Info from Country Roads Magazine
For the past twenty years, a cultural movement has been unfolding in Opelousas, Louisiana, and at its center is the Whirlybird Compound—a fever dream of a place that honors the legendary Cajun, Zydeco, and honky tonk halls that once served as cultural hubs in Acadiana. Jim Phillips’ and Christy Leichty’s tribute to Louisiana’s rich musical heritage, which began as a kind of speakeasy-style secret dancehall, has evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted creative coalition. As a host of live performances, workshops, and an artist residency program, the Whirlybird offers a space for artists of all disciplines to connect and collaborate, re-imagining the communal role these venues once played when dance halls dotted the prairies. Its DIY ethos has created its own ecosystem, which will be bolstered by a new nonprofit status in 2025.