Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Organizes Cultural Event in Seychelles
Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience from Lafayette, Louisiana

August 3, 2007

The U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture is pleased to announce an educational workshop and public concerts with Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.  This international group from Lafayette, Louisiana will hold an educational workshop for Seychellois students and public concerts from August 10 through August 12, 2007.  Prior to their tour in Seychelles, the group has conducted programs in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will perform in Seychelles on the following dates: 

• Concert on Friday, August 10 at 19:00 at the International Conference Center of Seychelles.  Free Tickets are available at National Arts Council on a first come-first serve basis.

The concert will open with the Seychellois group Fek Arrive.

• Concert at Anse Boileau District Community Center on Sunday, August 12, 15:00 – 17:00

Zydeco is one the most unique and wildly popular forms of American Root Music.  A Southern music tradition that is revered all over the world.  It is the indigenous music of the French speaking Creoles of south west Louisiana. The core instrumentation is the accordion (diatonic-button & chromatic-key) and the frottoir (or rubboard).  The word Zydeco comes from the African word “zaico laga laga,” meaning “to dance.”

Terrance Simien, the president and lead singer of the group, and his Zydeco Experience ensemble are celebrating 25 years of recording and touring to over 40 countries.  A New “Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album” Grammy Voting Category has recently been established through the effort led by Terrance Simien and his fellow artists.   He is one of Louisiana’s most respected Cultural Ambassadors.