| Name |
Year |
Country |
| Rhythm & Roots Series: Red Stick Ramblers & The Duhks (Manitoba) |
2008 |
Various countries |
| Festival International presents: Rhythms & Roots: Lafayette's Red Stick Ramblers and The Duhks (Winnipeg) will close out the weekend's events with a double show at the Blue Moon. They'll certainly be sharing the stage and trading licks by the end of the evening. Festival International vounteers and artists will be admitted free of charge with volunteer/artist badges and/or t-shirts. |
| Burning Spear |
2008 |
 Jamaica |
| (Reggae)
For more than 35 years, Grammy Award winning Burning Spear's music has inspired people on numerous continents. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions. His music builds upon the Jamaican native's legacy of musical activism. Bolstered by its throbbing bass lines, bright horn parts and slinky female background singers, the songs embrace persistence, self-analysis, love and community through deceptively simple lyrics that point to deeper issues. It is, in effect, smart music you can dance to.
|
| Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience |
2008 |
 Acadiana |
| (Zydeco/Cajun)
2008 Grammy Award winner for the inaugural "Best zydeco/Cajun Album", Simien evolves to create a fusion of sound like no other, both critics and fans agree that he is taking his beloved zydeco music to a new level and into a larger music world, the celebrating circles of American roots music. Along with his wife Cynthia, Terrance has further dedicated himself to the advancement of his music and fellow artists by leading a national effort to create the Grammy category of Best zydeco/Cajun Album. He continues to raise the standards for his genre by establishing himself as a formidable songwriter and an absolutely astonishing singer, who evokes comparisons to Sam Cooke and Aaron Neville. He is one of the most sought after artists in roots music today.
|
| Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| (Swamp Pop)
Willie-"Tee" is one of South Louisiana's finest and respected musicians who have entertained audiences for over 35 years. And everyone should know that the Godfather of swamp pop is Warren Storm. Now put these two talented Cajun musicians together and you get one heck of a show! Willie-Tee, Warren Storm and Cypress have demonstrated over the years that their love for music should be played from the heart and soul.
|
| Javier Garcia |
2008 |
 Cuba |
| (Latin)
Since age 10, Javier Garcia has been rocking the world with his Afro-Cuban beats. The Afro-Cuban connection is in full-force, but always serves as a reflection of a rocker's personality. As every good salsa needs to marinate, illustrates García, he needs the audience to absorb his Afro-Cuban beats in order to be able to fully deliver his songs. As if somewhere along the line his unconditional love for guitar solos has been completely infected, revised, and stripped down to pieces, to reveal a more complex personality with a simple principle: only rhythm is important.
|
| Les Breastfeeders - Presented by Québec, l'OQAj ( Office Québec-Amériques pour la jeunesse) |
2008 |
 Québec |
| (Garage/Pop Punk)
Presented by: l'OQAj ( Office Québec-Amériques pour la jeunesse)
Since its arrival on the boards, in 1999, the sextet Les Breastfeeders did not stop short of astonishing. Recognized for its intense and feverish performances, the group with six heads knew how to make the barriers between music fall and prove in Quebec, Canada and Europe that rock'n'roll is still alive. This Canadian indie rock group from Montreal, whose style is a combination of garage rock with yé-yé influences. (Yé-yé mainly features female singers crooning Beatles-style pop.)
|
| Joaquin Diaz - Presented by FolkQuébec |
2008 |
Québec |
| (Merengue)
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Diaz dubs merengue as, "the fastest most exciting music there is". Joaquin Diaz's repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes that is characterized by its exhilarating syncopated rhythms. His new fans are introduced to the discovery of different aspects of the diatonic accordion showcasing his infectious vocals. Joaquin Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist.
Sponsored by: FolkQuébec
|
| Louisiana Story by Robert Flaherty (Film) |
2008 |
 Louisiana |
| (Film)
Louisiana Story is one of the first feature-length films shot in Louisiana and about Louisiana. More docu-drama than documentary, it nonetheless depicts the struggle many Louisianans faced with the advent of the oil industry and subsequent Americanization. Commissioned by Standard Oil Company, Flaherty's film provides one region's reconciliation with modernization. |
| MOOV |
2008 |
 Martinique |
| (Carnival) - Sponsored by: Conseil Général de la Martinique et Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme
Coinciding with Louisiana's Mardi Gras, Martinique's carnival also includes masked, costumed revelers, parades, and Carnival royalty, but with a distinctly tropical twist. The 30-woman carnival group MOOV brings the colorful and joyous energy of Martinique's festivities to Lafayette, drumming and dancing on stage and in the streets throughout the weekend.
|
| Avon Lady - Presented by Acting Up |
2008 |
Acadiana |
|
| Benjy Davis Project |
2008 |
Louisiana |
| (Southern Rock)
Recently featured in several Abita beer commercials, the Benjy Davis Project understands the proud tradition of Southern influenced music. Their original songs run the spectrum from soft acoustic pieces to hard rocking party songs that will bring you to your feet. Their sound is capped off with vocal harmonies rich in feeling and texture. Member of the band, Michael Galasso, describes the music of the band as "music with a real sense of where it came from. We aren't discovering new musical frontiers, but we are delivering honest and real music that people of all ages and tastes can relate to. People like us for the same reason they like music from the sixties and seventies. There is no faking it. There is no manipulation. It is straight forward and honest, but it is also relevant." |
| International Accordion Summit - Presented by La. Folk Roots |
2008 |
Various countries |
| (Accordion Workshop)
Accordionist Joaquin Diaz of the Dominican Republic will share the stage with Louisiana accordionists in this unique cross-cultural workshop performance focused on the soulful sounds of the squeezebox.
|
| Red Stick Ramblers |
2008 |
Louisiana |
| (Swing / Jazz)
The Red Stick Ramblers have been gaining a strong national following for their brand of Cajun fiddle tunes, Western Swing, traditional jazz of the 20s and 30s alongside a steadily growing number of tradition-inspired originals. With youthful energy and mature musicianship, they build upon the music of seminal fiddlers like Dennis McGee and Dewey Balfa, along with jazz and country swing, finding a common thread of danceable rhythms and strong, elegant melodies. The Ramblers romp and stomp through a crazy-quilt of originals and classic covers with the high-octane energy that could only come from a band accustomed to keeping dance-floors jumping for hours at a time.
|
| Brass Bed |
2008 |
Louisiana |
| (Indie / Rock)
Dedicated to the belief that most music is created equal, Brass Bed is driven by a wide spectrum of influences. The music moves easily through an eclectic mix of genres. From alt-country ballads and progressive rock hooks, to their sticky-sweet, heart-felt lyrics, and dissonant experimental freak-outs, this unique mix of intelligently designed compositions has left some critics describing them as something akin to "The Beach Boys crossing paths with the Flaming Lips."
|
| Lafayette High Strings |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| The Lafayette High String Ensemble is an 11-piece string orchestra made up of 9th to 12th grade students under the direction of Susan Morton. The group enjoys practicing and performing many different styles of music including fiddling and movie music. This year the class will receive expert instruction in Scottish fiddling with funds provided by the Lafayette Parish School Board through the Acadiana Arts Council. |
| Men of Vision Gospel |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| (Gospel)
The group was started five years ago by Dwayne Thomas.
It was his vision to start a group with guys that were sincere about their walk with Christ. It was because of that vision; the group was named Men of Vision. We love Gospel music. We believe in worshiping and praising God through our music. It is our goal that Christ be glorified through our music, and that our music would minister to the hearts and souls of every individual who listens to it. We try to do a little of both traditional and contemporary gospel to reach all generations.
|
| Samarabalouf |
2008 |
 France |
| (Swing/Jazz)
This delightfully ‘crazy' musical trio from Paris plays original music in the spirit of world famous Gypsy jazz star Django Reinhardt and his rhythmic guitar. A sound combining influences as diverse as calypso, blues, rock and roll, Middle Eastern, ska and Arabic. They are gifted musicians with great senses of humor, and audiences can't help but get caught up as the excitement and rhythm gain momentum on stage. This is ‘dancin' in the aisles' music without a doubt.
|
| Ann Savoy & Her Sleepless Knights |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| (Jazz)
Ann Savoy and Her Sleepless Knights are dedicated to keeping old jazz songs alive and fun. While, compared to Cajun music, they are definitely uptown rather than down home, these songs are immensely appealing, which is why many have been standards for decades. From sensual love songs to original songs of local color and humor, the Knights bring forth their superb artistry with a relaxed, fun filled feeling. |
| French Mass |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| Join us with Father Melancon of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Carenco for an old-fashioned French Catholic Mass. |
| Yerba Buena |
2008 |
Various countries |
| (Afro Latin/Funk)
The Latin/funk collective, Yerba Buena, is the hottest urban fusion emerging today from the sizzling stir-fry of world cultures in New York City. Sellout crowds at their wild shows across the country are treated to a mélange of everything from Gypsy to Merengue Rap, Cuban son to Funk, Hip Hop to Flamenco. The result is an exuberant global groove that breaks through all the borders of commercial genres and won't let you stop dancing.
|
| Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| (Zydeco)
One of the most influential accordionists and vocalists in modern Zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard continues to be one of the genre's most dynamic performers. He has continually been an innovator, beginning his career with traditional Creole Zydeco music playing drums in his father's band, Delton Broussard & The Lawtell Playboys, then moving on to develop the nouveau Zydeco sound in Zydeco Force, now returning to the more traditional Zydeco sound with his own band, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys.
|
| Rhythm & Roots Series: Lost Bayou Ramblers w/ Los Eréndiras (Texas) |
2008 |
Various countries |
| Festival International presents: Rhythms & Roots, joining the local grammy nominees, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and their special guests, Las Erendiras from San Antonio. Cajun music meets Mariachi women promises to be a show not to be missed. |
| The Duhks |
2008 |
 Manitoba |
| (Folk rock)
Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Duhks offer a blend of soul, gospel, North American folk, Brazilian samba, old time country string band, zydeco, and Irish dance music, and the attack they bring to these interwoven acoustic styles—which might as well be called sheer rock and roll. Their unique sound has also earned them a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Country Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo category, one Juno Award, two additional Juno nominations, two Folk Alliance awards, and an Americana Music Association nomination for Best Emerging Artists.
|
| UL Dance Department presents: MANIC |
2008 |
Acadiana |
| (Danse)
Choreographer: Taryn Jeneé Arnaud
Dance Title: MANIC
Dancers: Kristina Doiron, Kimberly Johnson, Caroline Randall, Nicole Ryan
Choreographer Bio:
Taryn Jeneé Arnaud, a native of Lafayette, LA, is the daughter of Pamela and Michael Arnaud. Taryn is a junior majoring in Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Prior to attending UL Lafayette, Taryn studied dance at the Arts Academy and Dance Graphics
|
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