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Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole
June 12, 2022 @ 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The Western Illinois Museum welcomes Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole for the Summer Sunday Series on June 12th. A food truck and cash bar are available from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The featured food truck is Field’s BBQ & Catering who will be serving up a special jambalaya for this event. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.
Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole has a reputation for keeping listeners enthralled and dancers moving with a rollicking mix of contemporary blues, swamp pop, and traditional Cajun and zydeco dance tunes. The trio’s performances are filled with emotion and energy that literally jumps from the band as they give voice to the story of the French Creoles who, over three hundred years ago, settled in the Wabash and Mississippi River corridors. Fingers and bow flying, Dennis Stroughmatt and the band take listeners on a musical odyssey using songs, stories, and even language in the traditions that have been passed down for generations. The band will play two sets of music at 4:00 and 5:00 pm. To learn more about the band visit their website at http://www.creolefiddle.com.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Museum is located at 201 South Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s courthouse square. For more information, contact the Museum by phone at 309.837.2750, by text at 309.837.2613, or info@wimuseum.org, or visit the website at www.wimuseum.org.
About Dennis Stroughmatt
In addition to a busy career as bandleader for the traditional band l’Esprit Creole, Dennis Stroughmatt offers solo performances for University, Library, and small groups. Recipient of numerous fellowship awards in arts and humanities, Dennis has become an ambassador for the Creole French heritage of North America, helping to preserve its language, music, and stories. A frequent speaker for language conferences, including the keynote speaker at the National Conference of the AATF —American Association of Teachers of French, and workshop leader at conferences on Colonial American French, the National Honor Society, and the Festival Internationale de Louisianne, to name just a few.
The State Historical Society of Missouri, the Illinois Humanities Council, and the Illinois Arts Council have recognized Dennis’ work with fellowship grants and inclusion in funding for Speakers’ Bureau and Arts Tour grant rosters. The charismatic programs are filled with an obvious love for the people he’s learned from and a passion for sharing this amazing heritage.