Liberty Theater renaissance

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New manager aims to revive theater’s popularity
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The Cajun, Creole and swamp pop music cranked up 29 years ago at the Liberty Theater, but in recent years the attendance has been anemic.
A normal night’s crowd is about 50 people.
Even the building fell on hard times. Earlier this year the city spent about $68,000 to stop leaks and mold.
“The mold is completely gone,” Fontenot said.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot estimates remodeling the theater will take another $32,000.
“I know the potential is there,” he said. “I think it is a matter of marketing this correctly and getting some good bands.”
But he admits politically the effort may not be appreciated. During his election campaign earlier this year, he recalls hearing concerns about the Liberty from only one person, former Mayor Curtis Joubert.
Joubert was the political figure in the 1980s who led a focus on local culture as an asset for Eunice and Acadiana.
The Liberty and the National Park Service’s Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
In October, Fontenot hired French-speaking radio personality Derek Landry to manage the theater.
Landry, who can be heard on KBON, aims to make the Liberty Theater and its Rendez-vous des Cajuns live music and radio show a premiere showcase.
“The first thing I thought of about this place was how everyone had dubbed it as the Cajun Grand Ole Opry. And, my mission is in the best way possible to make it exactly that,” Landry, 35, a Mire native said.
“I want to make it a  prestigious show again,” he said.
“I want the musicians. I want the top Grade A musicians to say, ‘You know what? This might not be a $5,000 a night gig but it is an honor and prestige to come play the Liberty Theater and the Rendez-vous des Cajuns program,” Landry said.
The program is broadcast live on KRVS and rebroadcast on KEUN and aired on KDCG in Opelousas.
The program consists of music and an emcee who interviews the band members about their songs and lives. The format was formulated by Barry Ancelet, a University of Louisaiana professor, who was emcee until about five years ago.
Landry said that format will continue and the focus will intensify on Cajun and Creole musicians.
“I think we can stretch the limits without busting through the boundaries of what is Cajun music,” he said.
“I don’t have any interest whatsoever in putting a non-Cajun band here,” he said.
“I want it to be something that is going to highlight what we are doing locally,” he said.
Landry adds Creole and swamp pop also are on the Saturday night agenda.
The Liberty will also be a site for what Landry calls a “cultural mecca” were people can learn about Cajuns and Creoles, and hear French in song and conversation.
“It doesn’t need to be created, it just needs to be continued,” he said of the Saturday night tradition.
For now, Landry would like to see about 100 people at the theater and eventually 200.
The Liberty performances are family affairs.  Alcoholic beverages are not sold and it is geared to families.
“Cajun culture is best celebrated within the family,” he said.
Landry wants the theater to be a center for French-speaking Acadiana.
“I think they need to come. Bring the family. Grab some pop and popcorn,” Landry said.
Landry said there is a wealth of quality Cajun music performed today, but some of the music is missing the French speaker.
“It is not the music, it is the language that is different,” he said.
Fontenot said former Mayor Joubert told him about the Liberty, “Don’t let that thing die.”