Non-Profit
US Postage
PAID
Lafayette, LA
Permit #45
4th Quarter
TS / EX H IB IT S
CO M IN G EV EN
UP
/
GS
IN
N
N EW S / H AP PE
2016
300 Fisher Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
Our 1000 Year Flood
Les Mains Guidées (The Guided Hands)
Vermilionville is continuing to host monthly
workshops that will allow you to learn crafts from
our master artisans. On the first Saturday of every
month (exceptions may occur), we will highlight a
different craft from the old Acadian, Creole and
Native American ways of life. Topics will range from
woodcarving to textiles to foodways and many
things in between.
BayouVermilionDistrict.org
October 1 Soap Making (Sold Out)
November 5 - Wine Making
December 3 - Native American Fire Making
David Cheramie, CEO Bayou Vermilion District
1-4 p.m.
$10 Admission
*Unless otherwise stated
October
October 2
Huval Family Band
Cajun
October 9
John Wilson & the Zydeco House
Rockers
Zydeco
October 16
Charlo & da Swampers
Variety
October 23
Ray Abshire Band
Cajun
October 30
Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys
Zydeco
Usually the latter part of August is a time for smooth transition into fall. Back-toschool, football and festivals are the staples of this time of year and there was no
reason not to believe it would be any different for 2016. Mother Nature had other
plans. A nameless storm decided to dump enough water to fill Lake Pontchartrain one
and a half times on us in less than two days. The weekend of August 12th, 2016, will
definitely be remembered in the history books for the unprecedented amount of
water and for the limitless courage displayed in this flood. Over that time period, the
Vermilion River at Surrey Street when from a low but normal level of 5.5 feet (travelling
south at one foot per second), to an incredible 17.5 feet, moving north at nearly six
feet per second. When Vermilionville was designed in the late 1980’s, it was built with
levees protecting it from the bayou up to 16 feet, and the houses were elevated to 18
feet. Our levees were topped early that Saturday morning and the levee remained
unseen until late evening on August 23rd. For 10 days, Vermilionvillle’s homes were
surrounded by water, with only six or so inches to spare before entering. The Bayou
Operations Offices and Louisiana Folk Roots were less fortunate; water entered their
structures. Once we began pumping early on August 24th, it took about a day and a
half to drain the campus. Our grounds took a beating, but our historic village was
relatively unscathed. The same cannot be said for thee buildings across the parking
lot, or for many of our parks and boat launches along the bayou. As we pull those
pieces back together, we will keep you updated on the progress (which will be long).
In the meantime, we still have Vermilionville standing as a symbol of the resilience and
fortitude we inherited from our ancestors.
Vermilionville’s “Golden Girls”
Dance the afternoon away every Sunday at Vermilionville’s Performance Center.
Refreshments will be available for these smoke-free, all ages shows.
Visit the events calendar at Vermilionville.org for more info on the performers.
November
December
November 6
December 4
Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys
Zydeco
November 13
Donny Broussard & the Louisiana
Stars
Cajun
November 20
Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco
RoadRunners
Zydeco
November 27
Lee Benoit & the Bayou Stompers
Cajun
Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco
Trouble
Zydeco
December 11
Kevin Naquin & the Ossun
Playboys
Cajun
December 18
Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band
Zydeco
The historic village and folklife park welcomes the addition of four
new animals to represent farm life in Louisiana.
Meet Vermilionville’s newest hires, who will be helping to share with our
guests some of the aspects of farm life in an 1800’s village: Dorothy, Blanche,
Rose (three Gulf Coast Native Sheep) and Sophia (a hinny). Our sheep are
experienced grazers and wool producers from Briar Patch Farms in Bush,
Louisiana. This breed of sheep was brought to the coastal area by the
Spanish in the 1500’s, and over the years have developed a temperament for
hot weather. At one point, this breed was so populous in our area that south
Louisiana was considered “sheep country.” The Gulf Coast Native is now an
endangered species, listed as “critical” on conservation watch lists. We are
glad to be providing a home for them, as well as to be working with regional
breeding programs to help maintain and restore this historic sheep.
Sophia, our hinny, is responsible for keeping the sheep safe from coyotes,
wild dogs, bobcats and any other predators that might show up in the
pasture. She is a donation from Daughenbaugh Farms outside of Lake
Charles. Her mother was a Provence donkey, noted most clearly by the dark
cross down her back and withers. This breed originated in Provence, France,
where they worked alongside shepherds in the 1600’s. The fact that her
mother was a donkey is what makes Sophia a hinny rather than a mule,
which is a more rare hybrid.
We’re very excited to have these “new hires” here at Vermilionville, and we
can’t wait to hear what you think of them!
the “Golden Girls” were set to make their debut during Acadian
Culture Day, but instead were officially introduced to the public
during Native American Culture Day on September 24th.
Saturday, November 5
Fridays in October
As acorns, the main staple of
domesticated pigs, became scarce
in the fall, and as pigs’ fat content
peaked in this season, boucheries
became an autumn tradition. Also
born out of the necessity to
preserve meat at a time before
modern refrigeration techniques,
staple dishes included boudin,
bacon, smoked andouille and tasso.
You can witness the making of these
and more during our November 20
boucherie!
Annual Boucherie Returns to Bring
Awareness to Culinary and Communal
Traditions
Vermilionville’s annual Cochon de Lait
is making a return this fall! On Sunday,
November 20th, the historic village
and folklife park will offer this celebration of the hog butchering tradition
with free admission. All are welcome
to come experience this ritual that was
at one time commonplace, before
refrigeration and grocery stores
eliminated the need. Chef John
Norbert of Norbert’s in Broussard will
be demonstrating traditional cooking
methods as well as modern ones, and
Schilling Distributing Company will be
providing free samples of a selection
of its beers. Come enjoy live music by
Vermilionville expands its collection thanks to donations
“Dempsey had a way of imparting knowledge
to his audience that at one time was clear, and
still quite enjoyable. He held your attention
with his obvious knowledge and passion for
his chosen crafts. (He) was certainly a breed
apart.” Quote and photo provided by Ed
Kreyling.
Perkins, who lived from 1941-2008, was
a fifth generation sheep farmer, living
on his grandfather’s farm in Reeves,
Louisiana, where he raised Gulf Coast
Native sheep, like the ones Vermilionville now has in its village. Perkins also
taught and performed his other crafts
to visitors on and off the farm in his
wood shop, blacksmith shop and fiber
arts shop with his wife, Brenda.
Vermilionville’s handbarrow was made completely by hand,
fitted together with mortise and tenon joints, and was
modeled after an earlier image of an unknown handbarrow.
A handbarrow is a type of stretcher that is a flat, rectangular
frame of traverse bars, sometimes with four legs to raise it
from the ground, used to carry objects or a load. The donor
purchased this handbarrow at the New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival, where she worked alongside its craftsman, Dempsey Perkins. Perkins was immersed in his crafts,
committed not only to traditional craftwork, but also to the
original process of crafting all stages by hand. For some of
his wood-working, he drew from the timber on his own
farm, processed it in his one-man sawmill and used the
tools he made himself in his blacksmith shop.
Saturday, November 12
Healing Traditions in Acadiana
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Healing Traditions in Acadiana is a quarterly
lecture series with the Lafayette Parish Master
Gardeners that serves as an introduction to the
general public about the healing traditions of
the Cajun and Creole peoples as well as the
need to preserve medicinal plants and the
knowledge of their uses. This event is free and
open to the public, but donations are
encouraged.
Saturday, December 3
More information will be available at
Vermilionville’s website at
www.vermilionville.org.
Made by Hand (barrow)
Casserole Carriers as a
Christmas Accessory!
Are you participating in any
back-to-school bake sales? Do you
like to show off your cooking skills
by bringing dishes to share at
holiday gatherings? La Boutique at
Vermilionville’s own gift shop
attendant Marie Moreau makes
these pretty and practical casserole
carriers, complete with a serving
spoon pocket (which would also
work for a knife or a spatula). They
make a great gift for newlyweds or
foodies, and come in a variety of
patterns that are perfect for any
season.
Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Road
Runners, and learn more about Drs.
Moriah and Elista Istre’s new film, “First
Cousins: Cajun and Creole Music in
South Louisiana,” during a showing
and table discussion. Guests are
welcome to tour the park at their
leisure and dine in the restaurant or
purchase meals in our pavilion, which
will include pork jambalaya, boudin
and white beans.
Wax Flower Wreath Making Demonstrations
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
In preparation for La Toussaint, or All Saints’
Day, Catholics in Louisiana would make
wreathes of wax flowers to lay on the graves of
their loved ones who had passed away. The
different colors and sizes of the wreathes
would symbolize age, relation, and more.
Learn more about this tradition and how to
create wreathes of your own. Regular
admission applies; memberships honored;
discounts available for groups.
Les Mains Guidées: Wine Making
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Vermilionville’s residential naturalist Greg
Guidroz will be teaching this workshop on
making homemade wine. The cost of the class
is $90, which includes a personal complete
home brew kit with all of the tools and
supplies to begin your first batch of wine and
to continue the art of brewing in your own
home.
Thursday, October 13
Cajun Dance Halls & Zydeco Clubs: Then &
Now
8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Going into its 42nd year, Festivals Acadiens et
Créoles is one of the largest free public events
in the State of Louisiana and the largest Cajun
& Creole celebration in the continental United
States. This year, the festival is presenting a
symposium to focus on the Cajun dance halls
and Zydeco clubs that were legendary in the
past, and those that are still alive & kicking!
Admission is free, but attendees must register
for the event in order to reserve their spot, as
seating is limited.
Saturday, October 22
Boo Bayou
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween early with a Fall carnival
for the whole family in our historic village!
There will be plenty to keep the little ones
busy, including old-time games, a picture
station, face painting, a tarot card reader, a
balloon artist, a coloring station, trick-ortreating throughout the village, live entertainnment in our Performance Center and more!
Admission is $5 per person.
Les Mains Guidées: Native American
Fire-Making (Bow and Hand Drill)
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
During this workshop, students will learn the
most dependable methods of primitive
fire-making without the use of matches, which
were employed by numerous tribes across the
United States. Mark Suter of Primitive Texas
will lead this class, which costs $50. Students
will take home their own personally-made
bow drill and hand drill kits.
December 13-23
Old Time Christmas
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Experience the simple warmth and beauty of
Christmas past as our historic village brings to
life the holiday traditions of yesteryear. The
village is decorated for the holiday season and
artisans will be performing traditional winter
crafts for two weeks, but the celebration
culminates on December 17 with a family day
where you can experience all of our
Christmas-themed activities (including
santons, candle and soap making, caroling,
etc) and meet Papa Noel!
Handbarrow, crafted by Dempsey Perkins and purchased at the New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Cajun Jam
Every Saturday, 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Free jam is held in the Performance Center and is open
to all skill levels-beginner to professional. Special
thanks to Community Coffee and the Cajun French
Music Association for sponsoring our weekly jams!
Bayou Vermilion Canoe and Kayak
Paddles
2nd & Last Saturday, 8:00–11:30 a.m. (weather and
river conditions permitting)
Please RSVP in advance by calling 769-7283.
October 8 : Intermediate
October 22: Advanced
November 12: Intermediate
November 26: Advanced
December 10: Intermediate
Les Vues Film Series
Last Monday of the Month
6:30 p.m.
Les Vues is a free monthly film series curated by
filmmakers and enthusiasts from around the state.
Each month a curator is selected and asked to choose
a film that showcases his or her passion and share it
with the audience. Following the screening the curator
will either host a discussion, perform a demonstration
or lead a panel about the topic covered in the film they
selected. See below for upcoming screenings or visit
Vermilionville.org for more information on the films.
October 31: Cancelled - Halloween
November 28: “My Louisiana Love” - Monique Michelle
Verdin
December 26: Cancelled - Christmas Holidays
If you or someone you know would like to curate a Les
Vues film showing, please contact Anne L. Mahoney at
[email protected].
Exhibits
Indigenous Peoples of Louisiana
September 24th - October 9th
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Room
The State of Louisiana is home to the third largest
American Indian population in the eastern United
States. This exhibit features brief historical and
contemporary sketches of seven of these
communities, including the four federally
recognized nations.
Preservation 50
October 11th - 30th
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Conference Room
October 15th marks the 50th anniversary of the
National Historic Preservation Act, which created
the National Register of Historic Places. This exhibit
October 28-29
11th Annual Blackpot Festival & Cookoff
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Join us for two days of music, cooking,
camping and more! The South Louisiana
Blackpot Festival & Cookoff is back for its 2nd
year at Vermilionville. The musical line-up
includes the Revelers, Feufollet, the Freetown
Aces, the Cathead Biscuit Boys, Lil‘ Buck
Sinegal, the Pine Leaf Boys and Ed Poullard &
Preston Frank, as well as many other Louisiana
favorites in addition to those from out-ofstate! Visit BlackpotFestival.com for details.
Ongoing Programs
Saturday, December 31
New Year‘s Eve Dance
9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Ring in the New Year with Geno Delafose &
French Rockin’ Boogie for our annual New
Year’s Eve Dance! Admission is $35, and
includes a glass of champagne to ring in the
New Year as well as a party favor. Make
memories last forever by taking a picture in
our photo booth and dance to the tunes of
one of Acadiana’s most beloved musicians.
the National Register of Historic Places in
Lafayette, what that means for the structures and
why the Act matters for Lafayette.
Indigenous Peoples of Louisiana
November 1st - December 4th
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Room
Continuation of the fall exhibit.