Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is thrilled to unveil the music lineup for its landmark 50th annual Cajun and Zydeco music festival. Scheduled for October 11-13, 2024, the three-day celebration will be held at Girard Park in Lafayette, LA, and is entirely free to the public.
In honor of its 50th anniversary, the festival will open with a special Friday night tribute to its inaugural event held at Blackham Coliseum in 1974. This celebration will feature a star-studded lineup of contemporary musicians performing classic hits by Cajun and Zydeco legends such as the Balfa Brothers, Nathan Abshire, Dennis McGee, Marc Savoy, the Ardoin Family, and Clifton Chenier. Among the highlights, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys will serve as the house band for this nostalgic revue.
“Reaching this pivotal milestone of 50 years really speaks volumes about the contributions this festival has made to preserving and nurturing our Cajun and Creole traditions,” says Patrick Mould, VP of Programming and Development. “I am especially excited about the Friday night concert that will pay homage to the standing-room-only 1974 Tribute to Cajun Music at Blackham Coliseum, which evolved into Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. This year’s theme, ’50 Years and Tomorrow,’ will highlight how we have successfully passed down our traditions—whether our music, food, art, or French language—one generation at a time!”
The festival’s 50th anniversary will also be marked by the release of a commemorative publication, One Generation at a Time: Celebrating 50 Years of a Cajun and Creole Music Festival. Visitors can enjoy interactive workshops and performances hosted by the Center for Louisiana Studies, explore local cuisine and crafts at the Bayou Food Festival and Louisiana Crafts Fair, and tune in to live broadcasts via KRVS.org.
On September 14, the Official Pin and Poster for the 2024 festival will be unveiled at the Acadiana Center for the Arts during Downtown Lafayette’s Second Saturday ArtWalk. Megan Barra is the visual artist for this year’s festival.
The festival offers tent rental spaces for attendees, and there is an open call for volunteers and Festival Friends.
FULL LINEUP :
Friday Night 50th Anniversary Tribute to the 1974 Concert : 1974 original artists performed by contemporary musicians
House Band: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
Inez Catalan and Marcus Landry, performed by David Greely and guest
Dennis McGee and Sady Courville, performed by Joel Savoy / Linzee Young
Varise Conner and Lionel Leleux performed by David Greely and Beau Thomas
Marc Savoy performed by Marc Savoy and family
Ardoin Family, performed by Dexter Ardoin and Cedric Watson
Balfa Brothers, performed by Christine Balfa and Peter Schwarz
Clifton Chenier, performed by CJ Chenier
Nathan Abshire, performed by Robert Jardell
Blackie Forrester, performed by Donnie Broussard and Sheryl Cormier
Jimmy C Newman, performed by Gary Newman
Scène Ma Louisiane:
Friday, October 11
5:30-8:30 50th Anniversary Revue with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys & special guests, Joel Savoy, Linzee Young, David Greely & Beau Thomas, Marc Savoy & Family, Dexter Ardoin & Cedric Watson, Christine Balfa & Peter Schwarz, CJ Chenier, Robert Jardell, Donnie Broussard & Sheryl Cormier and Gary Newman.
Saturday, October 12
10:30-11:30 Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters
11:45-12:45 The Daiquiri Queens
1:00-2:00 Balfa Toujours
2:15-3:15 CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band
3:30-4:45 Feufollet & Friends honor Chris Stafford
5:00-6:00 Lafayette Rhythm Devils
6:15-7:30 The Revelers
Sunday, October 13
10:30-11:30 Amis du Teche
11:45-12:45 Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
1:00-2:00 Kevin Naquin & Cajun Preservation w/ special guests Virgil and Terry Montoucet
2:15-3:15 Lost Bayou Ramblers
3:30-4:30 Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs
4:45 -5:45 Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
6:00-7:30 Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun
Scène Mon Héritage :
Saturday, October 12
10:30-11:30 Jambalaya Cajun Band
11:45-12:45 Bruce Daigrepont
1:15-2:15 Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (50th Anniversary)
2:30-3:30 Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars
3:45-5:00 Magnolia Family Band
5:15 -6:15 Wayne & Same Ole Two-Step
6:30-7:30 Bonsoir, Catin
Sunday, October 13
10:45-11:45 Luke Huval Band
12:00-1:00 Chère Elise
1:15-2:15 Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express
2:30-3:30 Frank Family Band
3:45-4:45 Pine Leaf Boys
5:00-6:30 Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers
Scène La Salle de Danse:
Saturday, October 12
10:30-11:30 Kyle Huval & the Dixie Ramblers
11:45-12:45 Jesse Legé & the Bayou Aces
1:00-2:00 Corey Ledet Zydeco
2:15-3:15 Donnie Broussard & the Louisiana Stars
3:30-4:30 Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
4:45 -6:00 Cameron Dupuy & the Cajun Troubadours
Sunday, October 13
9:00-10:30 French Mass
10:45-11:45 Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds
12:00-1:00 Four Horses
1:15-2:15 Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole
2:30-3:45 Creole String Beans
4:00-5:00 Alphonse Ardoin & the Zydeco Kingz
5:15-6:30 The Traiteurs
Scène Atelier:
Saturday, October 12
11:45-12:45 Jerry Devillier – Tradition Bearer Award – w/ Jeb & Chad Huval and Chris Segura
1:00-2:00 One Generation at a Time: Family Bands across the Generations: Steve Riley w/ Elise, Burke & Dolsy – Moderated by Ben Sandmel
2:15-3:15 New Songs in the Tradition: Jourdan Thibodeaux, Bruce Daigrepont & David Greely – Moderated by Kristi Guillory
3:30-4:45 Ed Poullard & Cedric Watson
5:15-6:15 Joel Savoy & Linzey Young
Sunday, October 13
12:00-1:00 One Generation at a Time: Family Bands Across the Generations: Nathan Williams Sr. & Nathan Williams, Jr., Christine Balfa, Sophie & Amelia Powell – Moderated by Ben Sandmel
1:15-2:15 The Holiday Playgirls
2:30-3:30 The Life & Music of Chris Stafford
3:45-4:45 The Legacy of Jo-El Sonnier
5:00-6:00 T’Monde
Jam Ça!
Saturday, October 12
11:00-12:15 Sheryl Cormier
12:45-2:00 Cedric Watson
2:15-3:30 Gina Forsyth
3:45-5:00 Jesse Legé
Sunday, October 13
11:00-12:15 Horace Trahan
12:30-1:45 Kelli Jones
2:00-3:15 Alphonse Ardoin
3:45-5:00 Kristi Guillory
For more information, visit FestivalsAcadiens.com.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 50th Anniversary: Festivals Acadiens
