The third annual NOLA Zydeco Festival will return on June 10 at a new location, A.L. Davis Park (2600 LaSalle St, in Central City), and will feature a stellar lineup of zydeco music, cultural preservation activities, local vendors and an experiential art exhibit.

The festival will showcase some of the best zydeco musicians in the region, including Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, Koray Broussard and The Zydeco Unit, Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Crush, and Alphonse Ardoin and the Zydeco Kings.

This year’s festival is not only about music but also about preserving the cultural heritage of Louisiana. A new Cultural Preservation Stage will host performances by Black Masking Indians, a crash course on Louisiana Creole French by Tele-Louisiane, and demonstrations by “Women in Zydeco” and accordionists Mary Jane Broussard and her granddaughter Desi Richard. Zydeco dance experts Harold Guillory and Arthur Corbin will also be on hand to teach all ages how to dance to zydeco music. This will be an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and evolution of the musical tradition.

Additionally, there will be a live art exhibit called “Ancestors in Reach” by local artist Monique Lorden. The presentation will encourage attendees to “dance with the ancestors” and explore their ancestral connections. It’s an interactive experience that blends visual art with the ancestors of Zydeco music.

The festival is family-friendly, with a dedicated kids’ activity area hosted by NOLA Artist Incubator, where children can enjoy agriculture and art projects onsite. The festival also features a range of food and drink vendors, with Cajun and Creole dishes and beverages.

The NOLA Zydeco Festival is free and open to the public. Registering in advance can help attendees skip the line and win prizes.