French table, student artists coming to visitor center

    French speakers and young artists gather in free events Saturday, Jan. 28 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, exit 23 on I-49, just north of Opelousas. La Table Française d’Arnaudville starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and is open to all Cajun and Creole French speakers, or those who would like to learn. 

David Greely, Steve Riley

    Artists and writers from Opelousas High School display their talents in Project S.O.U.N.D., A Celebration Symphony of Words at 1 p.m. Saturday at the center. A non-profit organization based in Lafayette, Project S.O.U.N.D. works with students in creative writing, along with visual and performance art. 

    In other St. Landry Parish events: 

• The Opelousas Little Theatre’s Showcase, its annual variety show, continues at 7 p.m. Jan. 26-28 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at the OLT Theatre Building in South City Park in Opelousas. The showcase includes actors, dancers, singers and more. Tickets are $10. (337) 351-3822. 
• Swamp pop legends Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Tommy McClain perform at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 in the Event Center at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, I-49 exit 18, in Opelousas. Southern soul star Mel Waiters entertains at 9 p.m. Saturday. (337) 594-3088, www.evangelinedowns.com. 
• Zydeco icons Lil Nate and Chris Ardoin perform at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at the legendary dancehall Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki, 182 N. Main St., in Opelousas. Lil Nate and J. Paul Jr. entertain at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Yambilee Building, 1939 W. Landry St., in Opelousas. 
• The Sixth Annual Gumbo Cook-Off starts at 8 a.m. Jan. 28 at Frank’s Downtown, 603 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. The event, which serves as a medical benefit for a local six-year-old patient, includes music, an auction, fun jump and more. (337) 407-2288. 
• Steve Riley and David Greely, co-founders of Cajun music’s famed Mamou Playboys, reunite for the Music of Acadiana Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at NuNu’s, 15010 Highway 93, in Arnaudville. The event includes an open jam session and interview, followed by a music performance. Admission $5, free for children. www.frederickarts.homestead.com. 
• Cajun group Low Maintenance with Drew Simon is the featured band at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Liberty Theater in Eunice. The weekly program features Cajun and Creole musicians in a Grand Ole Opry, Prairie Home Companion format. Humorist Murray Conque serves as emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com. 

    In upcoming events, a preview reception for Four Artistic Visions, a Black History Month art exhibit, is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center, 315 N. Main St., in Opelousas. The mixed media exhibit, which features art by Darlene Moore, Randell Henry, Ronald Kennedy and Ella Guillory, will be on display Feb. 1 through March 31. 

    Saturday night barn dances return Feb. 4 at Lakeview Park in Eunice with young Cajun musician Kyle Huval. A complete schedule is available at www.lvpark.com. 

    For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Events are also listed on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.