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Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

The 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival

Theme: “Pa Kase`,” Le`ritage de Zarko — “Unbroken,” The Legacy of Zydeco.

August 31, 2024
Yambilee Festival Grounds
1939 W Landry Street
Opelousas, LA 70570

About the Original Southwest Zydeco Festival:
The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that Zydeco and Creole music were dying; in response, they organized the first festival. With the guidance and sponsorship from the Southern Development Foundation, the first Zydeco Festival in 1982 was started in a bean field in Plaisance, Louisiana on the outskirts of Opelousas.

Lena Charles notes that it is important to support the festival’s mission in preserving creole culture and zydeco music in St. Landry Parish.   


For Immediate Release

Contact: Lena Charles
337- 290-6048
lenafcharles@bellsouth.net

image: Zydeco man playing accordian

The 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival

(Opelousas, LA) – The 42nd Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival is live! Organizers are preparing, trying to satisfy the demand for Creole Culture and Zydeco Music. Festival executive director Lena Charles says that locally and nationwide, music fans are eager to return to Southwest Louisiana to experience firsthand the original “keepers of the culture, the tellers of the story.”  The festival takes place on August 31, at the Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date. This year the festival will serve as a prelude to “Zydeco King Clifton Chenier,” His year of celebration and the connection to the organ of the Original Festival by the Treasurer of Opelousas. The Original Festival has presented an “Unbroken” Legacy of Zydeco” as the Keepers of the Culture and the Tellers of the Story. We will have a featured performance by C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band, Gramm Nominee & Party Starter to help made that Unbroken Connection with “The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival.

The lineup includes hit-makers such as Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, starting at 12:00 Noon: then Grammy nominee C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band and closing the night with Special Guest, “The Legend Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.”

The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that Zydeco (La La) Music and Creole Culture was dying out; they responded and organized the first festival in 1982. “Unbroken.” Forty-two years later, we are still celebrating and promoting the best of creole culture, traditional food and of course, The Best of Zydeco Music.

The schedule begins with a pre-party on August 30, and ends with a day jam pack-full of Zydeco celebrations on August 31st. For more information about the 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival – www.zydeco.org or on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival.

                 “Pa Kase`,” Le`ritage de Zariko,

Check-Out the Schedule of Events Page for Details

* Friday Night – Kick-Off Dance
Evangeline Downs Race Track & Casino – Carl “T” with Down South Radio, Mike Broussard & Nu’ Edition, Leon Chavis & Zydeco Flames
Tickets $25 at the door.


* Saturday –
Big Zydeco Parade

(TBA) City of Opelousas Tourism

Zydeco Festival Lineup – 12 noon – Yambilee Festival Grounds (Price $25)

TRADITIONAL ZYDECO
– Grammy Winner “Chubby Carrier” & The Bayou Swamp Band
– LeRoy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners
– Gramm Nominee, Gena Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
– Grammy Nominee C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band

NU ZO ZYDECO
– Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hot Boyz
– Rusty Metoyer & The Zydeco Krush
– The Legend “Chris Ardoin” & NuStep Zydeco

Donate to Support the Original Festival’s Mission as,
“Keepers of the Culture and Tellers of Stories”

image: The Original Southwest Louisiana Music Festival Zydeco - Members Only

click images for larger view

The 38th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Music Festival is coming to you – in your home. 

Enjoy the Festival and let “Zydeco Bring you Back, Comment sa va”.

Sponsored by the SW LA Zydeco Foundation & Friends