The new season of Music & market kicks off on April 25 in Opelousas and will continue each Friday until May 30. This is the eighth year of the outdoor concert which will start at 5:30 p.m. each Friday with a farmers market featuring fresh farm produce, with the music beginning at 6 and continuing until 8:30 p.m.
In reference to Melanie Lee-LeBouef, with Opelousas Tourism Office, that hosts the free weekly concert series, between 200 to 500 people are attracted every week although the weather is a major determinant.
Lee-LeBouef said that they also have to thank their local business that helps in supporting their local culture.
Everything from R&B and zydeco to swamp pop and country music is all to expect in the spring concert. However, the performing bands have a thing in common—they are from this area. Lee-LeBouef said that promoting the local sounds of that region is all they were about.
Although this year will start with two travelling shows, most of the concerts are held at the farmers’ market pavilion in Le Vieux Village, 823 E, Landry St.
Opelousas’ South City Park, 1524 S. Market St. will be the venue for this year’s April 25 concert which will be featuring Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers.
Lee-LeBouef said that the free event is in collaboration with Cycle Zydeco which draws visitors from all over the country for a fun four-day cycling tour to celebrate zydeco, Cajum and Carole music, and food.
Boudin provided by the famous Billy’s Boudin of Opelousas will be among the featured farm product that evening. It is one of stops for this year’s tour especially for riders and locals.
On May 2, there will be a concert featuring music by Dollar Short, which will head to Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas.
The concert series will then proceed home to Le Vieux Village where it will remain until the end of season eight on May 30.
Patrick Henry and the Liberation Band, The Yvette Landry Band, Warren Storm-Willie Tee & Cypress Band and Terry and the Zydeco bad Boys will be the featured acts.
According to a statement y Lee-LeBouef, concertgoers can take with them lawn chairs for seating but ice chests are not allowed since beverage sales go towards covering the cost of the bands and event’s expenses.
A new lineup with the same great entertainment is scheduled after the summer break in the concert series which will return in the fall.
Some of the supporters of the spring series include the City of Opelousas, Louisiana Lottery Progressive Waste Services, ZydecoOnline.com, Cleco, and Bodemuller.
