Special to the LPJ
Elizabeth Vidos, also known as Lady Chops, is a talented percussionist, arts advocate, and a current local of Ruston. A native of Morgan City, La., Elizabeth grew up in the heart of Cajun Country emersed in the vibrant culture that is so iconically “South Louisiana.” It’s here where she attended parades and was quickly fascinated by the local bands and musicians she witnessed along the parade routes of her youth.
After convincing her parents that joining her school band was a good idea, and that playing the drums was an even better one, she began her transformation into the talented and vibrant artist she is today. Elizabeth secured a music scholarship to the University of Louisiana at Monroe (then NLU) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1998. She then ventured across country to New York City where she went on to dedicate the next 10 years to performing in the hit Off-Broadway show “STOMP” on tour and in New York City.
After returning to Louisiana and landing in Ruston, she soon found herself working with the Methodist Children’s Home working with at risk youth as a Recreational Therapist. It’s during her 9 plus years with MCH that she developed her extensive facilitator/speaker training with Quantum Learning Network, a skill set that now contributes to her dynamic presentation style with both small and large groups alike.
Elizabeth’s passion for arts education and literacy inspired her to develop her own one woman show titled “Drum Roll Please.” She quickly gained popularity among local Libraries for their Summer Reading Programs. Her performances have been described as energetic, interactive, educational and fun for all ages as she incorporates a variety of tools including the box drum, drum set, Cajun rubboard and a wide array of other percussion instruments.
Lady Chops currently performs her one woman show at festivals, libraries and schools throughout Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas year-round. She has been known to perform up to 150 shows in a calendar year including her Summer Reading Performances, the Louisiana Peach Festival, and both a Celtic and Christmas themed show. She has performed with other artists such as Amanda Roberts (2017 National Hammered Dulcimer Champion), the TMM Project, and many more. Most recently she took the stage in the 2023 New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Elizabeth’s goal is to inspire others, especially youth, to love the arts, do great things and embrace their own “chops.” She wants to share Louisiana music and culture with everyone she meets. It’s her contribution to keeping our unique arts and culture alive not only here in our own home state, but to also share it with others as well.
“I bring music to kids because I think it is a very important part of our culture in Louisiana and I believe we are at risk of losing that to distractions such as technology and other popular media,” says Vidos.
If you want to catch the next Lady Chops performance, swing by the Jackson Parish Library Chatham Branch on June 13 at 2 pm or the Jonesboro Branch on June 14 at 10 am and 2 pm, the Lincoln Parish Library on June 26 at 10 am, or the Bienville Parish Library Gibsland Branch on June 26 at 2 pm.
To learn more about Elizabeth “Lady Chops” Vidos or to contact her check out her Facebook page or visit her Culturalyst page at http://www.culturalyst.com/ladychops.
