22 Dec 2022

Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week

2025-03-06T12:55:07-06:00

The 22nd Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week will take place March 25-28, 2025, in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach with a Louisiana French Immersion experience at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center that Monday, March 24th.  Highlights include top-notch Louisiana-style entertainment, education, and hospitality with public and enrollment-based activities.  The schedule, Camp registration, and lodging information are found at LAfolkroots.org.

WHY BALFA WEEK?

Balfa Week classes are immersive, multi-day lessons and workshops that have you studying face-to-face with master musicians, cooks, and craftspeople in a nature-based setting. Spontaneous jams, lakeside campfires, new friends from around the world.

Schedule a one-to-one lesson with Louisiana master musicians to conquer a tune that’s stuck in your head. Discuss the creative process with Louisiana folk craft artisans. Learn some tricks for Louisiana cooking during sessions with regional chefs. Imagine yourself peeling and eating a pile of crawfish. Wander into the nightly barn dances with friends to test out moves you practiced in dance class.

That weekend, play in the music jam and sample great food at the 38th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff, and explore cultural events in the region.

Housing options are available. Bring your RV, rent or share a deluxe cabin, pitch a tent, or stay at a local B&B or hotel. Visit Evangeline Parish Tourism and St. Landry Parish Tourism for more ideas.

Tuition rates range from a Full-Time 5-day rate to a Daily rate.

Friends of Folk Roots membership discounts are offered on Registrations.

Play. Dance Eat. Repeat. That’s Balfa Week! Get details at: balfaweek@gmail.com 

Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week2025-03-06T12:55:07-06:00
16 Dec 2022

Enjoy the Music Pre New Year’s Eve Party

2023-01-19T13:16:06-06:00

The “Enjoy the Music” Pre-New year’s Eve Party is an epic concert taking place in Opelousas, Louisiana on December 30th at 8pm that continues into the next day ending at 1am. Enjoy live bands, singers, and more at the Charming Event Center located at 515 W. Martin Luther King Dr. in Opelousas. Featuring performances by artists, music producers, and radio personalities, McKayovee, Jamster Ev, Je, LTN-Ant & LTN Teezy, and NWojak with more artists performing on the day.

Presale tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 for VIP. At the door, tickets will be $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP.

Enjoy the Music Pre New Year’s Eve Party2023-01-19T13:16:06-06:00
30 Nov 2022

Country and Western Night

2022-12-29T10:41:01-06:00

Jason Williams and Clint Robin perform for Country and Western Night at Musique’s Southern Cuisine Bar & Grill in Opelousas. From 6pm-9pm, you can enjoy good music while you eat delicious food. Musique’s is famous for its shrimp fried rice, but they also have tasty burgers, fried fish, and more comfort food than you can eat.

Country and Western Night2022-12-29T10:41:01-06:00
1 Nov 2022

Drawn to Grow Exhibit Reception

2022-11-01T10:36:23-05:00

Join us at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center at Exit 23 right off of I-49 to view Kelli Foret Richard’s most recent work, Drawn to Grow. This exhibit of 57 illustrations is a statement on the 57 years left of farming the region has until it reaches desertification. The exhibit is both emphasizes the importance of agriculture to Louisiana and a call to action for better farming practices. Hear from the artist herself at the reception on Saturday, November 5 from 1pm-4pm at the visitor center right outside of Opelousas.

Drawn to Grow Exhibit Reception2022-11-01T10:36:23-05:00
10 Oct 2022

Washington Christmas Concert

2023-11-17T10:25:29-06:00

Get a little Christmas cheer from the Opelousas Queen of Angels Choir. They’ll be performing traditional Christmas music in Washington, Louisiana at St. John Episcopal’s Church on the first Saturday in December at 6pm. Admission is free. You will not want to miss out on this one-of-a-kind event.

This event is sponsored by the Washington Garden Club.

Washington Christmas Concert2023-11-17T10:25:29-06:00
19 Sep 2022

Fête de Saint-Luc

2022-09-19T16:48:53-05:00

Celebrate at Saint-Luc French Immersion School in Arnaudville, Louisiana. This former hospital turned educational and cultural organization that seeks to revive and sustain the French language tradition in Louisiana. They are hosting a celebration and learning experience on October 9th from 1:30pm to 6pm with great food, music, and plenty of art vendors and craftsmen.

There will be a ton to eat and drink including plate lunches from Pepper’s homestyle catering, croissants, cookies, and pastries from Paradiso Cake, fruit and veggie drinks from Jolly Moon, and sandwiches from Bib Belly Sandwiches.

Enjoy informational demos and vendors including spinning arts, cotton products, art displays, basketweaving, chair caning, writing, and more. There will even be live music by La Patente, a traditional band out of New Brunswick, Canada, and the Potluck Band.

Fête de Saint-Luc2022-09-19T16:48:53-05:00
14 Sep 2022

Sauce Picante Cook-Off

2023-09-19T16:29:50-05:00

The Sauce Picante Cook-Off taking place at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice is an annual cooking event that you won’t want to miss. Sauce Picante is a traditional Creole and Cajun dish that includes a spicy sauce typically with a tomato base all over rice. At this event, area chefs will compete with their best renditions of this iconic dish. Samples will be available for guests to taste and vote on. Cameron Fontenot & the Rhythm Aces will play from 2pm-4pm and Dustin Sonnier & the Wanted is performing in the evening at 8pm.

It’s $15 to enter a dish and $10 for guests to get a wristband and sample all the tasty food.

Sauce Picante Cook-Off2023-09-19T16:29:50-05:00
19 Aug 2022

Swamp Pop Review

2022-08-19T15:20:44-05:00

On Sunday, September 4 at the Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas, swing and sway into Labor Day with the music of Willie Tee, Bert Miller, Lynn August, T.K. Hulin, Charlene Howard, Jivin’ Gene, and the Cypress Band. Doors open at 5pm but the music starts at 6pm.

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door on the day of the show.

Swamp Pop Review2022-08-19T15:20:44-05:00
16 Aug 2022

Le Grand Hoorah

2024-11-20T14:12:32-06:00

Le Grand Hoorah returns to Lakeview Park in  Eunice, Louisiana the last weekend in September. The lineup of bands features some of the hottest acts from around the region. Enjoy Cajun cuisine, including a boucherie, plus French language experiences, dancing, special events, outdoor fun, and optional camping.

“Our festival is about creating and fostering relationships focused on preserving the music, food, language and folk arts of the people of Acadiana,” explained Gilbert “Winky” Aucoin, President of the event’s nonprofit.

The music schedule includes a kickoff party Friday at 8pm with live music. Then on Saturday, music kicks off at 1pm and continues till 8:45 pm. The Hoorah also hosts an authentic Cajun jam 11am – 12:30pm.

Aside from the boucherie and food booths, Saturday’s special events include Opening Ceremonies at noon, French immersion student performances and a French Invocation by Father Jason Vidrine. Attendees can also return Sunday morning for a Catholic French Mass at 9:30 am with Father Kenan Brown.

Le Grand Hoorah is known for preserving and supporting its region’s roots. As part of the nonprofit’s mission to support musical and cultural organizations, proceeds each year are in part donated to various organizations including ACA’s (Acadiana Center for the Arts) Courtney Granger Memorial Award, the Christopher Stafford Memorial Foundation Fund, and Love of People this year.

Learn more at LeGrandHoorah.com. Tickets will be available August 28th on the website, or at the door. Campsite spaces can be reserved now via Lakeview Park at LVPark.com.

Le Grand Hoorah2024-11-20T14:12:32-06:00
12 Aug 2022

Lebeau Posse Trailride

2022-08-12T13:07:47-05:00

On September 24 starting at noon in Lebeau, Louisiana, the Lebeau Posse Trailride is stepping out from Immaculate Conception Church, the home of the Lebeau Zydeco Festival, for a day of zydeco and good times. The ride will travel down Petite Prairie Bayou Road with DJ Super C bringing the jams. DJ Lil Jack will take the reigns on the church grounds and Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws will be performing live from 5pm-9pm.

Admission is $10 and free for children 12 and under. Proceeds go to Immaculate Conception Church. No 4-wheelers or side-by-sides are allowed.

For more information contact: Geneva 337-945-4238, Bernadine 337-623-0203 or 337-945-4591, or Eddie 337-692-9118.

Lebeau Posse Trailride2022-08-12T13:07:47-05:00
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