Teaching Guides Align with the Zydeco Experience Band the Common Core State Standards and New Mexico State Learning Standards

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Presented by Terrance Simien & Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides align with The Zydeco Experience Band the Common Core State Standards and New Mexico State Learning Standards. Tuesday, MARCH 14, 2017 K-8 Grades: Standards I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explo- Addressed By sive expression of humanity. It’s something Attending the we are all touched by. No matter what culture Performance we’re from, everyone loves music.” ‘‘ — Billy Joel New Mexico State Standards: Visual and Performing Arts: Standard 6

INTRODUCTION Zydeco music is a blend of many sounds and cultural influences. Zydeco blends the melodies of blues and jazz with Native American and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The lyrics are most often in French, with both religious and secular themes. The music that was once just a form of storytelling with few or no instruments has evolved into a powerful sound that is known and loved all over the world. Zydeco music now includes many contemporary influences like rock n’ roll, rhythm & blues, reggae, funk, soul, and other urban styles.

Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz is an interactive world music show that blends diverse sounds and influences from African, French, Spanish, and Native American styles. Grammy Award-winning artist Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience Band will encourage the audience to sing, dance, and stomp along with the music! Students may recognize Simien’s work in the animated filmThe Princess and the Frog.

2 Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers French and Spanish settlers all over the Traditionally, the carnivals, parades, Vocabulary New World but eventually narrowed to costumes, floats and parties give people indicate native-born Louisianans of French an opportunity to indulge in food and accordion — a box-shaped musical instrument that is played by pushing air and/or Spanish descent. A native creole dancing prior to fasting for Lent. The through the reeds. Developed in Europe, of Louisiana is often considered to be Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, the name is derived from the German multicultural and multiracial. The Creole Louisiana, where the festival originated, word akkord which means “agreement or heritage is a mix of French, Spanish, are the largest in the country. It is also harmony.” Native American, African American and commonly known by its English name, Fat Germanic ancestry making it one of the Tuesday. Acadians — the French settlers of eastern most complex sub-cultures in North multicultural — of, relating to, or Canada, also known as Acadia, who America! moved south to the French territory of constituted from several cultural or ethnic Louisiana after being displaced by the étouffée — a popular Cajun dish made groups within a society. with a combination of spices, and crawfish British in the 1750s. roots music — music springing from or shrimp to make a creamy sauce served and identified with a particular culture, bayou — a body of water usually found over rice. The term means, “to smother” or typically that of the West Indies. in low-lying land areas in the Gulf Coast “to cook down.” regions of the southern United States. rubboard — an instrument inspired by gumbo a thick, robust roux-based soup Bayous are slow moving streams or — an old fashioned washing board, played sometimes thickened with okra or filé. marshy wetlands that connect to the by musicians rubbing a stick over the There are thousands of variations, many Mississippi River and empty into the Gulf wavy metal. It’s also called a “frottoir” in of which include any combination of of Mexico near New Orleans. The bayou French or “friction strip,” it was designed shrimp, fish, chicken, duck, okra, and other is a natural habitat for crawfish, shrimp, especially for zydeco music. It is regarded ingredients. shellfish, catfish, alligators, and many as one of the first percussion instruments other species. indigenous — originating or occurring created in the U.S. naturally in a particular place; native. Cajun — the word “Cajun” is derived symbol — a thing that represents or from “Acadian,” because the Cajuns are jambalaya — a rice dish with any stands for something else, especially an descendants of the French-Canadians combination of beef, pork, fowl, smoked object or color representing something who settled in southern Louisiana. sausage, ham, or seafood, as well as abstract. celery, green peppers, and tomatoes. Creole — the word “Creole” comes from Zydeco — the indigenous music of the the Spanish “criollo,” which means “a Mardi Gras — the day before Ash French-speaking Creoles that has become child born in the colony.” The term was Wednesday, and the first day of synonymous with the cultural and musical first applied to descendants of early the Roman Catholic season of Lent. identity of Louisiana.

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guide Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz 3 as a result of racial co-habitation slaves, includng the right to own land. and a fairly tolerant attitude towards Fun Facts for Students In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, cultural diversity. As a result, West The Creoles are a multiracial and the U.S. government racially identified African dance, gatherings, music, and multicultural tapestry of African, all persons with any African ancestry cuisine continued to be practiced French, Spanish, and Native American as black. heritage whose first language is openly in a way that was greatly In Louisiana, Creole is defined as an French. discouraged in the British American colonies. This was pivotal, as racial ethnicity and a culture. Culture really The early Creoles make up some co-habitation and a tolerance of has no color, but is an ethnic group of the first European families of cultural diversity existed in Louisiana with multi-racial distinctions. The Louisiana. Official records indicate in a way it did not in any other part color palette of the Creoles ranges the Simien family was one of the of the country at that time. Because from white to black and all shades in earliest European families to settle of this tradition of cultural influence, between! the area in the mid 1700s. Creoles developed as a multicultural The origin of the word “zydeco” is presence in the southern US. The earliest form of Creole music is unknown; but theories exist, including called jurè music, which translates During the Colonial and Antebellum that it has roots in French, Native into “jury.” The Creole singer would periods the Creoles were classified American and African languages. “testify” to their audience about the as a separate class, distinct from Cajun Music was brought to Louisiana hardships of their day, how much they the whites of European heritage or by the Acadians who came to loved their mother or God, or even blacks of African heritage. They were Louisiana from Acadie (Nova Scotia). how their heart had been broken. It is classified under this distinct status for Their music had its origins in France, performed with only clapping hands, nearly 150 years. but it had already been influenced stomping feet, and French lyrics. In 1724 the Code Noir (Black by the community’s experiences in Under French and then Spanish Code) was established. It had the New World and encounters with rule, the culture of the African slaves many restrictions, but gave Creoles British settlers and Native Americans. greatly influenced the local culture significantly more rights than black The ballads took old European stories

4 Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers and adapted them to refer to life in The accordion provides the melody Popular belief has it that the term Louisiana or by inventing their own in zydeco music. It was brought to “jambalaya” originated from a traveler tales. Early balladeers would sing America by Germans and sold to that came into a New Orleans kitchen without accompaniment at family the Creoles after the Civil War. It is that had very little food. The traveler gatherings or special occasions. The considered an “old world” instrument told the cook, “Jean, balayes” or fiddle supplied music for dances, played in folk and roots music. “Jean, sweep something together” although a cappela dance tunes that The Creole flag of South Louisiana in local dialect. As time went on, the relied on clapping and stomping was designed in 1981. Creoles’ West phrase became the name of the tasty to provide the rhythm were also African heritage is represented by the dish made from a bunch of different common. iconic star from the Senegalese flag ingredients thrown together! and the three colors of Mali’s flag; Creole Music drew on the same The traditional Mardi Gras colors French heritage with the Fleur De Lis, French traditions as Cajun music but and Spanish heritage by the Tower of are symbolic. Purple (justice), green added the influence of African music Castille. (faith), and gold (power) can be in the New World — the rhythms of seen throughout the entire state of the Caribbean or the soulful melodies The nickname for the state of Louisiana during this time of year. of the slave spirituals. Louisiana is “The Pelican State.” The fleur-de-lis (flower of the lily) In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th Creole Heritage Day is on January is a stylized symbol that is deeply state to enter the Union, selecting the 22 of each year. It was established in ingrained in Louisiana’s history. A city of Baton Rouge (which means 1991. mark of nobility in France, the symbol red stick in French), as the capital. The rubboard (frottoir) is not only is seen in architecture, the state flag used by zydeco bands anymore. The state flower is the magnolia, the and on the helmets of the Saints Several popular rock and country tree is the bald cypress, and the bird football team, and used a symbol of musicians like ZZ Top, Shania Twain, is the pelican. unity. There is also a dark history of and Bruce Springsteen have also used Tourism is considered Louisiana’s the symbol in Louisiana, it was once the rubboard in their music. second largest industry. used to mark slaves.

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guide Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz 5 Making a Rubboard Lesson 1

Grades K - 3 Objectives Students will: • create a model of a rubboard. NMCCSS: • listen to and follow directions. SL.2, SL.6 New Mexico Materials State Standards: • manila file folders (letter size), the uneven edges cut off or oaktag, cut 17 x 12 • poster board or cardboard, cut 18 x 13 Arts Content: • a stapler Standard 1 • rubber bands • plastic spoons or unsharpened pencils, to use as scrapers • Terrence Simian & The Zydeco Experience Band music, or other zydeco music

Procedure 1. Turn on some of the Zydeco Everyone had one, so it was the ridges to stick out. Experience Band’s music or easily available and inexpensive. 6. Place the rubber bands in each find some other bands on the 3. Take the manila file folder or ridge to secure the washboard Internet to set the mood as the oak tag and begin to fold it as if area to the cardboard. students work. making a fan, creasing the paper 7. Using the scrapers, go ahead 2. Explain to the students that back and forth. and play! the rubboards used on stage are metal and came from the 4. Open it up and place it on 8. Discuss the sounds made washboards used to wash the your cardboard. and how and why they may be family’s clothes before washers 5. Staple the top and bottom different than what they heard at and dryers were invented. edges firmly, leaving room for the performance.

Extensions/Modifications: • Decorate the manila file folder/oak tag, before folding the paper. • Use colored pencils or markers to make interesting designs or pictures. • Research the history of the rubboards and all it’s uses. • Take a photograph of your students playing their rubboards and post it on the Schooltime Facebook page!

Assessment • Quality of participation

6 Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers Creole vs. Cajun Lesson 2

Grades 4-8 Objectives Students will: • research information regarding Creole and Cajun traditions. NMCCSS: • appropriately use available technology. RI.1, RI.6, RI.7, SL.1, SL.2, • read for comprehension. • synthesize information. SL.4, SL.5, SL.6 Materials • a worksheet • access to the Internet or a library • a map of North America and/or Louisiana Procedures 1. Discuss where the Creole first column small, to fit only then below that write “Food.” and Cajun cultures are found one word. The others will be There should be four empty in the US (southern Louisiana bigger and of equal size to hold boxes each under both of the — New Orleans) and mark the comparison data. Next, divide “Creole” and “Cajun” columns. area on the map. Include in the top half of the sheet into this discussion the Canadian three columns. Then divide 4. Conduct research on the provinces of Nova Scotia the columns into five rows or topics under each of the and New Brunswick, and the sections that will look like boxes. categories. Caribbean island of Haiti. b. In the second topic box write 5. Students share their findings 2. Alone or in small groups, “Creole,” and “Cajun” in the third. of things that are the same students make a Creole and 3. In the first column in the Cajun Cultures Worksheet. second row write “Origins.” or similar and things that are a. The top row is the “Topic Below that write “Language,” different in these two cultures Box.” Make the first row and and below that write “Music,” with the class. Extensions/Modifications • Students create a PowerPoint presentation on one of the cultural elements from either Creole or Cajun traditions. • Below “Food,” add other categories such as fundamental human needs (shelter, education, or family life). Consider material, spiritual, and leadership categories. • Make one large poster summarizing students’ research. • Find or make pictures to illustrate some of the findings and add them to the poster. Assessment • Quality of participation

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guide Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz 7 Bonus Explorations of Mississippi, 1994. Lessons & Activities Hall, Gwendolyn Midlo. Africans in Colonial Louisiana. Baton Rouge: Design a Flag — (Grades K—3) If your family Louisiana State University Press, 1994. or community had a flag that represented them, like the Creoles do, how would yours Websites look? In this activity, students will get to A quick link to a list of various Louisiana- Questions to design their own flag with symbols and themed children’s books. meaningful colors that represent themselves. A link to fun activities that help students Engage & Connect Write a Review — (Grades 4—8) Students learn more about Louisiana’s wildlife. will have the opportunity to evaluate the After seeing the show, ask For more information on Louisiana’s culture your students to answer show Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz from a and history. these questions: critic’s perspective and write their own music review, while also learning more about Creole Learn more about Zydeco Rocks! Creole for What types of instruments culture. Kidz, some history behind the show, and a were used? look at a unique art piece. Cajun Cooking — Explore Cajun culture How would you describe through their unique food and spices. There Videos Zydeco music? are wonderful recipes available for gumbo, A quick look into the preparation and How was the audience jambalaya, red beans & rice, and shrimp celebration of Mardi Gras. able to interact with the creole. Have the class research Cajun cooking performance? and choose a dish to prepare together using See a video on a Cajun Night Before Christmas. Give some examples of the ingredients and measurements as part things you learned about of the lesson. Have a potluck Mardi Gras Creole culture. party! Each student can provide a dish (or About the Performer ingredient) and give a short report on where What was your favorite it originated, how it is grown, harvested, song? Explain why. prepared, etc. Chef Emeril Lagasse is a How did the music famous local with delicious recipes. and performance make Cajun Storybooks — Several authors have you feel? adapted traditional European/American Name some things stories to a Cajun setting, like, Three Little t h a t y o u l e a r n e d Cajun Pigs and Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red about Louisiana. Riding Hood by Mike Artell, and Cajun Night Before Christmas, and Gaston the Green If you were ever to visit Nosed Alligator by James Rice are great Louisiana what do you examples for students to identify characters, For nearly 30 years, Grammy Award-winning think it would be like? settings, and problems in a story. Have them artist Terrance Simien, an 8th generation Do you think you could compare and contrast the two versions. Then Louisiana Creole, has been shattering make your own Zydeco look for other versions of the story, like The the myths about Zydeco music. He was introduced to music through the piano, the music? How? Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell. Catholic Church choir, and the school band where he played trumpet. While in his teens, Resources he taught himself to play the accordion and formed his first band. Leading his Zydeco Books recommended by Terrence Simian: Experience Band, Simien has become one of Brassea, Carl. Creoles of Color in the the most respected and accomplished artists Bayou Country. Jackson: University Press in American roots music today.

8 Zydeco Rocks! Creole for Kidz Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers •••••••••••• P O P EJOY Schooltime SERIES

The Schooltime Series is a proud member of About the Schooltime Series The Los Alamos National Bank Popejoy Schooltime Series brings you national and international touring companies and performers you can’t see anywhere else in or around Albuquerque. Each touring company is selected with youth and family audiences in mind, and our repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of our global community. The Schooltime Series includes new plays, familiar The LANB Popejoy Schooltime stories, literary works, biographies, mythologies, folk tales, music, dance, Series is supported in part by and puppetry. These professional performing artists create educational awards from: experiences designed to encourage literacy, creativity, communication, and The Eugene and Marion imagination. Castiglia Popejoy Children’s Send an email with your name and email address to schooltime@ Schooltime Endowment popejoypresents.com requesting to be added to the mailing and monthly The Popejoy Schooltime newsletter list. Visit us at schooltimeseries.com and facebook.com/ Education Endowment schooltimeseries. Popejoy Hall Popejoy Hall is New Mexico’s premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. Our mission is to provide access to the performing arts for all New Mexicans. Etiquette The inside of a theatre is called a “house” and to get along, have fun, and enjoy the shows, there are rules to follow. Schooltime provides a wonderful opportunity to learn how good behavior in a live theater is different from watching television at home. For guidelines to practice with your class and chaperones go to schooltimeseries.com/house-policies. House Policies Please visit our website for detailed information about House Policies. This includes our guidelines on safety, special needs, food and drink, backpacks, cell phones, photography, recordings, and more. Credits Dreamcatchers are Teaching Guides produced by the Education Department of Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Selected Dreamcatchers Teaching Guide materials provided by Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, About New Orleans, Webster’s Dictionary, web.1sue.edu, acadgate/music/ history.htm, and other resources noted within this guide. The University of New Mexico The Los Alamos National Bank Popejoy Schooltime Series is a program of The University of New Mexico.