Zydeco Festival Returns For Its 31st Year
Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
Takes Place On Saturday, August 31, 2013 in
Plaisance, Louisiana!
August 17, 2013
by William Johnson
Daily World Newspaper
It is zydeco season again in St. Landry Parish, birthplace of the music that is now heard around the world.
Events began this Saturday with the annual Zydeco King and Queen Ball in the Delta Grand Theatre and will conclude with the big event — the 31st Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance Aug. 31.
In between are a numerous special events including the Zydeco Festival Kick-Off Dance at Slim’s Y-KiKi and then the 11th Annual Zydeco Breakfast in Opelousas on the morning of the festival.
The big Labor Day weekend will begin with the traditional kick-off dance Aug. 30, at Slim’s Y-KiKi, 8393 La. 182, in Opelousas. The dance, featuring Jamie Bergeron and Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, will start about 9 p.m. and continue into the night. Admission is $10.
On Saturday, zydeco lovers will have a change to get a hardy breakfast while listening to the music of Lil Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations on Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Amisha Arceneaux with Opelousas Tourism, which is hosting the event with Opelousas Main Street, said the music is free and downtown businesses will feature an assortment of breakfast menu items for sale from Bloody Marys and coffee to Clifton Chenier casseroles and pancakes. Taking part this year are Java Square, the Back in Time Restaurant, the Palace Café, Dairy Queen and The Brass Rail.
“People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment in a relaxed and charming setting under the oaks in the heart of downtown Opelousas, the Zydeco Capital of the World,” Arceneaux said.
The festival itself will kickoff at noon in Zydeco Park on La. 167 in Plaisance community.
Pre-sale tickets are $8 and admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Charles said groups of 10 or more can get in for $8 per person and RVs are welcome with a $10 permit fee.
This year small ice chests are welcome, though glass containers are forbidden.
“We are again celebrating the oldest Zydeco Festival in the state of Louisiana, taking you back to the heart and roots of where zydeco music originated,” Charles said.
She said this year’s festival will feature representatives from all of southwest Louisiana’s homegrown styles of music.
“We are offering 12 bands in 13 hours,” Charles said.
There will be plenty of zydeco from greats such as Grammy Winner Chubby Carrier, Step Rideaux, JJ Caillier, Leon Chavis and Lit Nat.
But this year there will also be Swamp Pop from Grammy Winner Wayne Toups, Swing by Tucka, the King of Swing, and Southern Soul by Jeff Floyd and Patrick Henry.
New this year will be Cajun music from performers Travis Matte and Jamie Bergeron.
“We are celebrating all of our music. It varies from area to area and tradition from tradition, but it all comes from the same roots,” Charles said. “The music speaks to the heart and soul of a people still connected to their land and culture.”
Helping to get everyone in the mood to dance the day away will be the Zydeco Cow Girls, a social and mentoring group for young women.
She said the festival this year will also feature a number of new attractions, including a zydeco mini-trail ride.
“We are doing this in place of our usual parade. People are invited to bring their horses and party wagons,” Charles said. The ride will line up at noon in Zydeco Park and leaves at 1 p.m.
“We will also have a black pot cook off, dance contest, Creole foods and lots fun for the kids,” Charles said.
The black pot cook off will be judged at 3 p.m. on the festival grounds, with the grand prize winner receiving a $100 prize. “We know a lot of men always have their special recipes,” Charles said. For those who want to get an early start, she said the gates will open at 8 a.m.
And, as usual, she said the festival will feature the best in Creole food for sale along with various beverages throughout the day.
“We will have jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried turkey wings, fried pig tails, boudin, cracklins, seafood and even alligator on the stick. Sweet potato pies, pralines and other sweets are also available,” Charles said.
“Come out and celebrate the music, fall in love with zydeco all over again,” Charles said. “Let’s bring it back to zydeco’s roots. “
For more information, call (337) 290-8048 or (337)942-2392 or visit www.zydeco.org
Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
Takes Place On Saturday, August 31, 2013 in
Plaisance, Louisiana!
August 17, 2013
by William Johnson
Daily World Newspaper
 |
Past Zydeco Festival Queen Mona Broussard dancesat the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival.
(photo credit: Freddie Herpin)
|
Events began this Saturday with the annual Zydeco King and Queen Ball in the Delta Grand Theatre and will conclude with the big event — the 31st Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance Aug. 31.
In between are a numerous special events including the Zydeco Festival Kick-Off Dance at Slim’s Y-KiKi and then the 11th Annual Zydeco Breakfast in Opelousas on the morning of the festival.
The big Labor Day weekend will begin with the traditional kick-off dance Aug. 30, at Slim’s Y-KiKi, 8393 La. 182, in Opelousas. The dance, featuring Jamie Bergeron and Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, will start about 9 p.m. and continue into the night. Admission is $10.
On Saturday, zydeco lovers will have a change to get a hardy breakfast while listening to the music of Lil Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations on Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Amisha Arceneaux with Opelousas Tourism, which is hosting the event with Opelousas Main Street, said the music is free and downtown businesses will feature an assortment of breakfast menu items for sale from Bloody Marys and coffee to Clifton Chenier casseroles and pancakes. Taking part this year are Java Square, the Back in Time Restaurant, the Palace Café, Dairy Queen and The Brass Rail.
“People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment in a relaxed and charming setting under the oaks in the heart of downtown Opelousas, the Zydeco Capital of the World,” Arceneaux said.
The festival itself will kickoff at noon in Zydeco Park on La. 167 in Plaisance community.
Pre-sale tickets are $8 and admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Charles said groups of 10 or more can get in for $8 per person and RVs are welcome with a $10 permit fee.
This year small ice chests are welcome, though glass containers are forbidden.
“We are again celebrating the oldest Zydeco Festival in the state of Louisiana, taking you back to the heart and roots of where zydeco music originated,” Charles said.
She said this year’s festival will feature representatives from all of southwest Louisiana’s homegrown styles of music.
“We are offering 12 bands in 13 hours,” Charles said.
There will be plenty of zydeco from greats such as Grammy Winner Chubby Carrier, Step Rideaux, JJ Caillier, Leon Chavis and Lit Nat.
But this year there will also be Swamp Pop from Grammy Winner Wayne Toups, Swing by Tucka, the King of Swing, and Southern Soul by Jeff Floyd and Patrick Henry.
New this year will be Cajun music from performers Travis Matte and Jamie Bergeron.
“We are celebrating all of our music. It varies from area to area and tradition from tradition, but it all comes from the same roots,” Charles said. “The music speaks to the heart and soul of a people still connected to their land and culture.”
Helping to get everyone in the mood to dance the day away will be the Zydeco Cow Girls, a social and mentoring group for young women.
She said the festival this year will also feature a number of new attractions, including a zydeco mini-trail ride.
“We are doing this in place of our usual parade. People are invited to bring their horses and party wagons,” Charles said. The ride will line up at noon in Zydeco Park and leaves at 1 p.m.
“We will also have a black pot cook off, dance contest, Creole foods and lots fun for the kids,” Charles said.
The black pot cook off will be judged at 3 p.m. on the festival grounds, with the grand prize winner receiving a $100 prize. “We know a lot of men always have their special recipes,” Charles said. For those who want to get an early start, she said the gates will open at 8 a.m.
And, as usual, she said the festival will feature the best in Creole food for sale along with various beverages throughout the day.
“We will have jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried turkey wings, fried pig tails, boudin, cracklins, seafood and even alligator on the stick. Sweet potato pies, pralines and other sweets are also available,” Charles said.
“Come out and celebrate the music, fall in love with zydeco all over again,” Charles said. “Let’s bring it back to zydeco’s roots. “
For more information, call (337) 290-8048 or (337)942-2392 or visit www.zydeco.org
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