Festival International de Louisiane

 ©Andrea D. Rubinstein, 2003

I have now recovered from attending the  17th annual Festival International de Louisiane, a free 5 day Francophone celebration, which was held in Lafayette, Louisiana, from April 23 through April 27.  This year the festival was held on several brand new stages built expressly for this event in the downtown area. Selected as one of the "Top 10 Festivals in the World" by Washington Post/National Adventurer journalist, Tom Clynes, you can do some serious music, culinary and cultural sampling at this terrific event for the voluntary purchase of a $5 commemorative pin.

Louisiana bands were, of course, strongly represented at this year's festival.  Cajun-zydeco headliners included Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band,  Terrance Simien,  Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie,  Balfa Toujours,  Charivari , Huval Family Band, Jeremy & the Zydeco Hot Boyz, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers & T-Sale.  Other Louisiana musicians included the debut of David Egan (formerly of File) with his new band, Twenty Years of Trouble,  Aaron Neville,  Kenny Neal, and Marc Broussard.  France, Canada, and French Speaking Africa were well represented by the Salem Tradition,  The Cottors,  Bratsch,  Dobacaracol, Markus James & the Mali Tradition, the Duhks, Marka and Marce & Toumpak, to name a few.  Closing the event was Los Lobos. 

Aside from music, there were many different kinds of Louisiana street food available, a juried art show, theater productions (including the premier of charming "Swamp Magic: The Birth of the Gris Gris Sisters), songwriter circles (featuring David Greely & Sam Broussard of the Mamou Playboys),  a mock trial reenactment of the Louisiana Purchase, wine tastings, a 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk, street theater featuring stiltwalkers from France & living statues from Texas, and many other delightful events.

Musical highlights for me included some awesome twin fiddling by Balfa Toujours's Kevin Wimmer & Dirk Powell (on a Dennis McGee medley, "Oh Mon" & "Bluerunner") which left the crowd screaming for more,  and the great showmanship and vocals of Terrance Simien, including a closing song sequence that began with an a capella version of the Star Spangled Banner quickly followed by "War (What is it Good For?)", and "Give Peace a Chance" and finally, "May the Circle Be Unbroken".    The on stage chemistry between Jonno Fishberg & Mitch Reed during Charivari contributed to an excellent set by this great Cajun band, while Keith Frank has tightened up his act and had the crowd screaming for more during his dynamic performance.

If you are tired of the expense and crowds of Jazz Fest in New Orleans, but want a similarly excellent musical experience,  I highly recommend that you head west on 1-10 and check out Lafayette's Festival International! 

Photo Gallery ©Andrea D. Rubinstein, 2003

Wednesday Night:  Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band

Thursday

Aaron Neville

Friday

Balfa Toujours (Christine Balfa, Kevin Wimmer, Dirk Powell & Kevin Wimmer)

Saturday

Terrance Simien

5 Year Old Guyland Ledet (center) with Terrance Simien (left) and Jeffrey Broussard (right)

David Egan with his new band, Twenty Years of Trouble, and special guest, Marc Broussard (in yellow shirt)

Charivari (L-R: Jonno Fischberg, Mitch Reed, Randy Vidrine)

Sunday

Geno Delafose on the Fais Do-Do Stage

Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers

Other Festival Activities:

Theater Production:  Swamp Magic: The Birth of the Gris Gris Sisters

"Tetes en l'air" Stiltwalkers from France