Opelousas Little Theatre - Opelousas, LA (Le Joie de Vivre)

1334 South Union St.

Opelousas, LA 70570

30.52060,-92.08217

www.opelousaslittletheatre.com 

            In the heart of Acadiana, also known as Cajun Country sits the small city of Opelousas, named after the Native American tribe Appalousa who had occupied the area before European contact. Although, it is quite small, at only seven and a half square miles, Opelousas is the most densely populated city in Louisiana. Being founded in 1720, this also makes Opelousas the third oldest city in Louisiana. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the city served as a major trading post between New Orleans and Natchitoches, the only older cities in the state. Traditionally an area of settlement by French Creoles and Acadians, Opelousas is the center of zydeco music and is one of the only places in the state still home to some of the French-speaking Cajuns.
            Although Opelousas is not a large city geographically, it makes up for it with its festivals, entertainment and overall Joie de vivre, or love of life. One particular place that has been serving up a generous helping of quality entertainment in the form of theatrical performances is the Opelousas Little Theatre. The grouped formed in 1939 and gave its first performance, The Adorable Spendthrift, in December 1940. In its early years, the troop used the old Academy of the Immaculate Conception Auditorium, now the Opelousas Catholic School, to perform. Other performance locations temporarily used were the auditoriums at Market Street Elementary School, Opelousas Senior High School and the St. Landry Parish Courthouse.

The Liberty Theatre - Eunice, LA (The Temple of Amusement)

200 Park Avenue

Eunice, LA 70535

30.492979,-92.416465 

            The Liberty Theatre became the “heart” of downtown Eunice upon its completion in 1924. It was called the “Temple of Amusement” and was the entertainment and performing arts mecca for the region. In addition to popular films, the proprietors supplied the public with operas, serious plays, musical comedies, and "high class vaudeville” acts.
            Much of the Liberty's success was due to the extraordinary promotional activities of part owner J. C. Keller, Sr. Year after year, Keller filled downtown Eunice with eager theatre goers and curious crowds anxious to see the Liberty's latest promotional gimmick. For example, at the theatre's opening Keller invited entertainers from around Louisiana and as far out as Hollywood. The opening ceremonies were attended by Fattie Arbuckle. On another occasion, a wire was strung from the Liberty across Second Street and a tightrope walker was hired to perform. Talk about big entertainment in a small town!

Rice Theatre - Crowley, LA (Rice Rice Baby!)

323 North Parkerson Avenue

Crowley, Louisiana 70526

30.211924,-92.372307

www.crowley-la.com 

            On any given Saturday night and in any given town, you will find some sort of happening get-together. Outsiders call it a party, we Cajuns call it “passing a good time!” Many venues have been built throughout the years to allow such get togethers amongst locals. Whether it be Zydeco, Swamp Pop, or traditional Cajun music, folks were always looking for an excuse to have a fais do-do, which literally translates into “go to sleep”, however when used in this context, it means a late night dance. I’ve always been amusingly fascinated at much of Cajun terminology, as the translations rarely mean what they are meant to be. My favorite has always been lash pas la patate. In English it simply means “don’t let go of the potato”, however, in Cajun slang, it is used to bid someone farewell, basically telling them to “take care”. Not to be too crude but I can't help think of another. Have a bad case of diarrhea? Well in French, you have a spell of the vas veetes, or the "go quicks"! Anyone who has had them knows that when it hits, you can't help but do what it says and "go quick"! Hey, don’t look at me; I don’t make the rules, I just know the law!

The Grand Opera House - Crowley, LA (From Brothels to Broadway)

505 North Parkerson Avenue

Crowley, LA 70526

30.213595,-92.373366

www.thegrandoperahouse.org

 
            As mentioned with the Egan Hotel, the Grand Opera House was not only owned by the same individual, requiring the same amount of persuading, but it had also never been investigated and rumored to have been haunted for years by guests and staff alike. Some may call it bragging, but I call it being proud enough to boast the fact that our group has often been given unprecedented access to many historical locations in Louisiana. This is an attest to our years of hard work, great recommendations, and quality service.
            David E. Lyons, born in 1867, had one vision for his small town of Crowley, LA. His vision was to bring culture to his beloved town and he would do so by building the Grand, a twenty-two thousand square foot, second-story opera house. In 1898, at the age of twenty-nine, Mr. Lyons purchased the property for a mere five hundred dollars and began building his magnificent opera house, which he completed two years and eighteen thousand dollars later Mr. Lyons carefully constructed his masterpiece using virgin Louisiana cypress, pine and oak. This mostly wooden structure was accented with pressed tin tiles and hand-painted angel medallions in the four-boxed seats. The steep slope of the floor created perfect sight lines for the one thousand seats it is said to have held.