★ Converted Barn, Full Of Fun Folk Art, Close To Lafayette On Private Plantation

About Owner/Property Manager

Hi, what can we say about ourselves? We think big. We have our own Folk Art Honky Tonk - The Whirlybird - and other large Folk Art buildings on our property. We are easy going, love to share and we are easy to find on the world wide web; soooo, besides an overnighter or two, you can also take advantage of how our Folk Art World has been developed for human interaction, and make large group arrangements: get married (Jim is a registered minister), plan a fun party or have a crawfish boil of your own with your friends and family. Sorry to say, but there are just too many choices year round for live music and dancing, theatre and outdoor activities to be listed here. We are two artists living, working and playing in one of the most creative and diverse places in the world - exotic South Louisiana. This is our favorite foreign country inside the United States, "where you have to go North to get to the South". We love it so much, we tell people, "We weren't born here, but we got here as fast as we could." It is this dynamic cultural environment, this diverse community of multi-talented friends that stole us away from the SF Bay Area of California. We are now living our artistic dreams in the middle of Cajun and Creole country, where it is the norm to dance at breakfast or play several instruments at a jam or see alligators and exotic birds regularly during nature explorations. Our goal: a safe, independent, sustainable, super-fun place for guests, friends and family to meet and share a variety of imaginative activities. Oh, did we mention why we live here? We love to meet and learn from new friends, and share our folk art vision in this lively setting - in our one-of-a-kind, yeah you right, laissez les bons temps router, cultural encampment and sustainable community, which is way down yonder - where everyone belongs.

Owner/Property Manager purchased this Farmhouse in 2006

Why Owner/Property Manager chose Opelousas

Here is what Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camp has to say about Christy and Jim, who love and have been honored to throw “dance parties” for Ashokan’s Southern Week: "Jim Phillips and his wife, Christy Leichty, are artists and educators who love Cajun and Creole music and the culture so dearly that they moved to Louisiana to help rebuild and work in education after the 2005 hurricanes. In addition to their educational endeavors there, they bought an old Texaco distribution center, moved it to a secret location, and outfitted it as a dance hall/theater called The Whirlybird. Some of the biggest names in Cajun music and beyond “pass a good time” there." We do not know of any other private honky tonk available for vacation rental anywhere in the world. The Whirlybird is a special place to many people. Creating The Whirlybird has been one of our passions, and one of the biggest art projects we have worked on, and we are proud of it and love to share. Join the fun.

What makes this Farmhouse unique

"What a amazing stay we had with Jim and Christy, who are as warm, charming, inviting and as full of rich character as the accommodations they graciously provided us! With well-collected antiques, funky, fun vintage treasures, colorful local art and decades-old reclaimed materials that they've brilliantly repurposed, Jim and Christy's place is full of heart and soul. Thank you, Jim and Christy, for warming our hearts and lightening our souls during our far too short a stay with you. As we said, your place is a destination all its own, and we hope to make it our destination again soon. - Gratefully, Amy and Mack"