Herman Fuselier

hfuselier@theadvertiser.com

Lafayette-area musicians have long been a part of South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. One of the world’s largest music festivals with more than 2,000 acts, SXSW has grown into a film and interactive gathering with screenings, showcases, exhibitions and networking opportunities.

City government and economic development officials are now joining the effort with “Lafayette Live,” a music, food and digital presentation at 5 p.m. Monday at C-Boys Heart & Soul Bar. “SXSW Lafayette Live Sheauxkaze: A Tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco” will be held at 8 p.m. March 18 at Antones, marking the first time Lafayette has had an official conference showcase.

Lafayette Consolidated Government, Lafayette Economic Development Authority and the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission are partners in Monday’s event, with support from Louisiana Economic Development. Ben Berthelot, LCVC’s president and CEO, said SXSW is a prime territory for business recruiting.

“With our music, we’re able to combine that into efforts to recruit the workforce for the technology sector and the new companies that we have,” said Berthelot. “It’s a chance to showcase our city in terms of workforce development and the needs that those technology companies have to get skilled workers to move here and come work. It’s a great partnership.”

Monday’s event, which is open to the public and invited media and executives, includes boiled crawfish, jambalaya and live music from Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters.

Mailman led a musical life

Music overflows at Saturday night’s showcase with C.C. Adcock and the Lafayette Marquis, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars and Lane Mack. A Tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco, featuring Sir Reginald Dural and the Ils Sont Partis Band, headlines the evening.

Marcia Ball, C.J. Chenier Charlie Sexton and Shannon McNally will perform as special guests, along with some surprises.

“There’s still a few A-listers who are threatening to pop in and tip the hat,” said Adcock. “Such is the nature of SXSW.

“With so many artists and fans in towns, amazing things can come together at the last moment.”

Adcock added the salute to Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning musician who died last September, is appropriate for the occasion.

Spring into good times

“As a man and musician, Buck personified soul,” said Adcock. “He took our regional, southwest Louisiana music and truly brought it out the woods and onto the world stage.

“He was able to play the major label record company game and collaborate with all the greats, without compromising his roots. No one from home, before or since, has been able to do it as successfully and purely as Buck did.”