Kickin' back at the 2014 LA Cajun-Zydeco Festival

The Lost Bayou Ramblers perform onstage Sunday, June 15, 2014, during the 8th Annual LA Cajun-Zydeco Festival in Louis Armstrong Park.

By Rhodesia J. Douglas,
Writer

LOUIS ARMSTRONG PARK, NEW ORLEANS --- What else would it be at a Zydeco fest, but a good time?

Father's Day

A crowd of several hundred revelers were out and about at the 8th Annual LA Cajun-Zydeco Festival, a free, two-day event hosted by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

At 3 p.m., the weather, for this time of year, couldn't have been more perfect:  A clear, cloud-covered sky that kept the sun and humidity at bay. 

The crowd was comfortable and laid back with people scattered throughout the park. 

Some people sat watching from the hilly banks of the park's winding bayou-like pond and one even dosed in his hammock setup between the trees.  

Others gathered at the music stage to two-step to the zydeco grooves. Still, others grabbed a bite from the food stands or checked out the artisans lined along each side of the Hollywood palm-arched  entrance. 

So stunning. And glamorous. Who would have known posing for a picture would invite photo bombing. 

But I want you to know that this article is biased: I love Zydeco. 

It has a special place in my heart because Acadiana, the heart of Cajun Country, became my place of exile.

Flashback

Wondering why the storm had blown me deeper into this swampy region, I was glad to still be close to home. 

The warmth and love of these French-speaking people with their good cooking, zydeco music and amusing jokes, it got me through. 

Keith Frank, who by the way was not in the stellar lineup, even had a song for the likes of us, we can weather the storm. 

Hearing that, while I traveled back and forth into New Orleans to prepare my family's return, brought me great comfort just as much as corn and crab bisque soup from Prejeans. 

Arts & Craft Vendor featuring iconic
New Orleans  food, architecture
and musicians. 

Cajuns were different enough yet vaguely similar enough for me to feel at home.  They were distant relatives and we had come home to visit our roots; I had a great grand mother who had traveled from this place. 

The origins of so much of our culture were based there - the language and the strange enunciation of words like sink (zink) and corner (cornder).

I am forever grateful to this culture for taking us in until we could finally come back home. 

Theatre Fun for Kids!

By Rhodesia J. Douglas,

Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- Summer's here and if you haven't decided what to do with the kids, then Uptown Music Theatre (UMT) is a program that's worth your consideration. 

UMT welcomes kids 8 to 14 years old to its 2014 Theatre Camp on June 9th until July 25th at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School with culminating performances of the Broadway hit Annie on July 25th, 26th and 27th.   

Take to the Stage  

Who hasn't entertained the notion of acting and performing on stage or starring in a movie or commercial? Most folks have, particularly children who have great imaginations and less inhibitions.

"What makes UMT special is that we accept all kids interested in any aspect of musical theatre --singing, dancing, acting or visual arts -- and train them on a professional level," stated Mr. Delfeayo Marsalis, UMT Founder/Executive Director. "Kids have a great time living the dream, and being on stage gives them a great boost in confidence." 

Stars are Made

It's important for parents to develop their child's talents, continued Mr. Marsalis.  "If they did not know that their child could sing," he added, "then they will find out what vocal training and coaching do."  

For this precise reason, Mr. Marsalis founded UMT in 2000, to bring to provide New Orleans youth with professional theatrical training in first-class productions. Moreover, this offers kids a wonderful entrée into show business. 

According to Mr. Marsalis, "Our students have performed in motion pictures, attended the Julliard School of Drama and most continue their studies on the college level." 

Corporations can sign on

For socially responsible corporations, this summer season offers a wonderful opportunity to sponsor a scholarship for disadvantaged families.  

By exposing youth to the arts, this fosters discipline, confidence, team work, and sharpens thinking, verbal communication and listening skills that will help them to be successful.

Contact Today!

Enrollment is open now!  For more information about registration, tuition or underwriting a scholarship, email Dianne Ricks at info@umtno.org.