A south Louisiana tradition will return to Nicholls today with the opening reception of the Seventh Annual Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance Exhibit on the first floor of Ellender Memorial Library at 6 p.m. Dr. Will Robichaux of Thibodaux will provide entertainment on the accordion.
This is the first year the Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance Exhibit has been part of Jubilee. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Coca-Cola are also sponsoring the musical event.
“Zydeco music represents the joy of living,” said Angela Hammerli, co-director of the yearly festival. “You can not listen to it without taping your feet and singing from your soul.”
Anke Tonn, library associate professor, is the director of this annual program.
“I was introduced to Zydeco and Cajun music when I came here in 1996. I volunteered to do a Cajun display in the library that consisted of posters, art, and music,” said Tonn. “The display was so successful that it led to an annual event.”
The reception will also include the unveiling of the annual event poster. This year Patrick Banks of Houma designed the poster. In addition, Michael Tisserand, published author on Zydeco music and editor of the Gambit Weekly in New Orleans, will read his essay entitled “Zydeco, Music, Rhythm and Dance.”
Students attending this event can bring their appetites with them because jambalaya and meat pies will be served along with Coca-Cola products. Alcoholic beverages will be available to those who are of age. This event is free of charge and everyone is welcomed to attend. A football signed by the New Orleans Saints will also be auctioned off.
Tonn expressed her ideas on the significance of Zydeco music and the Cajun culture.
“Zydeco is an eight-step dance routine that means ‘snap beans’ and it is very unique,” Tonn said. “Students should be interested in attending this festival because it is the heritage of this area. There is a generation gap and we need to preserve the culture.”
Following the reception, dance instructor Bryan Pagac of Washington, D.C. will give authentic Zydeco lessons. He will be accompanied by the toe-tapping sounds of the Creole Farmers from Lafayette. This part of the festival will take place in the Cotillion Ballroom of Bollinger Memorial Student Union.
At 8:30 p.m., the Creole Farmers will discuss and perform Zydeco music.
“This festival is a wonderful combination because it is learning about culture, preserving the arts, and a great social event,” Tonn said. “I hope this continues for many, many years.”
This event usually attracts approximately 400 people. Members of the Cajun Music Association will be in attendance and tourists from different parts of the country and Canada are to be expected as well.