Le Raconteur2nd Quarter - Bayou Vermilion District

Non-Profit
US Postage
PAID
Lafayette, LA
Permit #45
300 Fisher Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
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Not Your Ordinary Field Trip
April showers may bring May flowers, but here at Vermilionville, April and May bring
school children from around Acadiana to our village to learn about our history and
ecology.
BayouVermilionDistrict.org
Sundays*
1-4 p.m.
$5 Admission
*Unless otherwise stated
Bal du Dimanche
Dance the afternoon away every Sunday at Vermilionville’s Performance Center.
Refreshments will be available for these smoke-free, all ages shows.
Visit the events calendar at Vermilionville.org for more info on the performers.
April
May
June
April 7
May 5
June 2
Zydeco
Zydeco
Creole
Zydeco Ray &
The Creole Night Riders
April 14
Donna Angelle &
Her Zydeco Posse
May 12
Goldman Thibodeaux &
The Lawtell Playboys
June 9
Earth Day Celebration with
Lee Benoit & The Bayou Stompers
Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds
April 21
Leroy Thomas &
Zydeco Road Runners
June 16
May 26
June 23
Cajun
Zydeco
Cajun
Donny Broussard &
Louisiana Stars
Cajun
April 28
JoJo Reed
Zydeco
Cajun
May 19
Zydeco
Carl Hollier & Cajun Company
Creole Culture Day with Gerard
Delafose & The Zydeco Gators
Creole
Don Soileau & Cajun Craze
Cajun
Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys
June 30
Briggs Brown & Bayou Cajuns
Cajun
At our historic village the month of March
means the beginning of what we refer to as
tour season. One of the things we all look
forward to the most is the number of students
we get to share our unique culture with. By
the end of tour season we will have welcomed
over 3,500 students both in and out of state to
our folklife park.
If you are an educator and would like to
schedule a visit to our historic village it’s not
too late! For more information or to schedule
your tour, contact Vermilionville’s Tour Coordinator Catherine Fontenot by calling (337)
233-4077 or email tours@BayouVermilionDistrict.org.
Not just your ordinary class trip to get a well-deserved break from a long school year,
an excursion to Vermilionville is a fun extension of the classroom. The students can see
up close the history and science lessons they learned in school. We understand the
need to improve the educational experience and thanks to our collaboration with ULL
College of Education and the Lafayette Parish School System, we have added value to the
curriculum. The children can have a hands-on experience with Cajun, Creole and Native
American cultures, bringing the pages of their history books to life. They can also study
up close the dynamics of water and earth that formed our unique geography. Students
need to be reassured sometimes that what their teachers are telling them can be verified
in real life!
Also in the spring, we have our Earth Day Celebration on April 14, the Rededication
of La Maison Broussard in conjunction with the Famille Beausoleil Association’s annual
reunion on May 11 and Creole Culture Day on June 9. These events will be another
opportunity to highlight the strong ties between our culture and the terrains we inhabit,
raise our families on and make our living from.
David Cheramie, CEO Bayou Vermilion District
Boat Tours on the
Bayou Vermilion
Experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the Bayou
Vermilion with a guided boat tour in our traditional bateau
called the Cocodrie, French for alligator. The hour a half
excursion will lead you down river towards Bayou Tortue where
you will learn about the history, culture and natural treasure that
is the Bayou Vermilion.
Our spring boat tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday
through the end of May and depart at 10:30 a.m. returning at
12 p.m. weather and water height permitting. All boat tours
must have a minimum of 6 guests or $60 and registration is
required by calling (337) 233-4077 ext 206 or emailing vville@
BayouVermilionDistrict.org.
Vermilionville offers two packages where you can choose just
a boat tour or a boat tour as well as a self-guided tour of our
historic village complete with lunch. For more information on
the Bayou Vermilion boat tour, packages and pricing visit our
website at Vermilionville.org or call (337) 233-4077.
Vermilionville’s boat the Cocodrie, French for alligator, was constructed by our Restoration Specialist, Faren Serrette. Faren is a
fourth generation master boat builder who modeled the design
of the tour boat after a bateau using traditional boat building
methods.
News
Join Vermilionville on Saturday, May 11 as we
honor Joseph “Beausoleil” Broussard with a
rededication of La Maison Broussard (pictured
above). One of the featured items on display
will be a replica of the original Broussard
brand (pictured below).
Events
Tuesday, April 9
La Maison Broussard:
A Rededication & Celebration
The community is invited to join
Vermilionville for a day of celebration on
Saturday, May 11th as we honor Joseph
“Beausoleil” Broussard and his descendants
with a rededication of the historic La
Maison Broussard in conjunction with the
Famille Beausoleil Association’s annual
reunion at Vermilionville.
The celebration will begin at 10AM at
the historic Amand Broussard house with
introductions of representatives from
Vermilionville, Beausoleil Association,
Acadian Memorial, UL Lafayette, and more.
Activities for the day include: La Maison
Broussard rededication; Broussard family
reunion; special guest speaker, Warren
Perrin; a table discussion on historic cattle
brands led by Dr. Ray Brassieur of UL and
Mr. Charles Broussard, including a replica
The crossing of the Vermilion at what is now
called Pinhook Bridge is the epicenter of modern
civilization in the region. The old Spanish trail
that ran along what we now call Pinhook Road,
or Highway 182, crossed the river at that point.
Prior to being called Pinhook, the area was called
Petit Manchac.
La Boutique at Vermilionville is your one
stop shop for all the mothers in your life.
From our unique, one-of-a-kind gifts to our
cookbooks and CDs, we have everything
for all types of moms.
Stop in Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. –
4 p.m. or call (337) 233-4077 for more
information and pricing.
Admission for this special celebration is
$10 for adults, $6 for students, $8 for
senior citizens and children 6 and under
enter for free. Vermilionville memberships
will be honored and Beausoleil Association
Members will pay a discounted $5
admission. For more information and a
timeline of events visit Vermilionville.org or
call (337) 233-4077.
Bayou Vermilion or
Vermilion River?
Mother’s Day
at La Boutique
Featured in the picture below is our hand
crafted Job’s Tear Rosary, hand drawn
postcards, cross and fleur de lis wall art
made from recycled glass, sand and stone
as well as handmade cornhusk flowers that
won’t wilt or fade.
of the Broussard brand; tours of the original
Broussard home; genealogy database with
Michelle Johnson of the Acadian Memorial;
reading and book signing with Ron
Thibodeaux, author of Hell or High Water:
How Cajun Fortitude withstood Hurricanes
Rita and Ike; table discussion with Dr. Mark
Rees on the Early Acadian Archaeology
Project with artifacts from excavations of
the original site of the home; a Cajun Jam;
and more!
The Pinhook Bridge was the traditional head of
navigation for the Vermilion. Above the Pinhook Bridge,
the waterway was called Bayou Vermilion. Below
Pinhook it was called the Vermilion River.
During low water periods, Petit Manchac was
the farthest inland up the Vermilion River that
smugglers could deliver goods up — making
the Pinhook Bridge point the traditional head of
navigation for the waterway.
If you’ve ever wondered why and where the waterway should be called Bayou Vermilion and the
Vermilion River, the historical answer lies in the area around Pinhook Bridge.
Above the Pinhook Bridge, the waterway was called Bayou Vermilion. Below Pinhook, it was
called the Vermilion River.
The origin of the name Pinhook is still up for debate. The most colorful explanation is that a man
who owned a restaurant near the bridge would place corn on a hook and lure chickens to take
the corn bait. Once they swallowed it, he would reel them in. Another version is that the word
Pinhook is derived from an Attakapas or Choctaw word for linden tree — pinashuk.
The Backyard Series
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
April’s topic is The Civil War in Acadiana.
The series is presented by the Center for
Louisiana Studies and sponsored in part by
Decentralized Arts Funding distributed by
the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the
Louisiana Division of the Arts in partnership
with the Vermilionville Foundation. Free and
open to all ages.
Sunday, April 14
Earth Day
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join the Bayou Vermilion District as they help
inspire awareness and appreciation for the
Earth’s natural environment. The BVD will
have various community organizations and
businesses on hand for green demonstrations,
presentations, exhibits and tours, kid’s crafts,
fact scavenger hunt, cooking demonstrations
and food for purchase. Live music will be
provided in the Performance Center by
T’Monde and Lee Benoit & Bayou Stompers.
Admission to the festival is $5 for adults, $3
for children and children 6 & under free.
Thursday, April 18
An Evening with Justin Townes Earle
7:30 p.m.
Frank and Tony Productions present an
evening with Justin Townes Earle. Doors
open at 7:00 p.m. and the music begins at
7:30 p.m. for this smoke free all ages show.
Refreshments and food will be available for
purchase. Advanced tickets are available at
Vermilionville.org.
Tuesday, May 14
The Backyard Series
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
May’s topic is Louisiana Baseball: From
the Evangeline League to the Majors.
The series is presented by the Center for
Louisiana Studies and sponsored in part by
Decentralized Arts Funding distributed by
the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the
Louisiana Division of the Arts in partnership
with the Vermilionville Foundation. Free and
open to all ages.
Sunday, June 9
Creole Culture Day
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The11th annual Creole Culture Day will
celebrate the heritage of our Creole
ancestors through oral traditions,
storytelling, music, dance, cooking
demonstrations, language and crafts.
Musical performances include Gerard
Delafose & The Zydeco Gators as well
as Corey & The Zydeco Hot Peppers.
Admission is free to the public.
Tuesday, June 11
The Backyard Series
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
June’s topic is The Many Guitars of Cajun
& Creole Music. The series is presented
by the Center for Louisiana Studies and
sponsored in part by Decentralized Arts
Funding distributed by the Acadiana Center
for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the
Arts in partnership with the Vermilionville
Foundation. Free and open to all ages.
Saturday, May 11
La Maison Broussard: A Rededication &
Celebration
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a day of celebration as we honor
Joseph “Beausoleil” Broussard and his
descendants with a rededication of the historic
La Maison Broussard in conjunction with the
Famille Beausoleil Association annual reunion
at Vermilionville. For more information and
a list of the days activities visit Vermilionville.
org.
Cajun Jam
Every Saturday, 1–3:30 p.m.
Free jam is held in the Performance Center and
is open to all skill levels-beginner to professional.
Special thanks to the Cajun French Music Association
for sponsoring our weekly jams!
Bayou Vermilion Canoe Trip
2nd & Last Saturday, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
$5 insurance fee to American Canoe Association for
a canoe or bring your own canoe or kayak and
paddle for free. Canoe trips are held every second
and last Saturday of the month weather and river
conditions permitting. Please RSVP in advance by
calling 233-4077x205.
Les Vues Cultural Film Series
Last Monday of the month
6:30 p.m.
Les Vues is a free monthly film series curated by
filmmakers and enthusiasts from around the state.
Films will range from features, documentaries, student
film, shorts, animation, etc. that focus on the theme
of culture. Following the movies will be an open
discussion with the curator about the themes of the
movie and how they apply to that culture. See below
for upcoming screenings or visit Vermilionville.org for
more info on the films.
April 29
Southern Comfort
Curated by Zack Godshall
May 27
MAKERS: Women Who Make History
Curated by Mary Farmer-Kaiser
June 24
All Over But To Cry
Curated by Pat Mire
Exhibits
Earth Day
March 1 – April 29
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Conference Room
At the time the BVD was formed in the mid 1980s, the
Bayou Vermilion was listed as one of the most polluted
waterways in Louisiana. This exhibit will show how
the Bayou Vermilion District works to keep the bayou
clean and what you can do to help.
Saturday, April 20
Threading Through Time, A Quilter’s Circle
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Vermilionville will be hosting a quilter’s circle
in the Beau Bassin home. Artisans and
costumed volunteers will demonstrate the
traditional methods of quilting on the wooden
frame as well as lap quilting. Learn about the
materials needed to produce a quilt, how to
piece it together, as well as the history of the
home and its artifacts. Regular admission.
Memberships honored.
Ongoing Programs
Saturday, June 15
Seed to Skillet: Veggies
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Seed to Skillet series focuses on the
entire process of growing, harvesting and
preparing your own food. For the second
quarter Vermilionville artisan Greg Guidroz
will be harvesting veggies and preparing
fig preserves, salsa and maque choux.
Greg will also be talking about fertilizing
and preparing your fall crop list. Admission
is $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Reserve your seat at Vermilionville.org or
call (337) 233-4077.
African History in the Attakapas
Region
May 3 – June 24
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Conference Room
This exhibit tells the story of Free People of Color,
Creoles and slaves in the Attakapas region. Topics
include slavery, code noir, education, religion and
civil rights.
Acadiana Remembered
April 2 - June 30
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
La Cuisine de Maman
“Acadiana Remembered” celebrates our unique
Cajun culture through art. Enjoy the paintings by
Shirley Gauthier and Theresa De P. Trahan, two
local artists who bring their love of Acadiana into
their work. Whether it’s Cajun musicians or local
landscapes, you’ll enjoy viewing their inspired
paintings.