Festival Fun Preview + Cajun Pineapple Rum Cake

Almost time for the biggest and best festival of the year, the 24th annual Festival International de Louisiane! On April 21-25, downtown Lafayette will be transformed into a 6 stage, multi-cultural, global music playground, with bands from 15 countries, including class acts from France, Brazil, Mali, New Brunswick, Zimbabwe, and many others. As well as some of the best bands that Louisiana and Cajun country have to offer, including the Sonny Landreth Band, The Bluerunners, Feufollet, and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, just to name a few of my faves, out of 500 artists, at the festival!


And of course , tons of scrumptious, world famous, Cajun cuisine, and decadent drinks, as well, with 26 wonderful food booths to choose from, at the Pavillon de Cuisine. And do not forget to check out the incredible International and Southern, arts and crafts market, at Marche des Arts, with over 80 vendors selling unique, handcrafted items and beautiful art and apparel. I can't wait to shop here!



The kick off to this year's festival will begin with a fais do-do, (Cajun street dance) on Wednesday evening with the High Performance Band, taking the stage at Scene Bacardi, at 6:30pm, followed by Keith Frank & the Soileau Family Zydeco Band. Get your dancing shoes on, and get ready to do some nitty- gritty dancing, with these two fantastic groups. And don't forget the AFTER PARTY at the Blue Moon Saloon, with the legendary, Lil' Band of Gold , entertaining the crowd! See ya'll there! Woo hoo! I'm so excited and cannot wait!

Life doesn't get any better than this, so come on down and get into the festival spirit, for five straight days, of fabulous Cajun and International music, cuisine, and fun! This unique festival celebrates all music and all cultures and the Acadiana cultural connection with the francophone world and is a fabulous, fun experience that you will always remember! For a complete schedule, click here.

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Lil Buck!

(This guy plays a mean blues guitar!)

Here is a little clip, from last year's festival , of one of my all time favorite bands, Lafayette's own, Lil' Buck Sinegal and Friends. And check out this keyboard player! HOT! Enjoy! Lassiez les bon temps rouler, cher!

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Cajun Pineapple Rum Cake

This heavenly cake is so simple to make and the flavor is so fabulous that you will have a hard time resisting a second piece, cher! Worth the calories, cher!! Cest bon! Bon appetit!

1/2 cup pineapple rum
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. French vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Spray a bundt pan with "Baker's Joy" baking spray. In large bowl, combine first six ingredients. beat at medium speed for two minutes. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool and remove to cake plate. Make glaze and drizzle over cake.

Glaze

Melt 1/4 cup butter, in saucepan. Add 2 tbs. pineapple juice and 1/4 cup sugar. Cook and stir, until sugar is melted. Boil gently for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/4 cup pineapple rum, until blended. Prick top of cake with a fork and drizzle glaze over warm cake. Divine!

Wishing all of you a happy, fun, Springtime week!
Merci beaucoup for stopping by!