When T-Salé Cajun Band hits the Southern Comfort Scène Fais Do Do stage at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Festival International 2008 is officially underway. Chris Ardoin & NuStep follow at 8:15 p.m., paving the way for the next four days and nights of the festival’s signature mix of local favorites and national and international headliners, with an emphasis on Francophone music.
Big-time bookings this year include The Blind Boys of Alabama with the Preservation Hall Horns, Habib Koite, Burning Spear and more. This week’s cover story features the Independent Weekly’s annual Festival International band guide, giving you the lowdown and preview of every band playing the festival. If you’re still planning who to see and hear during Festival, check out our band preview, then go to FIL’s “My Festival Schedule" section of its Web site, where you can customize and print out your own personal schedule.