Lafayette Celebrates its Heritage: It’s party time at Festival International de Louisiane 2011

From Cajun waltzes to reggae, Haitian rara, calypso, and African drumming, music feeds the soul at the 25th annual Festival International de Louisiane, held April 27-May 1 in downtown Lafayette. The lively cultural celebration draws more than 300,000 people each year to Lafayette in the heart of Acadiana. This year’s line-up includes the Remesha Master Drummers of Burundi, Keb’ Mo,’ and such headliners as BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Locos Por Juana, and the Balkan Beat Box. Visitors from around the world will be kicking up their heels to music by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, the Soul Rebels Brass Band, Sonny Landreth, Vagabond Swing, and the Honey Island Swamp Band. The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra also performs this year.

A montage of more than 100 performances from the French-speaking world gives a rich and spicy French flavor to the annual festival, which concurrently celebrates regional and international art and food. It is free and open to the public. Historic downtown Lafayette is transformed into an entertainment complex featuring six music stages, food court areas, arts and crafts booths, art galleries, cultural workshops, a world music store, and international cooking demonstration events during the five-day festival.

It is easy to get into the spirit while walking around the grounds, as colorful street performers entertain crowds heading to the various stages and tents. The aromas coming from the food courts are heavenly. Chefs from all corners of the world fly in to participate. If you want to meet some of the musicians, head to the merchandise boutique, where many of them have CD signings and visit with passers-by. Children’s activities designed to amuse the little ones are held at Scenes des Jeunes and include puppet shows, storytelling, and face painting. You can enjoy browsing at Marche des Arts and Marche du Monde for regional and international jewelry, sculpture, and other artful creations.

The phenomenal Festival International strives to be the premier international festival, known for bringing various artists to southwest Louisiana. It maintains the venue as a free community event, and is the largest free outdoor Francophone event in the United States. Formed in 1986, the festival places a special emphasis on the connections between Acadiana and the Francophone world, with groups from Canada, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean sharing their talents with Louisiana residents.

Something not to be missed if you are a musician is the Louisiana International Music Exchange (LIME), being held Friday afternoon, April 29. The expo-style event brings Acadiana musicians together with prominent music presenters and talent buyers from around the world. A broad spectrum of musical genres is featured this year. The original concept was to boost Louisiana’s cultural economy using the festival as a setting for interaction between the musicians of Acadiana and agents, presenters, and labels.

At the exchange, musicians, with or without managers, can meet and present material directly to industry professionals. In years past, a host of agents and music presenters attended the exchange, attracted by reduced hotel rates, free transportation, and VIP access to the festival and to all artists. Talent buyers and agents attending LIME have included representatives from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lincoln Center Music Festival, World Music Institute, and the Montreal Jazz Festival.

All of this is happening in downtown Lafayette, which has long been the historic heart of the Acadian community. It has redefined itself as the civic, cultural, and economic heart of a fun-loving city. A vibrant palette of public art, festivals, and events celebrate Acadiana within easy walking distance of downtown.

If you can’t make it to the festival, downtown Lafayette comes alive each month as galleries and studios open their doors for the free Second Saturday Artwalk, which will leave you inspired while exploring all the great restaurants in and around the cultural district.

Lafayette is famous for its fabulous food and great cooks. This time of year, crawfish are at their best, and you can find them prepared in many ways around town. Roll up your sleeves for heaping piles of hot and spicy crawdads with boiled corn and potatoes, or enjoy more elegant presentations that include pastas and bisques.

From traditional seafood restaurants such as Don’s Seafood, Prejean’s, and Randol’s (where Cajun bands perform nightly) to more formal establishments such as Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro and Café Vermilionville, dining in Lafayette remains a diverse and delightful affair, rich with tradition. It just doesn’t get any better than this for foodies. For further information on visiting Lafayette, call 800-346-1958 or view the Lafayette Convention and Visitor’s website, lafayettetravel.com. ✦