St. Landry Parish - It's Gumbo for Your Soul: March 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Spice and Music Festival set for June 1-2

The Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, a celebration highlighting the area’s unique culture, is scheduled for June 1-2, at South City Park in Opelousas. This year’s festival will offer an exciting lineup of musical performers, which include Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Horace Trahan and the New Ossun Express, Chris Ardoin & NuStep, J Paul Jr. and the Zydeco Nubreeds, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns, and Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames.

The Spice & Music Festival will offer Cajun and Creole food lovers plenty of mouthwatering dishes, including entrees like jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish and more. The festival will include arts and craft vendors and a kid’s activity center with a rock wall and fun jumps.

South City Park is located at 1524 S. Market St. and is easy to access from Interstate I-49 and Hwy 190. There is plenty of free parking. RV accommodations are also available at South City Park by calling (337) 948-2562.

Festival admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children 10 and younger. For more information, visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com or call (337) 948-6263.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Trahan plays for veterans memorial fundraiser

Zydeco, running and a memorial fundraiser combine to create the Acadiana Runner’s Ball Victory for Veterans 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Evangeline Downs Event Center, 2235 Creswell Lane, in Opelousas. Proceeds from the event support the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Park project.

Horace Trahan

The race begins and ends at the Event Center. The top two finishers in each age group will be awarded medals. Racers will be greeted with boudin at the end of the race and be entertained by popular zydeco/Cajun artist Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express.

With the $30 registration fee, racers receive a T-shirt, two drink tickets and a goodie bag. Spectators can enjoy the music for $5. For more information, call (337) 945-9159.

In other weekend events in St. Landry Parish:

More than 50 artists, crafts persons and vendors will display their wares at the Market Sell-A-Bration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Opelousas Civic Center, 1638 Creswell Lane, in Opelousas. The event is a fundraiser for the St. Landry-Evangeline United Way. (337) 942-7815.
The Youth Leadership Council presents the Spring for Art Art Show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas. (337) 942-2683.
Sheryl Cormier and Cajun Sounds play the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31 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.
The Backwood Boyz play Cajun music and zydeco at the old-fashioned, fais-do-do barn dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at Lakeview Park, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
The Eunice Symphony Orchestra presents its annual concert, “A Little Night Music” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at the Liberty Theater in Eunice. This all-classical show features pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and other composers. Conductor Nancy Simon will play the Mendelsshon Violin Concerto in E minor. Guest artist Tina Pillione performs traditional Calentano music from a remote Mexican village, Tierra Caliente. Tickets are $5, free for children six and younger. (337) 580-2493.

In upcoming events, the spring season of Music & Market kicks off with Les Malfecteurs at 5:30 p.m. April 13 at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 828 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. With free admission, Music and Market features live music and fresh produce for sale and sample every Friday through May 25.

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.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Teams compete for world championship in crawfish etoufee

Treat your taste buds to samples from more than 40 teams competing in the 27th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etoufee Cook-off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at the Northwest Pavilion, 651 Samuel Dr., in Eunice. The event includes Cajun music from Briggs Brown at 10 a.m., followed by Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold at 1 p.m.

Paul Daigle

Individual booths will cook and sell etouffee to the public. Visitors can also sample etoufee and vote for the winner of the People’s Choice Trophy. A variety of other food, arts and crafts, fun jumps and slides will be available. For more information, call (337) 457-7389.

In other weekend events in St. Landry Parish:

The Lafayette Rhythm Devils perform for the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Mary Jane Broussard and the Sweet La La’s open the show. This world-renowned show features Cajun and Creole bands performing in a Grand Ole Opry-style format. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
The Cajun band Les Malfecteurs play the old-fashioned, fais-do-do barn dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Lakeview Park, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
Casa Azul, 232 ML King Drive in Grand Coteau, will show the documentary, Howard Citizen – The Man and the Music He Loves, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27. Directed by Sharon Donnan, the independent film profiles Citizen, one of many French Creoles who left southwest Louisiana during World War II and settled in Los Angeles. Citizen talks about the survival of his culture and the emergence of zydeco music. Free admission. (337) 662-1032.
French speakers, or those who would like to learn, can attend the La Table Francaise at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 28 at Le Vieux Village, 828 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. This monthly conversation in French takes place in the village’s school house. (337) 948-6263.

In upcoming events, zydeco/Cajun musician Horace Trahan performs for the Acadiana Runner’s Ball Victory for Veterans 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at 5 p.m. March 31 at the Evangeline Downs Event Center. The event raises funds for the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Park project.

The Eunice Symphony Orchestra presents its annual concert, “A Little Night Music” at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at the Liberty Theater in Eunice. This all-classical show features pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and other composers.

The spring season of Music & Market kicks off with Les Malfecteurs at 5:30 p.m. April 13 at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 828 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. With free admission, Music and Market features live music and fresh produce for sale and sample every Friday through May 25.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Treasures await at Saturday's 7 Mile Plus Yard Sale

Discover bargains, deals and hidden treasures during the 7 Mile Plus Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 17 in Arnaudville and surrounding area. Vendors will set up along La. Hwy 93 from Sunset and Grand Coteau to Arnaudville and along Hwy. 31 from Arnaudville to Cecilia.

The sale takes place rain or shine. For more information, call (337) 754-5316 or visit www.arnaudvilleareachamber.com.

Other St. Landry Parish events include:

Doug Duffey entertains for the LSUE Performing Arts Series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15 in the Health Technology Building on the LSUE campus. Duffey, a Louisiana Hall of Fame singer and songwriter, has worked with Keith Richards, Marcia Ball, George Clinton and others. (337) 457-1510.
“Cajun” August Broussard and Friends perform for the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Donny Broussard and the Louisiana Stars open the program. This world-renowned show features Cajun and Creole bands performing in a Grand Ole Opry-style format. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
The Pine Leaf Boys, four-time Grammy nominees, play the old-fashioned, fais-do-do barn dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at Lakeview Park, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
Kim Bernadas will teach a portrait sculpture workshops at 10 a.m. March 17-18 at Nunu’s, 1510 Courtableau Highway, in Arnaudville. The course provides beginners and skilled students with instruction on sculpting a portrait bust in clay. Fee is $210, $60 for supplies. (225) 205-3987.

In upcoming events, the 26th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25 at the Northwest Pavilion in Eunice. The event features food sampling and live music.

Creative writing students from Opelousas High School recite their works for the weekly Literary Reading and Open Mic at 7 p.m. March 22 at Casa Azul, 232 ML King Dr., in Grand Coteau. The works include original poems and stories by students in Jessica Bonem’s class.

Zydeco/Cajun musician Horace Trahan performs for the Acadiana Runner’s Ball Victory for Veterans 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at 5 p.m. March 31 at the Evangeline Downs Event Center. The event raises funds for the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Park project.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Music & Market opens spring season April 13

A new season of Music & Market begins Friday, April 13 in historic Opelousas, offering entertainment each Friday through May 27.. The event will feature Southwest Louisiana music in a unique family-friendly outdoor setting.

The spring series kicks off with the Cajun sounds of Les Malfecteurs, whose English translation means ‘The Outlaws.’ The band’s powerful brand of Cajun honky tonk is more than a simple product of their home parish of Lafourche.

The group builds upon the legacy of Nathan Abshire while infusing the country music currents so prevalent in the south region of the state. Following accordionist Ryan Brunet’s lead, Les Malfecteurs offer the promise of things to come. Their emotive bandleader’s vocals, a driving rhythm section, and pining steel guitar are the very reason this band will be a powerful creative force not only in south Louisiana, but across the country.

The band members include Ryan Brunet, accordion; Blake Miller, fiddle; Daniel Coolik, fiddle; Tysman Charpentier, guitar; Joe Vidrine, bass; and Jay Miller, drums.

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. Meanwhile, the May 4 and May 11 events will take place downtown on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square.

On Friday, April 27, Music & Market will feature Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion/Le Vieux Village. 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 will spotlight a vegetable and/or agriculture commodity. Samples will be available. Featured vegetables and products throughout the series include corn, cabbage, mustard greens, snap beans, okra, tomatoes and squash.

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 Spring 2012 lineup features:

April 13 - Les Malfecteurs (Cajun), corn
April 20 - Dustin Ray & Southern Groove (zyde-Cajun), mustard greens
April 27 - Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames (zydeco), snap beans, Trash Art exhibit by local students
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, March 8, 2012

Hall of Fame musician performs for LSUE series

Singer, songwriter, poet and visual artist Doug Duffey entertains for the LSUE Performing Arts Series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15 in the Health Technology Building on the LSUE campus in Eunice. A member of the Louisiana Hall of Fame and National Blues Hall of Fame, Duffey specializes in original La. blues, soul, R&B, folk and jazz.

Duffey, a Monroe native, has written songs or recorded with George Clinton, Marcia Ball, Funkadelic, Keith Richards and many others. Admission is $4, free to LSUE students. For more information, call (337) 457-1510.

In other St. Landry Parish events:

The Port Arthur Playboys and the Troubled Playboys perform for the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. This world-renowned show features Cajun bands performing in a Grand Ole Opry-style format. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
Cajun on Demand with Mark and Harry Young play the old-fashioned, fais-do-do barn dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Lakeview Park, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
Arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry, handmade Easter items and more are part of Market Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12 at Le Village Guesthouse, 121 Seale Lane, in Eunice. Admission and parking are free. (337) 457-3573.
Poets Toby Daspit and Anna Purdy highlight the weekly literary presentation at Casa Azul, 232 ML King Drive, in Grand Coteau. (337) 662-1032, www.casaazul.homestead.com.
Masks & Mayhem – The Courir de Mardi Gras Artwork of Herb Roe remains on display through March 17 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23. Roe’s exhibit features oil paintings and graphite drawings of rural Mardi Gras runs.

In upcoming events, the Seven-Mile Plus Yard Sale is set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 17 in Arnaudville, Grand Coteau and Sunset. The sale runs along Hwy 31 in Arnaudville to Hwy 93. Residents and visitors can set up tables to sell any items. (337) 754-5316.

Kim Bernadas will teach a portrait sculpture workshops at 10 a.m. March 17-18 at Nunu’s, 1510 Courtableau Highway, in Arnaudville. The course provides beginners and skilled students with instruction on sculpting a portrait bust in clay. Fee is $210, $60 for supplies. (225) 205-3987.

Friday, March 2, 2012

T'Monde, Maitre perform at Liberty Theatre in Eunice

T’Monde, a band of college-age musicians who play old-style Cajun music, open the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at the historic Liberty Theatre in downtown Eunice. Band members include Kelli Jones, Drew Simon and Megan Brown.

T'Monde

Hubert Maitre, singer of the Cajun hit La Vielle Chaudiere Noir (The Old Black Pot), and his Triangle Aces band follow. Writer and broadcaster Herman Fuselier serves as emcee.

Rendez-Vous des Cajuns, a world-renowned, weekly show, features Cajun and Creole bands in a Cajun-style, Grand Ole Opry format. Admission is $5. For more information, call (337) 457-7389 or visit www.eunice-la.com.

In other St. Landry Parish events:

Debris artist Trish Ransom and wood worker Frank Dabney continue the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe art series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 2 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23. The series features artists who create new items from reclaimed and recycled material. (337) 948-8004, www.cajuntravel.com.
Eric Frey and the Eunice Ramblers perform for the old-fashioned, fais-do-do barn dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Lakeview Park, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers host a CD release party for their new disc, Go Hard or Go Home, at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki, 8741 Hwy 182, in Opelousas. Slim’s, a legendary zydeco dancehall, has been in business since 1947. (337) 942-6242.
The 27th Annual Here’s the Beef Cook-off begins with a trail ride at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4 at the Yambilee Agricultural Arena, 1863 W. Landry St., in Opelousas. Lil Kenny and the Heartbreakers entertain at 10:30 a.m. Cook-off winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m. (337) 945-0364.
Masks & Mayhem – The Courir de Mardi Gras Artwork of Herb Roe remains on display through March 17 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center. Roe’s exhibit features oil paintings and graphite drawings of rural Mardi Gras runs.
The art exhibit Four Artistic Visions is on display 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, continues through March 31.