Supporting folk and traditional artists, cultural elders, and grassroots partners within the Black and Creole communities of Texas and Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, this project will facilitate the connection between leaders who share a goal of growing youth and community participation in Creole and Zydeco music, language, dance, and related cultural practices. Activities will include regular meetings with key stakeholders to understand community needs better; training and support to build capacity; Zydeco accordion and dance workshops; and Creole language reanimation efforts. The initiative will create an action plan to ensure that Black and Creole voices drive community-led efforts to sustain these folkways and art forms.
Crossing Borders and Cultivating Culture: Exploring the Movement of Creole Zydeco Music
In this virtual discussion with an appearance of four-time Grammy Award nominee and Creole and zydeco historian, Sean Ardoin, presenters from Texas Folklife delve into the captivating history of the movement of Creole and zydeco culture across the border of Louisiana and Texas. Together, they’ll explore the significance of art, culture, tradition, and the profound influence of space and place on the communities that have preserved and celebrated this vibrant musical tradition.