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W e d n e s d ay, J u n e 24, 2026
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Zydeco accordionist records with three sons for the first time Corey Arceneaux approaches Father’s Day this year with memories of his three sons playing music at home. Arceneaux, a zydeco accordionist since he was 11, had to referee fights, even wipe away tears, over instruments. But his sons returned the care in unexpected ways. “Times when I wanted to give up, they still wanted me to play,” said Herman Arceneaux, 50, Fuselier a Lafayette native now living in Fairfax, Virginia. “They were like, ‘Oh no, Dad, book some jobs. We want to play.’ Like most musicians, we get discouraged at times — ‘I don’t want to play any more’ — but they inspired me to keep on going. Most of them learned to play on stage.” Arceneaux and sons make family history with “Accordion Man,” a new, 10-song album released on MoMojo Records. The recording marks the first time Arceneaux has recorded with his three sons: bass player Desmond Joseph, 32, drummer and rubboard player Tyler, 24, and co-producer Corey Jr., 26.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Lafayette native and zydeco accordionist Corey Arceneaux
Denni Cravins, Corey Arceneaux’s wife, co-wrote two songs, “Oh Mon Dieu” and “Louisiana Woman.” The latter song has vocal help from a cousin, Erica Fox. “Taught Me How to Dance” is inspired by his late mother, Debra. “When it Comes to You” comes from original poetry done with his wife in mind. This collaboration strengthens the Arceneauxs’ rightful place beside the Cheniers, Ardoins, Chavises, Franks and other southwest Louisiana families that were the first to record zydeco and Creole music. Corey Arceneaux’s accordion lineage goes back to his greatgrandfather Ferdinand, who entertained at house dances in the early 1900s. Fernest Arceneaux, Ferdinand’s son and Corey’s greatuncle, led Fernest and the Thunders, a highly influential band that mixed blues and early R&B with Creole accordion. The sound, which included the first recording of “Zydeco Boogaloo,”
Students navigate the LSU Quad last year on campus in Baton Rouge.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
SAVE DATE F
Skip the dinner table with first-date ideas around Baton Rouge that go beyond awkward small talk Staff report
irst dates are a strange contract. Two people agree to spend a few hours together, hoping the gamble pays off. The stakes can feel enormous. The logistics can feel tricky, but the default option of dinner across a table from a near-stranger may be asking for too much too soon, with no easy way out. The better strategy for the occasion is to make a plan and do something. An activity gives a first date a built-in rhythm — moments to talk and moments to return a serve, study a giraffe or hunt for the color blue. Plus, the time and effort to make a plan shows thoughtfulness, which is a big green flag. Baton Rouge has a variety of places built for that combination of elements. So we asked our staff — a mix of ages, eras and dating histories — to make the case for their favorite first date in the area. Their answers range from free to splurge, from sweaty to serene. Every one of them beats sitting in a dark theater saying nothing. — Jan Risher
STAFF PHOTO BY JAN RISHER
Louisiana Culture Editor Jan Risher took many photos of red objects and scenes during the one-hour color hunt in downtown Baton Rouge.
in concept, with ways to dress it up. Campus makes that easy because of how beautiful it is — giant, sprawling oak trees, a live tiger and blooming azaleas at every corner come springtime. There are some oddities, too, that provide fantastic talking points in first-date conversations. The goal here is to stumble on something new, something you didn’t know campus had. Trust When I was in college at LSU, me, there’s plenty of opportunity. one of my favorite first dates was a A date that turns into an adventure walk around campus, very simple is very romantic, in my opinion.
Campus walk
On my date all those years ago, I showed him my favorite tree on campus, a ginkgo outside Pleasant Hall that turns bright yellow in the fall. Another place I’ve ventured is Foster Hall, which hosts the Museum of Natural Science, an impressive exhibition of taxidermy that’s fascinating, even eerie at times and worth the trip. Other landmarks located relatively close together are the LSU Dairy Store (a must in the summer heat),
ä See DATES, page 2G
ä See ARCENEAUX, page 2G
Amazon announces its ‘Best Books of the Year So Far’ Staff report Today, the Amazon Editors announced their “Best Books of the Year So Far,” with 20 books making the list. From hundreds of new releases, the editors have dwindled down the list across several categories: literature and fiction, nonfiction, mystery, thriller and suspense, romance and romantasy, science
Jones
fiction and fantasy, history, biographies and memoirs, business, cooking, children’s and YA books. Amazon Editors are also sharing specific recommendations for book clubs for the first time, spotlighting books that readers will want to share and discuss with friends. The No. 1 pick is “Kin” by Tayari Jones — the story of two “cradle friends” in the Deep South who are haunted by the loss of their
mothers, and who, despite their diverging paths, continue to be each other’s comfort. The complete list is as follows: n 1. “Kin” by Tayari Jones n 2. “London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth” by Patrick Radden Keefe n 3. “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke n 4. “Strangers: A Memoir of
Marriage” by Belle Burden n 5. “Night Objects” by Eli Raphael n 6. “Land” by Maggie O’Farrell n 7. “American Men” by Jordan Ritter Conn n 8. “Cherry Baby” by Rainbow Rowell n 9. “Nothing Tastes as Good” by Luke Dumas
ä See BOOKS, page 2G