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!
Link to original
article & photo gallery