Agnes Sutherland Naquin
September 30, 2008October 2
October 2, 2008
For Houma blues guitarist Tab Benoit, the disappearance of Louisiana’s wetlands is not an abstract concept.
It is a personal tragedy that he has had the misfortune to view up close.
“My parents’ land that I grew up on in Little Caillou is washing away,” he said. I lost my camp again. It’s totally wiped clean. I’ve moving a little farther north after every storm, ignoring that it’s just getting worse out there.”
More than 250 days a year, Benoit sermonizes about the plight of south Louisiana’s wetlands as he performs on the road. But for three days in October, he brings his fight home to the delta’s doorsteps.
One month after Terrebonne and the surrounding parishes were blasted by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Benoit is returning to Southdown Plantation for the 5th annual Voice of the Wetlands Festival.
A combination of exhibits, cuisine and all-star music, the annual event sheds light not only on the disappearance of our coast, but the loss of the unique culture, heritage, wildlife and people associated with it.
The goal of the VOW festival is to unite supporters from around the parish, state and country for the cause, Benoit said.
“The people in south Louisiana know what’s happening, but they have a small voice compared to the rest of the country,” he said. “We need to use every tool we’ve got to magnify our voice so the federal government will pay attention.”
The impact of September’s storms on the area has given the bluesman an even greater sense of urgency.
“We don’t have a lot of time to continue to live where we live,” Benoit said. “Right now is not a time for optimism. We have to be realistic about our future, understand what we’re up against and do everything we can do to make sure our voices are heard. People around the rest of the country need to know we exist and to know there’s an important reason why we exist and why we should continue to exist.”
This summer, Benoit reached the national stage with his fight to save Louisiana’s wetlands.
In July, he discussed Louisiana’s eroding coastal wetlands with members of Congress at their Capitol Hill offices. He called his time with national politicians an “eye-opening” experience.
“All they continue to do is give excuses for why they’re not getting anything done,” Benoit said. “We can’t continue to accept excuses. Either we fix the coast or we’re not going to fix the coast. Somebody needs to tell us one way or the other.”
In August and September, he performed at both major political parties’ national conventions. However, Benoit said he got the feeling neither party was interested in the cause.
“The parties partied,” Benoit said. “It’s not like they were really ready for what I had to say, but I tried. You give me a microphone, I’m going to talk about this and try to get some help.”
Benoit would be happy if those who attend the VOW festival listen to what he has to say. But he does not want his words to live and die on the grounds of Southdown Plantation.
“Having a good time is the most important thing to making this festival successful,” Benoit said. “But if everybody that came out takes the message to heart and decides to take action to help save our wetlands, then that’s the real success.”
In addition to Benoit, the musical lineup includes Louisiana LeRoux, fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux and the Mike Zito Band.
The VOW All-Stars – Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, LeRoux, Thibodeaux and Benoit – will close the festival Sunday evening.
In conjunction with the three-day festival, Cycle World of Houma is hosting a Voice of the Wetlands Benefit Poker Run that will start Sunday at the Park Avenue shop and end at the festival grounds. Information on the poker run is available at the VOW Web site or by contacting Ellen Diedrich at (985) 876-6104.
Also “Discovery Flights” over the wetlands are being offered through Hammonds Air Service in Houma. Flights will travel in groups of three, and are being offered for $40 per person. For more information, call (985) 876-0584.
Voice of the Wetlands Festival hours at Southdown Plantation are from 4-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10; from 11-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11; and 11-10 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.
