NEW YEAR’S TRADITION–On New Year’s Eve, members of La Guiannee Society gathered once again to sing traditional songs, including the La Guiannee song. The La Guiannee tradition dates back to 1722. Each year the group travels around the area performing at various homes and businesses. The group is pictured performing at their stop at Fort de Chartres. Another Prairie du Rocher tradition, the Twelfth Night Ball, will take place this weekend.
After a two year pause, this season’s Twelfth Night Ball is back, with a special musical treat.
Since reviving this old custom in 1976, for most years an orchestra named “Cousin Curtis and the Cash Rebates” has provided the music, dance lessons and calling. Their personnel varied across the years, with three or four core members always performing.
For more on the ball, please see this week’s print edition.