Folk Art: Allons se voir là-bas!
Jeanerette
“The Art and Social Commentary of Clementine Hunter,” a traveling exhibit from the Louisiana State Museum runs through January 15 at the Jeanerette Museum (500 Main St.; 337-276-4408). While there, check out the pictorial history of the sugarcane industry, antique farm equipment and Mardi Gras costumes.
It’s a Hit Rum
Lake Charles
Louisiana Spirits Distillery, maker of Bayou Rum, has signed a long-term national distribution agreement with New York-based Stoli Group USA, thus increasing the borders beyond Louisiana and the other six states. The national distribution starting January 1 is for all four types of Bayou Rum. Although production of the rum, handmade from sugarcane in nearby Lacassine, has only been going on for two years, it’s now the largest privately owned rum distillery in the U.S.
Hot off the Press
Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press has released two exceptional new books that are ideal for gifts: Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop Music by veteran journalist and event producer Todd Mouton is a meticulously researched tome profiling Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band and his fellow musical innovators, with suggested playlists; a full-length companion DVD of Chenier performing live is available ($24.95). New Orleans: Life and Death in the Big Easy by award-winning photographer Cheryl Gerber (a contributor to the New York Times, Associated Press and New Orleans Magazine) is a visual feast that takes readers on an insider’s tour of the city, capturing its rich, diverse culture and social ironies ($24.95). Co-authors Warren Perrin, Mary Broussard Perrin of Lafayette and Phil Comeau of Montreal have been awarded le Prix France-Acadie 2015 for writing and directing the book, “Acadie Then and Now: A People’s History.” The award, presented to the authors in Paris, was the first book with Louisiana content to claim the coveted title.
Santa Parachutes, Has Pancakes
breaux bridge; delcambre
On December 5, the 3rd annual Breaux Bridge Cajun Christmas is held starting at 9 am at Parcs des Ponts with a live Nativity scene, holiday music and Mrs. Clause reading to children, followed by a parachute event that begins with military men and Santa’s elves dropping from the sky, culminating with Santa diving with his parachute into the junior high football field. After he lands, approximately 2,000 children rush the field to greet him. He rides in a fire truck to the Teche Center for more fun. The unique holiday-themed event ends at 5:30 with caroling in the town square and the lighting of the military Christmas tree (facebook.com/breauxbridgedowntownmerchants). The expanded Delcambre Christmas Boat Parade December 12 features beautiful lighted private boats, live music and spectacular fireworks starting at 6:30 pm. The day’s festivities start with Pancakes with Santa at 8 am at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Building, followed by afternoon carnival rides, games, prizes and photos with Santa (delcambreboatparade.com).
Geaux Zydeco!
for your ears
Congratulations to Chris Ardoin! His new “Zydeco Fever” CD recently debuted No. 1 on the iTunes Top 100 World Music Albums chart. Ardoin (who comes from a 90-year line of Acadiana musicians) first made history in 2013 when he released his “Back Home” CD on Maison de Soul Records of Ville Platte (it landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Best-Selling World music chart and No. 1 on Amazon’s Best-Selling Blues Chart, making it the first zydeco/Cajun record to achieve this). Songs on the new “Fever” CD were written, arranged and recorded by Ardoin at his studio, Soul Rehab Music. He played several instruments and did both lead and background vocals on the tracts. In 2016, Ardoin will participate in “The Louisiana Blueprint” tribute album featuring various Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop musicians.
