Instead of taking a trip to the Big Easy to take a break from the colder winter weather, head over to the Cultural Center's Hall on Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. to enjoy some amazing Creole Zydeco music... And you just might find yourself dancing the night away!

For nearly 30 years, Grammy award winning artist Terrance Simien, an eighth generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience band, Simien has become one of the most respected and internationally recognized touring and recording artists in roots music today. He has performed over 6,000 concerts, toured millions of miles to over 45 countries and reached at least a million people during his eventful career that spans three decades. His music has even been featured in hit movies such as the "Big Easy" and Disney's "The Princess and the Frog".

Born in 1965 into the hippie, folk and soul music era, Simien grew artistically, being influenced by all of the great music that has defined our country's musical legacy, including music from that period.

He was as influenced by Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel as he was by Sam Cooke and the Meters. He has shared studio and stage with Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, the Meters, Alan Toussaint, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews Band to name a few. His music has been heard on NPR syndicated radio shows like World Café, American Routes, E-town and House of Blues Radio Hour. His recordings have been praised by Rolling Stone, calling Simien as "A Zydeco Master: his voice yearning like Sam Cooke, he delivers soul worthy of Stax greats and shows crossover class."

Carnegie Hall sent him and his group to Mali, West Africa to present "Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco" as part of a unique distance learning program entitled Global Encounters. Simien's groundbreaking arts education program of the same title has reached nearly 350,000 in 10 years since it debuted. This dynamic program is presented at art centers, schools and festivals. Simien is helping build an audience that is more knowledgeable about roots music and a more culturally literate generation of young performing arts patrons. Simien will be performing his "Creole for Kidz and History of Zydeco on Friday Jan. 18, at 9:30 a.m. in the Center's Hall.

Tickets are available for Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience for both members and non-members of the Madison Cultural Center. Member prices are $35, non-members are $45 and students are $20. For more information about the Cultural Center and to purchase tickets for Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, call (706) 342-4743 or visit mmcc-arts.org.