Jennings, Louisiana: A Walk on Cary Avenue

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

After the Squeezebox Shootout, and after a scrumptious BBQ pork sandwich, there was time to kill before Jennings' pre-Mardi Gras Parade began.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

I took a walk on North Cary Avenue, which runs parallel to North Main Street.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

Magnolias bloomed.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

The sky reminded me of New Mexico.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

There was a pleasing mix of architecture. There was also evidence of some diversity in economic strata.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

The public library anchored one corner.

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

I don't know which attracted me more to this view - the studly palm or the flamboyant clouds: 

North Cary Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana

 Most of the porches had rocking chairs or swings on them.

A pleasant walk. 

Here's a slide show:



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Jennings, Louisiana: Squeezebox Shootout

Squeezebox Shootout 2014, Jennings, Louisiana

The weekend preceding Mardi Gras is prime timeline real estate. So many things happening in Southern Louisiana, so difficult to choose.

For the Saturday before Mardi Gras, I had originally planned to go to Baton Rouge for the famous, satirical Spanish Town Parade.

But when I saw that the small town of Jennings was hosting a cajun accordion contest - the Squeezebox Shootout - along with a parade, and music, I changed my plans.

Strand Theater, Jennings, Louisiana

When I arrived at the Strand Theater for the accordion competition, the event had already started, and it was a packed house. But I saw empty space down by the stage where I could stand and hopefully take some good pics, so I walked on down there..... and damned if a woman in the second row didn't offer me an empty seat (a rarity!) right next to her! And damned if it didn't turn out that she had been the very individual who got the first Squeezebox Shooutout off the ground! Or as she put it - gave birth.

Junior division contestant. I loved how she moved her leg. Squeezebox Shootout, Jennings, Louisiana.

Sometimes I just wonder at the good luck I so often enjoy. I couldn't have had a better seat in the entire theater.

This is Bubba. He has a lot of natural presence. Junior division. Squeezebox Shootout, Jennings, Louisiana. If I'm not mistaken, he's the great-grandson of Iry LeJeune, Cajun songwriter and musician of great renown.

He didn't win, but I think for overall entertainment utils, my fave was professional musician, Wilson Savoy, of the Pine Leaf Boys. He put his whole body and expression into his playing. Below are his accordion and foot:

I tried to capture a still of him and his tapping foot, but I was only moderately successful:

There was a lot of talent at the competition. A slideshow below:

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Louisiana Movies: Passion Fish

Movie: Passion Fish

Provenance: Jennings, Louisiana - about 40 miles west of Lafayette.

Loved this movie!

It went off on a couple of tangents occasionally (like with the interminable monologue about the anal probe from May-Alice's former colleague - don't ask), but overall - good story, rich character portrayals, predictable but satisfying ending.

Good music. Where The Big Easy focused on cajun music, zydeco played a prominent role in Passion Fish.

My favorite lines

"Morgan City, the lowest pit of hell."

"[I'm] CHANtelle, who's got no time for Louisiana French-talkin' cowboys."

"You makin' this shit up, right?"

"I'm at the Ramada in Lafayette. Call me."


My favorite character

Sugar! Played by actor Vondie Curtis-Hall, he radiates seductive charm. He's like the John Travolta character as the Angel Michael, who can't help but attract women.


And this song!

Danse de Mardi Gras:

Song from Balfa Brothers. This song is also on the Beasts of the Southern Wild soundtrack.


Recommend? Yes! A solid popcorn movie!