NEWS FROM OPELOUSAS

For Immediate Release                                           
May 14, 2010

Opelousas Set to Celebrate Spice & Music Festival June 4 - 6, 2010 in Downtown Opelousas

(Opelousas,LA) - The Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, a unique three day celebration showcasing the area’s rich Cajun and Creole culture, is scheduled for June 4-6, 2010 in historic downtown Opelousas.  Once again the festival will offer an exciting venue for music entertainment, Cajun and Creole foods, arts & crafts and a host of cultural activities.

The Spice & Music Festival will kick-off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, followed by a special blend of musical performances including Same Ol 2 Step, Pine Leaf Boys, and Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers.  Arts & Crafts booths will also be on site.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the festival grounds will open at noon with a DJ and arts & crafts and live music by Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys beginning at 1:00 p.m. Following Naquin is the blues and swamp pop sounds of Gregg Martinez, R&B sounds from Connie G and Creole Soul (Connie as Tina), Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars and Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws.

Other Saturday, the festival will offer exciting events and activities such as a 1:30 p.m. Fiddle Jam Workshop with Hadley Castille & Friends and a 3:00 p.m. History of Jure,’ A Creole Workshop led by Cecilia Broussard and members of the Broussard family.  Both workshops will be held at the Delta Grand Theatre on Market Street across from the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. The Fiddle Jam will include guests such as David Greely of Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Beau Thomas of the Lafayette’s Bayou Boys and Chris Miller, fiddle instructor from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Meanwhile, Cajun and Creole Cooking demonstrations are scheduled on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. under the Targil tent.  In addition, a Zydeco Dance Contest will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.  A new addition to Saturday will be the Kid’s Corner where children 12 and under will be able to create arts and crafts from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

Also on Saturday, the nearby Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center will host a special exhibit opening reception from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for artist Adrian Fulton.  Fulton is also this year’s official festival poster artist. 

On Sunday, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble takes the stage at 1:00 p.m. followed by Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie and Chris Ardoin & NuStep.

In addition to great music, Sunday will feature a Spice Bar-B-Que Cook-Off Contest, where individuals and teams will grill up their favorite meats for competition.  Spice Bar-B-Que Cook-Off entry forms are available for download on the festival’s website at www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com  Other Sunday activities include a Pepper Eating Contest at 2:30 p.m. and a Cajun Dance Contest at 5:00 p.m. 

And of course, the Spice & Music Festival will offer Cajun and Creole food lovers plenty of mouthwatering dishes including entrees like crawfish etoufee, boudin balls, red beans and rice and fried catfish.   

This years festival sponsors include Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, CLECO, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Inc, Quik Quarter, KSLO-KOGM/Mix 107.1 Radio, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Slemco, St. Landry Homestead Bank, IESI, St. Landry Parish Recycling Center, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning, Louisiana Lottery, CenterPoint Energy, Cal Chlor, and Bodemuller the Printer. 

On Saturday and Sunday, festival admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger.  On Sunday, people can take advantage of early bird admission of only $5 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Lawn chairs are welcome. For more information about the 2010 Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com or call (337) 948-6263 or (337) 1-800-424-5442. 

Information for photos
(1) Chris Ardoin at 2009 Spice & Music Festival
(2) Keith Frank at 2009 Spice & Music Festival
(3) Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers
(4) Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Starts