April 26, 2012
Lafayette, Louisiana
pt at large is in Lafayette, Louisiana for the 26th Annual Festival International de Louisiane, five days worth of music and mingling, food and fun, dining and dancing. In the first two days here, I've met Pastel and Pascal of the band Vishten from the Magdalen Islands located in the Gulf of St Lawrence, listened to bands from France,Niger, and the good old USA. This is the biggest street party int the world.
"Festival International de Louisiane is truly a community event drawing together approximately 1,500 volunteers from all segments of the community to work together to celebrate both our diversity and the common human experience that binds us together. Through the arts presented and the joint efforts to produce it, the festival contributes to the spirit of community that is so unique to the Acadiana region.
The annual 5-day festival is held during the last full week of April. Historic downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, is transformed into an entertainment complex featuring six music stages, food court areas, street musicians and animators, arts and crafts boutiques, art galleries, beverage stands, cultural workshops, international cooking demonstrations and a world music store."
The festival was recently voted "Best World Music Festival" in the About.com WorldMusic Reader's Choice Awards.
Stay tuned for reports from Lafayette...
Photo of "Bombino" playing on the Scene Popeye Stage by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
Oh, what a week...and I thought I had the ultimate experience at the Mardi Gras in Lafayette. One more music and fun festival on my bucket list....Festival International de Louisiane. Oorah!!!
Posted by: Carole Blossom | May 01, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Yep, this festival ranks right up there with Mardi Gras. You might need a bigger bucket now!
Posted by: Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. | May 01, 2012 at 11:57 AM