Festival International de Louisiane has released its 2016 performance lineup. The 30th 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 30th 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 in a release announcing the linuep. "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.
More information is coming soon on the schedule, special anniversary exhibits and events. The 30th Annual Festival International de Louisiane takes place April 20-24 in Downtown Lafayette. The full lineup can be found online at http://lineup.festivalinternational.org.