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
10 Feb 2023

Student Arts Expo

2023-07-21T12:10:06-05:00

Acadiana Center for the Arts announces its latest expansion of programming with an all-new St. Landry Parish Student Arts and STEAM festival on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 10am-3pm, at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Opelousas.

The free festival is a celebration of student-artists in all artistic disciplines from every corner of St. Landry Parish. The event features outdoor performances from school bands, choirs, and performance classes, art exhibitions in businesses and outdoors, hands-on art activities for families, and a student artist market where you can purchase original artwork and crafts directly from the artist.

A live spoken word competition Poetry Out Loud will take place at the Delta Grand Theatre, featuring a juried panel and competing student poets from across the state. The winner of the competition will go on to participate in the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington, DC in May.

“AcA fills an important gap in St. Landry Parish schools by ensuring that every student has access to elevating and eye-opening experiences in the arts throughout their time in school,” said AcA Executive Director Samuel Oliver. “This event is a celebration of AcA’s partnership with the St. Landry Parish School Board, which has flourished over the past 5 years and benefitted every student and school in the parish.”

“It is well documented that key factors in education are significantly impacted by arts programs like ours: social and emotional development, building important skills like creativity and communication, and simple reductions in truancy because young people are much more eager to engage in positive
learning experiences in the arts,” said St. Landry Parish Superintendent Patrick Jenkins.

Student Arts Expo in Opelousas is a partnership between Acadiana Center for the Arts and St Landry Parish School Board with support from Opelousas Main Street, Opelousas Downtown Development District and St. Landry Parish Tourism.

Find more information and a detailed schedule and map of the activities at AcA’s website.

About AcA

As the community leader in arts and culture, the Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) serves to bring elevating arts experiences to the people of Acadiana through many approaches including holding public concerts, presenting art exhibitions, providing grants to artists and cultural organizations, and bringing artists into schools across the region. AcA brings equitable access to the arts through year-round education and outreach activities and aims to build a more sustainable cultural ecosystem for future generations in Acadiana.

Student Arts Expo2023-07-21T12:10:06-05:00
1 Feb 2023

Meander Mindset Reception & Book Release

2023-02-01T11:58:38-06:00

In partnership with The Acadiana Center for the Arts, the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center located just outside Opelousas opens its doors for ArtSpark grant recipients to display their work in dynamic exhibits.

On display throughout the month of February is Kristie Cornell and Marla Kristicevich’s project Meander Mindset: Bayou Teche. The project is the culmination of these two artists’ efforts to create a conversation between people and the environment through the exploration of waterways. Together they meandered the Teche collecting organic samples, and making photographs, textural rubbings, audio recordings, and eco sculptures along the waterway. These collected materials and works create a visual narrative of the artists’ findings and encourage the viewer to reevaluate their connection to the natural world and to take the time to observe and appreciate their surroundings.

February 25th at 1 pm, is your chance to meet Kristie Cornell and Marla Kristicevich right here at the center. The reception will also serve as their book release party for the publication printed in conjunction with their exhibit.

Meander Mindset, Opelousas, Louisiana
Meander Mindset, Opelousas, Louisiana
Meander Mindset, Opelousas, Louisiana
Meander Mindset Reception & Book Release2023-02-01T11:58:38-06:00
12 Jan 2023

Zydeco Dance Lessons

2024-02-06T13:31:34-06:00

Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas is hosting free zydeco dance lessons led by the Zydeco Ballers dance group. All you need is one hour with an instructor to learn a few moves, then you’re ready for live concerts at local festivals or zydeco dance halls.

Zydeco is a genre of music that became popular in the 80’s by legendary Louisiana artists such as Clifton Chenier and Terrance Simien, both natives of St. Landry Parish. Opelousas, Louisiana is the Zydeco Music Capital of the World and is widely known for its famous dance halls, clubs, and zydeco trail rides.

Zydeco Dance Lessons2024-02-06T13:31:34-06:00
5 Jan 2023

Life Drawing at NUNU

2023-10-03T14:06:58-05:00

NUNU’s Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville is the go-to destination for creatives in the area. They have plenty of workshops and cultural tables throughout the month. Every Tuesday, they offer Life Drawing Sessions from 6pm-8:30pm where you can study the anatomy of the human form from live models, a subject that has inspired artists for millennia.

NUNU members get to use the space for free, but non-members are required to pay a $10 facility usage fee. Members and Non-members must pay a $10 fee directly to the model.

Life Drawing at NUNU2023-10-03T14:06:58-05:00

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)

Privacy Policy  |  Copyright St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission  |  Fraud Report
Go to Top