Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Ardoin and Geno Delafose headline the 26th Zydeco Extravaganza in Opelousas, May 27 at Evangeline Downs. The Extravaganza, started as the Cravins Brothers Zydeco and Info Show in 1986, claims to be the largest one-day Zydeco festival in the world. The festival was started by the Cravins family as a way to restore, honor and revive Creole culture in St. Landry Parish and the surrounding area.

 

There will be two stages featuring other Zydeco musicians including Keith Frank, Cupid, Leon Chavis, Brian Jack, Same Old 2 Step and Koray Broussard. And, of course, there will be plenty of room for dancers.

 

One of the highlights of the fest is an Amateur Accordion Contest. Interested musicians need only show up with their instrument and come forward when invited. Each contestant will perform a waltz and two-step in the first round, performing two-steps in subsequent rounds. The winner is chosen by audience applause in the final round. Past winners who have gone on to form bands include Lil Pookie of Lil Pookie and the Zydeco Sensations, and Snuggles of Snuggles and the Zydeco Show Stoppers.

 

For more information and tickets get online at: www.zydecoextra.com