10 Mar 2025

Culture, Cuiture et Chansons

2025-03-10T13:39:01-05:00

The National Park Service and Louisiana Folk Roots, with support in part by St. Martin Parish Tourism, will host a day of French language learning activities on March 24th to kick off the 2025 Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Week at the Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Eunice. This event is open and FREE to the public and will be accessible to all French speaking levels.

It will be an immersive experience incorporating the French language with activities such as making traditional Creole dishes with Rebecca Henry, a well-known Creole culture bearer and native French speaker. Participants will also have the opportunity to play, sing, and learn songs in French from the talented Renée Reed.

We are excited to partner with the Prairie Acadian Culture Center and NPS for this event as they re-open their facilities in Eunice after a few years of being shuttered for improvements. What better way to kick off a week of Cajun and Creole culture, music, and language sharing at Balfa Camp than right down the road at Lakeview Park in Eunice!

Registration is required, limited spots available.

Culture, Cuiture et Chansons2025-03-10T13:39:01-05:00
10 Mar 2025

Rendezvous in the Prairie

2025-03-10T12:57:13-05:00

On Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in downtown Eunice, Louisiana, enjoy a weekly series celebrating the music special to this region. This free event has featured Cajun music artists like Ann Savoy and Jane Vidrine as well as the Babineaux Sisters, Steve Riley, Yvette Landry and more.

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is one of six sites of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

Rendezvous in the Prairie2025-03-10T12:57:13-05:00
3 Oct 2024

Ask an Archivist Day

2024-10-03T12:54:30-05:00

Learn about interesting artifacts from deep inside the vaults of the Opelousas Museum. With a focus on local history and culture, the Opelousas Museum has kept exhibits and artifacts in its current location since the 90s, but the stories it tells stretch all across time. From pre-history to early settlers and the impact of slavery, to free people of color and the Civil War, and even local legends like Rodney Milburn, there is plenty to learn about here.

Refreshments will be provided.

Ask an Archivist Day2024-10-03T12:54:30-05:00
23 Sep 2024

Preservationists of St. Landry Speaker Series

2024-09-23T15:56:28-05:00

Enjoy informative talks in an informal, but historic atmosphere on the beautiful grounds of the Michel Prudhomme house in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz discusses the lively and colorful histories of the sheriffs of St. Landry Parish on Thursday, October 10th at 6pm.

These talks are open to the public.

Preservationists of St. Landry Speaker Series2024-09-23T15:56:28-05:00
13 Sep 2024

Creole Culture Day

2024-09-13T16:25:38-05:00

The 3rd Annual Creole Culture Day will take place on October 5th, 2024, at Town Hall Park in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. This event is a celebration of Louisiana’s Creole heritage, with a special focus on the French language that remains integral to the Creole identity. Best of all, this community event is completely free, offering everyone a chance to participate and enjoy the festivities.

Start the day with a traditional hog butchering and cooking event, featuring French demonstrations on preparing staple Creole foods like cracklins and boudin. The food from the Boucherie will be served for free to attendees. Although the Boucherie starts at 6 AM, the main Creole Culture Day activities kick off at 10 AM.

Throughout the day enjoy Creole French Bingo, a genealogy section helping attendees to trace their heritage, food trucks and food vendors, as well as performances by DJ Dr. Boogie Live, Zydeco Roux, and David Sylvester.

Creole Culture Day is vital for preserving and promoting the heritage of Creoles of Color, particularly through the French language. The event fosters community, education, and the continuation of traditions that are essential to maintaining Creole identity.

Creole Culture Day2024-09-13T16:25:38-05:00
26 Aug 2024

Where the Buffalo Roamed

2024-08-26T12:29:06-05:00

Yes, there were bison in Louisiana! Come out to Atelier de la Nature in Arnaudville on September 21 from 10am-1p2m about bison and their importance to the Indigenous Atakapa-Ishak People who have lived here from time immemorial. Learn about the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the local environment from an Indigenous perspective with Jeffery U. Darensbourg, followed by a bison chili cooking demo and tasting with our very own Aurore Ballengée.

This event is free but registration is required at https://bit.ly/Prarie-Buffalo_24.

Jeffery U. Darensbourg grew up in Itta Homma (of which “Baton Rouge” is a translation) and currently resides in Bulbancha, the only name he uses to refer to what others call “New Orleans.” He works with words, crafting essays, poetry, academic articles, and public talks intertwining traditional academic research with autoethnography and memoir. He is a Louisiana Creole and an enrolled member of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation of Indians. He holds a Ph.D. in cognitive science.

Where the Buffalo Roamed2024-08-26T12:29:06-05:00
12 Aug 2024

Spirits of Main Street – Washington

2024-08-12T16:53:19-05:00

Investigate the 300-year-old steamboat town of Washington, Louisiana on September 1st with Louisiana Spirits, the largest ghosthunting organization in Louisiana. Team up with the pros as they investigate the newly renovated Hotel Klaus circa 1870, Schmitt Hotel circa 1820, and Wolff Hall circa 1840.

Contact mlee@laspirits.com for pricing.

Spirits of Main Street – Washington2024-08-12T16:53:19-05:00
16 Jul 2024

Haitian Art Reception

2024-07-16T16:47:21-05:00

On Saturday, August 24th from 1pm-4pm at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center in Opelousas, Louisiana, attend a reception celebrating the largest exhibit of Haitian art in Louisiana. The exhibit, which has been on display at the center throughout the summer, was specially selected from the collection of Glenn Stokes. His treasure-trove of works was accumulated over the course of 30 years alongside his wife, Yvonne Stokes, and has been exhibited across the Southern U.S. and even Venice, Italy.

At this reception, you’ll hear from Stokes as he explains his selections and elaborates on the extensive history between Louisiana and Haiti.

This event is free to attend and refreshments will be provided.

Haitian Art Reception2024-07-16T16:47:21-05:00
28 May 2024

Juré Workshop

2024-05-28T16:49:35-05:00

Juré, an a cappella type of singing with rhythmic hand claps, is considered to be a forerunner to zydeco music. This Saturday at 1 pm here at the St. Landry Parish Visitor enter, the Broussard Sisters will conduct a juré workshop. These four sisters, Sandra Broussard Davis, Virginia Ballard, Tavian Seraile, and Vivian Edwards were mentored by their aunt, Cecilia Broussard, perform juré and help to preserve this traditional music.

Red beans and rice will be served after.

Juré Workshop2024-05-28T16:49:35-05:00
16 May 2024

Jam with Living Hall of Fame Legends

2024-05-28T10:31:14-05:00

The Cajun French Music Hall of Fame Museum is hosting a jam session on June 1st where you can play with actual hall of fame legends! From 10am to 12pm, jam with Robert Elkins, David Greely, and Steve Riley with his son Burke Riley. Spend the morning practicing with the greats as Ray Landry hosts and conducts a Q&A.

This acoustic jam is open for musicians of all types and skill levels for free. The Acadiana Charter Chapter will be offering free jambalaya.

After the jam from 1pm-2pm, kids of all ages will also be able to make their own instrument.

Jam with Living Hall of Fame Legends2024-05-28T10:31:14-05:00

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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