Horace Trahan, Zydeco legend from Ossun Louisiana … backed by Heavy Bone Zydeco - Abilene, Tue 8/11
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HORACE TRAHAN - One of SW Louisiana’s most revered Zydeco artists both for the depth of his lyrics and power of his performances. A native of Ossun, Louisiana, Horace is one of Zydeco's most beloved performers and songwriters. His driving accordion, soulful voice, and unstoppable Louisiana groove have filled dance floors for decades. His high-energy performances, riveting Zydeco sound, and infectious spirit have made Horace a favorite among dancers throughout Louisiana and beyond.
HORACE TRAHAN – Why here? Why now?
This July, the GrassRoots Culture Camp crowd was blown away by Horace Trahan’s performance, backed by Donna The Buffalo, when he stepped up to fill the big boots of Preston Frank for the “Creole Zydeco” Dinner Dance night. Sadly, Preston couldn’t make the trip due to challenges with vertigo.
Horace stole the show, thrilling dancers with his soulful voice and deep Zydeco grooves and captured the hearts of all who intently listened to the depths of his authentic lyrics, his willingness to call out for justice and boldly speak truth to power, and his ability to get EVERYONE to laugh and sing along.
HORACE AT GRASSROOTS:
Just as Horace was about to head back to Louisiana, folks started asking him, “When can you come back up and play for us again?”
His answer … “How about this August?”
VOILA!!!
Aug 8-16 … in Trumansburg, the Catskills, Rochester, Kingston, Mt Morris and Newfield. Catch Horace when and where you can!!! You’ll be SO HAPPY you did.
Aug 11th, Horace performs at Abilene Bar and Lounge in their magical patio out back, backed by Heavy Bone Zydeco, Ithaca's next-gen Zydeco band that have thrilled audiences throughout the Northeast.
EVENT DETAILS:
- BAND: Horace Trahan backed by Heavy Bone Zydeco
- TIMES: Doors 6pm, Music 7:00pm
- TICKETS: $15 advance, $20 day of show and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar
- LOCATION: Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY 14604
- INFO: (585) 232-3230 // www.abilenebarandlounge.com
WHY HORACE TRAHAN?
If you've never experienced Horace Trahan, you're in for something special. Horace has a rare gift for connecting with people. He doesn't just play songs—he creates a shared experience, feeding off the energy of the crowd while inspiring everyone in the room to lose themselves in the rhythm, the joy, and the rich traditions of Louisiana Creole culture. Every show is filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and the kind of musical chemistry that turns strangers into friends.
But Horace's impact reaches beyond the dance floor.
Horace has long been known for the authentic voice he brings to his lyrics. Many longtime Horace Trahan fans point to his self-released Keep Walking not simply because it's filled with great dance music, but because it feels deeply personal. While the album has the infectious rhythms people expect from Horace, its greatest strength is that his songs come across as reflections on real life rather than manufactured lyrics. Listeners often feel that Horace is singing with them rather than at them.
Themes of Keep Walking resonate deeply with audiences: perseverance through hardship; hope without denying reality; strength through community; the power of faith and gratitude; value of joy as resilience; humbling respect for ordinary people; importance of speaking truth to power … as found in songs like: Funny Things Change, Sad But True, Guilty Till Proven Innocent, When Love Takes Over.
In recent years, Horace has become an outspoken voice for compassion, justice, inclusion, and democracy. Through his Facebook posts, music, and conversations with fans, Horace has spoken passionately against racism, authoritarianism, and policies of the current administration—including immigration enforcement practices that he believes have harmed families and communities. He has chosen to speak even when doing so has come with personal and professional costs, because he believes that silence in the face of injustice is not an option.
Horace reminds us that music can be more than entertainment—it can build community, celebrate our shared humanity, and inspire us to care for one another.
HORACE TRAHAN VIDEOS:
People Know How to Party -
NOLA Cajun Zydeco Fest 2025 -
Keep Walkin' -
HEAVY BONE ZYDECO ... Ithaca based next-gen Zydeco
Heavy Bone and the Good Times Zydeco Band is thrilled to have the honor of backing Horace Trahan. Heavy Bone has brought their unique next-gen Zydeco sound to Rochester and Abilene before and impressed Zydeco music lovers with their deeply authentic Creole sound and energy, effortlessly drawing folks onto the dance floor, where all are locked into captivating Zydeco grooves.
The rhythms of Zydeco are deep-rooted in the genes of each member of Heavy Bone Zydeco, flowing from their lifelong exposure & dancing to the Creole Zydeco which has long been core to the Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance in Trumansburg.
Heavy Bone puts a northern spin on the tradition of Zydeco as a musical form, passing the magic down from generation to generation as the members of the band reflect … for example Jonas Puryear on accordion is the son of Donna the Buffalo’s Jeb Puryear and Cole Stearns on scrubboard is the son of Richie Stearns of Horseflies and Richie & Rosie. Heavy Bone is certified to bring on the energy and keep your boots stompin’ with contagious rhythms and thumpin’ drums.
HEAVY BONE VIDEOS:
Waffle Two-Step:
Chere Ici, Chere La Bas:
HORACE TRAHAN – Why here? Why now?
This July, the GrassRoots Culture Camp crowd was blown away by Horace Trahan’s performance, backed by Donna The Buffalo, when he stepped up to fill the big boots of Preston Frank for the “Creole Zydeco” Dinner Dance night. Sadly, Preston couldn’t make the trip due to challenges with vertigo.
Horace stole the show, thrilling dancers with his soulful voice and deep Zydeco grooves and captured the hearts of all who intently listened to the depths of his authentic lyrics, his willingness to call out for justice and boldly speak truth to power, and his ability to get EVERYONE to laugh and sing along.
HORACE AT GRASSROOTS:
Just as Horace was about to head back to Louisiana, folks started asking him, “When can you come back up and play for us again?”
His answer … “How about this August?”
VOILA!!!
Aug 8-16 … in Trumansburg, the Catskills, Rochester, Kingston, Mt Morris and Newfield. Catch Horace when and where you can!!! You’ll be SO HAPPY you did.
Aug 11th, Horace performs at Abilene Bar and Lounge in their magical patio out back, backed by Heavy Bone Zydeco, Ithaca's next-gen Zydeco band that have thrilled audiences throughout the Northeast.
EVENT DETAILS:
- BAND: Horace Trahan backed by Heavy Bone Zydeco
- TIMES: Doors 6pm, Music 7:00pm
- TICKETS: $15 advance, $20 day of show and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar
- LOCATION: Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY 14604
- INFO: (585) 232-3230 // www.abilenebarandlounge.com
WHY HORACE TRAHAN?
If you've never experienced Horace Trahan, you're in for something special. Horace has a rare gift for connecting with people. He doesn't just play songs—he creates a shared experience, feeding off the energy of the crowd while inspiring everyone in the room to lose themselves in the rhythm, the joy, and the rich traditions of Louisiana Creole culture. Every show is filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and the kind of musical chemistry that turns strangers into friends.
But Horace's impact reaches beyond the dance floor.
Horace has long been known for the authentic voice he brings to his lyrics. Many longtime Horace Trahan fans point to his self-released Keep Walking not simply because it's filled with great dance music, but because it feels deeply personal. While the album has the infectious rhythms people expect from Horace, its greatest strength is that his songs come across as reflections on real life rather than manufactured lyrics. Listeners often feel that Horace is singing with them rather than at them.
Themes of Keep Walking resonate deeply with audiences: perseverance through hardship; hope without denying reality; strength through community; the power of faith and gratitude; value of joy as resilience; humbling respect for ordinary people; importance of speaking truth to power … as found in songs like: Funny Things Change, Sad But True, Guilty Till Proven Innocent, When Love Takes Over.
In recent years, Horace has become an outspoken voice for compassion, justice, inclusion, and democracy. Through his Facebook posts, music, and conversations with fans, Horace has spoken passionately against racism, authoritarianism, and policies of the current administration—including immigration enforcement practices that he believes have harmed families and communities. He has chosen to speak even when doing so has come with personal and professional costs, because he believes that silence in the face of injustice is not an option.
Horace reminds us that music can be more than entertainment—it can build community, celebrate our shared humanity, and inspire us to care for one another.
HORACE TRAHAN VIDEOS:
People Know How to Party -
NOLA Cajun Zydeco Fest 2025 -
Keep Walkin' -
HEAVY BONE ZYDECO ... Ithaca based next-gen Zydeco
Heavy Bone and the Good Times Zydeco Band is thrilled to have the honor of backing Horace Trahan. Heavy Bone has brought their unique next-gen Zydeco sound to Rochester and Abilene before and impressed Zydeco music lovers with their deeply authentic Creole sound and energy, effortlessly drawing folks onto the dance floor, where all are locked into captivating Zydeco grooves.
The rhythms of Zydeco are deep-rooted in the genes of each member of Heavy Bone Zydeco, flowing from their lifelong exposure & dancing to the Creole Zydeco which has long been core to the Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance in Trumansburg.
Heavy Bone puts a northern spin on the tradition of Zydeco as a musical form, passing the magic down from generation to generation as the members of the band reflect … for example Jonas Puryear on accordion is the son of Donna the Buffalo’s Jeb Puryear and Cole Stearns on scrubboard is the son of Richie Stearns of Horseflies and Richie & Rosie. Heavy Bone is certified to bring on the energy and keep your boots stompin’ with contagious rhythms and thumpin’ drums.
HEAVY BONE VIDEOS:
Waffle Two-Step:
Chere Ici, Chere La Bas:
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Where is it happening?
Abilene Bar and Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY 14604-1420, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherRochester Cajun Zydeco Music & Dance
