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 13^th 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.