NATCHITOCHES – The Gail Metoyer Jones Center at Northwestern State University invites the community to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Creole culture at “Recipes, Rhythm & Roots: A Creole Heritage Celebration” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at in the Lucile Hendrick Room on the first floor of the Student Union.
The event promises an immersive cultural experience filled with a taste of Creole cuisine, Zydeco and line dancing and a journey through family heritage and history. Guests can sample beignets while connecting with the rhythms and joy of Creole traditions.
“Our goal is to celebrate and preserve the stories, food and music that define Creole heritage,” said Brittany Blackwell Broussard, director of Culture and Climate. “Through experiences like this, we not only honor history but also help the next generation understand the cultural richness that surrounds them.”
The celebration will feature dance instructors, cultural storytelling and opportunities to explore genealogical roots within the Creole community and is presented in partnership with NSU’s Creole Heritage Center.
“One of the strengths and longtime projects of NSU’s Creole Heritage Center has been to identify the genealogy and tell the stories of Louisiana Creole families,” said Dr. Kent Peacock, director of NSU’s Creole Heritage Center. “The Center is excited to share some of these incredible stories and the efforts that went into documenting them, and to teach attendees how easy it is to get started in tracing one’s own family history.”
The evening of food, fun and fellowship where everyone can honor and enjoy this rich cultural legacy is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Dr. Jasmine Wise, coordinator of NSU’s Gail Metoyer Jones Center, at wisej@nsula.edu.