The Roots of Fire Project is a multimedia series dedicated to capturing and sharing stories of South Louisiana roots music, encompassing Cajun, Zydeco, and Creole traditions (among others). Through feature documentaries, short films, digital shorts, and live performance pieces, we aim to showcase the richness of Louisiana's French music heritage. Our ultimate goal is to foster an appreciation, both among existing fans and new listeners, to celebrate the diverse tapestry, explore the intersections where Cajun and Zydeco blend, diverge, and how Creole culture and indigenous influences have shaped these musical genres. By showcasing the artistic community, we hope to offer a window into this world, providing an immersive experience that mirrors the joy of live performances.
“If you’re not living your culture, you’re killing your culture.”
In Roots of Fire, a group of musicians honor the rich history and cultural legacy of Cajun music. The genre's contemporary scene in Louisiana has found mainstream success with Grammy Award nominations and wins, but shuttering venues and aging fans leave some questioning the music’s longevity. Featuring electrifying performances, this vibrant documentary examines the intersection between music and preserving tradition for future generations.
WITH MUSIC FROM:
• JOURDAN THIBODEAUX ET LES RÔDAILLEURS
• FEUFOLLET
• PINE LEAF BOYS
• T'MONDE
• BONSOIR, CATIN
FEATURING:
• JOEL SAVOY
• JOURDAN THIBODEAUX
• KRISTI GUILLORY
• WILSON SAVOY
• KELLI JONES (K.C. JONES)
"Even if I had never known or heard about cajun music, this documentary made me feel invited and welcome."
- Murf Reeves, WWOZ
SHORT DOCUMENTARY
CALIFORNIA CREOLE
FEATURING GRAMMY NOMINEE ANDRE THIERRY
THE PROJECT
DIGITAL SERIES
Amidst shuttered rural dance clubs and encroaching globalization, five Grammy award-winning musicians push against stereotypes of the American South and move the music of their ancestors forward. But their fans are getting older and the language is fading away. Will their efforts be enough to save a dying community?
The accompanying digital series features vignettes with a variety of artists, including established stars in Cajun and Zydeco, behind-the-scenes videos, and featurettes on related topics.
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MUSICIANS
Become a part of our community by giving a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation through our fiscal sponsor.
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We're casting artists to be part of the digital series & the Roots of Fire (Part 2) Zydeco Feature Documentary! If you’re a musician in this space and would love to be involved, drop us a line. We’d love to talk.
SPONSORS
There are sponsorship opportunities for the digital series. If your brand has synergy with our project, and you’d like to partner up, then let's talk. Send us an email and tell us a little about your company!