Zydeco Breakfast Returns for Eighth Year
Goldman Thibodeaux and Guyland Leday
headline 2009 Zydeco Breakfast!
August 16, 2009
By William Johnson
The Daily World Newspaper
Two Generations of Zydeco Musicians come together with Guyland Leday and the Zydeco Family and Friends and Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys headline this year's Zydeco Breakfast in Opelousas Louisiana. (photo credit: CajunZydecoPhotos)
It is zydeco season again and Opelousas, which bills itself as the Zydeco Music Capital of the World, is going all out September 5, 2009 to celebrate the music that keeps the city dancing.
That morning, as part of the city's eighth annual Zydeco Breakfast, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys and Guyland Leday & Zydeco Family and Friends will put on a free concert under the oaks on Courthouse Square from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"The city of Opelousas is proud to host this cultural event that sets the tone for the day of the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival," said Opelousas Mayor Donald Cravins Sr. "The Zydeco Breakfast offers a unique way to spend a Saturday morning surrounded by good music, good food and a great atmosphere."
Opelousas Tourism Director Melanie Lee said the city is hosting two bands rather than the usual one this year to echo the theme of this year's festival, which kicks off in Plaisance later that day.
"This year's festival theme is 'La Musique De Zydeco eait Salé' — meaning 'Zydeco music is salty,' " Lee said.
The term zydeco comes from English speakers trying to pronounce Les Haricots Sont Pas Salés, one of Clifton Chenier's early hits.
That phrase, which translates as "the snap beans aren't salty," refers to times so rough that a family couldn't afford to buy a small piece of salted pork to flavor their beans.
Lena Charles with the festival said this year's salty theme is a tribute to zydeco finally coming of age.
"We now have our third and fourth generation of zydeco musicians performing," Charles said.
Lee said Thibodeaux and Leday are living examples of that longevity. Leday is only 11, but already an nationally recognized star. Thibodeaux, on the other hand, represents this area's original Lala music tradition, which gave birth to zydeco.
For the breakfast, along with great music, Lee said businesses in the downtown area will feature special breakfast items for sale and drawings for Zydeco festival T-shirts and festival passes will be held.
In addition, this year's king and queen of the 27th annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival will be on hand to welcome visitors to the city.
Lee encouraged people to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment.
"Our downtown is beautiful, and the historic oaks on Courthouse Square create a relaxed and charming setting," she said.
This year's Zydeco Breakfast is being sponsored by the city of Opelousas and the city's Main Street Committee.
For more information about the breakfast, call 948-5227 or go to at www.cityofopelousas.com.
For more information about the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, go to www.zydeco.org.
Goldman Thibodeaux and Guyland Leday
headline 2009 Zydeco Breakfast!
August 16, 2009
By William Johnson
The Daily World Newspaper
It is zydeco season again and Opelousas, which bills itself as the Zydeco Music Capital of the World, is going all out September 5, 2009 to celebrate the music that keeps the city dancing.
That morning, as part of the city's eighth annual Zydeco Breakfast, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys and Guyland Leday & Zydeco Family and Friends will put on a free concert under the oaks on Courthouse Square from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"The city of Opelousas is proud to host this cultural event that sets the tone for the day of the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival," said Opelousas Mayor Donald Cravins Sr. "The Zydeco Breakfast offers a unique way to spend a Saturday morning surrounded by good music, good food and a great atmosphere."
Opelousas Tourism Director Melanie Lee said the city is hosting two bands rather than the usual one this year to echo the theme of this year's festival, which kicks off in Plaisance later that day.
Goldman Thibodeaux (accordion) and the late Zydeco Joe Mouton (rubboard)
"This year's festival theme is 'La Musique De Zydeco eait Salé' — meaning 'Zydeco music is salty,' " Lee said.
The term zydeco comes from English speakers trying to pronounce Les Haricots Sont Pas Salés, one of Clifton Chenier's early hits.
That phrase, which translates as "the snap beans aren't salty," refers to times so rough that a family couldn't afford to buy a small piece of salted pork to flavor their beans.
Lena Charles with the festival said this year's salty theme is a tribute to zydeco finally coming of age.
"We now have our third and fourth generation of zydeco musicians performing," Charles said.
Lee said Thibodeaux and Leday are living examples of that longevity. Leday is only 11, but already an nationally recognized star. Thibodeaux, on the other hand, represents this area's original Lala music tradition, which gave birth to zydeco.
Guyland Leday
For the breakfast, along with great music, Lee said businesses in the downtown area will feature special breakfast items for sale and drawings for Zydeco festival T-shirts and festival passes will be held.
In addition, this year's king and queen of the 27th annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival will be on hand to welcome visitors to the city.
Lee encouraged people to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment.
"Our downtown is beautiful, and the historic oaks on Courthouse Square create a relaxed and charming setting," she said.
This year's Zydeco Breakfast is being sponsored by the city of Opelousas and the city's Main Street Committee.
For more information about the breakfast, call 948-5227 or go to at www.cityofopelousas.com.
For more information about the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, go to www.zydeco.org.
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