BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
For a few hours Tuesday night, the atmosphere inside a downtown Opelousas restaurant recreated the sounds and memories that were crafted at dance halls which spread across rural South Louisiana.
The wooden 19th century floors at Arpeggio’s trembled and the inside windows facing North Street vibrated as a series of Zydeco legends performed in front of a packed crowd that tirelessly swayed and whirled to music amplified through towering speakers.
Many who attended the event arrived just before dusk and paid homage to the music that once thrived on weekends at Slim’s Y-ki-ki north of the Opelousas.
By that time however, RT Smoove and Rockin’’Doopsie had finished earlier performances, setting the tone for the series of acts that later brought dancers with age gaps spanning half a century spilling out of their chairs and onto the floor.
“This is historic. You’ll never see anything like this again,” said Shauna Sias, who reminded the swollen crowd that they were perhaps witnessing a one-off iconic occasion that refocused a part of Louisiana’s musical past and filtered it through a real time lens..
The music presentations supported a non-profitable cause, as the donations collected will be used to help defray the expenses for restoring Slim’s y-ki-ki on La. 10 north of the city.
In addition the money from shirt sales and alcohol served will be utilized ostensibly to help finance a bronze statue of Clifton Chenier in time to celebrate the 100th birthday of the musician born between Opelousas and Port Barre.
A $100,000 rural state grant announced in December will be used by the Zydeco Historical Society under the direction of chairman Rod Sias to offset the expenses for feasibility and development studies in connection with the renovation of Slim’s.
Watching the scene unfold was Tony Gradney,the son of Anthony “Slim” Gradney, whose club once hosted legendary musicians such as Clifton Chenier, Big Nate and Keith Frank before closing in 2016 after 70 years.
Big Nate drew applause as he wandered through the crowd with his accordion on Tuesday night, while C.J. Chenier later emphatically pounded a combination of blues and Zydeco.
Gradney said there was more than a semblance of nostalgia as the parade of musicians appeared to salute the rebirth of Slim’s and recapture the ambiance that once made it special for several generations.
“It had that kind of vibe we had in the old club. I saw a lot of people here that I would often see back in the old days. They really came out and reminded me of all that once happened (at Slim’s). We reminisced and talked about the old times,” Gradney said.
Gradney said the music also reminded him of the moments he once experienced during the mid-20th century.
“Many of them are still playing what they played when they were back in the club and (Tuesday night) and they showed they still had it,” Gradney said.
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