Blog Discontinuation Notice

Good Afternoon and Thank You for participating in the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission "It's Gumbo for your Soul" blog!

Please note that we will be discontinuing this blog. We encourage you to use our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Landry-Parish-Louisiana-Its-Gumbo-for-Your-Soul/108773622499495) - please "like" us. Our website is also undergoing some updates and added imagery; Events will continued to be posted there.  Of course, we always welcome comments and feedback so please do do use http://www.cajuntravel.com/contact.php.

Again, thank you and we look forward to hosting your visit in St. Landry Parish!

Sincerely,
St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission
www.cajuntravel.com

                           Gumbo Pots and Sweet Potatoes

 Fall is in the air and our Farmer's Markets are seeing their second crops so be sure to visit one of them this weekend. The Opelousas Farmers Market takes place at Le Vieux Village on Hwy 190 and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7am-11am. And next Friday, September 28, the Fall Opelousas Music & Market Series will kick off with Lil Wayne and Same Ole 2 Step, so mark your calendars. The Washington Farmers Market at the Town Pavilion gets started at 8:30am each Saturday and different homegrown items are added each week. In Eunice, the Downtown Farmer's Market start times have changed to 1pm on Wednesday and 8am on Saturday, so make a note.

• Allons Roulee Bike Ride will roll the roads of Opelousas and surrounding communities on Saturday, September 22. Over 150 cyclists will make their way to travel the rural countryside. Remember to "Share the Road"!

• The Rendez-Vous des Cajuns" Live Radio and TV Show. Eunice. Liberty Theater, 200 W. Park Ave. Celebrating 25 years of live performance this Saturday, September 22. The Jambalaya Cajun Band and some very talented guests will play in this family-oriented show in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Broadcast live on radio with emcee. 6-7:30 pm. Adults $5, under 12 $3. (337) 457-7389; www.eunice-la.com 

• There will not be a shortage of great music events on Saturday, September 22, as anOld Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance will take place at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. 1717 Veteran Memorial Hwy. Music starts at 8pm with DJ Kyler Ardoin in the Barn! 18 years to enter. Admission fee. www.lvpark.com  (337) 457-2881. 

• Also Saturday night, September 22, Patrick Henry and the Liberation Band, along with Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble will be raising the roof at Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame with Live Zydeco Music and Dance starting at 9:30pm. 11154 Hwy 190, West of Opelousas and before Lawtell. (337) 319-0639.

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.

St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission 

These talented ladies created the St. Landry Parish square found on the beautiful king size Bicentennial quilt. Pictured left to right: Nia Henry, Rebecca Henry, Joella LeBlanc and Sigrid Donatto.

 Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration Continues in 

St. Landry Parish

    

      As Louisiana continues to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its statehood in 2012, so does St. Landry Parish. The Parish is honored to currently have the official Louisiana Bicentennial Quilt on display at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 Exit 23, from now until September 17, 2012. Sponsored by Secretary of State, Tom Schedler, the Louisiana State Archives, and Roland Dartez, Executive Director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, the quilt is entitled Stitch by Stitch, Binding Together 200 Years of Louisiana History.

   Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. that has parishes rather than counties as political subdivisions, and each of the state's 64 parishes is represented with a block in the quilt. The finished 9" x 9" blocks are arranged in columns in order of each parish's location in the state and each one reflects its parish's iconic features.

     This beautiful work of art is definitely an inspiration to the many quilters here in St. Landry Parish and a wonderful way to promote the upcoming first annual Quilt Fair: The Threads That Bound Us Together For 200 Years, Sharing Our Stories Patch by Patch. The Fair will be hosted at the Creole Heritage Folklife Center, 113 W. Vine Street, Opelousas from 8am-3pm. on Saturday, September 15. During the course of the day expert quilters will display and share their talents and stories of yesteryear with the younger generation. (337) 945-5064.

• This Thursday, Sept. 6, St Landry Parish will be joining the worldwide movement, 100 Thousand Poets for Change, where poets gather together to promote social change.  Poets from Acadiana including former Louisiana Poet Laureate Darrell Bourque and spoken word artist Alex Johnson will perform original poetry at Casa Azul Gifts in Grand Coteau. Set from 7pm-9pm, the evening will also include an open mic.  The reading is free and open to the public.337-662-1032
• Ils sont partis! This week's racing at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino marks the end of the Thoroughbred season for 2012. Post time is 5:40pm for live races Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The 2012 Quarter Horse Season will begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2012. 2235 Creswell Lane Ext. (337) 594-3000.www.evangelinedowns.com
• Margaret Dunbar Cutright is on a national tour for her book"A Case For Solomon" and will be in Opelousas to review her book on Friday, Sept. 7,at the Delta Grand , 6:30pm. On Sept. 8, Cutright will be at the Opelousas Library at 10:00am. All interested persons are invited to attend either or both. Books will be available for purchase and autographing by the author. She will also address students and faculty at Opelousas Catholic on Monday Sept.10 at 9:00am and Opelousas High at 1:00pm.








Farmers Market in Washington again this Saturday between 8:30-11 am at the Washington Town Pavilion.  Lori will be back with us and is bringing bread, preserves, herb cheese spread and a new item....cheesecake spread. Lindy has a new batch of alfalfa, broccoli & radish sprouts ready for your salads and sandwiches. Don't forget to sign up for the Extended Hours Market on October 13th, where you can also bring your yard sale items to Market!
The Rendez-Vous des Cajuns" Live Radio and TV Show on Sept. 8 will feature alive performance by Cameron Dupuy & the Cajun Troubadours and Gabe Meche, Eunice. Liberty Theater, 200 W. Park Ave. A family-oriented show in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Broadcast live on radio with emcee. 6-7:30 PM. Adults $5, under 12 $3.(337) 457-7389; www.eunice-la.com 
Sunday night September 9, Leon Chavis will be closing out the weekend at Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame with Live Zydeco Music and Dance. Located at 11154 Hwy 190, West of Opelousas and before Lawtell. (337) 319-0639.
Market Monday at Le Village in Eunice gets an early start this month. On Sunday September 9 from 3-5pm, a book signing for Belaire Cove, A Novel of Love, Life and Loss in a Prairie Cajun Village by Dianne Dempsey Legnon will be held.So shop early for arts & crafts, baked goods, handmade quilts, aprons, goat milk soap, jewelry, photography and vintage items.  Or come on Monday September 10 from 10am-4pm. Lunch will be available to purchase or bring your own and picnic on the porch of the Country Store. Le Village 121 Seale Ln (337) 457-3573, www.levillagehouse.com
The 2012 Soiree Royale, Opelousas takes place Monday September 10 at theEvangeline Downs Event Center. This annual chefs' cookoff and wine tasting will benefit the Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce. 6 pm. Tickets $40. (337) 942-2683,www.opelousaschamber.org.
Delta Grand Theatre presents "A Toast to Creativity" with artist Jerome Ford. Starting September 11, 2012 and continuing September 18, and 25. Adult painting classes for Beginners, Intermediate and Advance will start at 6:30 each evening. For further information visit www.deltagrandtheatre.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 atwww.youtube.com/StLandryParish.

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.

 

                                 

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. 337-453-3307, www.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.  337-457-7389, www.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.

                            

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.

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