The walkway in front of the Student Union at Nicholls State University was transformed into a dance floor Thursday as Grammy Award-winning Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band blasted their Zydeco music.
The infectious rattling of the washboard and hollering of the accordion proved irresistible to a crowd of onlookers, especially once New Orleans-based Zydeco dance teachers Glenn and Lori Laigast started showing off the steps.
Within minutes, both passing students and curious locals were stepping, sliding and spinning to the beat.
Thursday's performance kicked off this weekend's Swamp Stomp, an annual festival held in and around the school's football stadium that spotlights local musicians, food and art.
Almost a dozen Cajun musicians and bands, including Carrier, Treater, and several other local favorites will play on two different stages. Many of the bands have won numerous awards for their work; several have been nominated for Grammys.
Booths throughout the grounds will feature homemade crafts from hand-painted wooden birds to bullet-casing jewelry.
For detailed lists of what bands, crafts and displays are available, visit nicholls.edu/swampstomp. You'll find the link with this story at dailycomet.com or houmatoday,com.
Parking will be available on streets near the stadium; premium, paid parking is also available immediately adjacent to the grounds.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate; they cost $10 per day or only $25 for the entire weekend. Children under 11 get in free.
The Laigasts will be offering lessons in Zydeco dancing throughout the festival.
Unlike ballroom dancing, Laigast said Zydeco music is “barroom” dancing, invented by Cajun families purely to have a good time.
Along with the concert outside the Student Union, Nicholls is hosting about 2,000 students from local schools for “Tresors du Bayou,” an event where historians, artists and several other musical groups showcased the Cajun culture.