In late April, Elisa Monte was in Southwest Louisiana doing additional research for Zydeco!, a modern dance project. She visited the Louisiana Folk Roots’ Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week at Chicot State Park and other local festivals, trail rides and night clubs, and on October 11, the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana will debut the show with the Elisa Monte Dance Company of New York City.

The production of Zydeco! will tour na...