On Friday Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. two time Grammy Award-winner Terrance Simien will perform the Zydeco Experience at the Rozsa Center.
For many Michigan Tech students, the event may be their first introduction to Zydeco. Zydeco is a unique American music genre that originated among the Creole communities of southwest Louisiana. Zydeco incorporates traditional French Creole music with blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, and later influences from funk and rock. Zydeco is known for its accordion melodies, rhythm, and energetic beats which tells a story of Louisiana’s Creole heritage.
Terrance Simien is a seventh generation Louisiana Creole musician. Simien has spent lots of time performing and introducing new audiences to Zydeco. Simien has delivered more than 8,000 performances across all 50 states and over 45 countries.
Part of the Rozsa Center’s mission is to expose students and the community to artistic traditions they may never have the chance to see. This performance is more than just a concert. It gives people the opportunity to experience a piece of American cultural history while exploring connections between music, identity, and storytelling.
In 2001 Siemen created “Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco,” a program that has reached more than 250,000 students and families through music, storytelling, and cultural education. A special educational presentation will be offered at the Rozsa Center the day before the concert.
For Michigan Tech students the performance provides a chance to experience something new. Whether the audience members are music enthusiasts, cultural enthusiasts, or simply looking for a fun night out, Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience stand out as an opportunity to experience one of America’s most distinct and influential musical traditions live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
