Louisiana Crossroads premiers tonight with a one-night-only event, “Gateway to the Grammys,” at the Vermilionville Performance Center. The season opener hosts an amazing lineup of entrants in the 52nd Grammy Awards’ “Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album” category along with a very special appearance by Grammy entrant and Louisiana blues piano legend Henry Gray. In typical Crossroads fashion, the show features two sets of music, conversation, and a little dancing, and will help to kick off Festivals Acadiens et Créoles weekend, which begins on Friday.
Here’s the lineup:
7 p.m. Bonsoir, Catin (entered for “Vive L’Amour”) featuring band member Christine Balfa Powell (entered for “Plays The Triangle” ); special guest Jimmy Breaux (entered for “Live At Festivals Acadiens”); and special guests Ray Landry and Sheryl Cormier (entered on Ray’s “Mes Racines Cadien Sont Creux”).
8:30 p.m. Special guests Henry Gray & The Cats Trio (entered for “Times Are Gettin’ Hard”) for a couple of tunes followed by a full set from Donna Angelle & The Zydeco Posse (entered for “Guaranteed Lover”) and special guest Curley Taylor (entered for “Zydeco Heart and Soul”).
Tickets to this smoke-free, all-ages celebration are $10 in advance by clicking here, in person at the Acadiana Center for the Arts box office or charge by phone by calling (337) 233-7060. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Louisiana Crossroads’ Lafayette season opener is produced in partnership with MusicMatters, Inc., Pal Productions and Lisa Stafford. Merci pour tout and good luck to all Grammy Awards entrants!
2009-2010 Louisiana Crossroads image by sculptor John Geldersma