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Frequently Asked Questions : FAQ
Festival International de Louisiane is a community-based, non-profit arts organization formed in 1986 to produce an annual visual and performing arts festival celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana - primarily a combination of French, African, Caribbean and Hispanic influences. Is Festival International de Louisiane FREE? YES! Festival International de Louisiane is a FREE event. You can enjoy over 100 musical performances for FREE. We encourage you to help keep Festival International de Louisiane FREE by purchasing a Festival Pin and Festival Poster. Any tips on preparing for Festival International de Louisiane?
When and where is it held? The annual 5-day festival is held during the last full week of April. Historic downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, is transformed into an entertainment mecca featuring six music stages, food court areas, street musicians and animators, arts and crafts boutiques, art galleries, beverage stands, cultural workshops, international cooking demonstrations and a world music store.
What is not allowed at Festival?
What kind of music does the festival feature? Since its creation, Festival International de Louisiane has become famous as a premier presenter of some of the most unique world musicians and performances in the United States. Festival International de Louisiane features musical genres from around the world, showcasing our ties with the Francophone world. From rock to folk, world music to Cajun, zydeco to jazz, blues to funk, Latin to reggae; there is something for everyone! Popular Louisiana artists such as Marc Broussard, Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Allan Toussaint, Zachary Richard, Sonny Landreth, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Buckwheat Zydeco, Boozoo Chavis, Amedee "Bois Sec" Ardoin, D. L. Menard, Terrance Simien, C. J. Chenier, Geno Delafose, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Canray Fontenot, and Buddy Guy have all performed on our stages. Past international performers have included John Mayall (England), Zap Mama (Democratic Republic of the Congo; former Zaire), Natalie MacMaster (Cape Breton), Dede St. Prix (Martinique), Cubanismo (Cuba), Salif Keita (Mali), Amadou & Mariam (Mali), Master Drummers of Burundi (Burundi), Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens (South Africa), Jimmy Bosch (Puerto Rico), the Poor Clares (Ireland), Sam Mangwana (Republic of Congo), La Bottine Souriante (Canada), Paris Combo (France), Sally Nyolo (Cameroon), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Gigi (Ethiopia), Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Salem Tradition (Reunion Islands), La Rue Ketanou (France), Yerba Buena (Cuba), The Waifs (Australia), Kékélé (R.D. Congo), Burning Spear (Jamaica), Alain-François (Quebec), Diblo Dibala (R.D. Congo), Urban Trad (Belgium), Super Uba (Dominican Republic), Tiempo Libre (Cuba), Malouma (Mauritania) and Maria de Barros (Cape Verde), Menwar (Mauritius), Habib Koïte (Mali), Locos Por Juana (Colombia/Venezuela), Rachid Taha (Algeria), Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast), Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 ( Nigeria) Ceux Qui Marchent Debout ( France). How can I apply to perform at Festival International de Louisiane?
If you are an artist or band manager interested in having you band considered for an upcoming festival, Email our programming coordinator Lisa Stafford at lisa@festivalinternational.com. The annual deadline is August 15. In your email, please include a complete artist bio, booking contact info, links to youtube or vimeo videos. Digital press kits are preferred. Please note: submission does not guarantee booking. Do you know the dates of Festival International de Louisiane well in advance? Yes. When is the performance schedule released? The performance schedule will be up on the website on February 14, 2013. What is there to do before the music starts? We have plenty of special events going on before the music starts, so we encourage you to arrive early and explore Downtown Lafayette. Downtown has so much to offer, you can shop or visit the many museums and art galleries! How do you keep Festival International de Louisiane FREE? Love Your Festival. Buy A Pin. Festival International is a FREE event and you can help keep it free by buying a Pin. Your Pin Is Your Ticket! So, Buy A Pin and Love Your Festival. How do I get to the Festival grounds? Festival International de Louisiane is held throughout Historic downtown Lafayette, which is located in the heart of Lafayette, Louisiana. Parking is limited in downtown Lafayette and is not recommended. We recommend using the Festival Shuttle which is FREE, easy, and convenient. Where can I park at the Festival? Parking is limited in downtown Lafayette and is not recommended. We offer a FREE shuttle service that shuttles festival goers to and from Cajun Field. *Please keep in mind that if you park in Downtown Lafayette, parking rules & regulations will apply. Do you help Festival goers in booking hotel rooms? Yes, please visit the Hotels page for information on our many Festival hotels around the Lafayette area. Do you help Festivalgoers find airline travel? Yes, please visit our Transportation page for information on air travel to and from the Lafayette Regional Airport. Do you help Festivalgoers find rental cars? Yes, please visit our Transportation page for information on Rental Cars in the Lafayette area. Where could I get camping and RV information? You can consult the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission or call them at 800-346-1958 (U.S.), 800-543-5340 (Canada) to inquire about campgrounds and RV information. Is the Festival accessible to people with disabilities? Yes. Handicap parking is available in the Downtown parking garages. Each stage at Festival International de Louisiane has wheelchair accessibility. Though we do not offer a service that brings festival-goers to and from staging areas, we encourage all patrons to enjoy Festival International de Louisiane. Wheelchairs and medical Scooters are permitted. Are there ATM machines on Festival property? Yes. ATM Machines throughout Festival property and can be located on our Festival Map. What kind of food will be available in the food areas? The food areas are sure to please any palette. So, treat yourself to refreshing beverages and the various delicious cuisines that will be available, with menus to please the youngest and the oldest, from vegetarian to seafood to carnivore's delight! Are there vegetarian items available? Yes. Several food vendors offer vegetarian items. Are pets (dogs, cats, etc) allowed? NO, pets are not allowed at Festival International. We are pet lovers too and we do not want anyone's pet to get hurt, lost, stolen or bite someone or another animal during Festival. With over 350,000 people in the downtown area over five days, we are not responsible for any hurt, lost, or stolen pets. We are not responsible for any human getting hurt as the result of a pet bite or another pet injured as a result of a bite. Can I bring a blanket & chair? Yes, you may bring blankets & small collapsible chairs. Please be aware that people will be dancing around you during performances and the view of the stage and performers may be blocked. Personal tents, metal poles, shade canopies, beach or pole-style umbrellas are not allowed on Festival property. Inserting stakes, poles, or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space is prohibited. What about ice chests? Festival International has everything you need, so why worry about bringing the ice chest and trying to keep track of it while you are out enjoying Festival. Festival has great food and beverages on site for your enjoyment. Support Festival International and Our Vendors! Are you allowed to block off space at each stage to view bands during Festival? No, you cannot block of space at each stage. Inserting stakes, poles, or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space is prohibited. Where is Lost & Found? Lost & Found is located on the corner of Jefferson Street & Vermilion Street. If you lost your keys, ID, cell phone, etc., please stop by our Lost & Found station. Do you have a children's area? Yes, we do have an area that is for the young or young at heart. Our children's area is known as Scène des Jeunes. and is located on our site map. Where is Scène des Jeunes located? Scene des Jeunes is located at Cathedral Carmel School grounds on St. John in the heart of downtown Lafayette. Where can I purchase my Festival Pin and Poster? You can purchase Pins & Posters before, during or after Festival through our website: ‘Shop'. OR You can purchase Your Pin and Poster during Festival at La Boutique du Festival our onsite merchandise location. We unfortunately do not sell pins inside the Festival International office. How can we meet the musicians who are playing at Festival? Although only Festival staff and artists are allowed back stage, you can meet the artists after they perform at the Festival International Merchandise Boutique. During the 5 days of Festival, many musicians have CD signing at the Merchandise Boutique where you can purchase their CD, have them sign it, and possibly even take a picture with your favorite artist. Visit the Merchandise Boutique during Festival for times and details! How do I become a Festival volunteer? Call us at 337.232.8086 or Email us or fill out an online application. Click on ‘Volunteers ' link above for more information. Please keep in mind that we are a Francophone Festival; we strive to keep our programming 80% Francophone. Festival International de Louisiane will accept press kit submissions for bands wishing to perform at Festival International de Louisiane between May 15 and August 15 for the upcoming festival year. All qualified applicants may submit their press kits between May 15 and August 15 to: Be sure to include a recording, biography & discography, photo, press clippings, and contact information including an e-mail address. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, not everyone will receive a response unless chosen to perform at the festival. Someone will contact you if you are chosen. How can I apply for a food booth? Please contact the Production Coordinator to receive more information on how to become a Festival Food Vendor as well as how to be added to our mailing list. Please send your Business Name, Physical Mailing Address(including city, state, & zip code), Telephone Number, and E-mail address to be added to the mailing list: Please keep in mind the following:
How can I apply for an Arts & Crafts booth? Please contact the Production Coordinator to receive more information about the Marche des Arts & Marche du Monde areas as well as how to be added to our mailing list. Please send your Name, Physical Mailing Address(including city, state, & zip code), Telephone Number, and E-mail address to be added to the mailing list: If I'm a member of the press, how can I get Media credentials? You can download a Media Accreditation Application on the ‘Media' link above. Any questions can be addressed to the Marketing Coordinator, Apiyo Obala, 337.232.8086. How can I become a Festival partner? There are several ways to support Festival International de Louisiane. As a Corporate partner you can contact the Festival International de Louisiane Office and speak to our Development Director Michelle Minyard , 337.232.8086. There are also contributing partner opportunities such as Rain Angels and Amis du Festival. (For more info, visit the Partners link above.) How do I become a Rain Angel? The Rain Angels were founded several years ago when the rain put a huge damper on our great Festival. These fine citizens of Lafayette and pillars of the community decided to give generously from their pockets to help out Festival International de Louisiane in our time of need. Festival International de Louisiane is funded by donations such as these and by other partnerships. For more information on becoming a Rain Angel, call 337.232.8086 or email us today! Festival International de Louisiane cordially invites you to become an Ami du Festival. As an Ami du Festival or Friend of the Festival, you will be part of the growing list of individual supporters who help bring the world to Lafayette. Review the array of incentives and benefits that accompany each level, choose one that is comfortable for you and sign up today. To receive more information on our Amis du Festival program, please review the Partners link above, Email Us or call us: 337 232-8086. What does Francophone mean? Francophone means "French-speaking" and is often used to refer to nations where French is the official language or is commonly used. |
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