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5 Sep 2023

Acadiana Fibershed Meeting

2023-09-22T16:26:12-05:00

Acadiana Fibershed and Acadian Brown Cotton invite growers, artisans, and textile lovers of all kinds to meet on Saturday, October 7 from 1pm–5pm at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center located just outside of Opelousas at 1-49, Exit 23.

This nonprofit group is comprised of farmers, fashion activists, and makers developing regional regenerative fiber systems that rebuild the soil and are paving the way for a new textile economy.

This event is open for the public to attend and see demonstrations and exhibits featuring cotton, wool, angora, hemp, roselle, and natural dye plants.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Weaving       Suzanne Chaillot Breaux

Spinning      Darcy Fabre

Mending      Meagan Phipps

Botanical     Eliza Wapner

Dying            Rebecca Baker

Crochet        Emma Guidry

VENDORS

Jan Williams                                   Homegrown/made soap          

Ultima’s Nest                                  Botanical dyed clothing, vintage jewelry

Eliza Wapner                                  Botanical dyed clothing

Suzanne Chaillot Breaux              Fiber art, handwoven scarves and runners

Jennie Lallande                             Roselle Hibiscus products

Joan Musemeche                         Acadian Brown Cotton towels, napkins

Acadian Brown Cotton               Posters, pins, yarn, roving, DVD ABC documentary film

PRESENTERS

Sharon Gordon                              Donnan Acadiana Fibershed

Devin Wright                                 Farm Bill Sproutnola

Jennie Lallande                             Regenerative Agriculture

Jordon Masters                             Micro mill video

Samii Kennedy-Benson               USDA Grant for feminine hygiene products

Ph.d Southern University

Darcy Fabre                                    Weaving ABC video clip

Meagan Phipps                              Mending

Eliza Wapner                                 Using  natural dyes

Rebecca Baker                               Growing and using natural dyes

Clementine Cooper                      New programs at Sacred Heart Academy

Randon Dufrene                           Small farmers recruitment

Suzanne Chaillot Breaux           Fundraiser and Auction

Acadiana Fibershed Meeting2023-09-22T16:26:12-05:00
18 Aug 2023

Louisiana Boil Meat Festival

2023-09-25T14:45:40-05:00

Get ready for the Louisiana Boil Meat Festival taking place on Saturday, October 21st this fall at the Yambilee AG Arena in Opelousas. It’s your chance to taste delicious boiled meat dishes enhanced with Louisiana Cajun and Creole spices. There’s more to do at this festival than just eat. Shop vendors and dance to zydeco music in the place where the iconic genre was born. If your dance moves make the cut, you could even win a trophy for best zydeco solo dancer or couple.

Live music performers include Marcellus the Singer, Cam’Ron Ballou & Darker Shades of Zydeco, Koray Broussard & Z-Unit Zydeco, Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames, and Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers. You’ll also hear beats from DJ Byron and DJ Sypho.

Talented chefs and vendors will be serving up a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including crawfish, shrimp, crab, and more. For those who want to compete, the entry fee is $250. The food will be judged on cleanliness, presentation, time, unique flavors, most liked, 10/10 rating review, and professionalism. 1st prize is $1000, 2nd prize is $500, and 3rd prize is $250. For vendor and contest information call 985-662-1053.

Not only will the top 3 cook-off winners get a trophy, but the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl and the furthest traveled.

Gates open at 11am, but it’s recommended that you get there early. Tickets are $30 at the gate, but kids 12 & under get in free. You can get your tickets early here.

Stay for the weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Opelousas for a special rate. See other accommodations here.

Louisiana Boil Meat Festival2023-09-25T14:45:40-05:00
16 Jun 2023

Tribute to Clifton Chenier

2024-06-05T15:09:26-05:00

On Saturday, June 22, St. Landry Parish Tourism and the Opelousas Museum pay tribute to Clifton Chenier through art and music.  A larger-than-life cutout image of Clifton Chenier will be unveiled, designed by Opelousas Artist Theon Guillory.  The June Zydeco Jam for Clifton Chenier will be led by CJ Chenier, known as the Crown Prince of Zydeco and son of Clifton Chenier.  The free-to-attend tribute is part of the St. Landry Parish Zydeco Capital Jam, monthly jam sessions open to players of all skill levels.  This year, the celebration takes place at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St., Opelousas, LA 70570

In 2000, the Louisiana State Legislature designated Chenier’s hometown of Opelousas as the Zydeco Music Capital of the World. In 2021, June 25 was declared Clifton Chenier Day in the state by the Louisiana state legislature.  Chenier, the “King of Zydeco” who won a Grammy in 1983 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, was born June 25, 1925, near Opelousas.  His hard-driving, ground-breaking style of zydeco music is celebrated worldwide.

Chenier’s son, C.J. joined his father’s band on his 21st birthday.  When Clifton died in 1987 his son, C.J., adopted the Red Hot Louisiana Band and recorded his debut album for Arhoolie Records.  C.J. Chenier has won many awards for his music including multiple Grammy nominations.

Artist Theon Guillory’s designs were highlighted in Opelousas Main Street’s Fiddle Mania public art exhibit in 2012.  For two years he was named the winner of The Daily Advertiser’s Mardi Gras Cover and was later selected as the poster artist for Games of Acadiana.

Sponsored by St. Landry Parish Tourism, this event takes place at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St., Opelousas, LA 70570.  FMI: Patrice Melnick 337-948-2589; museum@cityofopelousas.com

Tribute to Clifton Chenier2024-06-05T15:09:26-05:00
2 May 2023

Music at the Depot

2024-04-01T11:00:49-05:00

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, an arm of the Jean Lafitte National Park Service, hosts Music at the Museum, a live music series taking place at the Eunice Depot Museum. Dance to live Cajun music with Eunice’s charming museum filled with exhibits and artifacts depicting the lifestyles of early settlers as a backdrop.

On April 13 from 1pm-2pm, Moi, Toi et Lui will perform live.

This is a free event sponsored by the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center.

Music at the Depot2024-04-01T11:00:49-05:00
29 Mar 2023

Oprhan Train Documentary Screening

2023-04-19T13:27:59-05:00

On Wednesday, May 3 at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas, a special screening of “Louisiana Orphan Trains – The Untold Story” will take place. This highly-anticipated mini-documentary tells the story of the historical Orphan Train Movement which made its way across America and eventually Louisiana between 1873 and 1929. The showing also includes a 2-minute French video.

This event is free to the public and includes a complimentary plate of jambalaya.

Oprhan Train Documentary Screening2023-04-19T13:27:59-05:00
7 Mar 2023

Live & Local in St. Landry

2023-04-26T10:32:51-05:00

St. Landry Parish Government hosts “Live & Local in St. Landry” a monthly music concert series taking place at the Yambilee Ag Arena in Opelousas. On Saturday, May 19 at 9 pm with local zydeco bands Leon Chavis & Zydeco Flames and Mike Broussard & Nu’Edition Zydeco.

This series is a way to promote the musicians and culture that make St. Landry Parish special. Tickets are $10.

Live & Local in St. Landry2023-04-26T10:32:51-05:00
3 Mar 2023

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Presentations

2023-04-19T13:48:47-05:00

In celebration of the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center‘s newest exhibit, Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish, a series of presentations will be held at the museum on Saturday, April 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The presenters will provide in-depth information on the exhibit.

The presentations include:

  • The Life and Times of Martin Donato, Etha Simien Amling
  • History of St Ann Catholic Church in Mallet: 1856 to the present, Vivian Broussard Guillory
  • Origins of Free People of Color, Alex Lee
“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Presentations2023-04-19T13:48:47-05:00
3 Mar 2023

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Unveiling

2023-03-23T11:52:10-05:00

On Thursday, March 30, the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center will host a reception to unveil their new permanent exhibit, Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish. The scholars who created the exhibit will give brief presentations as visitors enjoy the display. The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Landry Parish had the second largest population of Free People of Color in Louisiana, outside of New Orleans. This community shaped culture, economy and other aspects of the region in the pre-Civil War era. Through images, text, maps and a timeline, the display will describe lifestyle, trades and culture of Free People of Color from the 1700s to the present. The exhibit also explores how despite a precarious situation—free but with social restrictions—they thrived, leaving a legacy that echoes in our lives today.

In addition to the unveiling, on Saturday, April 1 there will be a series of presentations by the scholars who helped create the exhibit. Learn more about that event here.

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Unveiling2023-03-23T11:52:10-05:00
1 Mar 2023

Creole discussion led by Charles Larroque

2023-03-23T11:34:24-05:00

This Créole, dans tous ses états or Creole discussion will be held at Saint-Luc French Immersion Campus in Arnaudville and led by Charles Larroque, a bilingual freelance writer and educator specializing in foreign languages and social studies.

The public is invited to pick the brains of a distinguished panel of guest speakers including John Lafleur, Oliver Mayeux, Paul Cluse, and others at this free event.

Sponsored by Rotary Opelousas Sunrise and Saint-Luc Satellite Club.

Creole discussion led by Charles Larroque2023-03-23T11:34:24-05:00
10 Feb 2023

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie

2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00

The Cajun Prairie Society is hosting their very own boucherie on Saturday, March 18th starting at 9am with the festivities continuing into the next day.

Patrons that join in for both days will have the opportunity to be involved in the entire process from harvesting to cooking. Living through these authentic traditional activities lends you a better appreciation of the sacrifice that farmers and their livestock give every day.

For those coming only on Sunday, you will see the processing and complex array of dishes prepared with the meat from the freshly harvested pig. Live music, food, and drink will be provided for the celebration. The activities will start in the morning and cooking will continue all day with dishes prepared for lunch and throughout the afternoon and evening.

A boucherie is a community coming together to harvest an animal. Due to the intensive labor involved in whole animal butchering, a farmer would call upon friends, family, and neighbors to assist in the task. This day of work turns into a celebration, with plenty of food, music, and spirits to go around. No one went home hungry or empty-handed. With the lack of refrigeration, this was the only time that fresh meat could be consumed. Most of the meat butchered at a boucherie was processed with the intent of preservation, with the understanding that not a single aspect of the sacrificed beast would be wasted. These are the core fundamentals of Cajun cuisine. Boudin and boudin noir, gratons, fraisseurs, saucisse de voile, backbone fricasse, head cheese, tasso, chaudin, panse and saucisse de graisse are all products of this philosophy.

Tent camping spots are available.

General Admission tickets for both days are $100 or $75 for Cajun Prairie Society Members. Sunday-only tickets are $30. To purchase discounted tickets for ‘Cajun Prairie Society members’ please visit www.CajunPrairie.org and sign up for a membership before purchasing a member ticket.

Funds raised from this event will go to a Cajun Prairie documentary that is currently under production. Participation in this event will directly help the goals of the Cajun Prairie Society in their efforts to preserve, manage and teach about the native prairie of the region.

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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