Opelousas, Louisiana is the cradle of zydeco music and St. Landry Parish is home to many weekly music shows. Now, you can enjoy live music on Friday nights at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino as well. Head to Mojo’s Restaurant to experience local music as they perform in person. Check out their entertainment calendar to see who’s performing including some of your favorite zydeco bands. Admission is free.
This Summer, enjoy a relaxing beach bandstand at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. Grab one of their delicious cocktails and enjoy live music with chill vibes by the water. Performances last from 5:30pm-7:30pm and will continue to be on the beach every Thursday in June.
On October 29th, head to La Casetta at the Farm in Melville, Louisiana for an unforgettable concert. Check out James McCann, Taylor McCann, and Northbound Drifters as they perform on the sprawling and secluded grounds of the hunting lodge turned event venue.
Opt in for the 1 hour tour to see their sugarcane, cattle, and grain operations from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Immediately following will be the concert that’ll continue until 7:30 pm.
Heartland Tours’ is hosting this event as part of their Louisiana Farm Tour this fall. If you don’t want the full three-night tour of the agriculture industry in Louisiana, you can still have fun by hopping in at La Casetta on Saturday for the concert for only $30 per ticket. Stay tuned to their Facebook Page for ticket information.
Every Saturday you can enjoy live music right along the Atchafalaya River at Riverside RV Resort in Krotz Springs, Louisiana. Performances range from your favorite Cajun music bands to country and even Zydeco. Where else can you dance the night away to traditional Louisiana music with a stunning view of the river.
Check their Facebook to see who’s playing or for time changes.
Mardi Gras in Lebeau is a lot like other rural celebrations across St. Landry Parish with a few distinguishing qualities. At 1pm, the parade starts marching down Hwy 10 with a procession of cars, trucks, and floats. You know you’re in Lebeau when horses, 4-wheelers, side by sides, golf carts, and more festive vehicles and equines pass by as well.
What sets Lebeau’s Mardi Gras run apart from other courirs is the inclusion of a greased pig chase with their chicken run. It’s not a real Lebeau celebration without zydeco musicians to dance along to. Check out Rusty Metoyer performing at the Lebeau Immaculate Conception Church from 4pm – 7pm after the parade.
Entry fee for cars, 4-wheelers, side by sides, trucks, and horse riders is $20. Groups are $25. Floats, trucks, and trailers are $30.
For more information, call Geneva Lemon at 337-945-4238 or Mayor Irving at 337-351-3902.
JC’s Rockin’ Roll Classic Car Show in Krotz Springs is more than just a chance to check out classic cars and trucks. There’s a chicken cook-off, vendors to shop from, and live music to enjoy.
The cook-off tasting starts at 11:30. For $5, you can taste the best of the best in local chicken dishes. Then, at noon a mini-parade and slow-speed chase will ride into the park. This year, emceeing the event is Scott Innes. He’s a voice actor, author, songwriter, and radio personality. Innes is famous for his voice-over work as Scooby-Doo, Popeye, Fred Flintstone, Bugs Bunny, and many more beloved characters.
Playing at the event this year are Paul & Pete Band, One Trick Pony, and JC Melancon & Bayou Rock Band. Check out the hourly schedule below for more times.
Gates open to the public at 9am. All attractions and activities for the kids will be available from 9am-6pm. Admission is $10 for those 8 years old and up. Contact 337-592-0789 or 337-290-0573 with any questions.
Check for nearby accommodations here.
Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice throws amazing parties. From their Lundi Gras Boucherie to their Saturday night Old Fashioned Fais Do-Do barn dances, it is a haven for live music lovers. Their rustic barn is the perfect setting for foot-stompin’, two-steppin’ Cajun, zydeco, and country dancing. Acadiana’s best performers are known to frequent the barn stage, including Grammy-nominated band, Bonsoir Catin. Come out and pass a good time with the locals. During the summer months you can enjoy live music on the beach.
There is a $10 admission fee for all guests of Lakeview. Campers receive complimentary tickets with their RV site/Cottage. Happy Hour begins 1 hour before the band starts.
Check out their website to see who’s playing.
2016 Louey Tourism Award Winner for Campground/RV Park of the Year.
Enjoy life like a local in Arnaudville, Louisiana at the Annual Étouffée Festival. Étouffée is a “smothered” dish and a favorite among locals. Love for the dish is strong enough to stir up a friendly rivalry every year at this festival cook-off. Traditionally, étouffée is made with crawfish. However, at this event, you can enjoy a variety of étouffées including crawfish, seafood, vegetable, and even wild game!
The cook-off takes place on Saturday with judging beginning at 11:30am. Taste great cooking, ride carnival rides, dance to live music, play bingo, or shop at St. Therese’s Boutique. The boutique is open from 1pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. It features antique and vintage items for sale in the Little Flower Gym. On Sunday, enjoy an auto show from 8am to 12pm with all makes and models on display.
Check their Facebook Page for updates. Find nearby accommodations here.
Visit Toby’s Lounge in Opelousas on Fridays and Saturdays to get your fill of the best local music around. Grab a drink and sit at the bar as local musicians inspire you to dance. From Cajun fiddles to zydeco accordions and everything in between, it is sure to be a great evening.
For a list of live music events for the upcoming weekend, visit our Facebook page every Thursday.
May 3 – 8:30pm, The Cartoons
May 4 – 8:30pm, Clifton Brown and Rusty Bucket
May 10 – 8:30pm, Shadow Road
May 11 – 8:30pm, Junior Dugas
May 17 – 8:30pm, Shawn P Saucier and LA Scramble Band
May 18 – 8:30pm, Tailgators
May 24 – 8:30pm, Coyotes Moon
May 25 – 8:30pm, Bayou County
May 31 – 8:30pm, JC Melancon
This jam session in Eunice, Louisiana is a special Saturday morning tradition hosted at the Savoy Music Center. This building is home to the master accordion craftsman, Marc Savoy. The three-hour Cajun jam session has gotten the attention of major media outlets throughout the years. It was featured on Good Morning America, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Magazine. Visitors from all over the world make their way to the jam to meet the musicians and enjoy traditional Cajun music.
Marc’s jam session etiquette is part of the reason the jam is so famous. It is not a place for younger artists to “show-off”. Instead, the musicians are led by the older generation of Cajun music fiddlers and accordionists. It’s not a talent show, but a cultural exchange of stories, tunes, tips, and a few laughs.
Don’t know how to play? That’s just fine. Chairs are set up for the audience to sit and listen or get up and dance!
