OPELOUSAS – The City of Opelousas, Zydeco Capital of the World, hosts the 10th Annual Zydeco Breakfast on Saturday, September 1, 2012, from 8:30 am to 11:00 am under the oak trees surrounding the historic St. Landry Parish Courthouse. This year, festival goers and music lovers will experience sounds by Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble.
Curley Taylor was born and raised in Louisiana and has been around music all of his life. At the age of 16, Curley started playing drums in his father’s band, Jude Taylor and the Burning Flames. By the age of 25, Curley had played drums for some of Louisiana’s finest legends including: CC Adcock, Steve Riley, John Hart, and “Lil” Bob of the Lollipops. He traveled with CJ Chenier. While traveling with Chenier, Curley found an interest in playing the accordion. Geno Delafose offered Curley a job playing the drums in his band. Curley found it hard to practice while traveling and touring, but found a way to produce his first CD, “Country Boy”.
Along with great entertainment, local downtown businesses will feature a unique assortment of breakfast menu items for sale from Bloody Marys and coffee to Clifton Chenier Casserole and pancakes. Local restaurants and bars around the Courthouse Square include Java Square, Back in Time Restaurant, Palace Café, Dairy Queen and The Brass Rail.
Opelousas Tourism, with assistance from Opelousas Main Street, Inc., hosts the annual downtown event, which is held in conjunction with the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance. The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival celebrates its 30th year.
According to the official Zydeco Festival’s website, The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens fearful that Zydeco and Creole music were dying, organized the first festival. With the guidance and sponsorship from the Southern Development Foundation, the first Zydeco Festival in 1982 was started on a farmer’s field in Plaisance on the outskirts of Opelousas, with 400 people attending.
People attending the free event are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment in a relaxed and charming setting in the heart of downtown Opelousas.
Other festival related events include:
Aug. 3 - Zydeco Media Event Kick-Off, Le Vieux Village, 828 E. Landry Street. Open to the public. Official Proclamation and Ribbon Cutting opening Zydeco Season 2012. Live band, Creole food and Zydeco Festival Cultural Heritage.
Aug. 4 -The 6th Annual Zydeco King & Queen Ball, Opelousas North Park Teen Center, 1524 S. Market St. King & Queen Ball, Gala Contest Event. Live music. 9 PM-until.
Aug. 18 - The 30th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Opelousas. South City Park. Registration begins at 7 am. Free food, music.
Sept. 1 - The 30th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Parade, Opelousas. South City Park, 10:30 am. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. Parade on Market Street, from South City Park to North City Park, with stop at Zydeco Breakfast and caravan to Plaisance.
Sept. 1-2 - The 30th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, Plaisance, 457 Zydeco Rd., off Hwy. 167 North. 12:30 p.m. Eight bands celebrate the legends of zydeco on the festival's 30th anniversary. Jam session at 11:30 am. Food, arts & crafts, vendors.
For more information about the City of Opelousas Zydeco Breakfast, call (337) 948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com For more information about the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, visit www.zydeco.org or call (337) 942-2392.
Post a Comment
