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LU’s Center for History and Culture presents “Singing the Dream: Cajun and Prison Music of Southeast Texas and Louisiana” with Kevin Fontenot and Caroline Gnagy. The lecture will take place on November 16 at 5 p.m. in the Reaud Event Center, Reaud Administration Building. A book signing and reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture will cover the life and career of Cleoma Breaux Falcon, who, along with her then fiance Joe Falcon, recorded the first Cajun record in 1928. 

“Cleoma's life represents how a Cajun navigated the waters between tradition and modernity during the mid twentieth century. She found a way to save the values and traditions that meant the most to her and make them relevant in a new time,” said Fontenot.

Fontenot is an author and scholar of the American South, focusing on the history of country and Cajun music. He holds degrees from e and , is a member of the Southern Historical Association, the , and a frequent speaker at the International Country Music Conference.

Gnagy is a musician, author, and independent scholar based in Austin.

For more information contact Mary Scheer at (409) 880-8518 or mary.scheer@lamar.edu.