Anticipating April (updated)

Once Mardi Gras is over, the outdoor festivals are on their way. April is a BIG month for Louisiana music and cultural celebration with two great events in New Orleans and another in Lafayette. If you're a fan of any one or all of them, you've probably already checked out the tentative announcements of the music coming to the French Quarter Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Festival International. If you're new to this drill, here are links to the websites for more details:

French Quarter Festival
April 8-10, 2005. This remarkable festival, featuring a variety of primarily New Orleans and regional talent performing on 15 stages around the French Quarter area and along the riverfront, also has great food for sale from top notch local eateries, and free admission. Many locals prefer the FQF to Jazzfest. It's a lot less crowded, for the most part; and the price is right.

Festival International de Louisiane
April 20-24, 2005. Remarkably, this too is a free festival and is held throughout the downtown area of Lafayette, LA. Established to promote and celebrate the French cultural heritage of the region (Acadiana) ,which includes French, African, Caribbean and Hispanic influences, the festival has gained acclaim for featuring numerous world music artists from those areas of influence as well as many Louisiana performers. It's a laid back, down home, friendly event that conveys its cultural significance with the pervading Louisiana party atmosphere. In addition to what the festival provides, the local clubs all book good music that keeps things jumpin' late into the night.

Ponderosa Stomp (Fourth Annual)
April 26 & 27, 2005. Put on as if my magic by the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau, this is a mini-fest of classic r&b and rock 'n roll put on at New Orleans' best multipurpose venue, the world famous Rock 'n' Bowl, and featuring original artists of the genres performing their music backed by various hip musicians, many of whom are legendary sidemen. Taking place during the week between Jazzfest weekends, this is the kind music the Jazzfest used to feature more of. Not all of the performers are New Orleans-related. I came down for one of the earlier Stomps and walked in on a load of Memphis-related acts: Billy Lee Riley, Scotty Moore, et al. Anyway, their anticipated schedule (always subject to change) tells the story. Betty Harris may be there this year! And Plas Johnson! And Earl Palmer! These shows start early and run most of the night. People get lost in there between the music, beer, food, bowling and vibe. Thanks to The Reaper for pointing out that I forgot to list this. And, yes, it's worth the bucks.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 22-May 1, 2005. The mother of all festivals (well, almost), this world-class production has been in existence since 1970. Starting as a modest local music festival and heritage fair held in a park, Jazzfest has grown into an international event located at a large inner city horse track that can, in a big year, easily have over half a million total attendees. Post 9/11, attendance has been down, but that should not last. There are lots of local and regional acts, plus national and international performers playing on the multiple stages and tents set up on the grounds along with food booths offering well-selected area cuisine, and artists and crafts-persons displaying and selling their creations.

Jazzfest is so popular, if you haven't been to one odds are you know someone who has. I'd bet the majority of the huge crowds there are non-locals. Going to any of these festivals is a great way to catch a large amount of quality live music in one place and get a taste of the local culture. If you don't like multitudes of people around you, try one or both of the smaller, less demanding festivals; but come on down and get greasy.