Page 156 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

154  BEY OND NE W ORLEANS

developed from the same
traditions but incorporates
much more Afro-Caribbean
rhythm and style.
The Hall of Fame features the
great names in Cajun music,
from such early musicians as
Amédé Ardoin, Alphé Bergeron,
Dennis McGee, Joe Falcon,
Amédé Breaux, Iry Lejeune,
and Lawrence Walker, to more
recent interpreters, including
Michael Doucet, Zachary
Richard, and Wayne Toups.
Heading from Eunice to
Opelousas along Highway
The Liberty Theater, home of the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio show 190, there is The Savoy
Music Center, the informal
4 Eunice day. The key ingredient, a headquarters for Cajun
chicken, has to be chased musicians in the area. The store
Cajun Country. * 11,000. @ 1238 W
Landry St. n 200 South CC Duson Dr, down and caught live. is owned by accordion-maker-
(337) 457-2565. ∑ eunice-la.com Located nearby are two musician Marc Savoy and his
other cultural centers. wife, Ann. It sells musical
Every weekend there is a The Cajun Music Hall instruments, CDs,
Cajun music celebration in of Fame & Museum, and books on Cajun
this picturesque Louisiana which opened in culture and music.
town, where most of the main 1997, honors the On Saturday
attractions are in the downtown ori ginators of Cajun mornings, local
area. The town was founded music and the musicians assemble
by C. C. Duson in 1893, who artists who have in the front of the
named it in honor of his wife. kept the tradition store for a jam
The Liberty Theater is the alive. It displays session around the
keeper of the flame of Cajun memorabilia, ins- upright piano. They
music – the Grand Ole Opry of truments such as Cajun accordion in The Savoy bring accordions,
Cajun music. It opened in the accordions and Music Center triangles, and
1920s as a movie and vaudeville violins, photographs, fiddles, and play
theater. Every Saturday from and biographies of the together, making for a rousing
6 to 8pm, the theater hosts a 40 inductees. spectacle. People can bring
live broadcast of the Rendez- Cajun music is a blend of beer, boudin, and other snacks.
Vous des Cajuns radio show. It is several traditions – German, Visitors are welcome to listen
filled with Cajun and zydeco Scottish, Irish, Spanish, Afro- and join in.
music and plenty of good Cajun Caribbean, and Native American
humor. The master of ceremonies – which have been laid over E The Liberty Theater
makes introductions in both a base of French and French- 200 Park Ave. Tel (337) 457-7389.
English and French. Acadian folk tradition. Zydeco Open 4pm Sat. & 7
Visitors to The Prairie
Acadian Cultural Center,
located just behind the
theater, can observe musical
instruments and other items
being made in the craft room.
Other displays focus on
aspects of Acadian culture,
including the Courir. Literally
“to run,” this is the Cajun, and
distinctly medieval, version of
Mardi Gras. Participants wear a
capuchon (a tall, cone-shaped
hat, which covers the face as
well as the head) and ride on
horseback from farm to farm
begging for the ingredients for
a community gumbo, which
will be eaten at the end of the Mardi Gras costume and memorabilia at The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center

154-155_EW_New_Orl.indd 154 05/08/16 3:50 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm