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.

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