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2000 FestivalThis year's Festival theme encompasses a wide variety of folk activities. All people in their daily lives practice folk traditions. Through occupation, recreation, religion, or domestic traditions, all people practice folkways. Each of these divisions of life involves a distinctive set of folk stories and material culture practices. We hope that you enjoy attending this year's Festival and examining the folk traditions of a variety of cultures.The 2000 Festival will showcase the talents of a variety of aritsans. Specialized foodways vendors will be serving specialized cuisine. Musicians and oral historians from around the state will encourage the festive atmosphere on 3 stages. Since this festival is not focusing on one particular topic of Louisiana folklife, the mood will be varied and exciting.
Special exhibits are planned for the festival. One of these is the hunting and fishing exhibit. Another is the Kid's Fest, which has been a big hit at past fesitvals. This years Kid's Fest will incorporate a larger assortment of activities. There will be something for everyone!
Noted author and urban legends researcher, Jan Harold Brunvand will present a talk about urban legends at the end of the 20th century at this year's Festival. Urban legends are those popular stories, which circulate in communities about rats in soft drink cans, disappearing hitchhikers, hook wearing murderers, and gang initiation rites. Generally, these stories sport a basic plot that is changed, embellished, and lengthened as people tell them. Dr. Brunvand has dedicated the bulk of his research to studying these stories, and he has collected thousands of these from all around the United States. Dr. Brunvand's works have received wide acclaim from both folklorists and the public. He is best known for his collections: The Mexican Pet, The Choking Doberman, Too Good to be True, and The Baby Train. Dr. Brunvand taught at Utah State University for many years and recently retired to dedicate more time to his research and writing. His talk will take place in the N Club Room on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. A question and answer period will follow his presentation.
One of Louisiana's most popular classic rock/blues bands will be the main attraction at this year's Festival. The Boogie Kings have been playing music together since 1956, and in 1991, the band returned to full-time performing. The band has remained popular, especially in Louisiana. The group has recorded ten albums which are now available on CD. Ned Theall, the leader of the band, and several other members of the group have been with the Boogie Kings since the 1960s. They will play a wide variety of popular fifties and sixties style music for dancing. The Boogie Kings play popular favorites such as "Knock on Wood," "That Loving Feeling," "Unchained Melody," "Walkin' to New Orleans," "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel," and "Mustang Sally." In addition to the musical performance of the Boogie Kings, an exhibit regarding the influence of the Boogie Kings upon Louisiana music will be assembled. Festival patrons have long requested this popular band for the Festival, and the Louisiana Folklife Center staff is glad to have the opportunity to bring them to this year's event.
Friday night at the Festival this year will showcase the talents of a variety of musicians and music styles. J.W. Kelley and Basic Country will open the Friday night show with classic country music including the hits of Hank Williams Sr., Bob Wills, and Hank Thompson, as well as other country favorites. J. W. Kelley has been performing at the NSU Folk Festival since1982, and three years ago, he joined long time friend and fellow vocalist Russ Dancy and the group Basic Country. The group's other members are Leo Mitchell on bass, Pete Mitchell on steel guitar, Charlie Sepulvado on lead guitar and Drew Dancy on drums.
The Gators from the Cane River area will play from 7:15 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Friday night. This band, comprised of Doc Couty, Preston Conant, Warren Woods, T. Green, and Frank Lee, provides music for many North Louisiana events and has become a Festival favorite. They perform a variety of music including swamp pop, blues, zydeco, country, rock and roll, rhythm and blues and a bit of jazz. Their music will provide an enjoyable backdrop for dancing.
The final performance of Friday night will showcase the talents of Jay Cormier and his band, Cajun Country. This band is the house band for the popular restaurant, Mulates, and the group frequently plays at both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge locations. They perform traditional Cajun music that is great fun for dancing. Cajun Country is composed of many traditional Cajun musicians, Austin Broussard, Jamie Bearb, Brian Bourque, Bobby Dumatraite, and Jay Cormier. The band is noted for their outstanding four-part harmony, which they incorporate into many of their Cajun French songs. Friday night's entertainment will offer many choices for dancing and listening and is sure to please Festival visitors.
In response to many requests from visitors, the Festival staff has given extra effort to bring more child-friendly events to the Festival. The Tent Stage will be the site for many of these activities which include jump rope games, story telling, musical instrument making, taffy pulling, egg knocking, Czech dancing, and string games. Additionally, all craftspersons will be eager to demonstrate their craft making to children and adults. Feel free to ask them questions about their crafts and their traditions.
Many of Louisiana's best traditional cooks will present their foodways traditions at this year's Festival. These presenters will demonstrate a variety of foods ranging from Italian to Isleno to African-American, Norwegian, Anglo-Scots-Irish, Creole, Cajun, Hispanic, and Native American. All foodways demonstrations will be held in the N Club Room throughout both days of Festival events.
This group of Marksville residents participates in and stages the annual egg knocking/paqueing in Marksville on Easter Morning. This group will discuss the tradition of egg knocking and will illustrate the manner in which eggs are prepared and selected for the contest. A short video presentation of their Easter tradition will be included in the presentation.
Avoyelles Parish residents Vierd "Butch" Cole and his family will demonstrate and discuss the pig roast tradition in Louisiana French culture. Their presentation is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as they talk about the pig roast and offer samples of cracklins and other pork delicacies to the audience. Their presentation will include a short video of an actual pig roast and the preparation of the pig before roasting.
Bobbye and Billy Keyes will return this year to give their ever popular Cajun Dance Lessons at the Festival. The lessons allow Festival patrons the opportunity to learn and then to practice what they have learned at the Festival during the day, when many Cajun bands will be playing their music.
The Caddo Indians of Oklahoma will perform their traditional dances on Saturday afternoon. This session will indeed be a treat. The Caddo have come to the Festival and to Natchitoches several times previously, and crowds always enjoy talking with the Caddo about their traditions and watching their dances.
Gilbert Harris: White oak baskets
Kathlene Thomas: Clifton-Choctaw basketry
Elois Tyler: Clifton-Choctaw beadwork
Fisher Snell: Hand-made rocking chairs
Myrna Wilson: Koasati baskets and beadwork
Lorena Langley: Koasati basketry
Rose Fisher: Jena Choctaw Split Cane basketry
Roy Parfait: Houma wood carving
Janie Luster: Houma crafts
Caddo Indians: Native American crafts
Gladys Clark: Acadian Weaving
Brenda Perkins: Weaving and spinning wool
Stacy Fontenot: Tatting
Rosie Allen: African-American quilting
Los Adaes Foundation: Quilts and bonnets
Elaine Bourque: Rosary making, weaving
Lair LaCour: Creole Ma-Man Dolls, quilts
Dempsey Perkins: Wood turning
Roy W. Gandy: Walking sticks and handles
Kenneth and Mary Royston: Whittling and toys
Irvan Perez: Isleño wood carving
Ralph Serignea: Isleño wood carving
Tommy Colvin: Boat builder
David Allen: Carved walking sticks
Robin Family: Isleño miniature boat carving, net making
Suson Launey: Mardi Gras Mask Making
The Moran Family: FilÈ making
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has graciously funded a variety of narrative stages at this year's Festival. These stage sessions will focus upon women's folklore, Native American folklore, Easter traditions, political folklore of Louisiana, family history traditions, and urban legends of the present day.
The women's folklore sessions will include participants from Creole, African American, Native American, Anglo, and Hispanic communities and will be hosted by Dr. Dayna Lee and Dr. Lisa Abney. Dr. H.F. Gregory and Dr. Dayna Lee will host the two Native American narrative stage sessions, and the sessions will elicit narratives from Houma Indian tribal members, Caddo tribal members, Koasati tribal members, and Choctaw tribal members.
On Friday, the Easter Traditions session will center upon activities of the Czechs, African-Americans, and Cajuns during this holiday. Czech community members will discuss egg decorating and Easter foodways while a Cajun group from Marksville will talk about egg knocking or pacqueing. The Addison family will discuss the northeast Louisiana African-American tradition of Easter Rock at this session as well. On Saturday, the Easter Traditions sessions will be held on the Tent Stage where an egg knocking contest will be held and Easter traditions will be discussed.
Dr. Don Hatley will moderate two sessions relating to political traditions in Louisiana. Several local and regional politicians have been invited. Listening to these political veterans' stories will prove to be an enlightening and interesting experience.
The Festival will also dedicate two narrative stages to family history traditions. These sessions will address issues relating to family reunions and genealogy. Various members from the African American, Creole, Czech, and Anglo-Scots-Irish cultures will be gathered for these interesting sessions.
Friday July 21
N Club Room
Tent Stage
West Stage
Main Stage
East Stage
9:00-10:15
Boucherie Tradition
Carla Chance
Willie Mae Kennedy and Family
The Dowden Sisters
Family History Traditions Narratives
10:30-11:45
Old Fashioned Taffy Pull Kid Fest Event
Traditional Musical Instrument Making Narrative Stage
The Conleys Celtic Band
Welcome Ceremony
Cajun Dance Lessons with Billy and Bobbye KeyesWomen's Folkore
12:00-1:15
Mr. John Remedies: Adesano Tamales and Pecan Pies
Kid Fest Spoon Race
Dowden Sisters
Don Fontenot et Les Amis de la Louisiane
J.W. Kelley and Basic Country
1:30-2:45
Miss Lillie's Creole Kitchen
Easter Rock
Native American Oral Narrative Tales
The Conleys Celtic Band
Blackie Forestier and the Cajun Aces
3:00-4:15
Theuss Family: African American Foodways
Czech Dancers
Political Traditions Narrative Stage
Creole Zydeco Farmers
Don Fontenot et Les Amis de la Louisiane
4:30-5:45
Retha Justis and Kris Hailey: NW LA Anglo Foodways
Kid Fest String Games
Donald Belton and Last Chance
Blackie Forestier and the Cajun Aces
Easter Traditions Narrative Stage
6:00-7:15
Creole Zydeco Farmers
5:30-6:00
Crafts close, stage dark
6:00-7:15
J.W. Kelley and Basic CountryVernon Birdwell Harmonica Music
7:30-8:45
Cane River Gators
Open Microphone Jam Session
9:00-11:30
Jay Cormier and Cajun Country
Open Microphone Jam Session
Saturday July 22
N Club Room
Tent Stage
West Stage
Main Stage
East Stage
9:00-9:50
Kid Fest Taffy Pull
Kid Fest String Games
Caddo Dancer
Cajun Dance Lessons
Political Traditions Narrative Stage
10:00-11:15
Boucherie Tradition
Family History and Traditions Narrative Stage
Willie Mae Kennedy and Family
Armadillo Jackal
Scotty Pousson and the Pointe Aux Loups Playboys
11:30-12:45
Miss Lillie's Creole Kitchen
Egg Knocking Contest and Easter Traditions Narrative Session
Cane River Gators
Cory McCauley and His Evangeline Aces
Donny Broussard and the Louisiana Stars
1:00-2:00 N Room
1:00-2:15 all other stages Native American Narrative Traditions
KidFest Jump Rope Songs
Vernon Birdwell: Harmonica MusicFred Beavers and the Old Time Fiddle Band
Donny Broussard and the Louisiana Stars
Back Porch Band
2:30-3:45
Urban Legends Narrative Stage: Dr. Jan Harold Brunvand
Czech Dancers
Armadillo Jackal
Back Porch Band
Cory McCauley and his Evangeline Aces
4:00-5:15
Mary Jane Day: German and Norwegian Foodways
Traditional Musical Instrument Making Narrative Stage
Short Notice
Caddo Indian Dancers
Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys
5:30-7:00
Jackson Family African-American Foodways
Scotty Pousson and the Pointe Aux Loups Playboys
5:30-6:00
crafts close, stage dark
6:00-7:00
Donald Belton and Last ChanceBirdwell Gospel Singers and various musical instruments
7:15-8:30
Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys
Fred Beavers and the Old Time Fiddle Band
8:45-10:00
The Boogie Kings
10:15-10:45
Short Notice
10:30-11:30
The Boogie Kings
Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys will open Saturday night's performance. Kevin and his band play traditional Cajun music, yet occasionally they mix in a few new songs as well. The band is comprised of five young membersóthe oldest of the group is twenty-six and the youngest is eighteen. The band may be young, but they have lots of experience. Most members began playing Cajun music when they were in their teens. The Ossun Playboys perform every Thursday night at Randol's in Lafayette, and they play on the weekends throughout the state at Festivals and clubs.
Family reunion traditions will be the focus of one of the exhibit areas at the Festival. Family reunions are an important part of Southern culture, and this year, for the first time at the Festival, exhibits will document and display information about family reunions. The Birdwell Family will hold their national reunion in conjunction with the Festival, and they plan to assemble a display to illustrate past family reunion activities and family trees. Additionally, the Czechs will bring their family reunion tradition displays, as will the Creoles who will be holding a Creole Family History conference in conjunction with the Festival. If you are interested in sharing your family reunion traditions or in holding a family reunion at the Festival, please contact the Festival staff at 318-357-4332.
This year, the Festival will include an exhibit that draws attention to the importance of hunting and fishing to the northern Louisiana region. Several Sabine, Natchitoches, and Rapides Parish fishermen have already begun gathering mounts, baits, and other fishing equipment to incorporate into the Festival exhibit. Staff members are currently in the process of collecting fishing and hunting tales for inclusion in the exhibit area, and many who enjoy these activities will share their stories at the Festival. If you would like to participate by sharing your hunting or fishing stories or by loaning mounts or equipment for the exhibit, please contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at 357-4332.
The Louisiana band, The Boogie Kings, has achieved and maintained widespread popularity throughout the forty-five years in which they have been playing as a group. Many Louisiana residents recall The Boogie Kings's music from their high school proms and community dances. The band and its various members have made significant contributions to Louisiana's musical history because of their popularity and longevity.
Advance ticket purchases allow Festival patrons to enjoy the event at lower rates and to support the Festival at the same time. This year, as in many others, the Festival needs the support of our generous contributors. Please see the back page for donor packages. For ticket prices and related information, please contact the Center at (318) 357-4332.
The Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival has been selected for inclusion in the Library of Congress' Bicentennial Celebration: Local Legacies Project. The Local Legacies Project is designed to document and to pay tribute to the nation's rich cultural heritage. The Library of Congress fosters community projects to ensure that future generations will have access to important cultural "snapshots" of American tradition, folklore, and everyday life. The American Folklife Center received images from each congressional district. The Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival was chosen from the Fourth Congressional District.
"This is quite an honor for the Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival to be included in this project," said Dr. Lisa Abney, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center. "This provides the festival with national exposure. This recognition also says a great deal about our folk artists, who are vital to the success of the festival."
Materials sent to the Project included an audiotape of the 1999 Friday night music performance, 30 photographic images of material culture and musical artists, a copy of the Creole heritage document, "We know Who We Are," and copies of several past Festival programs and posters. Abney assembled the collection. The Local Legacies program will be celebrated during a special event at the Library of Congress in Washington in May. The materials will then be added to the Library of Congress Collections and will be made available on the World Wide Web.
According to Abney, the Folk Festival was selected because of its 21-year committment to the documentation and preservation of folk traditions in Louisiana. The Festival was first held in 1980 and features folk artists who are encouraged to demonstrate and to exhibit their traditions. The Festival is dedicated to the presentation of these artists in their own cultural context. Educational exhibits often accompany the presentation of folk artists.
Each year the Festival steering committee selects a theme that is developed through music, material culture, dance, narrative, and foodways during the Festival. The event has been designated twice as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourist Commission.
The Festival is held in comfortable, air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, on the campus of Northwestern State University in historic Natchitoches. The site provides ample, nearby parking and is handicap-accessible. No alcohol is allowed or sold on the site. To reach the Coliseum, take Natchitoches exit from I-49. From Shreveport, turn left (from Alexandria, turn right) on Highway 6/College Ave. to South Jefferson. Turn right on South Jefferson. Prather Coliseum is on the right past the President's house and the tennis courts.
Contact the Center at Box 3663, NSU, Natchitoches, LA 71497, (318) 357-4332 or folklife@alpha.nsula.edu
Please donate to the festival:
Friend of the Festival $20 - Receives: 1 pass (all events), Listing in program
Member $50 - Receives: 2 passes (all events), Listing in program, 1 souvenir T-shirt
Sponsor $100 - Receives: 4 passes (all events), Listing in program, 2 souvenir T-shirts
Patron $250 - Receives: 10 passes (all events), Listing in program, 2 souvenir T-shirts
Grand Patron $500 - Receives: Passes as requested up to 20 (all events), Listing in program, 3 previous Festival posters
Corporate Sponsor $1,000 - Receives: Passes as requested up to 40 (all events), 4 previous Festival posters, Listing in program, Appropriate logo placed on stage
Please send donations with your name, address, e-mail, work phone, home phone, and the amount you are sending to:
Natchitoches/NSU Folklife Festival
NSU P.O. Box 3663
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Note: Donations received after July 1, 2000 may not be listed in the Festival Program. Fair market value of items received may not be deducted from your Federal Income Tax.