Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Zydeco Festival in Plaisance celebrates 30 years


    Fourteen bands in two days highlight the 30th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Sept. 1-2 at Zydeco Park on Highway 167, seven miles north of Opelousas. With the festival’s theme “Zydeco legends connect us to the roots a’ Plaisance,” the Sept. 1 show features traditional and contemporary zydeco artists paying tribute to zydeco’s pioneers.
Lawrence Ardoin and Tradition Creole
    Featured artists include Lawrence Ardoin and Traditional Creole, Corey Ledet, Dog Hill Stompers, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Step Rideau, Lil Nate, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., J. Paul Jr. and Leon Chavis.
    The Sept. 2 lineup showcases Louisiana country artists after opening with Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Country performers include Chris Himel, Dustin Sonnier, Jaryd Lane and Charley Rivers.
    Tickets for the Sept. 1 show are $15, $12 in advance and $5 for children 12 and younger. Admission for social groups, riders and families of 10 or more is $10 each. Tickets are $25 for Sept. 2, $20 in advance and $5 for children 12 and younger.
Lil Nate
    Zydeco Festival season kicks off with the annual King and Queen Ball Aug. 18 at the Delta Grand Theater in downtown Opelousas. Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble perform. The festival’s 22nd Annual 5K and Fun Run is set for Aug. 25 at South Park in Opelousas.
     J. J. Caillier and J. Paul Jr. entertain at the festival’s Kick-Off Dance Aug. 31 at the legendary Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki dancehall in Opelousas.
    Caillier leads the Zydeco Parade and Jam at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 from South Park in Opelousas. The parade stops by the annual Zydeco Breakfast with Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble performing at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. The parade proceeds to Plaisance, where the festival starts at 12:30 p.m.
    For more festival information, call (337) 942-2392 or visit www.zydeco.org. The festival is sponsored by the Southern Development Foundation, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Zydeco Hall of Fame hosts free fan party


    Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, along with Lil Wayne and Same Ol’ Two Step, perform for the Fan Appreciation Party at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Hwy 190, in Lawtell. Admission is free.
Geno Delafose
    Built in 1947 as Richard’s Club, the Hall of Fame is the area’s oldest zydeco dancehall. Grammy winners Clifton Chenier, Rockin’ Sidney, Terrance Simien and Chubby Carrier all began their careers at the club.
    Last May, new owners Dustin and Nichole Miller re-opened the music landmark, which had closed in 2011 after its previous owner passed away. For more information, call (337) 319-0639.
    In other St. Landry Parish events:
     · Pauline Edmond and poet Jay Udall are part of the Grand Coteau Voices series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26 at Casa Azul, 232 ML King Drive, in Grand Coteau. (337) 662-1032, casaazul.homestead.com.
     · The Eunice Players Theatre opens its production of “Camelot” at 7 p.m. July 26-28 at the theater, 121 S. Second St., in Eunice. The production resumes July 31 and continues through Aug. 4. (337) 457-2156, (337) 546-0163, www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.
     · Jake Stephens plays on the beach from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
     · The D. S. Shine Young Memorial Futurity is set for Saturday, July 28 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, near I-49 exit 18, in Opelousas. Top horses compete for the $100,000 purse. Races start at 5:40 p.m. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com.
     · Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas and the Cajun Cousins entertain at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. This live, family-oriented show features Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop bands performing in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Show is broadcasted live on the radio with an emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
     · Singer/songwriters Barry Hebert and Steve Judice perform from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 29 at NUNU Arts and Cultural Collective, 1510 Hwy 93 in Arnaudville. An original member of the Grammy-nominated Basin Brothers Cajun Band, Hebert recently released his first solo CD, “Worn Wooden Floors.” Judice released his “When Darkness Falls” CD last year. (337) 453-3307, www.nunucollective.org.
     · Creator’s Canvas – Cancer Research Foundation, art work by Theresa Stelly, debuts Wednesday, Aug. 1 at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, 315 N. Main St., in Opelousas. (337) 948-2589, museum@cityofopelousas.com.
    In upcoming events, Tommy Myers is the featured artist for the season finale of First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. A mixed media artist and woodworker, Myers creates birdhouses from found objects. For more information, call (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com.
   

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Native American culture highlights weekend events

    Native American dance, crafts and historical discussions highlight the Attakapas Tribes of Louisiana Coming Out Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Le Vieux Village, near exit 19B of I-49 in Opelousas. The event features bands of the Attakapas tribe, which includes the Opelousas Prairie Band, Gator Band and Eagle Band. 
    Prior to the dance performance at 10 a.m., the St. Landry Parish Farmer’s Market Association will have fresh, homegrown produce for sale. The public can also stroll through the village’s historic buildings and visit the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum. 
    For more information, call (337) 948-6263. In other St. Landry Parish events: 
    -- Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19 at Stallions Bar-B-Que and Seafood, 5675 I-29 S. Service Road in Opelousas. (337) 948-2090.
    -- Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers play at 10 p.m. Friday, July 20 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Highway 190, in Lawtell. Built in 1947 as Richard’s Club, the Hall of Fame is the area’s oldest zydeco dancehall. (337) 319-0639.
    -- The weekly Saturday morning Cajun jam sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Savoy Music Center, located on Highway 190 just east of Eunice. Admission is free. (337) 457-9563, www.savoymusiccenter.com.
    -- Brenda C and the Cajun Jammers play on the beach from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. A watermelon eating contest is set for Friday and Saturday. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
    -- Cajun musicians Donny Broussard and Hubert Maitre entertain at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. This live, family-oriented show features Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop bands performing in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Show is broadcasted live on the radio with an emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
    -- Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames, along with Koray Broussard and the Zydeco Unit, share a double bill at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Highway 190, in Lawtell. (337) 319-0639.
    -- The Eunice Players Theatre open their production of “Camelot” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the theater, 121 S. Second St., in Eunice. The production continues through Aug. 4. (337) 457-2156, (337) 546-0163, www.euniceplayers.blogspot.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, July 17, 2012

2012 Cracklin Festival releases band lineup


    Jamie Bergeron, Geno Delafose and Damon Troy are among the entertainers scheduled for the Port Barre Cracklin Festival, set for Nov. 9-11 in Port Barre. The festival includes carnival rides, a parade, cracklin cook-off and more.
Jamie Bergeron
    The 2012 entertainment lineup features:
Friday, Nov. 9
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie
10 p.m.-12 a.m. – Krossfyre

Saturday, Nov. 10
12-2 p.m. – Lil Kenny and the Heartbreakers
2:30-4:30 p.m. – Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys
5-7 p.m. – The Joel Martin Project
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Damon Troy
10 p.m.-12 a.m. – One Trick Pony

Sunday, Nov. 11
12-3 p.m. – Horace Trahan
4-6 p.m. – Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns
    Since 1985, the Port Barre Cracklin Festival has served as a major fundraiser for the Port Barre Lions Club. One of the club’s largest charity donations is to the Louisiana Eye Foundation, which helps people who are in need of eyeglasses or eye surgery but are unable to afford care.
    For more information, visit www.portbarrecracklinfestival.com.

Native American Coming Out Day set for Saturday


    Learn more about the history of the region’s first inhabitants at the Attakapas Tribes of Louisiana Coming Out Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion, near I-49 exit 19B in Opelousas. The event features a dance performance, Native American craft vendors and bands of the Attakapas tribe - the Opelousas Prairie Band, Gator Band and Eagle Band.
    Long before early European settlers arrived, Native Americans made Opelousas their home. The city takes its name from the Opelousas Indian Tribe.
    The Attakapas were one of six bands to inhabit Louisiana. Other bands in Louisiana included Caddo, Tunica, Natchez, Attakapas, Chitimach and Muskogee.
    Attakapas land included all of what is today southwest Louisiana, extending from upper Bayou Teche to the Sabine River and from Gulf of Mexico north to Alexandria.
    Prior to the dance performance, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., St. Landry Parish Farmer’s Market Association will have fresh homegrown produce for sale. Attendees can also stroll through the historic buildings located in Le Vieux Village, as well as visit the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum.
    For more information about Coming Out Day, contact Carlene Robinson at (337) 945-0166. For information about Le Vieux Village, call (337) 948-6263.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eunice Concert Band hosts summer concert

    The Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir present its summer concert, “Let Me Entertain You,” at 7 p.m. July 12-13 at the Liberty Theater, 200 W. Park Ave., in downtown Eunice. The choir and band perform “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls,” “Amazing Grace,” a Tribute to Gershwin and more. The Children’s Choir entertains with “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid.”
    Admission is $5. For more information, call (337) 457-1776 or visit www.eccbc.org
    In other St. Landry Parish events: 
    -- The Washington Community Farmer’s Market is held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. each Saturday at the Pavilion across from Town Hall in Washington. Vendors offer produce, plants, craft items, homemade good and more.
    -- The Louisiana Orphan Train Society hosts its annual gathering from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, 223 S. Academy St., in Opelousas. The gathering includes society members and descendants of New York orphans who came to Louisiana in early 1907 for new homes. (337) 942-2292, www.laorphantrain.com.
    -- The Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, presents the play, “Secret Gardens,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at the Washington Community Center, 536 Veteran Memorial. Admission is $5, $2.50 for children. (337) 826-3626, townofwashington@bellsouth.net. 
    -- Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe play on the beach from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. A Beat the Heat Movie Marathon is also scheduled. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
    -- Creole music legend Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys play the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Mary Tweedel and the Cajun Mixers will also perform in this live, family-oriented show in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Musicians Hadley Castille and Sarah Jayde will emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
    -- J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds entertain at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Highway 190, in Lawtell. Built in 1974 as Richard’s Club, the Hall of Fame is the area’s oldest zydeco dancehall. (337) 319-0639. 
    -- Zydeco favorites Chris Ardoin and Keith Frank share a double-bill at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at Mojo’s Sports Bar, located inside Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, 2235 Creswell Lane, in Opelousas. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com
    In neighboring Evangeline Parish, Insect Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Louisiana State Arboretum, located at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte. View displays of live and preserved insect specimens and explore hands-on, live insect exhibits. Other activities include a screening of the film, Queen of the Sun, nighttime insect gathering and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.insectday.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, July 10, 2012

Free social media class for local businesses

    Local business owners can learn the importance of social media through SMILE, Social Media for Inter-community Leaders’ Excellence, a free class at 10 a.m. Monday, July 16 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23. Dionne Davis-Green of UL Lafayette will teach the two-hour class, which is designed to show the business value of Facebook and various social media.
    Davis-Green is part of the Business Supporting Faculty in the Department of Management at UL’s B. I. Moody College of Business Administration. A St. Landry Parish native and current resident, she researches and promotes social media’s benefits for local businesses.
     Last March, Davis-Green was co-chair of the Louisiana Business Challenge, a competition in which Beau Chene High School seniors beat more than 60 other teams to win the BP-sponsored event. The BCHS students claimed more than $19,000 in scholarship money.
    Students Kathryn Knott, Lainey Latiolais, Amy Stelly and Byron Stelly devised a three-part plan to improve tourism in St. Landry Parish. The results include SMILE and the plan’s second part, SPICE, St. Landry Parish Internship for Community Enhancement.
    The students developed an internship program for local high school and college students to work with businesses in developing social media sites and promotional videos. Applications for the internships, which begin in August, can be found at the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission web site, www.cajuntravel.com.
    The final part of the team’s program is a series of five trails, which highlight the parish’s hot spots for tourists interested in art and culture, historic locations, business and industry, recreation, food and lodging.
    Seating is limited for the July 16 SMILE class. Reserve a spot by Friday, July 13 by e-mailing info@cajuntravel.com.  For more information, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Lebeau hosts annual zydeco festival

    Bring your dancing shoes and a hearty appetite to the 22nd Annual Lebeau Zydeco Festival, which kicks off at noon Saturday, July 7 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Grounds on Hwy 71 south in Lebeau. Performers include DJ Ron Richard (noon), Lil Wayne and Same Ol’ Two Step (1:30 p.m.), Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble (3 p.m.), Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers(4:30 p.m.), Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band(6 p.m.), Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws (7:30 p.m.) and Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames (9 p.m.). 
    Admission is $10, $5 for children. Tents and lawn chairs are welcomed. For more information, call (337) 351-3902. 
Leon Chavis
    In other parish events:
    - Artist Margaret Brinkhaus of Sunset continues the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 6 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. The series features artists who create new art out of materials left over from construction of the Visitor Center. (337) 948-8004. www.cajuntravel.com.
    - Full-day workshops and demonstrations on the arts and cooking are part of Grand Coteau 101: Lesson on the Arts and Living Well from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 7-8 at various local merchants in Grand Coteau. Admission is free. (337) 662-1032, www.grandcoteau.org.
    - Roscoe Chenier and the Inner City Blues Band play on the beach from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
    - Jamie Berzas and Cajun Tradition are the featured band at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Cajun, zydeco and Creole bands perform live in a family-oriented show in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Broadcast live on radio with emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
    - Donnie and the Pool Doos play blues, zydeco, Cajun music and more at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, 1510 Courtableau Hwy., in Arnaudville. (337) 754-7115, www.nunucollective.org.
    - Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki, 8471 Hwy 182, in Opelousas. Patrick Henry and the Liberation Band play R&B and blues Sunday, July 8. The Gradney family has operated Slim’s since it opened in 1949. (337) 942-6242.
    - J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds play at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 8 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Highway 190, in Lawtell. Built in 1947 as Richard’s Club, the Hall of Fame is the area’s oldest zydeco dancehall. (337) 319-0639.
    - Arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry and more are available at Market Monday, set for Monday, July 9 at Le Village, 121 Seale Lane, in Eunice. Quilters will also host a sewing demonstration. (337) 457-3573, www.levilagehouse.com.
    - The Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir present their 22nd annual summer concert, “Let Me Entertain You,” at 7 p.m. July 12-13 at the Liberty Theater, 200 W. Park Ave., in downtown Eunice. (337) 457-1776, www.eccbc.org.
    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, July 3, 2012

First Fridays series continues with Margaret Brinkhaus


    Artist Margaret Brinkhaus of Sunset continues the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 6 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 construction of the Visitor Center.
Margaret Brinkhaus
    These pieces will later be used in a traveling exhibit throughout the parish. The Visitor Center, which marked its first anniversary on May 23, highlights green construction and sustainable practices, both old and news.
    Brinkhaus will demonstrate how palmetto leaves can be turned into art. She will also make ropes and cords from daylily and iris leaves.
    A renowned gourd artist, Brinkhaus has presented workshops at Louisiana Folks Roots, Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette and numerous schools and libraries.
    Brinkhaus is also a member of the Natchitoches Art Guild, Baton Rouge Arts Market, Sunset Garden Club and the American Gourd Society. She owns and operates La Caboose, a bed and breakfast inn that was once a red Southern Pacific Railroad caboose.
    Admission is free to the First Fridays series, which concludes Aug. 3 with Tommy Myers. A mixed media artist and woodworker, Myers creates birdhouses 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.