Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 50th anniversary music lineup released

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Festivals Acadiens et Créoles has announced the music lineup for the 50th annual Cajun and Zydeco music festival.

The festival will take place Oct. 11-13 at Girard Park in Lafayette.

To mark its 50th anniversary, Festivals will kick off with a Friday lineup featuring performances that pay homage to the inaugural event at Blackham Coliseum in 1974. The organizers have arranged a special tribute to the first concert, with family members and local musicians taking the stage to perform songs originally played at the very first event by Cajun and Zydeco music legends such as the Balfa Brothers, Nathan Abshire, Dennis McGee, Marc Savoy, the Ardoin Family and Clifton Chenier, according to Patrick Mould, VP of Programming and Development.

"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," Mould said. "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."

The Official Pin and Poster will be revealed at the Acadiana Center for the Arts on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. during Downtown Lafayette’s Second Saturday ArtWalk. Megan Barra is the 2024 festival visual artist.

Friday Night 50th Anniversary Tribute to the 1974 Concert 

• House Band: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys

1974 original artists performed by contemporary musicians:  

• 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, Oct. 11

• 5:30-8:30 p.m.: 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, Oct. 12

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters                                                 
• 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: The Daiquiri Queens                                                             
• 1-2 p.m.: Balfa Toujours                                                                    
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band                        
• 3:30-4:45 p.m.: Feufollet & Friends honor Chris Stafford                             
• 5-6 p.m.: Lafayette Rhythm Devils                                                       
• 6:15-7:30 p.m.: The Revelers                                                                           

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Amis du Teche                                                                     
• 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band                       
• 1-2 p.m.: Kevin Naquin & Cajun Preservation w/ special guests Virgil and Terry Montoucet
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: Lost Bayou Ramblers                                                       
• 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Jourdan Thibodeaux  et les Rôdailleurs                              
• 4:45 -5:45 p.m.: Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie                            
• 6-7:30 p.m.: Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun                                                

Scène Mon Héritage  

Saturday, Oct. 12

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.:  Jambalaya Cajun Band                                                       
• 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Bruce Daigrepont                                                               
• 1:15-2:15 p.m.: Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (50^th Anniversary)       
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars                                  
• 3:45-5 p.m.: Magnolia Family Band                                                       
• 5:15 -6:15 p.m.: Wayne & Same Ole Two-Step                                       
• 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Bonsoir, Catin                                                                     

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Luke Huval Band                                                                 
• Noon-1 p.m.: Chère Elise                                                                  
• 1:15-2:15 p.m.: Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express                                  
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Frank Family Band                                                               
• 3:45-4:45 p.m.: Pine Leaf Boys                                                                       
• 5-6:30 p.m.: Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers                                  

Scène La Salle de Danse

Saturday, Oct. 12

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Kyle Huval & the Dixie Ramblers                                       
• 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Jesse Legé & the Bayou Aces                                               
• 1-2 p.m.: Corey Ledet Zydeco                                                          
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: Donnie Broussard & the Louisiana Stars                          
• 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas                                           
• 4:45 -6 p.m.: Cameron Dupuy & the Cajun Troubadours                       

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 9-10:30 a.m.: French Mass
• 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds                                         
• Noon-1 p.m.: Four Horses                                                                          
• 1:15-2:15 p.m.: Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole                                             
• 2:30-3:45 p.m.: Creole String Beans                                                                      
• 4-5 p.m.: Alphonse Ardoin & the Zydeco Kingz                                 
• 5:15-6:30 p.m.: The Traiteurs                                                                        

Scène Atelier 

Saturday, Oct. 12

• 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Jerry Devillier – Tradition Bearer Award – w/ Jeb & Chad Huval and Chris Segura
• 1-2 p.m.: One Generation at a Time: Family Bands across the Generations:  Steve Riley w/ Elise, Burke & Dolsy – Moderated by Ben Sandmel                    
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: New Songs in the Tradition:  Jourdan Thibodeaux, Bruce Daigrepont & David Greely – Moderated by Kristi Guillory                                             
• 3:30-4:45 p.m.: Ed Poullard & Cedric Watson            
• 5:15-6:15 p.m.: Joel Savoy & Linzey Young                                                                           

Sunday, Oct. 13

• Noon-1 p.m.: 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 p.m.: The Holiday Playgirls                                                                             
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.: The Life & Music of Chris Stafford                                                        
• 3:45-4:45 p.m.: The Legacy of Jo-El Sonnier                                                                   
• 5-6 p.m.: T’Monde                                                                                                  

Jam Ça!

Saturday, Oct. 12

• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Sheryl Cormier                                                                                   
• 12:45-2 p.m.: Cedric Watson                                                                                      
• 2:15-3:30 p.m.: Gina Forsyth                                                                                            
• 3:45-5 p.m.: Jesse Legé                                                                                              

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Horace Trahan                                                                                    
• 12:30-1:45 p.m.: Kelli Jones                                                                                             
• 2-3:15 p.m.: Alphonse Ardoin                                                                                     
• 3:45-5 p.m.: Kristi Guillory                                                                                         

For more information, visit festivalsacadiens.com. 

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