Thursday, April 26, 2012

Music legends headline Etouffee Festival in Arnaudville

    Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and Cajun music legend Wayne Toups are among the entertainers at the 27th annual Etouffee Festival April 27-29 on the Little Flower School grounds in Arnaudville. The event also includes the mayor’s cook-off, bingo, cash and carry store, carnival rides and a car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show. 
Wayne Toups
    High Performance kicks off the live music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by Nik-L-Beer at 10 p.m. Joe Hall and the Cane Cutters play at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Gregg Martinez and the Delta Kings perform at 5 p.m. with Chubby Carrier at 7:30 p.m. and the Joel Martin Project at 10 p.m. Sunday’s entertainers include Sean Vidrine at 12:15 p.m. and Wayne Toups at 3 p.m. 
    For more information, call (337) 754-5912 or visit www.johnfrancisregis.net
    In other parish events: 
  • Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames play Music & Market at 6 p.m. Friday, April 27 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion, near exit 19B, in Opelousas. Snap beans, this week’s featured vegetable, will be available for sale and samples. The Trash Art exhibit, which features works by local elementary and junior high school students, will be on display. Admission is free. (337) 948-5227, www.cityofopelousas.com
  • The Magnolia Sisters play live music during dinner at Catahoula’s, 234 ML King Drive, in Grand Coteau. A renovated country store, Catahoula’s offers fine dining in a rustic atmosphere. (337) 205-0578, www.catahoulasgrandcoteau.com
  • Swamp pop fans can enjoy Willie Tee & Cypress, with special guests Tommy McLain, Charles Mann and Lynn August at 9 p.m. Friday, April 27 at the Evangeline Downs Event Center, exit 18 at I-49 in Opelousas. Zydeco favorites Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie play a Relay for Life benefit concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Event Center. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com. 
  • The first-ever Washington Community Farmer’s Market begins from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Pavilion across from Town Hall in Washington. Fifteen vendors will offer produce, plants, craft items, homemade good and more will be available. 
  • Twelve performers on two stages are scheduled for Rock the Block at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28 at Frank’s Downtown in Opelousas. Geno Delafose, Johnny Sonnier, Dollar Short and Lance Dubroc are among the entertainers. Fun jumps and children’s activities will be available. The event is a benefit for Trent Fontenot, a 15-year-old cancer patient at St. Jude’s Hospital. (337) 407-2288. 
  • Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas and the Cajun Cousins play the entire Rendezvous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28 the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
  • Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers perform at the Old-Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, 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. Updates are posted on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Music & Market features Leon Chavis, Trash Art exhibit

    The sounds Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames and snap beans will blend together for the Friday, April 27edition of Music & Market in Opelousas. The free outdoor concerts are held at Farmer's Market Pavilion located on the grounds of Le Vieux Village on Vine & Landry Streets. The event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., with music beginning at 6 p.m.
Leon Chavis
    Born and raised in Lawtell, Louisiana, Chavis began singing and playing drums when he was two years old. In high school, Chavis began to get involved into zydeco, R&B, and hip hop music, where he learned to play the keyboard, rub board and accordion. He then went on to play trumpet for the world famous Southern University Jaguar Marching Band while majoring in Business Management.
    Chavis' family music heritage had a big influence on his career. His father, Joe "Chopper" Chavis, has performed R&B and played keyboard and rub board for major R&B and zydeco bands for over 30 years. Meanwhile, his cousin, Boozoo Chavis, is considered a legend and pioneer of zydeco music. 
    In 2004, Chavis and his dad formed Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames. Within two years, the band was performing heavily and released his first album titled, "The Heat Is On." Chavis' second album, "Holla @ Me," brought him acclaim for the song titled for the album. His third CD, "Zydeco Soul Child," was released in 2010. A new CD is expected to be released later this year. 
    The majority of the free, outdoor, cultural events are held at Le Vieux Village/Farmer's Market Pavilion, located at 828 East Landry St., in Opelousas. The May 4 and May 11 events will take place downtown on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. 
    On Friday, April 27th, the evening will also lend way for the second annual Trash Art exhibit. The trash can exhibit will turn empty oil barrels into artistic trash cans by students from St. Landry Parish schools.
Schools involved in the Trash Art project include South Street Elementary, Washington Elementary, Grolee Elementary, Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, Port Barre High, Southwest Elementary and Opelousas Junior High. The receptacles will eventually be placed in the downtown area of Opelousas. Ortego Oil Supply in Opelousas is donating the barrels for the project. 
    In addition to musical entertainment, Music & Market spotlights a vegetable and/or agriculture commodity. Samples of snap beans will be available Friday. Featured vegetables and products throughout the series include corn, cabbage, mustard greens,okra, tomatoes and squash.
    Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed.
    The remaining Spring 2012 lineup features:
  • May 4 -- LA 31 (variety), cabbage
  • May 11 -- Jamie Bergeron & Kickin Cajuns (Cajun), okra; Courthouse Square
  • May 18 -- Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress (swamp pop), tomatoes; Courthouse Square
  • May 25 -- Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys (Creole), squash
This event is presented by City of Opelousas Tourism with support from St. Landry Homestead, Delta Media, Acadiana Council for the Arts (ACA), LA Division of the Arts, Union Pacific Railroad, Delta Media Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Louisiana Lottery, Shop Rite, IESI, American Bank, Bodemuller the Printer and Cleco.
    For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Washington abuzz with activities this weekend

    Thousands are headed to Washington this weekend as the town is buzzing with three big events. The 13th Annual Catfish Festival begins Thursday, April 19 and continues through Sunday, April 22. Fans of flowers gather Saturday for the Greaux Green Garden Affair. The 2nd Annual  Artmania is set for this weekend at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall.
Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall
    Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, Geno Delafose, Keith Frank, Steve Riley, Krossfyre, Lil Kenny and the Heartbreakers and Richard LeBeouf are among the zydeco, Cajun and R&B bands performing at the Catfish Festival. The fest also includes carnival rides, a catfish cook-off and cultural presentations. For a full schedule of events, visit www.townofwashingtonla.org.
    Gardening, tree grafting and flower arranging experts will be the featured speakers at the Washington Garden Club’s Greaux Green event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, 308 N. Church St. The free event also includes exhibits and activities on butterflies, bees, birding, conservation, herbs and more.
    Admission is free for Artmania April 21-22 at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall. Artists from across the country will sell and demonstrate works in metal, glass, pottery, wood, fabric, painting and photography. For more information, call (337) 277-2820.
    In other parish events:
D. L. Menard
  • Enjoy the zydeCajun sounds of Dustin Ray and Southern Groove at Music & Market at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion, near exit 19B, in Opelousas. Mustard greens, this week’s featured vegetable, will be available for sale and samples. Admission is free. (337) 948-5227, www.cityofopelousas.com.
  • Games, contests, exhibits and Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers are part of Community Day 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 on the LSUE campus in Eunice. Campus departments and student organizations host educational exhibits and activities. (337) 550-1395.
  • Birthday celebrations for Cajun music legends D. L. Menard and Vin Bruce highlight the Rendezvous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 21 the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. The Jambalaya Cajun Band backs the honorees. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
  • Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie entertain at the Cankton Wagon Festival at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in Cankton City Park. (337) 668-4671.
  • Cajun on Demand plays the Old-Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
  •  Schools of the Sacred Heart hold their annual Family Conge’ from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22 on the campus in Grand Coteau. The event includes a 5K race, games for all ages, live music, a food court, silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart. (337) 662-5275, www.sshcoteau.org.
  • Guitarist and singer songwriter Bret Vidrine plays at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at NuNu Arts and Culture Collective, 1510 Courtableau Road, in Arnaudville. Les Coudre Points, a weekly, French-language quilting circle, meets at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at NuNu. (337) 754-9898.  
        For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Updates are posted on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.

Venus House added to African American Heritage Trail

    The Venus House located in Le Vieux Village in Opelousas has been selected as one of the eight new additions to Louisiana's African-American Heritage Trail. Administered by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the trail is a state tourism initiative designed to help visitors learn more about places of historical significance to the state's African American community. 
Venus House
    The addition expands on a 2008 effort linking 32 sites across Louisiana through promotional material from the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. The new sites include one in the Opelousas area: the Venus House located in Le Vieux Village at the city’s east corridor entrance. 
    The French Creole style home was moved to Le Vieux Village in 1973 after the Earl Fontenot family donated it to the city. The home was originally located in northwest St. Landry Parish in the small community of Grand Prairie. 
    The house is named after its former owner and occupant, Marie Francois Venus, a free Creole woman of color, who lived in the home during the 18th century. Other former owner names include Guillory, Doucet, Fontenot and Perkins. 
    The Venus House is one of the oldest houses of its kind in the Lower Mississippi Valley. It features bousillage, a natural insulation that was once common in the walls of Cajun and Creole dwellings. The Kiwanis club of Opelousas funded the relocation for the Venus house, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. 
    The addition of the Venus House comes after a 2011 call for site submissions and application process. The trail already includes one site in the Opelousas area which is Creole Heritage and Folk Life Center on Vine Street. The addition of the Venus House will allow the site to become part of a state-wide marketing effort to promote the African American Heritage Trail. 
    The Louisiana African American Heritage Trail (AAHT) is designed to add new experiences to a visitor's trip to Louisiana. The AAHT is a collection of sites and points of interest that includes museums, universities, historical homes, churches, and other historical structures that tie the threads of African American people, history and culture to Louisiana and the United States. 
    The current sites on the trail tell the story of that heritage from the earliest days of slavery in the 18th Century, for example, through reconstruction and Jim Crow, to the struggles and victories of the Civil Rights movement and beyond.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Expert speakers part of Greaux Green event Saturday in Washington

    Experts from the LSU Agriculture department will be featured speakers at the Greaux Green Garden Affair to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, 308 N. Church St., in Washington. Admission is free.
    Dr. Carlos Smith opens the forum with a lecture titled, “From a Cell to a Flowering Plant.” Charles T. Graham follows with a talk about growing and grafting pecan trees. Growing and grafting citrus trees will also be discussed.
    Dr. Kathryn Fontenot discusses vegetable gardening. Mary Quirk, Biltmore Estates florist, demonstrates flower arranging in the final presentation.
    Exhibits and activities on the church grounds will cover butterflies, bees, birding, conservation and herbs. Vendor booths include plants, food, grab bag lunches, cracklins and gifts.
    Raffle items include a “tea cup” wall hanging quilt, a vegetable container garden, a floral container garden and a stained glass hanging.
   The Garden Affair is supported by Sue Brignac, Washington State Bank and the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Dustin Ray plays Music & Market Friday

    Music & Market with the Zydecajun sounds of Dustin Ray & Southern Groove at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 20 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion, I-49 exit 19B, in Opelousas. Mustard greens, this week’s featured vegetable, will be available for sale and samples.
    Ray started playing music when he was 10 years old. His greatest influences were his late father, Jeffery Lantier and late great-grandfather, Leroy Broussard, whose band, Leroy Broussard and the Lagniappe Gang, is best known for the "Lemonade Song," which became a big hit for many musicians.
    Ray started off playing drums and continued until he experienced the accordion. By age 14, he was playing in area restaurants and sitting in with other bands at local festivals. Ray’s greatest inspirations were the sounds of Wayne Toups, Belton Richard, Steve Riley, Buckwheat Zydeco, Otis Redding and many other recording artists.
    Born in 1985 in Scott, Ray is the oldest of three children. With the help and support of his family and friends, he has recorded two albums of his own, as well as being a special guest on other musician's albums. 
    The majority of Music & Market events, free, outdoor, cultural events, are held at Le Vieux Village/Farmer’s Market Pavilion, located at 828 East Landry St., in Opelousas. The May 4 and May 11 events will take place downtown on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square.
    On Friday, April 27, Music & Market features Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion/Le Vieux Village. The evening includes the second annual Trash Art exhibit. 
    The trash can exhibit will turn empty oil barrels into artistic trash cans by students from St. Landry Parish schools. Schools involved in the Trash Art project include South Street Elementary, Washington Elementary, Grolee Elementary, Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, Port Barre High, Southwest Elementary and Opelousas Junior High.  
    The receptacles will eventually be placed in the downtown area of Opelousas. Ortego Oil Supply in Opelousas is donating the barrels for the project. 
    Music & Market happens from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fridays, with music beginning at 6 p.m. Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed.
    The remaining spring 2012 lineup features:
  • April 27 – Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames (zydeco); snap beans
  • May 4 – LA 31 (variety); cabbage
  • May 11 – Jamie Bergeron & Kickin Cajuns (Cajun); okra
  • May 18 – Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress (swamp pop); tomatoes
  • May 25 – Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys (Creole); squash
    This event is presented by City of Opelousas Tourism with support from St. Landry Homestead, Delta Media, Acadiana Council for the Arts (ACA), LA Division of the Arts, Union Pacific Railroad, Delta Media Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Louisiana Lottery, Shop Rite, IESI, American Bank, Bodemuller the Printer and Cleco.
    For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Music, antiques fair, art and more this weekend in St. Landry Parish

    The Cajun sounds of Ryan Brunet et Les Malfecteurs kick off the spring season of Music & Market at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Farmers Market Pavilion, just off I-49 exit 19B, in Opelousas. This free, live music series also features local merchants selling and offering samples of fresh produce. Corn is Friday’s featured vegetable.
Blake Miller, left, and Ryan Brunet of Les Malfecteurs
    Music & Market continues April 20 with Dustin Ray and Southern Groove, followed by Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames (April 27), LA 31 (May 4), Jamie Bergeron (May 11), Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress (May 18) and Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys (May 25).
    For more information, call (337) 948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.
    In other St. Landry Parish events:
  • The 22nd Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13-15 at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall, 210 Church St., in Washington. Dealers from across the country will fill the six-acre, available booth space. (337) 826-3580.
  • Fused glass artist Jerilyn Lavergne highlights First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. Lavergne will display new art created from leftover materials from the Visitor Center construction. (337) 948-8004, www.cajuntravel.com.
  • Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble perform at 9 p.m. Friday, April 13 in the Event Center at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, in Opelousas. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com.
  • The Fugitive Poets, who specialize in folk, bluegrass, blues and more, entertain at the weekly Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Blake J. Miller and the Vermilion Playboys also perform. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
  • Straight Whiskey, a country and Cajun band, plays the Old-Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
    In upcoming events, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino kicks off the 2012 thoroughbred season at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 18. Races continue Wednesday through Saturday each week until Sept. 8.
    More than a dozen zydeco, Cajun and R&B bands perform for the 13th Annual Catfish Festival, April 19-22, in Washington.  Food and carnival rides will also be available.
    The Cankton Wagon Festival is set for April 21 at Cankton City Park. Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie perform at 8:30 p.m.
     The Washington Garden Club hosts its Greaux Green Garden Affair at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington. The event includes guest speakers, exhibits, food and more.
      For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com.  Updates are posted on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.   

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

First Fridays arts series highlights fused glass artist

    Fused glass artist Jerilyn Lavergne of Sunset continues the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. With the theme “Constructing Art: Salvage – Reuse – Create,” the First Fridays series emphasizes recycling and features artists who create new art out of materials left over from the Visitor Center construction.
Jerilyn Lavergne
    These pieces will later be used in a traveling exhibit throughout the parish. The exhibit is part of the Visitor Center’s focus on green construction and sustainable practices, both old and new.
    A native of Sunset born in 1948, Lavergne reflects world travel and other lifetime experiences in her fused glass pieces, which range from jewelry and masks to wind chimes and fish.  After marrying and starting a family in Lagos, Nigeria, Lavergne spent seven years in West Africa as a student of its culture and art forms. Lavergne also absorbed European influences while she lived in London and Paris.
    After returning to Sunset, Lavergne became a registered nurse, working at several area hospitals and a nursing home. But retirement from nursing now allows Lavergne to concentrate on her art business, Jerilyn’s Glass Studio.
Art by Jerilyn Lavergne
    Lavergne is a member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild and has exhibited at numerous festivals, including Festivals Acadiens et Creoles and Festival International de Louisiane.
    Admission is free to the First Fridays series, which continues through August. Artists scheduled for upcoming shows include:
  • May 4: Michelle Fontenot – glass and mosaics, mixed media, art created from found objects; George Marks – mixed media
  • June 1: Christine Ledoux – glass & mosaics, mixed media
  • July 6: Margaret Brinkhaus – art created from natural objects, palmetto weavings
  • August 3: Tommy Myers – mixed media, woodworker, birdhouses created from found objects
    First Fridays is supported in part by a Grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.
    For more information, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004. Follow the center on Twitter @StLandryParish or on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul.

Garden Affair to feature Biltmore Estate Florist

    The Washington Garden Club is hosting its fifth annual Greaux Green Garden Affair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington. The focus of this fee event is to educate the public about horticulture, conservation, preservation and beautification of homes and landscapes.
    A full slate of experts will discuss and take questions about a host of related topics. Dr. Carlos Smith, noted horticulturist, will begin the day with his lecture, “From a Cell to a Flowering Plant.”
    He will be followed by speakers from the LSU-AG Department who will talk about pecan and citrus trees (including how to graft each). Dr. Kathryn Fontenot will talk about vegetable gardening.
    At 1 p.m., Mary Quirk, a native of Washington who now does floral arranging at the Biltmore Estates in Ashville, NC, will present floral arrangement methods.
    There will be activities, exhibits and vendors on the grounds, including conservation, birds, butterflies, herbs and bees. Food, cracklins and hand craft items will be available for sale. A floral container by Mary Quirk and a vegetable container garden by Rebecca Bernhard, a garden club member, will be raffled.
    Admission is free. The Garden Affair is supported by the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and sponsored by Sue Brignac and Washington State Bank.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Broussard holds Birthday Blast at the legendary Slim's Y-Ki-Ki

    Renowned Creole accordionist Jeffery Broussard holds his Birthday Blast at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki, 8471 Highway 182, in Opelousas. Billed as zydeco’s original dancehall, Slim’s has been in business since 1947. 
Jeffery Broussard
    Born in 1967, Broussard is a second generation accordionist who is considered one of the most skilled and influential players in zydeco and Creole music. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Broussard helped usher in a modern style with the popular band, Zydeco Force. 
    He now highlights his traditional roots as leader of Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys. Last March, Broussard received rave media reviews during a four-city tour of Russia. 
    In St. Landry Parish events: 
  • The weekly Saturday morning Cajun jam sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 7 at Savoy Music Center, located on Highway 190 just east of Eunice. Admission is free and all musicians are invited to join in. (337) 457-9563, www.savoymusiccenter.com
  • Les Bassettes Cajun band plays the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. This world-renowned show features Cajun and Creole bands performing in a Grand Ole Opry-style format. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
  • Donnie and the Pool Doos kick off the Louisiana Dance Party, a new, monthly event at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at NuNu’s Arts and Culture Collective, 1510 Courtableau Rd., in Arnaudville. Guests musicians Scooter Yerow, Hogie Earthangle and Murphy Richard of the Creole Zydeco Farmers will be featured guest musicians. 
  • The rock band One Trick Pony performs for the Old Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 7 Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com
  • Arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry, handmade items and more are part of Market Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9 at Le Village Guesthouse, 121 Seale Lane, in Eunice. Admission and parking are free. (337) 457-3573. 
    In upcoming events, the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series features fused glass artist Jerilyn Lavergne at 11 a.m. April 13 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. The series showcases local artists creating pieces from materials salvaged during the construction process of the Visitor Center. 
    The Cajun band Ryan Brunet et Les Malfacteurs kick off the weekly Music & Market concert series at 6 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Farmer’s Market, near I-49 exit 19B, in Opelousas. Sale and samples of corn, this week’s featured vegetable, will be available. 
    The 22nd Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale is set for April 13-15 at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall, 210 Church St., in Washington. Dealers from across the country will fill the six-acre, available booth space. 
    For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Updates are available on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.