Dancehalls in St. Landry Parish

Raphael’s Inn

Washington Road, b/n Lincoln & MLK on 182 left side- across from Solieau’s- pharmacy now- Chick Vidrine worked there ...

Slim’s Yi-Ki-Ki

8471 Hwy. 182, Opelousas 942-6242 http://www.slimsykiki.com Owner Anthony Gradney- sporadic live zydeco on weekends Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki is a zydeco club located on the edge of Opelousas. It was opened in 1947 and remains active currently. The building is of frame, brick front facade construction, has a front gabled roof, a mansard parapet, and has an unknown foundation. The dance floor is constructed of wood strips and the ceiling is comprised of plywood panels and acoustic tile. The bar is located in the same room as the dancefloor. The building is in good condition and has been maintained. The integrity is uncertain. Building was expanded four times early on to create a dance hall space. Appears the siding (not primary fac_ade) has been changed since 1984. A side entrance with ramp has been added. Interior alterations unknown. Originally Swamp Pop, moved to Zydeco when SP craze died down. Have added on 3 times since the beginning.” Featured in Opelousas phonebook 1960 p.68; ...

Bellevue Club

1900s club- owned & operated by Farmer Veltin- father of Toby Veltin (owned Cedar Lane Club, The Palms, Club Hill Top, and Toby’s Oak Grove) Daily World supplement: 1888: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83026389/1888-06-16/ed-1/seq-1/ ...

Belvedere Hall

Newspaper mention: music by the Grand Point String Band: June 21, 1888 ...

Blue’s Paradise Inn

N Market: old phone book ad: “Open nightly, Dine & Dance, Good Food; For better service, ask for Blue, For Colored” ...

Bradford’s White Eagle

Rhythm and Blues club that opened late 1940s and closed in the 1980s. Ray Charles, James Brown, Lynn August, and many more touring acts played there, as well as local notables. The building still stands at 813 Blanchard Street, but at present it is boarded up. Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Bradford’s White Eagle was a swamp pop and rythym and blues club in the Creole community center of Opelousas. It was opened before 1948 and the closing date is unknown. The building is vacant and appears to be in condition, although the front is boarded up. The building is of frame construction, has a cross gabled and metal roof, a stepped parapet, and has an unknown type of foundation. Appears on 1948 Sanborn map. Part of an area of Opelousas known as “The Back,” with several R&B/blues/disco clubs. Most are vacant today. “The Front” is one or two blocks away.” ...

Brown Derby

Plaisance Road: old phone book ad: “Good Food! No cover charge, catering to colored exclusively; Dancing Nightly: Special dance every Wednesday night: every type beverage” ...