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

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Artists turns debris into new creations during First Fridays series

Artists Trish Ransom and Frank Dabney continue the First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 2 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 Visitor Center construction.

Trish Ransom demonstrates debris art

These pieces will later be used in a nine-month, traveling exhibit throughout the parish. The exhibit is part of the Visitor Center’s focus on green construction and sustainable practices, both old and new.

Ransom specializes in turning found objects into signature creations she calls “Debris Art.” A love of zydeco and Cajun music brought Ransom from California to her present home in Grand Coteau in 1999. A friend with a folk art gallery approached Ransom, who had studied art at Stanford University, about making jewelry.

Ransom transformed old bottle caps into earrings and necklaces. Ransom has since become renowned for her fish and armadillo wall hangings, made of tin cans, bottle tops, wood and other debris. Ransom sells and displays her art at festivals, workshops and markets around the state.

Dabney is a woodworker and carpenter who has redesigned old homes for more than 30 years. He has turned old material into new art that’s been shown at galleries and festivals throughout Louisiana for eight years.

“I like to find objects and incorporate them into a new piece, so that it really becomes something interesting,” said Dabney. “Many people tell me they like my work. But they also learn how old materials don’t have to be thrown away. With a little thought and work, you can give them new life.”

Admission is free to the First Fridays series, which continues through August. Artists scheduled for upcoming shows include:

April 13: Jerilyn Lavergne – mixed media, fused glass
May 4: Michelle Fontenot – glass and mosaics, mixed media, art created from found objects; George Marks – mixed media
June 1: Christine Ledoux – glass & mosaics, mixed media
July 6: Margaret Brinkhaus – art created from natural objects, palmetto weavings
August 3: Tommy Myers – mixed media, woodworker, birdhouses created 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.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Horace Trahan plays Music of Acadiana series finale

Renowned Cajun and zydeco accordionist Horace Trahan plays the Music of Acadiana series season finale at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at Nunu’s, 1510 Highway 93, in Arnaudville. Creator of the hit single, “That Butt Thing,” Trahan also wrote all 16 songs on his critically-acclaimed “Keep Wallking” CD of 2010.

Horace Trahan

The event starts with a jam session open to all musicians. An interview with Trahan begins at 3 p.m., followed by a performance.

Admission is $5, free for children. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

In other St. Landry Parish events:

Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns entertain at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the Delta Grand Theatre, 120 S. Market St., in Opelousas. Country singer/songwriter Jaryd Lane opens the show. (337) 407-1806, www.deltagrandtheatre.com
Cajun music favorites Mack Manuel, Jesse Lege’ and the Lake Charles Ramblers host a reunion show for the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at the ‘’Ole Opry, Prairie Home Companion format. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
Guitarist Roscoe Chenier and the Inner City Blues Bland play the old-fashioned barn dance at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. Cousin of zydeco great Clifton Chenier, Roscoe has been playing blues and R&B for more than four decades. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
Cajun and Creole French speakers, and those who would like to learn, can attend La Table Française at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29 at the school house located in the historical Le Vieux Village, 828 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. The event takes place the last Wednesday of each month. (337) 948-6263.
Poet Leslie D. and storyteller Juanita Decuir lead the next literary presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at Casa Azul, 232 MLK Drive, in Grand Coteau. Decuir is part of Grand Coteau Voices, a project that documents the town’s history and ways of life. The event also includes open mic presentations. (337) 662-1032, www.casaazul.homesteam.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, just north of Opelousas. Roe’s exhibit features oil paintings and graphite drawings of rural Mardi Gras runs.
Four Artistic Visions, a Black History Month art exhibit, 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. (337) 948-2589, www.cityofopelousas.com.

In upcoming 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. March 2 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23. All featured artists are creating pieces from materials salvaged during the construction process of the Visitor Center.

The 27th Annual Here’s the Beef Cookoff is set for Sunday, March 4 at the Yambilee Agricultural Arena, 1863 W. Landry St., in Opelousas. Sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Cattleman’s Association, the event features some of the area’s top food and entertainment.

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.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

St. Landry Parish overflowing with Mardi Gras fun

Looking for Mardi Gras fun this weekend? St. Landry Parish has the traditional Mardi Gras run, parades, street dances, jam sessions, soul queen Irma Thomas, a zydeco trail ride and old-time pig roasts. That’s just the short list.

Traditional Courir de Mardi Gas in Eunice

St. Landry Parish is bursting with Mardi Gras excitement and activities that are almost too numerous to list. Here’s an hourly breakdown of the fun that awaits.

Friday, Feb. 17

7:30 p.m., Eunice – Street dance with Kyle Huval and Friends; Jamie Berzas and Cajun Tradition at Nick’s on 2nd; Paul Daigle and Jason Frey at Lakeview Park
9 p.m., Leonville – 2^nd Annual L’Argent Trailride and Chicken Run at IFBS Lodge with Leon Chavis and Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers

Saturday, Feb. 18

2 p.m., Washington – Mardi Gras parade on North Main Street

2:30 p.m., Eunice – Street dance with Fred Charlie and the Acadiana Cajuns

3 p.m., Eunice – Music program at the Jean Lafayette Prairie Acadian Culture Center

8 p.m., Leonville – 2^nd Annual L’Argent Trailride and Chicken Run with Brian Jack, J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreedz at IFBS Lodge

6 p.m., Eunice – Rendez-vous des Cajuns radio/TV show with Ryan Brunet et les Malfecteurs, Basile Mardi Gras Association and Georgie Manuel explaining rural Mardi Gras traditions

7 p.m., Lebeau – Lebeau/Palmetto Mardi Gras Ball with Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames at Church Hall

8 p.m., Eunice – Street dance with Les Bassettes

8 p.m., Eunice – Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys at Nick’s on 2^nd

8:30 p.m., Eunice – Barn dance with swamp pop legends Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress at Lakeview Park

9 p.m., Opelousas – Concert with Irma Thomas at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino

Lil Nathan

9:30 p.m., Opelousas – Traditional Mardi Gras dance with Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki

Sunday, Feb. 19

8 a.m., Eunice – L’anse Meg Courir de Mardi Gras at Lakeview Park

9 a.m., Eunice – Children’s Mardi Gras run leaves Recreation Complex, 461 Sittig Road

10 a.m., Eunice – Old-time boucherie at South 2^nd Street and Park Ave.

11:30 a.m., Eunice – Street dance with Da Classics with Drew Dogay and Charlo at S. 2^nd St. stage

11:30 a.m., Eunice – Street dance with Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners at S. 2^nd St. and Walnut stage

1 p.m., Lebeau – Mardi Gras parade and chicken run with Leon Chavis at Church Hall

3 p.m., Eunice – Children’s Mardi Gras run returns downtown

3:30 p.m., Eunice – Kyle Huval and Friends at Nick’s on 2^nd

3:30 p.m., Leonville – 2^nd Annual L’Argent Trailride and Chicken Run with Lil Wayne, Cupid, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas and Lil Nate at IFBS Lodge

8 p.m., Eunice – Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys at Lakeview Park

Monday, Feb. 20

Noon, Eunice – Dr. Barry Ancelet’s presentation on the history of rural Mardi Gras at Jean Lafitte Center

Noon, Opelousas – Lundi Gras at Le Vieux Village with old-time boucherie, cooking demonstrations, costume contest, historic village tours

1 p.m., Eunice – Council on Aging Mardi Gras dance with Big J and Zydeco Dog Pound at Northwest Center

5:30 p.m., Eunice – Jam session at South 2^nd St. and Walnut

6 p.m., Opelousas – Lundi Gras at Le Vieux Village with Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie

8 p.m., Eunice – Street dance with Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys

8 p.m., Eunice – Don Fontenot at Nick’s on 2^nd

9 p.m., Eunice – Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at Nick’s on 2^nd

9 p.m., Opelousas – The Original Zyde-Gras with Keith Frank and Cupid, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino

Tuesday, Feb. 21

8 a.m., Eunice – Courir de Mardi Gras leaves Northwest Center

10 a.m., Eunice – Acadien with Ryan Simon on Park Ave. stage

11 a.m., Eunice – Homer LeJeune and Cajun Kings on 2^nd and Walnut stage

11 a.m., Eunice – Donnie Broussard at Nick’s on 2^nd

11 a.m., Opelousas – Krewe of Frank’s Parade

12:45 p.m., Eunice – Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold on Park Ave. stage

2:45 p.m., Eunice – Truck parade and Courir de Mardi Gras returns

4 p.m., Eunice – Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys on Park Ave. stage

6 p.m., Eunice – Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie at Nick’s on 2^nd

In other events, Masks & Mayhem – The Courir de Mardi Gras Artwork of Herb Roe remains on display at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, 978 Kennerson Road in Opelousas. Roe’s exhibit features oil paintings and graphite drawings of traditional Mardi Gras runs.

Renowned zydeco and Cajun musician Horace Trahan concludes the Music of Acadiana Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 at Nunu’s, 1510 Highway 93, in Arnaudville. The event starts with an open jam session, followed by an interview with Trahan and performance.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Sculpture workshop March 17-18 at Nunu's in Arnaudville

Sculptress Kim Bernadas will teach a portrait sculpture workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 18 at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville. This course will provide both the beginner as well as the advanced student with a clear approach to sculpting the portrait bust in clay.

Working from a skull and a live model, students will be introduced to the techniques necessary to achieve a true likeness in form and expression that makes each portrait unique.

Bernadas works in both figure and portrait sculpture using a classical approach, achieving an uncanny likeness to her subjects in her portraiture. In her figures, she uses gesture, proportion, and the uniqueness of each individual to express the essence of the subject.

With a background as a physical therapist and a former ballet instructor, Bernadas has had a life long study in the dynamics of the human form. Her artistic training began at New Orleans Academy of Fine Art in 1991, where she presently teaches portrait and figurative sculpture. Additionally, Bernadas conducts sculpture intensives at several locations in the Southeast throughout the year.

Her professional career has included many public and private collections; most recently the Walter Dumas Bust for the Baton Rouge Community College and The Lifesize Mother and Child for the Tulane Medical Center Maternity Pavillion. She was also featured in the New Orleans Magazine and named the 2005 WYES Artist of the Year, as well as an award winner in the 2004 National Drawing Exhibition in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Bernadas lives and works in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Workshop participants much register by March 10. Class fee is $210 and the supply fee is $60.

For more information and to register, call Jill Hackney at (225) 205-3987 or send an email to: fredericklecole@gmail.com with the subject Kim Bernadas Workshop.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Ossun Playboys invade Eunice this weekend

Break in your new Mardi Gras dancing shoes with Cajun music icon Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, who perform two shows this weekend in Eunice. Naquin and band play the entire broadcast of the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Liberty Theater.

Kevin Naquin

Following the Liberty show, the Playboys travel three miles north on Highway 13 to perform at the weekly Old-Fashioned Fais-do-do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. Music starts at 8 p.m. Saturday and continues until midnight. Campers get two free tickets to the show.

For more information, visit www.eunice-la.com or www.lvpark.com. In other St. Landry Parish events:

A reception for Masks & Mayhem – The Courir de Mardi Gras Artwork of Herb Roe will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, 978 Kennerson Road. Roe’s exhibit features oil paintings and graphite drawings of traditional Mardi Gras runs. (337) 948-8004, www.cajuntravel.com.
The town of Melville hosts its 8th annual Mardi Gras parade at 11 a.m. Feb. 11. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the Old Elementary School. (337) 623-5777.
The Chapelle Country Store at Le Village Guest House, 121 Seale Lane in Eunice, hosts a Pre-Mardi Gras Market Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 13. Handmade Mardi Gras costumes, jewelry and other arts and crafts will be sold. (337) 457-3773.
Zydeco icon Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie entertain at a special Valentine’s Day dance at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Stallions Bar-B-Que and Seafood, 5675 I-49 S. Service Road, in Opelousas. (337) 948-2090.
The Second Annual Le Courir de Mardi Gras Pour le Clinic is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Acadiana Center on the LSUE campus in Eunice. This Taster’s Choice Event, which also features live music by the Savoy Family Band, is a benefit for the Eunice Community Health Center. The event kicks of six days of Mardi Gras activities in the city of Eunice. (337) 457-1205, www.eunice-la.com.

In upcoming events, the Second Annual L’Argent Trailride and Chicken Run takes place Feb. 17-19 at the IFBS Lodge, 6240 Hwy. 31, in Leonville. Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers, J. Paul Jr. Lil Wayne and Cupid are among the entertainers.

Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, performs in a free concert at 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Event Center at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. Guests must have a Fast Track Rewards Players Card to enter free. Admission is limited to the first 1,500 members.

Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie kick off Lundi Gras at the Village at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Le Vieux Village, 828 E. Landry St., in Opelousas. The Krewe of Frank’s Mardi Gras Parade rolls at 11 a.m. Feb. 21 in downtown Opelousas.

For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Events are also listed on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Courir de Mardi Gras art exhibit on display at Visitor Center

A reception for Masks and Mayhem - The Courir de Mardi Gras artwork by Herb Roe will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center at I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. The exhibit features 20 oil paintings and graphite drawings depicting the colorful costumes, music and revelry of the rural Mardi Gras runs, the traditional pre-Lenten celebration of the Cajun and Creole people of Louisiana prairies.

Mardi Gras artwork by Herb Roe

The free exhibit remains on display through March 17. A traditional Mardi Gras costume, made by Georgie and Allen Manuel of Eunice, is also on display.

An Ohio native and resident of Lafayette, Roe has been a professional artist for nearly 20 years. After receiving a scholarship in 1992 to the Columbus College of Art and Design, Roe became an apprentice to Louisiana mural artist Robert Dafford.

Roe worked for Dafford for 15 years on mural projects throughout the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. He specialized in large scale and long term historical murals, usually connected with local chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and downtown development agencies. Many of these projects took five to 10 years to complete, and ranged from one to 50 murals in each town.

In 2007, Roe pursued his own fine arts career, specializing in oil paintings, historical illustrations and murals. His work has included classical portraits, figure painting and American Indian illustrations that have been used by the Chickasaw tribe, American Archaeology Magazine and PM, a German language science magazine.

Writer Anna Purdy featured Roe in the Dec. 28, 2011 edition of Lafayette’s weekly newspaper, The Independent. In the article, Roe said he often uses computer programs to combine various photos to create an image that inspires a painting.

For more information on Roe’s exhibit, contact the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Events are also listed on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with the Children’s Mardi Gras Saturday, Feb. 4 at Lakeview Park, located three miles north of Eunice on Highway 13. At 9 a.m., kids can begin decorating their bikes and golf carts for the 3:30 p.m. parade.

A free movie begins at 10 a.m., followed by mask and hat decorating at 1 p.m. A costume contest follows the parade.

Kyle Huval

Lakeview also resumes its old fashioned, fais-do-do barn dances with Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. For more information, call (337) 457-2881 or visit www.lvpark.com.

In other St. Landry Parish events:

Four Artistic Visions, a Black History Month art exhibit, 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.
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.
Homer LeJeune and the Cajun Kings perform at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Liberty Theater in Eunice. The weekly program features Cajun and Creole musicians in a Grand Ole Opry, Prairie Home Companion format. Aaron Chesson and Bayou Heat also entertain. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
Musician Kevin Johnson performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at Casa Azul, 232 MLK Dr., in Grand Coteau. An open music jam follows. Admission is free. (337) 662-1032, www.casaazul.homestead.com.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

First Fridays arts series features wood artist Lee Tedrow

Wood artist Lee Tedrow kicks off the 2012 edition of First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe, the arts series from the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. Tedrow’s demonstration is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center on I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas.

Lee Tedrow

Using reclaimed and recycled material, Tedrow is building wood benches that will be used in the Visitor Center. His work ties in with the center’s theme and local traditions of using natural resources to sustain and improve a community.

A resident of Opelousas, Tedrow has created furniture out of local woods. As owner of Tedego Design for more than 30 years, Tedrow has used reclaimed and recycled wood and incorporated industrial material into all of his designs. His work has been shown at galleries throughout Louisiana and Minnesota.

Numerous artists from St. Landry Parish will be featured during the First Friday series, which continues monthly through September. Admission is free.

First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe 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 Arts Council.

In other news, life-like portraits from Herb Roe’s Masks & Mayhem – The Courir de Mardi Gras show are now on display. Roe details his art at a reception from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Center.

A professional artist for more than 17 years, Roe has worked with a variety of subjects and media. His Mardi Gras art features oil paintings and graphite drawings of revelers in his adopted home of south Louisiana. More art is on display at his web site, www.chromesun.com.

New, interpretive panels, which highlight parish towns and attractions, are now on display at outdoor kiosks at the center. Visitors can learn about local festivals, cuisine, music, art, history, religion, outdoor life and more through these colorful billboards.

For more information on these programs, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com. Events are also listed on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.