In honor of Black History Month, the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center will feature South Louisiana artwork by local artists, such as Larry "Kip" Hayes and Agnes St. Amand. The museum is located at 315 North Main Street in Opelousas and is open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm. Free admission. Groups by appointment please. (337) 948-2589 or www.cityofopelousas.com

 

Please join Louisiana State University at Eunice for their Big Read during February 22-April 17, 2010. A complete schedule of events can be found on their website: www.lsue.edu/thebigread or by calling (337) 550-1380.  On April 16 at 12 noon at the LSUE LeDoux Library in the Louisiana Room, Tim Hamilton (artist) will share his expertise and experience in translating one of the world's most famous pieces of literature in to a 2009 adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 & he will also discuss during a closing lecture on April 17 at 10 am in celebration of LSUE's Community Day. All of the Big Read events will take place at the LeDoux Library on the LSUE Campus.

Visit Casa Azul at 232 MLK Drive in Grand Coteau for an evening of story/poetry readings beginning at 7 pm. Free black beans & rice served. Free admission. (337) 662-1032 or www.casaazul.homestead.com.   

                                                                                                                                                                                     March 4 - Literary reading with Daniel T. Smith & Holly Schullo, Open Mic follows, 7pm, Free Community Event
March 25-Literary reading with Tracey & Ken Elliott
April 15-National Poetry Month event-Clare Martin & Lana Wiggins
May 27-Nicole Poret (poetry)

Garden vegetables and home-made products are offered at The Sunset Market & Auction House, 151 B. Leon Richard Road in Sunset. Vendor space also available. Friday 1-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-4 PM and Sunday 12-4 PM. (337) 212-2091.

Every Saturday night, live music and dancing is hosted in Cajun French including a discussion of Cajun culture and history. 6-7:30 pm at the Liberty Theatre, 200 West Park Avenue. Visit the Jean Lafitte Prairie Acadian Cultural Center located behind the theatre, every Saturday from 3-5 pm for live cooking and music demos. The music demonstration features musicians who will be performing at the Liberty that evening.  Admission for show. (337) 457-7389 or www.eunice-la.com

January 2-The 10th Annual Tribute to Hank Williams, Sr. ($13 tickets)
January 9-Lovesick Blues: An Evening with Hank Williams, Sr. ($12 tickets)
January 16-Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys; Acadien with Ryan Simon
January 23-Cory Ledet & his Zydeco Band; Kyle Huval & Dixie Club Ramblers
January 30-Jackie Callier, Ivy Dugas & Cajun Cousins
February 6-Aaron Chesson & Bayou Heat/ Howard Noel, Jr. & Cajun Boogie
February 13-Mardi Gras Show with special guests with Jambalaya Cajun Band, Basile Mardi Gras Association & Georgie Manuel
Februray 20-Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sound; Low Maintenance with Drew Simon
February 27-Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band; Ryan Brunet & Les Malfecteurs

This art workshop is for children from 2-4 pm at the Arnaudville Town Market, 1013 Neblet (Hwy. 31). Fee of $8 per child for supplies and a snack. Sponsored by the Frederick l'Ecole des Arts. Please call ahead. (337) 523-5832 or www.townmarket.homestead.com

Every Sunday from 1-3 PM, an organic jam session provides a platform for musical artists. Food and iced tea served by donation. Tom's Fiddles is located at 204 Fuselier Road in Arnaudville.  (337) 754-5528.

Join the Opelousas Little Theatre for their performance of Jekyll & Hyde. These performances will be featured at the newly renovated Delta Grand Theatre, 120 North Market Street in Opelousas. Dana Reed & Duncan McBride will be co-directing. Mr. Hyde's cruel world of self, and life for those around hiim, is changed forever. Come on this unusual journey to a time in the 1880's and forget everything around you. Show times at 7 pm and at 2 pm on March 14 & 21 only. Tickets-$10 at the door or at Sebastien-Dupre Jewelry located at 822 South Main Street in Opelousas or (337) 948-4367.

The Washington Garden Club is hosting this event with a Division I (horticulture) show open to public entries by adult gardeners accepted between 8-10 am. The show will open for public viewing between 2-4 pm. (337) 826-7131 or www.washingtongardenclub.org.

Come out and support this annual event as the St. Hubert Benevolent Society raises moey for the Dr. John Ferrazano Memorial Scholarship fund. Festivities include a rabbit cook-off, live music, fun jumps for the children and a BB gun shooting contest. Willie's Campground, Hwy. 10 North in Washington will host this event. 10 am-5 pm. (337) 948-4362.

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us at Nunu's in Arnaudville. The evening will feature a dance performance by the Ryan School of Irish Dance and musical performances by members of Celjin, Drowsy Maggie, Farouche and their friends.

This is a Family Friendly event full of Irish Culture!

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 7:00pm

WHERE: Nunu's Town Market, 1013 Neblet St., Arnaudville

ADMISSION: Adults: $5, Kids12 and under: FREE

Sponsored by Frederick l'Ecole des Arts & Town Market

CONTACT: 337-754-9898

Steven Barney (Farouche): FaroucheBand@yahoo.com

Tony Davoren (Celjin): tonydavoren@mac.com

Sheila Ryan (Ryan School of Irish Dance) Shenryan@aol.com

The 11th Annual Catfish Festival will take place at the Town ballpark on Veterans Memorial Blvd. Festival events begin on the Thursday evening with great live music and continues thru Sunday. There will be plenty of booths with food and crafts, and of course, antiquing is encouraged! Parade on Saturday. Catfish Cook-off on Sunday at 8 am. Admission. Thursday 6 pm-until; Friday 6 pm-until; Saturday 9 am-until and Sunday 8 am-until. www.townofwashingtonla.org or (337) 826-3627.

"If you can't bring a dish....just bring your fork!" Join Arnaudville for a themed-potluck and live music jam session on the third Friday of every month at Arnaudville Town Market, 1013 Neblet (Hwy. 31) in Arnaudville, unless otherwise noted. (337) 754-9898.

Expect great food, fun & terrific treasures to buy and sell! Great opportunity to clear out your garage. Look for the red balloons along Hwy. 93 East between Arnaudville and Grand Coteau. 7 am-4 pm. (337) 754-5316.

The Academy of the Sacred Heart will hold its annual Family Conge beginning at 8 am with the "Course du Conge," a 5K race that begins & ends at the Academy grounds. Family events begin at 10 am, including children's games & recreation (rock climbing wall, an obstacle course & parachute drop), two food courts, silent auction and live, Cajun music.  A car and truck show featuring antique & classic model cars will be on display during the day. Professional photos by Allen Breaux Studios will also be available beginning at 10 am.

The 2nd Annual Conge Volleyball Tournamet at Volley Beach will be held on Saturday, beginning at 9 am. Check-in begins at 8:30 am.

Free admission & parking. Events will take place from 10 am-4 pm at the Academy of the Sacred Heart Campus, 1821 Academy Road in Grand Coteau. (337) 662-5275 or www.sshcoteau.org.

The LSUE Performing Arts Series presents Dr. Tom, a keyboardist/vocalist/raconteur. He never performs the same show twice! 6:30 pm. Tickets: Adults-$5 and Students-$3. Event will take place at the LSUE Campus, Health Technology Auditorium. (337) 457-1510 or www.lsue.edu.

Visitors can practice their Creole-Cajun French while enjoying coffee, pastries and company from 9 AM-12 PM on the last Saturday of every month at Arnaudville Town Market, located at 1013 Neblet (Hwy. 31) in Arnaudville. (337) 754-7724.

Come spend the morning with artist, John Geldersma, to create your Spirit Pole. Geldersma will discuss his creative process and will give a brief description. This will be folowed by hands-on activities for participants. learn to appreciate the character of reclaimed wood as you shape it into a work of art. Participants need to bring a 1 to 3 foot pole, acrylic paint and paint brushes. Observers welcome, also.

Date/Time: Sunday, March 27th, 9:00am - Noon.

Tuition: $50. Free for students

Where: Town Market Rural Arts Center, Arnaudville

Contact: Patrice Melnick, 337-662-1032

Geldersma works primarily in wood and has produced a wide array of pieces in archetypal forms from his hanging "Shamans" to mandala-like totemic sculpture termed "Spirit Poles." He is perhaps best known for these latter, inspired by primitive fetishes, various trans-historic ritualistic geometric designs and the vibrant cultural milieu of his native southwestern Louisiana. The artist has cited his early immersion in the intersection of such divergent cultures as French, Spanish, African-American, Caribbean, Anglo-Saxon and Native American as a major influence on his art.

Enjoy live music and great food every month at Arnaudville Town Market, 1013 Neblet (Hwy. 31) from 12-2 pm. (337) 754-9898 or www.townmarket.homestead.com

Sample some of the best etouffee around in the City of Eunice as teams vie for the title of World Champion. Cajun music will be featured during this annual cook-off held at the Northwest Pavilion, 651 Samuel Drive. Fun for the entire family from 11 am-5 pm. Fun jumps & arts & crafts for the children, as well as additonal food & desserts.  Winners will be announced at 2:30 pm. Free admission. (337) 457-7389.

 

Grab a cup of coffee and share conversation and fun with other French speakers at Kajeune's, 2979 South Union Street, in Opelousas. 7:30-8:30 AM on the last Wednesday of every month. (337) 948-5227.