Why’s you go and leave me in Big Mamou

You left me for another alone and so blue

Please come back, oh come back

Jimmy Newman              

Last year we had a great time in New Orleans but this year decided to take a detour. We headed for the heart of Acadian Cajun country in St. Landry and Evangeline Parishes. Top on our list of places to visit was Fred’s Lounge in Mamou where every Saturday, starting promptly at 9:15 AM, Radio Station KVPI 1050 AM broadcasts live Cajun music. The bar has been in existence since 1946 when Alfred “Fred’ Tate opened the place. His widow Tante Sue is the iconic hostess who greets the patrons and passes out Boudin made across the street at Frenchie’s Restaurant.   Folks from all around start piling in from about 7:30 A.M. and by show time most are pretty well planked with Bloody Marys, Bourbon and Coke and beer. The bar is small and the band plays in the center of the room while couples dance the two-step or whatever Lindy variation they grew up with. It’s a blast and anyone who loves Cajun music should make this pilgrimage.

 

Emmanuel lifelong friends with Cajun songwriter, Jimmy Newman.

We were staying at the Lakeside and Beach R Park in Eunice where a big weekend of events was scheduled. First there was the “ Beef Tongue Cook Off” where 15 chefs entered their tongue specialties. A tasting was held in the barn where for $1 you could sample all 15 entries and vote for the one you liked best.

 

We then rode downtown which boasts a Cajun Museum, the Liberty Theater (run by the National Park Service), the Acadian Cultural Center (also run by the NPS), a railroad depot museum, and a small town square where a street fair was in progress. There was a concert at the Acadian Cultural Center featuring 14 year-old Bubba Hebert and the New Morse Playboys.  The terrific Buddy Hebert is destined to be a Cajun star of the future.  As usual, people took their spins and turns on the dance floor in front of the musicians. Some were clearly regulars of a certain age, and had their dance routines down pat. After the concert, Chef Jordy Carrier served his Corn Mague Choux (gourmetbyjordy.wordpress.com). He lives by the motto: Du bon manger, c’est la joie de vivre. So do we. After that concert, we went to another at the Liberty Theater featuring Harry and Lisa Trahan and their band. More great music and dancing. You can catch these concerts on the local radio stations, KRVS 88.7FM or KEUN 1490 AM. If you are living out of the area, you can listen to them live almost every Saturday, 6:00-7:30 PM at www.krvs.org.

That night, after dinner at Rocky’s Cajun Restaurant, we returned to the RV Park where there was a dance featuring Jamie Bergeron and Kickin Cajuns. It was a rip roaring party. We were too busy dancing to take pictures of this one but check out this great group.