Purdue News

March 3, 2000 Louisiana Music Caravan makes a stop at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The "Bayou to Bourbon Street" Louisiana Music Caravan will make a stop at Purdue University at 8 p.m. Friday, March 24. The concert, in Loeb Playhouse at Stewart Center, is presented by Purdue Convocations. Bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to Greater Lafayette, the concert will feature a cross section of Louisiana's three distinct musical traditions: the Creole zydeco of southwest Louisiana's bayou country, Cajun music from the plains of Acadiana, and the blues, jazz and R&B of New Orleans' famed French Quarter. Representing southwest Louisiana's black French population is one of Acadiana's hottest young Creole bands, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, who create "blistering, good-time zydeco that picks you up and won't let you go." (Riverfront Times, St. Louis) Starting on rub board at age 7 in his father's legendary family band, John Delafose & the Eunice Playboys, Geno is now a seasoned veteran with over 18 years of touring and performing experience. Even before his father's untimely passing in 1994, Geno already had become the full-time bandleader of the family group. Balfa Toujours is a young band that has been making a name for itself not only in the Cajun music scene, but also in the larger realm of traditional music. Led by Christine Balfa, who is the daughter of legendary Cajun fiddle pioneer Dewey Balfa, "The group preserves the character and quality of the music Dewey Balfa championed, while replenishing the tradition with new songs full of emotion, grace and charm." (Washington Post) Balfa Toujours' style incorporates the accordion, fiddle, guitar, string bass and vocals. Opening the show will be piano master Henry Butler, who represents the New Orleans' blues style. This year Purdue Convocations has hosted a casual and informative Jazz Cafe before each Jazz Set concert, and it has included the same pre-show gathering for "Bayou to Bourbon Street." "We were having such a good time with the Jazz Set's cafes that it seemed only natural to do one for 'Bayou' as well," explains Convos Associate Director Don Seybold. "It's a great opportunity to pick up a thing or two about the musicians – background, influences, discography. If you're new to zydeco and other forms of Louisiana music, we'll have displays you can roam around and read at your leisure. There won't be a formal program of any kind – just casual conversation and music." The Jazz Cafe for "Bayou to Bourbon Street" will be in Room 118 on the ground floor of Purdue Memorial Union. Admission to the cafe is free. There will be a cash bar, and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the March 24 concert are $20 for the public and $15 for Purdue students. Charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW or stop by campus box offices. CONTACT: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045, snsteven@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page