Big Chief Kevin performs along with Cyril Neville and Tribe 13

Austin Community College’s Rio Grande Campus celebrated Black History Month in style Wednesday, inviting Cyril Neville and Tribe 13 to perform and serving up creole food.

Perhaps best known as a percussionist/vocalist of the musical group The Neville Brothers, the youngest of the siblings brought his Cajun style – or “chumbo” – music to Rio Grande’s courtyard.

“It’s a combination of what happens after the gumbo spilled into the chili,” Neville explains.

There was no chili, but gumbo was on the menu Wednesday, along with yams and boudin, a rice sausage. Student Sebastian Garcia gave his seal of approval.

“I love spicy foods,” he says.

He’s also a fan of the blues and Cajun music, and says he enjoyed Neville’s performance. Neville urged the crowd to “make some noise” and “shake what your momma gave you.”

The band also brought in Big Chief Kevin, dressed in Native American attire as he sang with the group. The Mardi Gras Indian, along with Neville, is a New Orleans native who now makes his home in Austin after Hurricane Katrina. Neville says he has no plans of returning.

That’s good news for Erica Wills, Admissions and Records supervisor at Rio Grande, who was instrumental in arranging Neville’s visit.

“Whenever we mention (Neville) to people, they get a little excited,” she says. “They want to see him live.”

Wills says the purpose of the event was to hopefully make black history more relevant to everyone. Neville agrees.

“Black history is American history. Black history is world history,” he says. “I think it’s sad that the shortest, coldest month is set aside for black history. I remember when I was going to school, it was Black History Week. And before that, there was no such thing. That’s why I think we should make the most of these opportunities; that’s why I’m glad I got the opportunity to come and share what we have with these students.”

Black History Month may be over, but judging from the smiles on students’ faces, Wednesday’s event won’t soon be forgotten.