The U.S. Embassy sponsored a cultural and education program to celebrate ties with Dnipropetrovsk, featuring Ambassador John Tefft and zydeco's Grammy winner Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.
A couple of days ago, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience were in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine at the Dnepropetrovsk Gorky State Russian Drama Theatre. It was part of "America Days in Dnipropetrovsk,"April 23-26. The U.S. Embassy there sponsored a cultural and education program to celebrate ties with Dnipropetrovsk, featuring Ambassador John Tefft and zydeco's Grammy winner Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.
Simien wrote the following on his Facebook page about his experience (no pun intended):
"Today was eventful in Dnepropetrovsk starting w/an 8am prep for a jambalaya cooking demo @ Divan Cafe. A noon master class @ Music Acadmey, a press conference and we just now finished our first concert for the Ukranian people this evening @... M. Gorki Russian Drama Theatre. Amb. Tefft and I had a nice visit after the show. He was really impressed with the way the audience responded to the music and performance. I'm officially in love w/ Ukraine and our Embassy staff is amazing. I dig this US State Dept work very much and what an honor it is to represent the US this way. I am humbled and I L O V E my country! True story ya'll."
Here's a look at their itinerary:
Photo Exhibit: "Music of Louisiana: the Story of Zydeco Roots Music
Special Showing of the "Princess and the Frog" (in English) with intro by Terrance Simien who did soundtrack for the Disney film
Masterclass with Zydeco legend, Grammy award-winning Terrance Simien Music from the Louisiana Bijou: Zydeco
Cooking Demonstration Terrance Simien demonstrates world famous Louisiana down home cooking
Visit to Music Academy by Terrance Simien for students Open to media
Location: Dnipropetrovsk Musical Academy, small hall (room #420) 10 Lyvarna Street
1400 Press Conference with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Concert by invitation only
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Concert Outdoor Concert Open to Media
Pretty cool deal wouldn't you think? We've had other bands go overseas recently all spreading the sounds of Cajun music and zydeco.
Simien, no stranger to Hollywood, and his band have their song "Dance Everyday" on the soundtrack for the movie The Lucky One and are in one scene, albeit briefly. The song is available on the original movie soundtrack released by Watertower Records.
Simien has appeared on screen and contributed to multiple movie feature and television films and commercials. He appears on the soundtrack of Disney's movie The Princess and the Frog, as well as Exit to Eden, A Murder of Crows and, of course, The Big Easy.