A Saturday in Louisiana's Cajun Country (2019)

Every Saturday in Acadiana (Cajun parishes of Louisiana) is filled with live music and cultural activities from morning until night. Here is one such Saturday (November 22, 2019).
Starting from Lafayette, a typical Saturday sees me going to Eunice, Mamou, and Arnaudville. This particular Saturday was no exception. I make a lot of references to Cajun and Zydeco musicians so this video might have a bit of an "inside baseball" feel to it. But Cajun and Zydeco music is all about preserving and celebrating the pioneers that developed the music and culture so they are always worthy of a proper acknowledgement.
* Please pardon the low volume level on the audio. I relied on the microphone of the iPhone 5 that was used for filming. I'll look for an alternative for future videos.*
Correction: The guitar player shown at Bayou Teche Brewing is Amelia Powell (not Balfa). Dirk Powell is her father and Christine Balfa is her mother.

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

Cheers to you all. I am a New Yorker, moved down here after 60+ years in the Big Apple. My husband is a Katrina 2005 survivor and we met in NYC, married in 2008. Though we live in New Orleans French Quarter I love getting in the car and traveling around. And BTW the kindly way I have been received by Louisiana... truly warms my heart. Though I am from away', the people here have been so loving and sweet to me. Sure have missed a lot, living all these years up North!! I am even restoring an old Cajun quilt right now as a needlework project. This culture must be honored and preserved. I am proud to be using my lifelong skills as a seamstress to recreate this lovely Cajun fabric art!

[@KingJoshuaTheGreat]

Beautiful comment

[@mizzlay3318]

I’m from Orange County ny about an hour north on 87. Thinking I want to relocate to Louisiana doing my research

[@cbourgeois538]

@@mizzlay3318 we will truly welcome you. Maybe with a parade. 🤗

[@tonybosen701]

That is awesome how they treated you like you have always been there.

[@janispitre4532]

+I am so happy I stumbled on this you tube video. I'm originally from the Houma area but now live in Florida and this video made me feel as though I was back home. Thank you so much. I enjoyed the ride as much as the music.

[@tlb796]

What a beautiful piece of American history.

[@andrewslatten5189]

Lousiana history*

[@andrewslatten5189]

America killed it’s culture by the anglicizing of the state

[@cbourgeois538]

Let's keep it alive.

[@pepperdeas1269]

Music that makes you smile 😍

[@alesfrancis7280]

Bravo les Cajuns from France..

[@kingtutt61]

Great video...thanks for taking the time to put this together. Lived outside of Breaux Bridge back in 1981. I remember a small place like this out in the boonies that had a dance every Fri and Sat night. Great music, great memories.

[@oldman9843]

Yes, it's name was Mulates, they had great food. I too stumbled across it on a motorcycle ride from Indiana.

[@mkim4091]

Represent. I love Cajun culture

[@larrywebb8323]

From Alabama here, and it would be difficult for me to make Eunice, Mamou, and Arnaudville, but one day I hope to make it one Saturday....I love some good Cajun music.

[@russellsolomon6138]

Thank you for posting this. I once drove to Mamou but Fred's Lounge was closed! One day I'll return!

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

They are only open on Saturday mornings and were closed for much of the Covid pandemic but they recently opened up again. Don't miss your chance to go to Fred's if the opportunity presents itself!

[@vonitadustylgreen2914]

I just moved back to Louisiana. I lived here in 2000- 2002. I love Cajun music and Louisiana culture...

[@shirleyw.6783]

I heard music similar to in Ireland, amazing French and Irish influence

[@alhill86]

Thanks for the post. I grew up in Louisiana and am missing it. Thanks for the sounds of my home.

[@donniekingston2154]

Loved it! Would like to watch more of those Saturdays ❤️

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

I have more footage from other Saturdays .... just need to put it together and post it! Thanks for the encouragement :-) [Although this is not a great excuse, one reason I don't post more videos is that I am always out and about seeing live music in the Acadiana region. Coming up on this Sunday is a trip out to Vermillionville in Lafayette, Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville, then Cajun Country Lounge in Church Point, and then to The Hideaway on Lee in Lafayette to finish off the day!]

[@cbourgeois538]

And more of these videos of Louisiana culture. Who would want to cancel all this history?🥴

[@charleyarrigo]

What a gem. This is so cool seeing Cajun Country up close and personal! Great commentary, too.

[@Coonass]

Definitely wouldn't wanna be from anywhere else.

[@markflajsner9944]

Very folkloric video, how a bunch of seniors are enjoying themselves, good for them.

[@williamanderson6142]

Landed on your channel accidently,but ive always loved all things cajun since i first saw the movie Southern Comfort a long while ago. Appreciate being able to tag along with you

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

Thanks! Just drove two full days to get within a few hours of Louisiana. I will arrive in Lafayette this afternoon and I want to create more videos on this (extended) trip. Stay tuned .... :-)

[@lynndemmings1482]

From New Brunswick/ Nouveau Brunswick aka L'Acadie. You would feel at home here and we would feel at home there.

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

I am from New Brunswick (Moncton). I feel very much at home in both places! :-)

[@darrellsavoy8417]

I would like to go there some time

[@skinnylong2023]

Not really. French is almost dead down here, has almost no protections and not enough people are proud of the language. Hopefully people start to fight to defend it the same as in Canada, at least before the whole culture dies.

[@user-dc8tb3bw1b]

I am also from Moncton. Reminds me of my childhood. They ​would dress us in Acadian costumes for Acadian festivals, and we would sing “Evangeline”.@@cajun_and_zydeco_music

[@boppy4]

I says a lot for the Cajun culture that the young people seem to enjoy the music as much as the adults.

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

A lot of young people are avid Cajun music players so there is a strong generation of musicians coming up to carry on the torch.

[@cbourgeois538]

Great, I love our Cajun/creole culture.

[@chudishheoblo2289]

Круто! Надеюсь эта традиция будет продолжаться ещё долгие десятилетия.

[@margaretarross1712]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[@bobduvar]

Lâche pas la patate mon ami d'Amérique !

[@sherryhill8678]

the accordion and zydeco under represented but jealous of your concert experience at Richards club!

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

I recently filmed another 'Day in Southwestern Louisiana' and I'll get that together soon hopefully. Zydeco and accordion will be prominently featured. :-)

[@soulcalledmon8585]

This gave me goosebumps! I miss home so much!

[@joemackbrunswick7608]

Bucket list

[@tommyjoestallings855]

I've lost and now I'm found

[@TRUCKAD38]

LOVE THIS the sort of thing we would have in a local UK PUB /ALE HOUSE and a few jars xxxxxx

[@als3243]

Don't guess they still do the live broadcast from Fred's on Saturday morning? I danced with Ambrose Thibodeaux there one time, and he put me to shame! I just couldn't move my feet fast enough to keep up with him and I was in my 20s and he looked to be about 90!

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

They were doing the Saturday morning broadcasts until (at least) relatively recently. As of November 2020, I would imagine that Fred's is still closed due to Covid-19. But they operate under their own unique set of rules in those rural parishes so I can't be sure :-) I just arrived in Louisiana again two weeks ago and have not gone to Mamou yet. As much as I love Fred's, even it it were open I don't know if I'd want to go in such a small space and be cheek by jowl with everybody. So I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can go back another day and take in the 'joie de vivre' that is Fred's Lounge!

[@als3243]

@@cajun_and_zydeco_music My friend Charlotte is from Mamou and she told me she grew up sitting on the bar in Fred's on Saturday mornings. It is definitely an experience

[@justicesomeday]

New subscriber ! thxs ! merci

[@tonybosen701]

That kid on the drums was really good

[@bontempsmusique8982]

He is still a teenager and is now the permanent drummer for Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. His father leads the band but his drumming skills got him (and is keeping him) in the seat. I want to put together a video comparing him playing drums at the age of four and and just a few months ago at the age of 15 or so. An amazing transformation! (But I need to locate the old footage first.)

[@willie714]

My dad was from Eunice

[@cjnpete]

coz Fontenot and Harry Lafleur both passed away within the past two years(11/2021)

[@soulcalledmon8585]

Is Taunte Sue still kickin?!

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

I think she has a few health issues and is in a senior's residence. I last saw her about two years ago and she was doing quite well at that time.

[@clawhammer704]

Very repetitive sound equals dance music. Just like the old time music scene in the western NC/VA area involving a fiddle and clawhammer banjo. After a while with both types of music, all the songs seem to run together and sound the same just slightly different varies in it notes. It's the rhythm that drives it to tap ur foot and want to dance.

[@sherryhill8678]

absolutely, get your shoes on and get up out of your chair, its the back drop for a good time of food, dance, talk, friends

[@cbourgeois538]

@@sherryhill8678 Yap!

[@hespheiden1]

Balfa?

[@bayou_rambler]

My mistake .... Amelia Powell (Dirk Powell father and Christine Balfa mother)

[@valerierogers3836]

a town called DES ALLEMANDS IN SOUTH LOUISIANA MEANS THE GERMANS

[@darrellsavoy8417]

Ville Platte a little to far north. Once you get north of Hwy 190 it start to change quick.

[@cbourgeois538]

@Darrell Savoy, very much so. We use to call it north of the Mason Dixon line. I-49 North.

[@darrellsavoy8417]

Hello Marc savoy Mon Cussin

[@otpyrcralphpierre1742]

The Other South La... South Louisiana. Know the difference between a "Yankee" and a "Dammned Yankee"? A Yankee comes from the North. A Damned Yankee stays.

[@slimkadiddlehopperiii6355]

Know the difference between a jackass and a Coonass? The Sabine River

[@jimcoulter5877]

Nice to hear some music that is not about Killing Cops, or be my Bi*ch words in it! Happy Music Too!

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

If it's a german communit it can't be a cajun both.... It's Cajun or German.... It can't be both !

[@bontempsmusique8982]

Many people of German descent are indeed Cajuns. Just as are some people of Spanish descent. And of course the Acadians (from which the word Cajun is derived) and the French as well. Without the accordion that the Germans brought to Southwest Louisiana, there would be no Cajun music as we know it!

[@terrybest8973]

Supposed to cook it first

[@bontempsmusique8982]

No need .... It is smoked so it is ready to eat as is.

[@terrybest8973]

@@bontempsmusique8982 yes I know it's smoked but still supposed to be cooked were you from up north I'm sure lol lol

[@bontempsmusique8982]

​@@terrybest8973 These sausages are hot smoked (at a temperature of 140-180°F) and don't need to be cooked. I eat them like that all the time and they are tasty and there are no issues at all.

[@terrybest8973]

@@bontempsmusique8982 yes I understand I been making smoked link sausage for 46 years we always cook it though lol still it can still get certain kinds of bacteria is why you really should fry it in a skillet my family are of German and northern woodland Cherokee from north Carolina we been making smoked links over 250 years in my family and I started with my grandfather when I was like 7 years old we make our own hog head cheese to and bacon smoked hams and all if you cook it it's way way better it will fatten up all the wrinkles will come out from the smoking of it and juices will fly yes I know it can be eaten like that but not the smartest thing to do and it don't taste nowhere as good to trust me I'm a professional at it it's a family tradition I'm a real hillbilly no fakes

[@terrybest8973]

@@bontempsmusique8982 we moved to Bryan Texas in 1979 to 1981 to teach randy some BBQ about cooking pork and natural BBQ recipes and my father helped Larry West start the first shale farms and tottem and 7 11 store body shop chaines yes this is a historical fact his name is Jimmy c best lol lol but now we are back in Holmes county Florida were we own a biker club mco state of Florida biker club and paint and body shop and we work on and build Harley Davidsons our club is Dixie iron horse saloon yes more fun facts old buddy in bonifay Florida county Holmes

[@johnjohn8042]

All my mama’s family was born and raised in Louisiana