the Ultimate Jam.
    For more information on these concerts, contact Cumuls Media at (337) 232-1311.

Swamp pop and R&B headline the Oct. 7 Music & Market

    Music & Market in Opelousas welcomes the blues, R&B and swamp pop sounds of Gregg Martinez and The Delta Kings from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Farmer’s Market in Le Vieux Village, just off I-49 at exit 19B. Music begins at 6 p.m. 
Gregg Martinez
    Martinez describes his music as “bayou blues and Creole soul.” He was born and raised and still lives in the Cajun country of south Louisiana where he began singing in church at the age of eight. 
    Ten years later, he was singing professionally. His powerhouse voice, which has been compared to Sam Cooke and Luther Vandross, took him from the bars and nightclubs of the bayou country to some of the finest resorts, casinos and clubs throughout the nation. He had an exclusive performing contract with Donald and Ivana Trump and a seven-figure recording contract. 
    By 1986, Martinez was on the brink of stardom in the music industry, yet like many great artists, somehow slipped through the cracks of the star maker machinery. The late Ed Bradley of TV’s 60 Minutes—upon seeing him perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2005—called Martinez one of America’s greatest hidden treasures. 
    He has performed throughout the U.S. and has toured South Africa, England, Wales, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Gregg has released nine recordings, Wonders Never Cease (1991), Love Has A Voice (1993), They That Wait (1997), For The Ages (1999), All The Days (2001), Christmas (2002), Bring Down The Thunder (2004), Big Bad Daddy (2006), and the brand new South Of The Parish Line (2011). 
    Martinez’s music is played on radio stations in the U.S. and abroad. Gregg has shared the stage with many notable artists including Stevie Wonder, Foreigner, BTO, Dobie Gray, Shirley Caesar, Percy Sledge, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Patti Labelle, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. He is also the former lead singer of the Boogie Kings, for which, as a member of that legendary group, he was selected into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010. He wrote and recorded the title song for their final album, Never Go Away in 2007. 
    Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards covering the cost of bands and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed. The event is held at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion located at 828 East Landry Street on the grounds of the Opelousas Tourist Center. The featured vegetable for the event is cabbage. 

    The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, St. Landry Parish Government. For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.

Canoe, kayak racers set for Tour du Teche

    Tour du Teche Canoe and Kayak Race along the Historic Bayou Teche in southwest Louisiana on October 7-9, 2011 will award over $16,000 in prize money. Over 85 boats will compete in a staged marathon through beautiful Bayou country and will include stops to enjoy Cajun country hospitality for boaters and spectators as well.
    The main race, the Tour du Teche II , will be held as a staged race totaling 135 miles, with competitors going from Port Barre to St. Martinville on Friday, from St. Martinville to Franklin on Saturday and Franklin to Berwick on Sunday. Time will be taken after each leg, with the best overall time determining the winner. Details of the different races can be found at:http://www.techeproject.com/tour-du-teche/.
    Musical entertainment, food and fun will take place in several towns along the Bayou Teche. Highlights include musical performances by internationally renowned zydeco/Cajun musicians Keith Frank and Mark Willis and Cocodrie in St.Martinville and Johnny Chauvin in Franklin. Enjoy a gumbo cook-off in New Iberia and a kick-off ceremony with food and a Cajun jam led by Mayor Gil Savoy in Port Barre. See schedule at http://www.techeproject.com/tour-du-teche/.
    Southwest Louisiana is known for its beautiful live oaks, meandering bayous, its cultural diversity, its people, food, music and Joie de Vivre. Bayou Teche is in the heart of this country called Acadiana. Alligators, capricious rafts of water hyacinth and towering sugar barges are special features of this journey through Cajun, Creole and Chitimacha country.
    Tour du Teche has it all: an exciting adventure for participants, including prize money and many activities and much fun for visitors as well. Tour du Teche will provide a very lovely glimpse of our natural waterways, our bayous in Louisiana, food, dancing and "passing a good time."
    Tour du Teche is a program of the Teche Project, a community organization that addresses ecological, cultural and historical Conservation of Bayou Teche. The race is sanctioned by USCA.
    For more information, contact the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or e-mail info@cajuntravel.com.