Mardi Gras continues at Jasper Arts Center

Mardi Gras isn’t over yet at the Jasper Arts Center! Come on out Saturday, February 13th at 3:30 pm for an exciting performance by Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience.

For over 30 years, 2 time Grammy award winning artist Terrance Simien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience band, Simien has become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. He and his band mates have performed over 7,000 concerts and toured millions of miles to over 45 countries during their eventful career.

2014 marked another milestone when Simien and his collaborators from the Zydeco Experience band were honored with their second Grammy award. It also marked their 28th consecutive New Orleans Jazz Festival performance: an event that has become the gold standard for showcasing and celebrating all Louisiana music traditions. Simien’s work can also be heard on the soundtrack of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (Gonna Take You There) and Warner Brothers film The Lucky One (Dance Everyday and Uncle Bud.

Born in 1965, Simien grew up being influenced by the hippie folk and soul music of the era as well as the great Zydeco pioneers like Chenier, Delafos, Chavis, Ardoin and Rockin Sidney to name a few. He has assumed the role of mentoring emerging talent and to pass along his indigenous music that has become synonymous with the cultural identity of Louisiana.

Touring since he was 18, Simien has shared the stage with the likes of Fats Domino, Sarah Vaughan, Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, the Meters, Alan Toussait, Paul Simon and the Dave Mathews Band to name a few. His music has been featured in commercials and over a dozen movies.

Simien’s groundbreaking Creole for Kidz & the History of Zydeco for student, youth and family audiences has reached nearly 500,000 since its debut in 2000. He and his band have traveled the world as cultural ambassadors for his state and country. His band will be performing two days of school shows while they’re in Jasper for both local and regional students. Their public performance on Saturday will be preceded by a free Kids Mardi Gras Festival beginning at 2 pm at the Jasper Arts Center. It will feature music, creative activities and snacks for kids.

This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Indiana Arts Commission, the Crane Group and General Mills Foundation. Additional funding provided by the City of Jasper, Friends of the Arts, and the Vanderburgh County Community Foundation.

The performance is suitable for all ages. There will only be one performance on Saturday, February 13th 3:30 p.m. Order your tickets now by calling the Jasper Arts Center right away at (812) 482-3070. Prices are $15 for adults and seniors and $8 for students and children.