Friends of Zydeco Party
City Of Opelousas Celebrates being Zydeco Capital of the World
May 25, 2003
by Stephanie Kirk
Daily World Newspaper
Berdie Davis, 75, of Opelousas tapped her feet to the pulsating sounds of Thomas "Big Hat " Fields and his foot stompin' Zydeco Band as she reminisced about the trends of zydeco music in her lifetime.
"I grew up on people like Clifton Chenier and John Delafosse, but I just like them all," she said. Today her favorite zydeco artist is Keith Frank.
Davis watched as younger zydeco fans perfected their two-step to the accordion sounds of zydeco music which took center stage at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse. The event was the fourth annual Zydeco Proclamation Celebration.
Davis said she has attended the party every year since Opelousas was first proclaimed as the Zydeco Capital of the World.
"This music is a part of us. I wake up every morning at 6 a.m. and listen to zydeco until noon every day. It is upbeat and it is our culture," she said.
Davis joined others, who sought to preserve the Creole culture that includes zydeco music, Saturday.
"This brings together the old and the new to promote zydeco music," said Cynthia Perdue, Main Street director, who organized the celebration.
Also at the event was Cynthia Simien, director of Music Matters. She is spearheading an effort to create a Cajun and zydeco music category at the 44th annual Grammy Awards.
"Cajun and zydeco entries are currently a part of the traditional and contemporary folk section, which has become a catch all for everyone from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash," she said.
Simien's husband is zydeco artist Terrance Simien.
Davis not only got to visit with Simien and found out what is being done to expand the prominence of zydeco music nationwide, she also had the opportunity to hear from Mona Kennerson of the Southern Development Foundation, which organizes the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival held in Plaisance.
"We want to support other organizations who are promoting our culture. It takes everyone to preserve the zydeco culture," Kennerson said.
This year the festival will be the weekend of Aug. 30.
Rod Sias from ZydecoOnline.com was also on hand to introduce those who attended this year's celebration to his Internet page, which goes live Aug. 28.
The sounds of zydeco also drew Lottie Beebe and her husband Rick Pearson from Breaux Bridge.
Beebe said she met the performing artist last week in her home town and followed Fields to Opelousas.
"We like what we heard and we wanted to hear it again," she said.
Husband Rick Pearson said, "I like the rhythm. This music has a lively beat and it is unique to this area."
Beebe and Pearson visited with their friend Elijah Murphy from Washington.
Murphy said he also grew up on zydeco music.
City Of Opelousas Celebrates being Zydeco Capital of the World
May 25, 2003
by Stephanie Kirk
Daily World Newspaper
 |
| photo courtesy of the Zydeco Historical & Preservation Society, Inc |
Berdie Davis, 75, of Opelousas tapped her feet to the pulsating sounds of Thomas "Big Hat " Fields and his foot stompin' Zydeco Band as she reminisced about the trends of zydeco music in her lifetime.
"I grew up on people like Clifton Chenier and John Delafosse, but I just like them all," she said. Today her favorite zydeco artist is Keith Frank.
Davis watched as younger zydeco fans perfected their two-step to the accordion sounds of zydeco music which took center stage at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse. The event was the fourth annual Zydeco Proclamation Celebration.
Davis said she has attended the party every year since Opelousas was first proclaimed as the Zydeco Capital of the World.
"This music is a part of us. I wake up every morning at 6 a.m. and listen to zydeco until noon every day. It is upbeat and it is our culture," she said.
Davis joined others, who sought to preserve the Creole culture that includes zydeco music, Saturday.
"This brings together the old and the new to promote zydeco music," said Cynthia Perdue, Main Street director, who organized the celebration.
Also at the event was Cynthia Simien, director of Music Matters. She is spearheading an effort to create a Cajun and zydeco music category at the 44th annual Grammy Awards.
"Cajun and zydeco entries are currently a part of the traditional and contemporary folk section, which has become a catch all for everyone from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash," she said.
Simien's husband is zydeco artist Terrance Simien.
Davis not only got to visit with Simien and found out what is being done to expand the prominence of zydeco music nationwide, she also had the opportunity to hear from Mona Kennerson of the Southern Development Foundation, which organizes the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival held in Plaisance.
"We want to support other organizations who are promoting our culture. It takes everyone to preserve the zydeco culture," Kennerson said.
This year the festival will be the weekend of Aug. 30.
Rod Sias from ZydecoOnline.com was also on hand to introduce those who attended this year's celebration to his Internet page, which goes live Aug. 28.
The sounds of zydeco also drew Lottie Beebe and her husband Rick Pearson from Breaux Bridge.
Beebe said she met the performing artist last week in her home town and followed Fields to Opelousas.
"We like what we heard and we wanted to hear it again," she said.
Husband Rick Pearson said, "I like the rhythm. This music has a lively beat and it is unique to this area."
Beebe and Pearson visited with their friend Elijah Murphy from Washington.
Murphy said he also grew up on zydeco music.
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