21 Feb 2024

Cico’s Songwriting Circle

2024-10-04T15:02:02-05:00
Guide and be guided by other singer-songwriters and get to know the ever-growing community at NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
Every third Sunday, from 12pm-2pm, join John Cico as he leads, Cico's Songwriting Circle. Musicians will share intimate creative exchanges within an art-filled, beautifully renovated space that was once the Singleton's Hardware and Lumber. John Cico is a singer-songwriter who knows the line between folk, country, and blues with deft fingerstyle guitar and poetic lyricism.
"He is the second coming of Townes Van Zandt, as far as I'm concerned…" – Greg Shaddix – The Mockingbird Podcast
Cico’s Songwriting Circle2024-10-04T15:02:02-05:00
7 Feb 2024

Dr. Walter Davis Sr., Book Signing

2024-02-07T16:14:26-06:00

On Thursday, Feb. 29, Dr. Walter Davis Sr. reads from his new book, The Journey of a Sharecropper's Kid.

The book chronicles the struggles and joys of growing up under the Sharecropper system in South Louisiana. The book provides details that take you back to youth in the 1940s and 50s. The story is told through the lens of spirituality; despite hardships, Dr. Davis embraces "blessings of forgiveness."

Dr. Walter Davis, Sr. was born Jan. 27, 1937 in Port Barre, Louisiana. He has always resided in Louisiana. Today, he is a general contractor and part owner of Triple D Construction company in Opelousas. Davis is a pastor at Believers for Christ Ministry in Opelousas. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Pneuma Theological Seminary of Oakland, California. He and his wife, Rose Mary Manuel Davis, raised nine children.

The event takes place on Feb. 29. Doors open at 5. The presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St., Opelousas, LA 70570. Following the presentation, Dr. Davis will sign books.

FMI: Patrice Melnick 337-948-2589; museum@cityofopelousas.com

Dr. Walter Davis Sr., Book Signing2024-02-07T16:14:26-06:00
8 Nov 2023

Lâche Pas Boucherie Grand Coteau

2024-10-16T11:15:18-05:00

Head out for an unforgettable weekend of fun and feasting at the Lâche Pas Boucherie in Grand Coteau.

Get ready to indulge in 3 days of mouthwatering Cajun cuisine and experience the vibrant culture of Louisiana. The weekend will be filled with genuine Louisiana cultural experiences including preparing and sharing of meals, live music, food demonstrations, and much more. The event will take place at Buzzard's Prairie, the Grand Coteau Boucherie site, where you'll be greeted with warm hospitality and a lively atmosphere. Camping is optional and recommended.

Bring your friends and family to enjoy incredible music by Holiday Playgirls, Amis du Teche, Horace Trahan, and The Revelers while you dance and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of our region.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to savor authentic Cajun flavors and create lasting memories. See you there!

Lâche Pas Boucherie Grand Coteau2024-10-16T11:15:18-05:00
7 Nov 2023

Spirits of Main Street Opelousas

2023-12-11T14:28:13-06:00

Paranormal investigative group, Louisiana Spirits, often visits St. Landry Parish for ghost hunts and to gather evidence in their pursuit of answers. You can read about some of the places they've visited and experiences they've had in our blog, "Haunted St. Landry."

However, on January 20th at 6:30pm, during their event Spirits of Main Street Opelousas, you can join the hunt alongside the experts.

They provide the equipment and snacks, and you can record EVPs, perform the Estes Method, participate in prize drawings, and hear from special guests.

Special Guests:

  • GhostHunting Housewives-Paranormal Researchers
  • Shawn Daniels-Paranormal Researcher
  • Kayla Matherne-Psychic Medium Artist

The price is $40 per person. No one under 15 is allowed. Ages 15-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parking can be found around the courthouse. Bring a flashlight and folding chair if needed. For payment info please contact: mlee@laspirits.com.

Spirits of Main Street Opelousas2023-12-11T14:28:13-06:00
18 Sep 2023

Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne at the Opelousas Museum

2023-09-21T14:59:48-05:00

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. On Saturday, November 4, Chief Cougar Goodbear and members of the Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne will hold a social from 10 a.m. to noon at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center. Tribe members will discuss the history and culture of their heritage; then visitors are invited to participate in drumming and singing. Precious tribal artifacts will be on display such as a traditional rattle, drum, war club, beaded satchel, and turtle pouch.

Coco Tribe Of Canneci Tinne was formed by the descendants of the Coco Tribe. The group inhabited the Prairie Maronne and Bayou Tortue area of St. Martin Parish and Lafayette Parish, living on the border of the two parishes which was called Attakapas in the 1800s. They are a Tribe of Lipan Apache Indians called Canneci (Kansi/Kaneechee) which means Tall Sticks/Poles in a row standing or Red Mud; Tinne means People. The Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne, Inc. has persevered and is resilient in its culture, language, and traditions.

Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne at the Opelousas Museum2023-09-21T14:59:48-05:00
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
16 Jun 2023

Tribute to Clifton Chenier

2025-05-30T12:00:20-05:00

On Saturday, June 28, St. Landry Parish Tourism pays tribute to Clifton Chenier through a jam led by Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and zydeco veteran Lil Jeff Boutte set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. The free-to-attend tribute happens in addition to the monthly Zydeco Capital Jam earlier in the month.

 The special tribute jam falls a few days after Clifton Chenier Day, which the state legislature declared in 2021. Chenier, the "King of Zydeco" who won a Grammy in 1983 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, was born June 25, 1925 near Opelousas.

Since 2021, the Clifton Chenier Centennial Committee has worked to celebrate 2025, the 100th anniversary of Chenier's birth. The committee secured Clifton Chenier Day proclamations in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish and throughout Louisiana. The declarations remain in effect for the next two years.

Carrier, a Grammy winner in 2011, counts Chenier as an important influence in a career that has taken him from coast to coast and beyond. A piano accordionist like Chenier, Boutte recently released "I Ain't Done Yet," his first album in more than a decade.

Tribute to Clifton Chenier2025-05-30T12:00:20-05:00
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
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

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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