Conversations on Dance Halls

Throughout the twentieth century, Southwestern Louisiana dance halls were popular spots for people to hear good music, have a drink, maybe a bite to eat, and dance the night into the early hours. Like many towns and small cities across the region, Opelousas hosted its own venues with a variety of music and dance. This program exploring their legacy opens with a conversation between Herman Fuselier and Michael Broussard about the role dance halls played in local communities. Herman Fuselier is the Executive Director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and author of Ghosts of Good Times: Louisiana Dance Halls Past and Present, which documents the stories and cultural significance of dance halls throughout the region. Michael Broussard is a PhD candidate in Ethnomusicology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, he focuses his dissertation on southwestern Louisiana dance halls and their enduring importance to the people who filled these legendary venues. The floor then opens to attendees to share their own experiences and knowledge of dance halls. 6 pm–7:30 pm. Free and open to the public; light refreshments provided. museum@cityofopelousas.com.