Time for Cajun Music Awards & Festival !

Time to put on your dancing shoes for the 21st annual Le Cajun Music Awards and Festival, to be held on Friday, August 21st-22nd, at Blackham Coliseum, in Lafayette. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday evening and is sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association, (CFMA), followed by 12 hours of non- stop Cajun music, on Saturday, beginning at 9 am!


Two days of great Cajun fun, food, and music, and get this, all in an air conditioned environment, with a huge wooden dance floor, (woo- hoo) ! This event is an absolute blast, with Cajun Country's finest bands and musicians being honored, as well as playing at the festival. The CFMA was founded in 1984, with a goal of preserving and promoting traditional Cajun music, with the artists spanning several generations. Come on out and celebrate our heritage and immerse yourself in what promises to be a weekend of fantastic music that you will long remember.

 And one of my favorite bands to dance to, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, (my pick) will play from 12:45-2:45 pm. and have been nominated this year for the "People's Choice Award". This band is hotter than hot and injects traditional Cajun with a little Swamp Pop and Zydeco.

  
One of this year's nominees for "Band of the Year", is Feufollet, (my pick) who with their youthful experimentation have managed to bring the traditional sounds of Cajun music to a new level, ushering in a whole new generation of fans. They started playing together, locally, in their teen years, and now as twenty-somethings, are touring the country and the world .




And sometimes experience is the best teacher and one of Acadiana's legendary, traditional Cajun bands, Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold, will take the stage at 5:15 pm on Saturday. (my pick) Paul Daigle is nominated this year for "Accordionist of the Year". For more info., call (337-344-2494)

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You can see what I mean by HOT, here, with Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys!
Mixing it up for a crowd in Saulieu. Let the Good times roll, cher!


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And here is a little sample of le musique de Feufollet, (playing at the 2009' Albequrque Folk Festival). Their incredible, captivating tunes are loved by all who know them and help to keep the Cajun music culture going! Lassiez les temps bon rouler, cher!


Which one is your favorite?

Krewe des Chiens Parade

The 2009' Mardi Gras parade season kicked off this afternoon with the Krewe des Chiens Parade, (Doggie Parade), in Lafayette. Thousands lined the streets of downtown Lafayette to watch this unique parade of dog owners and dogs. There were about as many different breeds of dogs as people, all dressed up in Mardi Gras finery. Of course, the owners tossed the beads and the rain held off until later.

This Krewe was formed in 1999, with it's mission being to help the animal shelters of Acadiana, with various fundraisers held throughout the year. After the parade we headed over to Agave' Mexican Grill and Cantina for a little south of the border feast and one of their famous Margaritas. As always, it was Cest' Bon', Cher! And maybe enough time for a cat nap, before the next parade. Happy Mardi Gras! See ya'll there!

Almost Time for Mardi Gras!

Although Mardi Gras Day ( Feb. 24) is still a few weeks away, the Carnival season actually began, in Louisiana, on January 6, or "The Twelfth Night" meaning the twelfth night after Christmas. They say that Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday", originated in Medieval Europe, and was brought to New Orleans by French explorers in the 1700's. New Orleans has the biggest celebration in Louisiana, but Acadiana more than holds it own, when it comes to big parties. 

Lafayette, which hosts the second largest Mardi Gras celebration, holds many lavish balls and parades. Many people belong to a Mardi Gras Krewe which is a social club that centers around Mardi Gras,but has parties for all occasions, year round. The Mardi Gras season is a magical, fun-filled time when you get to wear outrageous costumes, catch lots of shiny beads at parades, go to fancy balls and listen to really great music. Downtown becomes alive with revelers and each club has a festive party going on.

Cajun Field becomes home to the "Mardi Gras de Lafayette", where there is a huge amusement park and a stage with the best Cajun and Zydeco bands playing. Also around Acadiana, you will find the "Country Mardi Gras" where families and neighbors ride together on horseback, to gather the ingredients for a giant communal gumbo. Once the ingredients are obtained, there is a "fais do do", (street dance), while the feast is prepared. It all adds up to a whole lot of FUN, which of course, is what the Cajuns are known to love.. Lassier Les Bon Ton Rouler! Hope to see you there! Mais Oui?

Lassiez Les Bon Temps Rouler'

A day of great music and dancing was enjoyed by all, at Day 1 of Festival Acadiens et Creoles. Thousands enjoyed the beautiful weather , delectable cuisine, and of course, the nitty-gritty dancing and awesome music . Some of the best bands that Acadiana has to offer, thrilled the crowds with their foot stomping accordion and fiddle music. Strangers and friends, alike, shared a dance on the huge dance floor, which wasn't quite as dusty, this year. 

The Bayou Food Festival served up such delicacies as Crawfish Fettucini, Seafood Jambalaya, Alligator Bites, Crab Cakes, and Catfish Courtbouillion. And the Louisiana Crafts Fair presented over fifty fine artists and artisans. The best part is that we get to do it all again tomorrow. Come on down to Girard Park, in Lafayette, for a great time that will be long remembered. Sunday's festival kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the unique sounds of the Magnolia Sisters. The Bluerunners take the stage at 1:30 p.m. and Wayne Toups and ZydeCajun will rock the crowd at 5:30 p.m. See ya'll there!

Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie

It's Festival Time!

It's festival time, again, in Acadiana, and this weekend is no exception. With fall right around the corner, the harvest celebrations have begun. Here are my festival picks for Labor Day weekend. Allons, cher'

If you're looking for a good festival, and you love Zydeco Music, then you need to check out the The 2008 Southwest Zydeco Festival. This year's festival will be held on Sat., August 30, from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m., (that's right, 14 straight hours of Zydeco music! on Hwy. 167 North) , in Plaisance, La.

New to this year's line up will be The Lost Bayou Rambler's with their bayou sounds and traditional Cajun music. The festival will be held at the Southern Development Foundation farm, eight miles north of exit 23 off of I-49. Don't miss the kick off dance on Fri. night, at 9:00 p.m. at Slim's Y-Ki-Ki Club, in Opelousas. For a complete schedule of performances and activities go to www.zydeco.org

Another great festival, this weekend , is the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Morgan City plays host to the oldest harvest festival with Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop, rhythm and blues, and country music. Lots of delicious gulf shrimp for the shrimp-a-holics among us, including a shrimp cook off and the traditional blessing of the fleet. Fireworks, an arts and crafts display, and a children's village round out the festival.

For more information, visit www.shrimp-pertrofest.org

Let the Good Times Roll!

Festivals in Southwest Louisiana, also known as Acadiana, are just as much a part of daily life, as good music and good food. They are held year round, each with it's own theme. Mardi Gras in Lafayette, in February, is a huge, one- of- a- kind party, lasting several weeks. With it's many parades and lavish Mardi Gras balls, it is one of the best parties anywhere.

Festival International de Louisiane, held in downtown Lafayette, each April , celebrates music, art, and food and plays host to performing, visual, and culinary artists from all over the world. The five day festival attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors, all looking to take part in the 6 music stages and the delectable cuisine, and many other multi-cultural activities.

Festival le Acadiens', also held in Lafayette, is a grand celebration of the Acadian French culture. Mark your calendar for October for this three day festival which features the best in Cajun cuisine and has been dubbed "A Cajun Woodstock". They are all an absolute blast! Hope to see you there!