Festival International 2016 Lineup Released [Video]

It's almost time for the 30th annual Festival International in Downtown Lafayette, April 20th through the 24th. They've just released the lineup, and it's looks pretty great.

Musicians from across the entire world will be landing in our fair city for a festival so unique, you won't find anything like it anywhere else. It's an amazing mix of global musicians and local musicians that reminds just how much we love living in South Louisiana.

In addition to the music, you'll find incredible arts and crafts from around the world, and mouth watering local and worldly cuisine.

Make sure you bring your dancin' shoes and a big appetite!

From the Festival International press release -

The 30^th Anniversary bill will include some of the world’s most talented and influential performers such as Alpha Blondy & the Solar System from the Ivory Coast, France’s CharlElie Couture, Latin-inspired Boogat of Québec, along with up-and-coming female front-runners, A-WA of Israel.

The 30^th anniversary lineup features international performers representing 25 regions and countries, combining new artists and returning favorites. New to the Festival this year are Cimarrón of Colombia, Rocky Dawuni of Ghana, Daby Touré of Mali/Mauritania, France’s Delgrès, The Garifuna Collective from Belize, New Brunswick’s Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire with special guests Thomé Young, Vishtèn from Prince Edward Island, Pierre Kwenders of DR Congo and Québec's West Trainz. Returning this year by popular demand are The Waifs from Australia, Chic Gamine of Manitoba, Burundi Drummers of Burundi and DéDé St. Prix of Martinique.

This year we will have musicians representing francophone regions and countries including New Brunswick, Ivory Coast, France, Guadeloupe, Québec, Mali, Mauritania, Martinique, Haiti, DR Congo, Prince Edward Island, and Burundi," says Board President and Interim Executive Director, Scott Feehan. "From the Master Drummers of Burundi and Pascal Danaé to CharlElie Couture, we are proud of the lineup and cannot wait for Festival fans to experience it. Bonne Fête au Festival!"

Also, Festival International is hosting a very special artists’ residency in which local and international musicians will come together and collaborate on a special performance titled, L'Union Créole. Residents include Layla McCalla, bringing a Haitian influence, Pascal Danaé bringing influences from Guadeloupe, Cedric Watson of Lafayette and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes of New Orleans