The Basics:
The area around Lafayette, Louisiana, known as Acadiana, or informally, Cajun Country, is replete with festivals. However, for world music fans, Festival International is the clear standout. Usually falling on one of the weekends of The New Orleans JazzFest, Festival International is a common stop-over, as it is free!
History:
Festival International is a young 'un, as far as Louisiana festivals go. It was founded in 1986 to promote Louisiana's French cultural heritage, presenting bands from France, French Canada, Africa, the Caribbean, as well as, to a lesser degree, other heritage elements, such as Latin and Anglo-Saxon.
Cost:
Festival International is free. Totally free. Food, craft and beverage vendors are available for a price, as are crafts and art, but to see the music, you don't need to pay a thing. However, you can support the festival by pledging them money directly, or by buying lots of stuff: T-shirts, posters, baseball caps and pins are all for sale.
LIME:
Festival International also hosts a small music-industry conference, called Louisiana International Music Exposition (LIME), before the festivities start, introducing international talent buyers to Louisiana talent. It's like a teeny-tiny version of Folk Alliance or South by Southwest.
2009 Performers Include...:
Mark Broussard
Rachid Taha
Grupo Fantasma
Cherish the Ladies
Dobet Gnahore
Rupa and the April Fishes
...and dozens more!
View Full Lineup
