For Immediate Release                                              
January 26, 2010      

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

La Table Française to Focus on Origin of Mardi Gras

(Opelousas, LA) – The Wednesday, January 27, La Table Française  in Opelousas will feature special guest, Larry Miller, who will talk about the origins  of Cajun Mardi Gras in contrast to the New Orleans Mardi Gras.  The event is scheduled from 7:30 – 8:30 am at KaJeune’s Diner, located at 2979 South Union Street in Opelousas.

An accomplished accordion maker, Larry Miller grew up in Iota in the heart of the Prairie Cajun region. After spending 22 years in the Acadia Parish School system as a teacher and principal, Miller retired and now works full time for the preservation of Cajun Culture. He is a charter member of the Cajun French Music Association. 

Before Miller retired from the school system he began to build accordions as a hobby just because the thought of his people producing these machines by hand was intriguing. Later he learned to build triangles because his father built them.  He soon added the Cajun style spoons in a handle and the vest type scrub board (frottoir) to his line of produced instruments.

La Table Françaiseis an informal way to share conversation with other French speakers.  Speakers of all levels are welcome


For more information, contact City of Opelousas Tourism at (337) 948-5227 or (337) 948-6263.