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

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
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
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

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
1 Feb 2023

“Eat Your Yard!” A Wild Edibles Foraging Walk and Cooking Demo

2023-02-01T09:36:48-06:00

Atelier de la Nature in Arnaudville and Slow Hike Company’s John Nettles join together to host an educational foraging walk. Learn about wild edibles, medicinal plants, and tasty mushrooms. Afterward, Atelier’s Aurore Ballengée will lead a cooking demonstration with the wild edibles for a tasting.

The event is free but registration is required. Multilingual accessibility (French/Spanish/English). Please contact Atelier de la Nature for other accessibility requests.

It’s suggested that you bring:

  • Water
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Boots
“Eat Your Yard!” A Wild Edibles Foraging Walk and Cooking Demo2023-02-01T09:36:48-06:00

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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