April 25 - Festival International #2

Nap is good, but now it's time for more music, dancing, food, fun!! That's what Life in Louisiana is all about. We park at the Cajun Dome and take the free shuttle into DT Lafayette. The city streets are closed, there are 6 stages for music and vendors fill the empty spaces.

After wandering the entire festival due to being directionally-challenged, even with a map, I finally end up at the TV5Monde stage for The Quebe Sisters Band from Texas. They are 3 young women (sisters, silly) who play fiddle and sing, backed up by two guys playing guitar and bass. They play Texas swing and lotsa other stuff. Probably my favorite non-cajun act of the festival.

We caught a little Walter Mouton (he's trying to retire!!) at the Heritage Stage and then sat through a group called Genticorum from Quebec. Flute, guitar, fiddle & feet. From their website, "They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser." Pleasing, indeed. Check 'em out - surely there's something on You Tube.

Then there was Chic Gamine, an all female group (except for the drummer, I'm sensing a pattern) of jazz singers and musicians - well, they do it ALL. These gals from Manitoba project personality, each one different than the next and all irresistable.

Cajun comes next with Balfa Toujours. This is a premier band with top performers. Today, Dirk Powell is on accordion (fresh from touring with Joan Baez), Christine Balfa, daughter of Dewey Balfa - see Heritage Camp - plays guitar and triangle (check out her CD), Joel Savoy & Kevin Wimmer are on fiddle. There's a drummer back there, but I can't quite see who it is.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole is the piece de resistance, but he starts out slow and I just can't resist my droopy eyes. Karen & I leave early (9:30pm after being there since 3pm) and my sources tell me I missed a phenomenal set. Damn -- even living the Louisiana Life I'm bound to miss something!