Are you ready for live music, art exhibits, food, and more? You’re not going to have to wait much longer
The 2023 annual Festival International de Louisiane celebration begins on April 26. The 5-day celebration of culture, music and food transforms downtown Lafayette into the largest entertainment and arts festival. The 37th Annual Festival International will feature performers from diverse musical genres, new artists, and some returning fest favorites.
The electric lineup features returning favorite, Angélique Kidjo of Benin, a five-time Grammy Award winner. Representing South Korea in a newly reclaimed Korean folk style of gut and minyo, ADG7 (aka Ak Dan Gwang Chil) is set to take the stage.
This nine-piece ensemble uses contemporary Eurocentric stylings of modern K-Pop for music for a mix that will surprise you with its, danceable energy.
“Our team is so excited for Festival to get here in April to share this incredible, diverse music lineup with our community,” said Programming Director, Lisa Stafford. “There is truly something for everyone — from the traditional music of Bassekou Kouyate, to metropolitan music of Tank & the Bangas, our Saturday headliner at Scène LUS Internationale.”
Lafayette celebrates its bicentennial year with LCVC, Festival International and Lafayette Parish Bicentennial presenting Lauren Daigle at the opening ceremonies. Daigle, a Louisiana native, born in Lake Charles has broken geographic and musical boundaries with her pop and contemporary Christian music.
“With this being Lafayette’s big Bicentennial year, it is a great time to celebrate and honor our culture and the music that Louisiana has shared with the world,” Stafford continued. “We are so proud of our local talent, we’re thankful that LCVC and Lafayette Parish Bicentennial are working with us, and we’re excited to experience cultures of the world together again at Festival 2023.”
Festival International emphasizes the significance of bringing in Francophone musicians to express culture and diversity with the audiences. These musicians include Internationally acclaimed French sensation Dub Inc, known for blending reggae and dancehall music with lyrics in French, English and Kabyl. Other musicians include, Lisa Leblanc, RAM, Les Hays Babies, San Salvador and Lafayette groups Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole and Bonsoir, Catin.
Joining the lineup with the traditional sounds of African music is Bassekou Kouyate, a true master of the ngoni, which is an ancient and distant ancestor to the banjo found throughout West Africa. Another act that cannot be missed is Sona Jobarteh, whose musical work stands on the shoulders of The West African Griot Tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people.
Taking the stage this year is an incredible lineup of Latino acts, including La Tribu de Abrante a 12-piece orchestra from Puerto Rico that bring traditional bomba, salsa, Latin jazz, funk, reggaeton, and urban pop. With an explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes, Las Cafeteras are sure to get people gyrating. In addition, locally known “Mambo Queen of the South”, Malentina, and her seven-piece band promise a dazzling performance with influences from her life in Puerto Rico.
The full schedule will be released later this month. Stay tuned for special events, performances, and more. For additional information about Festival International de Louisiane visit www.festivalinternational.org
