This aired pre pandemic, during Black History Month, Februart 17, 2020. Due to our efforts – well, Cynthia’s! – zydeco is represented there! Yep, she pestered them for about a year, got through and it was a no brainer to the smart curatorial staff who enlisted her assistance to create the small but mighty exhibit; …
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June is Black Music Month, but as we like to say for us black music is 24/7/365 for nearly 40 years now! Black roots music to be exact. Yep, that’s def what our genre is; zydeco is music born to the black and mixed race French speaking creators of Louisiana. Hard stop. Many also identify …
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NOTE: History matters. This is what being black in America looks like. Terrance has a similar story about patronizing a music venue in the country, a very similar place and was turned away with the excuse that there closed for a private party. He clearly saw white people paying a cover and turned away away …
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……….require extraordinary measures, and an extraordinary amount of love, respect and patience. And did I mention patience?! Some days are harder than others. Truth. We are all doing the very best we can to process this strange time in our lives and in our history. One morning I watched the news – like most, but …
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Twenty years ago this year, 2020 – we recorded Creole For Kidz & The History of Zydeco CD. It was very unique at the time, pre-widespread Creole awareness and pride of heritage. The Cajun, or Acadian heritage organizations had a strong presence in the community, so they were already in schools, at festivals and lobbying …
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Terrance and Princess, Tiana, actress Elizabeth Dampier at the world premiere of the film in November 2009. It all started with a call fromTom MacDougall, now VP of Music Disney Animation inviting us onto the project! It only got more amazing from there: working with the fine people at Disney, recording with the legendary Randy …
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On September 22, 2019 we lost a giant – my daddy, Mathew (Mathias) Simien entered the spirit world and rejoined with my mom, his beautiful bride, Ethel Rene Simien and his parents Lila & George Simien. His service was befitting a man who was loved fiercely by his family, church and community. It was officiated …
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NOTE from Terrance and the team: This article addresses only staff and board. The problem is as grave on the arts programming and performance side of the equation – as there is an egregious lack of representation of BIPOC performers/artists. Most venues fall way short in attracting and building racially diverse audiences as well. We …
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April 16, 2019 A world of thanks to Paul Simon for keeping zydeco music and Creole culture on his set list and on TV! Wow, how perfect is his timing, right before #jazzfest50 where zydeco has been ft. since 1070! Terrance had the privilege of working with him during this “Graceland” project. It was March …
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From New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: “Zydeco music has been a key part of Jazz Fest since 1970. All the great zydeco performers have graced the Festival’s stages.” #jazzfest50 Everyone is def bummed that The Stones and Fleetwood Mac could not make it for JF50- not as bummed as FPI – the event producer – …
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