Daily World from Opelousas, Louisiana • Page 25

is. A ENTERTAINMENT 3 I L. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1991 OPELOUSAS. LOUISIANA Old fashioned 4th is planned in park i 1 the Fourth of July, Opelou-1 1 1 sas will have a celebration in I the park kicked off with the official opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Ed Pellissier will be master of ceremonies with members of American Legion Post 514, Robertson-Lewis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2483, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts taking part on the program.

Pelissier will sing the national anthem. Rev. Frank Ford will give the invocation followed with the welcome by Mayor John W. Joseph. Guest speakers include Rep.

Ar-mand Castille; Clerk of Court Patti Kempf and founder of the MASH Support Group Patricia Mason. The closing will include prayer by Rev. Ford and "God Bless America" sung by Vita Clements. The public is invited for a day of activities centering around the civic center in the park. The grand finale will be the Jaycee's Fireworkds display at sundown.

Marie's Catering will sell barbecued pork and chicken dinners, hot dogs, watermelon, desert, homemade ice cream, coffee and cold drinks. The public is invited for an old fashioned Fourth of July, according to coordinator of activities, Nada Manuel. Lebeau will kick off it's first annual Mini Zydeco Festival on July 6. The event is being sponsored by Immaculate Conception Church. Two local natives, Mrs.

Ernestine Bowie, chairperson, Mrs. Berdine McKnight, co-chairperson, have taken active roles in the event. Committees have been helping to inspire residents to organize activities for the day. Notion Semien, Zydsco Vamps ready to pSay Nolton Semien and The Zydeco Vamps are a well-known group in the area. Nolton Semien has been played accordion for 39 years, and at the age of 53, he is still pushing and pulling the squeeze box with more life and excitement than ever.

In 1989, Nolton Semien and the Zydeco Vamps released a casette tape with 10 original songs on it and before too long, the Zydeco Vamps will have another tape out. The members of the group conist of, Nolton Semien on accordion, John Semien on drums, Jerry Douglas on bass guitar, James J. Compton on lead guitar, and the newest member Joseph (Chopper) Chavis on keyboard and rubboard. The group has been together for awhile now and is planning on staying together. As a group play Zydeco, Rythm and Blues, French, Soul and a little bit of Disco.

"We have a very talented band, and that's why we play such a variety of music. The Zydeco Vamps goal for this year and many other years is to play good music for the people, and to expand our music across the nation." Nolton says one day, he hopes the Zydeco Vamps will be recognized as one of the most talented bands around. Scooter's 1 Glenn's Pharmacy 3 Opelousas General 5 Gallon 2 turn I .7 A 4Wift 19 I 1 Photo by Fraddlo Horpln Members of the group Nolton Semien and the Zydeco Vamps are from left front row; John Semien rubboard; James J. Compton, guitar; Nolton Semien, accordion; Joe (Chopper) Chavis, keyboard. Back row from left: Jerry Douglas, bass guitar and John Semien, drums.

The purpose of the Zydeco Festival is to get surrounding communities in Louisiana together, and to promote the heritage of Lebeau and Immaculate Conception Church, the co-ordin-ators say. Featuring artist included are Zydeco Force, Flashback Zydeco, Willis Prudliomme, Roy Carrier and Lionel Stoute. There also will be showings of arts and crafts and a variety of food booths will be available. Convenient parking will be provided. The history of Immaculate Conception parish begins in 1874 when an old store was purchased and converted into a Catholic Church.

Once a month the priest from Washington, Louisiana would come to offer mass and administer the sacraments. In 1897 this church was abandoned when the church in Lebeau was established by Father Pierre Oscar Lebeau. The people were overjoyed to have a resident pastor and welcomed him warmly. He often heard them say of this, "Nos content vous vini (We are glad because you have A new church was erected in 1900. The parishioners themselves cut the cypress logs in the swamps, hauled them to the saw mill, planed the lumber, and put each piece in place.

A parish school was opened in the See What's Page 19 ma th Coupon Service Builders 7 Opelousas Plasma ..9 Bingo 11 ocerxi jtchfe fovias end tVloro South Union St. Opelousas 948-7039 Hwy. 182 South, Opelousas Ryder Truck. Olindes .13 .20 $1 1 Ti.3 1311 942-1086 VAvn.laa 1 Coupon (in Stock) )0 ipfflllflxll Viuiliivij I rnrt'irii unniinT' I rw r- 1 nr! I Coupon Expires 77531.