2008 Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

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Home Page : Festival Stage

(See Updates with 2008 Performers)

Creole Culture @ Best
Zydeco Dance Hall Style
History of the Music & Style of Dancing
Traditional Storytelling
Jure', African-American/Afro Caribbean Vocal in French Creole
Traditional vs. Modern Zydeco/Creole Music Workshop

2008 Peformers FREE STYLE SQUEEZE-BOX CONTEST

All participants are welcome, call 337-232-7672 for more information

THE HERITAGE STAGE:
Where you can find Zydeco /Creole Culture in every form

ZYDECO DANCEHALL MUSIC AND DANCE STYLES

Moderated and focus on two areas; the changing sound of Zydeco dancehall music through the years and the various styles of Zydeco dance throughout those same years as well. A featured artist present a demonstrate of the different styles of dancehall music. Featured dancers will demonstrate how Zydeco dance has evolved to what it is today.

ZYDECO MUSIC YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Take a look, a hard look at Zydeco music of yesterday and today. Explore some of the insights into the direction that todays's music may be going.The host opens a discussion about the types of music that people wanted to hear. Radio provides the discussion the facts that influenced them through the years as Zydeco music was evolving, noting that what we consider "traditional" music today was, in fact, new music years ago. Another featured discussion about the current influence to the younger generation of Zydeco musicians.

JURE' PRESENTATION

Jure' is an African-American/Afro-Caribbean vocal tradition, sung in Creole French and English, accompanied only by hand-clapping and foot stomping for rhythmic reinforcement. These pereformance are a family traditional style of jure' which they call "Jure' My Lord." This is call and response style of singing, consisting of religious and secular shouts, and was practiced most often during the Lenten season when musical instruments and dancing were not allowed.

STORYTELLING

Using a combination of traditional storytelling and modern theatrical methods, this workshop will focus on the teaching of traditional folkways through storytelling, and how this art form has been passed down among families through the years. The knowledge of learning the art of storytelling is a French language from her grandmother tradition.