10 Apr 2023

Music & Market

2023-09-29T16:07:49-05:00

Music & Market returns to the Opelousas live music scene for a four-week Spring series beginning Thursday, April 20th. The relaunched series will happen on Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. on the grounds of the Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas. Kicking off the series is zydeco and Cajun music fan favorite Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, followed by Don Fontenot and Les Amis (April 27), Cypress Band featuring Willie Tee & Lynn August (May 4) and Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames (May 11).

Music & Market is designed to help promote the area's music heritage and bring attention to local farmers and their produce, a strong component of the culinary trail. Since its inception in 2007, the music series has featured over 120 outdoor performances highlighting a long list of Louisiana musicians including Grammy award winners such as Lost Bayou Ramblers (2017 "Kalenda"), Chubby Carriere (2011 for "Zydeco Junkie") and Steve Riley (2014 with "Courtbouillon.")

Music & Market is initiated by the City of Opelousas Tourism Office with support from St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and St. Landry Parish Government. For more information, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.

Music & Market Courthouse Square in Opelousas, Louisiana
Music & Market in Opelousas, Louisiana
Music & Market in Opelousas, Louisiana
Music & Market2023-09-29T16:07:49-05:00
6 Apr 2023

Southern Soul JAM’boree

2023-09-25T16:35:41-05:00

Head to the Yambilee Building in Opelousas, Louisiana on April 22nd for a live music experience you won't want to miss. The Southern Soul JAM'boree will feature both zydeco and soul artists. J. Paul Jr. & the Zydeco Nubreedz, the PC Band, Audi-Yo, Lysa, JJ Callier, and Mz. Suga will all perform live with sounds by DJ Jay Dog. The event will also have a cash bar.

Doors open at 7pm but the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are on pre-sale for $40, but will be $50 at the door. You can purchase them on Eventbrite here, at Anytime Home Furniture in Opelousas, or at Lumberjack's Soul Food in Lafayette.

For more information call Big Myke at 337-486-8700.

Southern Soul JAM’boree2023-09-25T16:35:41-05:00
22 Mar 2023

American Legion Wild Game Cook-Off

2023-03-23T11:07:25-05:00

The members of the American Legion are hosting their own Wild Game Cook-Off at their home on Saturday, April 1st from 7am-5pm in Washington, Louisiana. There will be a concession stand, an auction, and live music during the event. There will also be children's activities including a fun jump.

This event is a funding campaign for the repairs and renovation of their headquarters, the Quirk McCaffery Home (circa 1920).  You can submit items for the auction by contacting Don Simoneaux at 337-290-1661, Dane StCyr at 337-344-0469, or Vickie Thibodeaux at 337-351-2412.

The Post is a 501-3C organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

American Legion Wild Game Cook-Off2023-03-23T11:07:25-05:00
16 Mar 2023

Toby’s Jambalaya Cook-Off and Car Show Benefit

2023-03-23T11:18:02-05:00

On April 15, Toby's Downtown in Opelousas is hosting a Jambalaya Cook-Off and Car Show. Contestants can show off their cooking skills and compete to have the title of the best jambalaya around all the while vintage and nonvintage cars line Toby's lot. Eat great food and have fun seeing all the vibrant and souped-up vehicles. From 11am-2pm LA99 will perform live with more performances to come including Don Rich at 8:30pm with a $15 cover charge.

Registration is at 8am and is $50 for the cook-off, $25 to register for the car show, $20 bike/jeep, and $10 passenger. There is no entrance fee for the grounds. They only ask for donations for the jambalaya. Proceeds from the event go to benefit medical expenses for Stuart Fontenot.

Parking for the event will be across from Toby's.

Toby’s Jambalaya Cook-Off and Car Show Benefit2023-03-23T11:18:02-05:00
1 Mar 2023

Black Pot Cook-Off

2023-04-19T13:42:29-05:00

The Black Pot Cook-Off is a family-friendly event taking place at the Yambilee Ag Arena in Opelousas. Enjoy a live performance by Mathew Ewing and the All-Star Band and taste the best of good ole, amazing Louisiana black pot cooking.

Admission is $5, but kids 12 and under can enter for free. For more information, you can call 337-945-3062 or 337-290-0837

Black Pot Cook-Off2023-04-19T13:42:29-05:00
10 Feb 2023

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie

2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00

The Cajun Prairie Society is hosting their very own boucherie on Saturday, March 18th starting at 9am with the festivities continuing into the next day.

Patrons that join in for both days will have the opportunity to be involved in the entire process from harvesting to cooking. Living through these authentic traditional activities lends you a better appreciation of the sacrifice that farmers and their livestock give every day.

For those coming only on Sunday, you will see the processing and complex array of dishes prepared with the meat from the freshly harvested pig. Live music, food, and drink will be provided for the celebration. The activities will start in the morning and cooking will continue all day with dishes prepared for lunch and throughout the afternoon and evening.

A boucherie is a community coming together to harvest an animal. Due to the intensive labor involved in whole animal butchering, a farmer would call upon friends, family, and neighbors to assist in the task. This day of work turns into a celebration, with plenty of food, music, and spirits to go around. No one went home hungry or empty-handed. With the lack of refrigeration, this was the only time that fresh meat could be consumed. Most of the meat butchered at a boucherie was processed with the intent of preservation, with the understanding that not a single aspect of the sacrificed beast would be wasted. These are the core fundamentals of Cajun cuisine. Boudin and boudin noir, gratons, fraisseurs, saucisse de voile, backbone fricasse, head cheese, tasso, chaudin, panse and saucisse de graisse are all products of this philosophy.

Tent camping spots are available.

General Admission tickets for both days are $100 or $75 for Cajun Prairie Society Members. Sunday-only tickets are $30. To purchase discounted tickets for 'Cajun Prairie Society members' please visit www.CajunPrairie.org and sign up for a membership before purchasing a member ticket.

Funds raised from this event will go to a Cajun Prairie documentary that is currently under production. Participation in this event will directly help the goals of the Cajun Prairie Society in their efforts to preserve, manage and teach about the native prairie of the region.

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00
27 Jan 2023

Willie’s Mardi Gras Trail Ride

2023-01-27T14:41:26-06:00

Willie's in the historic town of Washington, Louisiana is hosting a Mardi Gras Trailride and Chicken Run on Superbowl Sunday, February 12. The trail ride will leave from Willie's at 8am and travel along Hwy 182 and Hwy 745 before coming back to the American Legion by 1:30pm where the chicken chase will begin. Participants will collect gumbo ingredients from houses along the route like the traditional begging rituals of old.

Presale tickets are $15 but $20 on the day of. Kids 6 and under are free. Call Kayla at 337-307-0323 for more information.

Willie’s Mardi Gras Trail Ride2023-01-27T14:41:26-06:00
20 Jan 2023

La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade

2024-12-16T16:15:11-06:00

Head to Krotz Springs, Louisiana for the second La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade taking place right along the Atchafalaya River at Riverview RV Park & Resort.

The parade itself departs at 9am from Riverview RV Park & Resort and heads North on Hwy 105 until it enters the town of Krotz Springs and travels through the town until heading back to Riverview. There will be an intermission at Nall Park with boudin and a bowl of gumbo available at the end. Women and children can participate in the parade but will have a separate chicken chase once the Mardi Gras Run returns to Riverview.

This event is cash only. General Admission is $10 and includes live music once the parade returns. If you'd like to participate in the trail ride it's $20 and $20 for the chicken run.

La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade2024-12-16T16:15:11-06:00
22 Dec 2022

Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week

2025-08-06T11:06:51-05:00

The 23rd Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week will take place April 12-17, in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach with a Louisiana French Immersion experience at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center that Monday.  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.

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 Week2025-08-06T11:06:51-05:00
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

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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