Friday, August 31, 2012




Ready for a Party Weekend in 
St. Landry Parish?

     Labor Day weekend has finally arrived and that means it's an extra special zydeco time here in St. Landry Parish. The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival will be celebrating its 30th year, remembering all of the greats that have paved the way for one of the State's true traditional events.  This year's format has been expanded to two days of great music with day one Saturday, September 1, featuring 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. 
     Day two, September 2, has been added with performances by Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, followed by country singers 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.  Zydeco Park is seven miles west of I-49 on Highway 167, just north of Opelousas.  For more information, call (337) 942-2392 or visit www.zydeco.org. The festival is sponsored by the Southern Development Foundation.
     Our local dancehalls will start things off tonight, Friday August 31.  Slims Y KiKi in Opelousas will hold a squeeze box contest and music by J. J. Caillier and J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds will kick off the Festival weekend starting at 8pm with a $10 Admission.  Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame in Lawtell will also be hopping with Curley Taylor and Jeffery Broussard, welcoming all zydeco fans. 
     But pace yourself, as the annual Zydeco Breakfast, sponsored by the City of Opelousas, will start on the St. Landry Courthouse Square at 8am Saturday morning.  Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble will wake everyone up at this free event.  Then new this year, the Zydeco Parade, led by J. J.Callier, will stop at the breakfast and caravan with everyone out to Plaisance where the festival starts at 12:30pm.
     And if that's not enough, check out the 1st Annual Creole Renaissance Festival, also on Saturday Sept. 1 in Opelousas.  You're invited to come kick your shoes off and stay a while as you listen to Keith Frank, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Ardoin, Brian Jack, Lil Wayne & Same Ol' 2 Step, Horace Trahan, Dexter Ardoin and Geno Delafose.  Yambilee Festival Building, 1939 West Landry St. Opelousas, LA.  Doors open 12pm.
     Other activities this weekend in St. Landry Parish:
  • "Rendez-Vous des Cajuns" Live Radio & TV Show will the FATRA Cajun Band and "Cajun" August Broussard & Friends, Eunice Saturday September 1 at the Liberty Theater, 200 W Park Ave, Eunice from 6pm-7:30pm.(337) 457-7389; www.eunice-la.com 
  • A Double Old Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance this weekend.  One Trick Pony will perform Saturday, Sept. 1 from 8pm-12am at Lakeview Park & Beach and on Sunday Sept. 2 Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe will play.  Camp with us and receive 2 FREE tickets into the show! Come out and support our local musicians and listen to live music with us.  1717 Veteran Memorial Hwy. 13. For more information visit www.lvpark.com  
  • It's the Pool Doo Party Saturday Sept. 1, at NuNu's in Arnaudville.  Join local band "Donnie and the Pool Doos," for a new monthly Louisiana Dance Party event at 7 p.m.  Musicians and singers interested in sitting in with the band are invited. Call Donnie at 337.935.0577 if you are interested.  There is a $5 recommended donation. Children 12-and-under enter free. Non-alcohol refreshments will be available for purchase. NUNU Arts and Culture Collective 1510 Bayou Courtableau Hwy (Hwy 93 East), Arnaudville, LA . www.nunucollective.org 
  • JAMbalaya acoustic music jam at Tom's Fiddle & Bow this Sunday September 2, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Pot luck, bring your favorite food and we'll provide coffee, tea, wine, soda and water. 337-754-5528.  204 Fuselier Road, Arnaudville.



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.


 

Friday, August 24, 2012


                                 
GITLO AT NUNU'S FOR A REAL BLUES EXPERIENCE

The August 26, Sunday Stage is a product of Artists with One Voice, starting at 4pm. There is a $5 suggested donation.  NuNu's Culinary Collectives will offer food and non-alcohol refreshments for purchase.  NuNu's is located at 1510 Bayou Courtableau Hwy (Hwy 93 E) in Arnaudville, LA. For more information call 337-453-3307 or visit www.nunucollective.org.

      Other weekend events in St. Landry Parish:
·  Casa Azul in Grand Coteau will have Mavis Fruge hosting the La Scene Ouverte--Open Mic En Francais! on Thursday Aug.23 from 7-9pm.  Bring your French language poems, stories and songs to share.  Free admission and all invited. 337-662-1032.
·  J Paul Jr & the Zydeco Nubreeds will perform this Friday, August 2, at Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Hwy 190, west of Opelousas in Lawtell, starting at 10pm. 
·  The Boogie All Stars, a band made up of members of The Boogie Kings, will be performing live at theBoogie Ball, United Way's annual Campaign Kickoff this Saturday August 25, 7-11pm at the Opelousas Civic Center.  Dinner will include delicious food provided by a variety of chefs, and restaurants, such as Café Josephine who will feature a pig roast and other tropical favorites.  Silent and live auction.  Tickets are $30. 337-942-7815 or visit www.uwsle.org
·  The Washington Community Farmer's Market is very excited to welcome Glenn Beard, a 10 year veteran of the Red Stick Market in Baton Rouge. Glenn now lives in Washington and will be bringing farm fresh eggs, assorted jellies and purple hull peas. This week's raffle includes an 18x24 inch framed J. Summers Perkins' original water color of a Louisiana water scene. 337-826-6518,mauiflyer@hotmail.com.
·  NuNu's La Table Francaise, a monthly Francophone gathering in Arnaudville, will take place Saturday, Aug.25 from 9am-Noon. Come and enjoy homemade treats and fun conversation. Venez partager le heritage. 337-453-3307www.nunucollective.org 
·  Blake Miller & the Vermilion Playboys will perform at this Saturday's Rendez-Vous des Cajuns TV & Radio Show at the historic Liberty Theater.  The emcee will be Ray Landry and performances will be from 6pm-7:30pm. The theater is located at 200 W. Park Ave. in Eunice.  337-457-7389www.eunice-la.com 
·  And next Wednesday, August 29, take time to grab a cup of coffee and share conversation and fun with other French speakers in Opelousas. The Opelousas French Table happens every last Wednesday of the month at the Whiteville School House located in Le Vieux Village, 828 East Landry, Opelousas, Louisiana. 337-948-6263.
For more information on parish events call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at 337-948-8004 or visitwww.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.

Friday, August 17, 2012


                            

Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers hit the stage at Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame tonight at 10PM

   Lots of Music this Weekend  in St.Landry Parish 
       
         It’s definitely a music weekend here in St. Landry Parish.  As we count the days to the 30th Annual Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival, we have two great dances at two of the oldest zydeco clubs in the world!  Friday August 17, Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers will perform at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Hwy 190, west of Opelousas in Lawtell, starting at 10pm.  Then on Sunday August 19 Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers will make the floor bounce at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki in Opelousas from 8pm-Midnight.
And Saturday the 18th Chris Miller and Bayou Roots with special guest Milton Vanicor will entertain at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. at the Liberty Theater in Eunice www.eunice-la.com.  Lots of Cajun music fans are in the area for the annual Cajun French Music Association Le Cajun Music Awards, so be sure to complete your CFMA weekend with a visit to the CFMA Museum & Hall of Fame located in downtown Eunice.
More St. Landry Parish events:
•             Live thoroughbred horse racing continues at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.  Wednesdays through Saturdays at 5:40 p.m.  2235 Creswell Lane Exit in Opelousas. Free for all ages. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com.
•             Cajuns For Bayou Teche will be doing a bayou cleanup Saturday, August from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting at the Arnaudville boat launch.  All volunteers are welcome and please bring any motor boats, canoes, and kayaks you have access or just bring yourself. Tour du Teche III is fast approaching so let’s get the Bayou looking good!
•             Farmers markets are still going even in the heat of summer. New vendor, Glenn Beard, will be bringing farm fresh eggs, assorted jellies, muscadine, and purple hull peas this weekend at Washington Community Farmer’s Market, held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. each Saturday at the Pavilion across from Town Hall in Washington. The Eunice Farmer’s Market, held at the corner of 2nd Street and Park Ave., has changed its time until cooler weather.  New start times are Wednesdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 8am (337) 457-6503.  The Opelousas Farmer’s Market is held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 838 East Landry Street in Opelousas (337) 948-0561. Vendors at all three markets offer produce, plants, craft items, homemade good and more. 
•             Share French conversations at La Table Francaise, held at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 18 at Café Mosaic, 202 South 2nd Street in Eunice. (337) 546-6276.
•             The weekly Cajun jam sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 18, at Savoy Music Center, located on Highway 190 just east of Eunice. Admission is free. (337) 457-9563, www.savoymusiccenter.com.
•             “Becoming Louisiana: The Path to Statehood” an exhibit commemorating this year’s Bicentennial, opens this weekend through September at the Jean Lafitte Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice. And don’t forget about the weekly music program and foodways demonstration held each Saturday.  The music program begins at 3 p.m. and the foodways demonstration begins at 4 p.m. (337) 457-8499, www.nps.gov/jela.
•             The 30th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco King and Queen Ball at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 18 at Opelousas Delta Grand Theater, 120 South Market Street, in Opelousas. (337) 942-2392, www.zydeco.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.

Friday, August 10, 2012



Low Maintenance with Drew Simon
Jamey Bearb and Drew Simon with Low Maintenance perform Saturday night at the Liberty Theater.

It’s a “Boxing” Weekend in St. Landry Parish
It's the 2nd Annual Royal Rumble Lakeview Park & Beach this Saturday August 11.  The Battle of the Bands competition will be between the Pine Leaf Boys vs Les Malfecteurs from 8pm-12am at 1717 Veteran Memorial Hwy. 13. The two bands will come head to head and Invite you and your friends to dress as your favorite wrestler!  For more information visit www.lvpark.com

Other weekend events in  St. Landry Parish :
  • Lil Nate and the Zydeco Bigtimers will be performing at Millers Zydeco Hall of Fame Live Zydeco Music and Dance Friday Aug.10 and J Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds Saturday Aug.11. Miller's located at 11154 Hwy 190. West of Opelousas in Lawtell. (337 319-0639)
  • It's Tailgating Southern Style at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, 2235 Creswell Lane, Opelousas, on Friday, August 10th.  There will be a display of RV's for viewing and lots of FREE parking for you and your RV. Racing begins at 5:40pm.
  • Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society's Summer/Fall Meeting and Tours will begin Aug.11 at 8am for the Duralde Restored Prairie and at 10am for the Eunice Restored Prairies. Lunch and meeting, noon. :  (337) 328-2252  www.cajunprairie.org
  • Experience Live Boxing at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday Aug. 11 at the Events Center at 6pm.  For more information  visit www.evangelinedowns.com/events center
  • "Rendez-Vous des Cajuns" Live Radio &TV Show will feature Drew Simon & Low Maintenance, Eunice Saturday Aug.11 at the Liberty Theater, 200 W Park Ave, Eunice from 6pm-7:30pm.(337) 457-7389; www.eunice-la.com
  • Local artist, Theresa  Stelly's , Creator's Canvas-Cancer Research Foundation, will be on display at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, 315 N. Main St, Opelousas through Sept.30. For more information you can call (337) 948-2589 
For more information on parish events call the St. Landry 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 


St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Weekend brings swamp pop, theatre and more

    Enjoy swamp pop, rock ‘n’ roll and R&B oldies as Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress entertain at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. in the Event Center of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, I-49 exit 18, in Opelousas. Swamp pop legend Tommy McLain joins the band as special guest. 
    McLain is also featured on the band’s new CD, “Legends Making Memories,” which includes renditions of “Houston Solution,” “Juke Box Songs,” “What Am I Living For” and more. For more information, call (337) 594-3000 or visit www.evangelinedowns.com
Bonne Chance Cajun Band
    In other St. Landry Parish events: 
  • The Eunice Players Theatre concludes its production of “Camelot” at 7 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at the theater, 121 S. Second St., in Eunice. (337) 457-2156, (337) 546-0163.
  • Los Gringos Calentanos, Tina Pilione and Paul Anastasio, play the fiddle style of Juan Reynoso at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 at the Chapelle Country Store at Le Village, 121 Seale Lane, in Eunice. The performance features the legendary guitar and violin Calentano music. (337) 457-3573, www.levillagehouse.com
  • Birdhouse artist Tommy Myers concludes the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe art series 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. The series showcases local artists creating pieces from materials salvaged from the Visitor Center construction. (337) 948-8004, www.cajuntravel.com.
  • Roscoe Chenier and the Inner City Blues Band play on the beach from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
  • The Bonne Chance Cajun Band performs at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Humorist Kent Gonsoulin is this week’s emcee for this live, family-oriented held in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
  • Donnie and the Pool Doos host the monthly Louisiana dance party at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, 1510 Courtableau Hwy, in Arnaudville. (337) 754-7115, www.nunucollective.org.
  • The monthly JAMbalaya Acoustic Jam is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5 at Tom’s Fiddle and Bow, 204 Fuselier St., in Arnaudville. Music includes Cajun, country, bluegrass and more. (337) 754-5528, www.tomsfiddleandbow.com.
  • A screening of When the Drum is Beating, a documentary on the Haitian band Septentrional Orchestra, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Casa Azul Gifts, 232 ML King Dr., in Grand Coteau. A Skype session with director Whitney Dow will be held after the screening. (337) 662-1032.
  • Creator’s Canvas – Cancer Research Foundation, art work by Theresa Stelly, continues through Sept. 30 at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, 315 N. Main St., in Opelousas. (337) 948-2589, museum@cityofopelousas.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.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Birdhouse artist concludes First Fridays series


    Mixed media artist Tommy Myers concludes the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series 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. 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.
Tommy Myers
    Nine artists have created pieces for this series, which will be part of an exhibit that travels throughout the parish. The Visitor Center, which marked its first anniversary on May 23, highlights green construction and sustainable practices, both old and new.
    On Friday, Myers will demonstrate art birdhouses made of wood, tile, metal and other leftover construction material from the Visitor Center.
    “I want to continue challenging my imagination to see how many ways a collector’s birdhouse can be made from ordinary and unusual recycled items,” said Myers. “The work is gratifying, the creating is stimulating and the hunt for more accessories is fun.”
    Myers 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 First Fridays. The series 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.