A new season of Music & Market begins September 20th in historic Opelousas offering entertainment each Friday through November 1st. The event will feature Southwest Louisiana music in a unique family-friendly outdoor setting. The fall series kicks off with the sounds of Connie G and Creole Soul.
For the past three decades, Connie G has been burning up stages with local bands (Krossfyre and GTO) throughout the Acadiana area and has also performed far and wide! Connie has opened concerts for many acts including Robert Palmer, Morris Day and The Times, The Gap Band, Percy Sledge, Irma Thomas, Robin Thicke and more. She has shared the stage with Ron Isley, Ron B., Rockin Dopsie Jr., Buckwheat, Cupid and Grammy Award Winner Chubby Carrier, just to name a few.
Creole Soul consists of some seriously seasoned musicians stretching from Louisiana to Japan. This all-star lineup includes Toni Delesandro (drums), Paul Boudreaux (bass), Danny Alexander (guitar) Keiko Komaki (keys), (alternate keys- Mike Lockett and Blake Guidry) and two powerhouse vocal and dance artists Johnetta Thomas and Nedra Alexander.
The majority of the free, outdoor, cultural events are held at Le Vieux Village/Farmer's Market Pavilion, located at 828 East Landry St., in Opelousas. Meanwhile, the September 27th and October 18th events will take place downtown on the grounds of the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square located at 118 South Court in Opelousas.
The October 18th edition of Music & Market will be held in conjunction with The Delta Grand Theatre to promote local artists throughout the artists and downtown businesses. Downtown Fait â la Mainor Made by Hand, will start at 5pm, at Java Square and end at The Delta Grand Theatre. Tammy Lamonte with the Delta Grand Theatre is taking applications for both indoor and outdoor spaces for the downtown arts market. There is no fee for a booth. Meanwhile, Music & Market will also break on October 4th for the Opelousas Spice & Music Festival which will be held that weekend at South City Park.
In addition to musical entertainment, Music & Market will spotlight a vegetable and/or agriculture commodity. The spring series of Music & Market is presented by the City of Opelousas Tourism with support from Wal-Mart, Union Pacific, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and Zydeco Online. Music & Market happens from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Fridays, with music beginning at 6:00 p.m. Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed.
The fall line up features:
September 20
Connie G and Creole Soul
R&B/Variety
September 27
Chubby Carrier & the BayouSwamp Band
Courthouse Square
Zydeco
October 4
Opelousas Spice & Music Festival
October 11
Wallace Trahan & Rice and Gravy
Cajun
October 18
Louisiana Red
Courthouse Square/ Fait â la Main (Made by Hand)
Variety
October 25
Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Krush
Zydeco
November 1
Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
Zydeco
For more information, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com