Vermilionville
This week our exploration of dancehalls with filmmaker and folklorist John Sharp takes us to the 23-acre historic and folklife village of Vermilionville where we visit their smoke free, all ages bal du dimanche.
 

Along the banks of the Bayou Vermilion rests the Vermilonville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, a large complex exhibiting various styles of historic buildings, a garden of healing plants, interesting exhibits, and master craftsman demonstrations. A visit during normal hours (Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), yields an impressive array of artisans scattered about the grounds, displaying traditional techniques ranging from cooking food, spinning cotton and weaving to woodworking and playing Cajun and Creole music-truly something of interest for everyone. One of Lafayette's premiere cultural attractions, Vermilionville also boasts a dancehall. The bal du dimanche, or Sunday dance, is held 1-4 p.m. weekly in the Performance Center.

 

Vermilionville  

The traditional Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music offered by the bands that play at Vermilionville bring out a widely varying crowd. Locals and tourists, Creole cowboys in pressed jeans and big belt buckles, college-age girls in short denim skirts, cowboy shirts and boots, zydeco devotees in tie-dye, head bands, and sandals, and Paw-Paws in one piece jumpsuits and Maw-Maws with freshly set hair all crowd onto the dance floor at the same time. It's no wonder-the bands on the schedule are all crowd favorites-Creole legend Goldman Thibodaux, Swamp Pop crooner Warren Storm, zydeco headliners like Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, classic Cajun groups like the Ray Abshire Band, as well as extremely popular younger groups like Bonsoir, Catin, The Revelers and Soul Creole all keep the dancers coming back for more.

 

Vermilionville  

This weekly event is one of the only all age, smoke-free dance experiences currently in Acadiana and possibly the whole state. A bar in the rear serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and sometimes food is offered for sale. The historic setting, spacious dance floor, community feel, and great music make a Sunday afternoon at Vermilionville a real treat.

Vermilionville 








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