FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             ..........Contact:  Melanie Lee
................................                                                       Phone:  (337) 948-5227
...................................................................................... tourism@cityofopelousas.com

OCTOBER 24th MUSIC & MARKET TO FEATURE STEP RIDEAU AND SWEET POTATOES

(Opelousas,LA) – The City of Opelousas welcomes music artist Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws and pays tribute to the sweet potato at this Friday’s Music & Market. 

According to his official website, Stephen Joseph Rideau (Step Rideau) was born in Lebeau, Louisiana. During his teen years, Rideau relocated to Houston where he began to play the accordion and eventually formed his own band. Their music fuses influences ranging from old Creole folk songs to classic rhythm & blues to rap and beyond, making them one of the top Zydeco bands of the Gulf Coast region.
The Oct. 24 Music & Market will spotlight sweet potato dishes in honor of this year's Louisiana Yambilee festival which is being celebrated this week. This year’s Yambilee King, Lloyd Price, is also scheduled to make a special guest appearance. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Louisiana native is best known for his 1952 hit "Lawdy Miss Clawdy."
Price has a direct connection to yams with his company, Lloyd Price Icon Food Brands, which  produces 16 different sweet-potato products.

Local farmers will offer local fresh produce and visitors of Music & Market will have an opportunity to sample dishes made with sweet potatoes.   Also, prior to the event, the judging for the Yambilee Cooked Foods Competition will take place at Le Vieux Village.  Winners of the competition will be announced during the Music & Market event. 

The event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion with music beginning at 6:00 p.m. Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The fall Music & Market series is one of many Passport Events across the state throughout October which will showcase all of Louisiana’s unique cultural assets. The Passport events are funded by the World Cultural Economy Forum, which takes place throughout Louisiana in October with three key components including a two-day Forum in New Orleans Oct. 30-31 for global cultural economy leaders to discuss best practices for growing cultural industries; a World Bazaar and Marketplace showcasing artisans and vendors from around the world in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Oct. 30-Nov. 1; and more than 100 Passport Events in 26 parishes across the state.

For more information, please call Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com