MORE Festival Fun ! - Day 2

It was another fabulous evening at Festival International de Louisiane! A gorgeous Spring evening with a lovely breeze and lots of great music and food. We started out at the Pavilion de Cuisine with some delicious Crawfish Nachos and Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. Cest bon and out of this world, cher! After enjoying this delicious treat, my companions and I headed over to Scene Popeyes to catch the opening ceremonies. The French Immersion students were carrying flags, (see top photo), representing all of the countries that have participated in Festival International. (click to enlarge to view cuisine and drink menu)

The French Immersion program serves to preserve the Cajun French language and culture. The National Anthem was sung by a former student, and the more than 1500 volunteers who made this year's festival possible were recognized. For a complete schedule click here.

Next up was the amazing group, Grupo Fantasia , out of Austin, Texas, whose goal is to advance the Latin music sound. Well , they sure reached their goal in Lafayette, and they were fantastic! This exciting, funky, 10 member band "really had it going on" and they totally mesmerized the crowd with their hypnotic beats and cohesive style.! One of the best things about this festival is getting to experience all different kinds of music from all over the world. Here's a little clip that I took. Enjoy !

Grupo Fantasia

After a 15 minute, cold beverage break, the next band up was the fabulous, Sonny Landreth Band! Sonny is one of the most gifted slide guitar players in the world, as well as an old friend of mine from the college days. Back then, I dated one of his best friends, a "then" jazz drummer, who is "now" a priest! (that's another post, entirely) Anyway, he just blew the crowd away with his spectacular guitar moves and "hotter than hot" band! Here's a little snippet of this talented Louisiana artist in action! Geaux Sonny!

Sonny Landreth Band

The crowd was much larger, last night, and with several hundred thousand festival goers expected for the weekend, it's all going to be a blast, cher!! Starting tonight, all six stages will be up and running. Imagine six stages of incredible international and local music, within a six block radius, and all of this wonderful music is free! But, be sure to buy a festival pin, to keep the festival free! (a $10. donation) See ya'll there! Oh, the life of a Cajun, is oh so good!! Have a wonderful, fun weekend, mon cher amis! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

More Cajun Fun at the Beach

 
It was a perfect beach day in Ocean City, yesterday. Hot ( 88 degrees), hazy, and humid with a light north breeze, to take the edge off. The beach was packed to the gills with everyone wanting to "go down the ocean", one more time for a bit of summer fun. Holiday weekends bring in 200,000 fun seekers or more.

Click to enlarge pics.

 
The umbrella stands could hardly keep up with the crowds
and certain parts of the 10 mile beach were very crowded.

 
After a great day on the beach, it was time for happy hour at Seacret's
Nightclub on 49th Street and the bay. Lawdy be, check this scene out!

 

Well, the rowdy crowd there was getting very happy, and it was like

Downtown Alive, except on the water, with a partying crowd to boot!

These Marylanders are party animals and are a close match for the Cajuns. If

only they could dance! Let the good times roll, cher & have a Happy Labor Day!