NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Lisa Abney, Ph.D. (abney@nsula.edu)
Louisiana Folklife Center
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-4332
http://www.nsula.edu/folklife

7/7/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES ­ Twenty different groups reflecting Louisiana's diverse music will perform at the 26th annual Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival July 15-16 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University. Those attending the Festival can hear a variety of music including acoustic, bluegrass, blues, Cajun, country, folk, gospel, rhythm and blues, western swing, zydeco and more.

At noon on Friday, Southern Inspiration, an African American gospel group, kicks off the events on the East stage, a KidFest Material Culture session will be featured on the West stage, and Cajun Dance Lessons with Billy and Bobbye Keyes will begin the festivities on the Main Stage.

Also, on the Main stage, the Back Porch Band playing traditional ballads can be heard at 1:15 p.m. A. J. Cascio and the Two-Tone Blues Band can be heard at 2:15 p.m. on the Main stage, and they will be the featured performance at 6:15 p.m. on the West stage. Bernie Alan and Knight Train, playing swamp pop and Cajun music, can be heard at 3:15 p.m. on the Main Stage and at 1:30 p.m. on the West stage.

Fred Charlie, a popular Cajun musician, rounds out the daytime performances at 4:45 p.m. on the Main stage. Charlie will also be featured on the East stage at 6:15 p.m. Friday night. The Sidemen from Many can be heard on the West stage at 4:30 p.m., and they will be featured on the same stage at 7:45 p.m. Friday night. At 1:30 p.m. the Kennedy Family will be performing Gospel selections on the East stage. At 3:00 p.m., the East stage will also host the Hoodoo Papas, a popular acoustic blues and rock group. A KidFest Music Session will round out the daytime activities on the East stage at 4:30 p.m. on Friday-at this session, Vernon Birdwell will teach children to play the harmonica. The first 100 children at the session will be given harmonicas as part of their admission fee.

The Main stage gets off to a high energy start on Friday night with Natchitoches' own Jeff Rachall and 24/7. Rachall's six-piece country band can also be heard on the East stage at 7:45 p.m. on Friday night. Following Rachall, on the Main stage at 7:45 p.m., will be Hall of Master Folk Artist Inductee, Hadley Castille playing Cajun music. Castille is world renowned and has received many awards, medals, and honors including an induction into the order of "The Living Legends." The final band featured on the Friday night Main Stage will be the Treater band, one of South Louisiana's most popular groups, beginning at 9:15 p.m. The Treater band comes from Houma, and their French and Native American heritage has influenced their music style. Their Cajun music is sure to please dancers of all ages.

Saturday's activities get hopping at 9 a.m. with Cajun Dance Lessons by Billy & Bobbye Keys on the West stage, a KidFest session on the East stage, and the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship on the Main stage. Following the 2005 Fiddle championship on the Main stage will be the Hall of Master Folk Artists Induction Ceremony. The Treater Band will play again on the West stage at noon. At 1:15 p.m. the Main stage will feature Don Fontenot, playing Cajun music. At 10:30 a.m., Fontenot can also be heard performing on the East stage. Following Fontenot on the Main stage at 2:45 p.m. will be the Southland Bluegrass band, who will also play on the East stage at 4:30 p.m. The Main stage will conclude the daytime activities at 4:15 p.m. with Willis Prudhomme, an internationally renowned zydeco musician. Prudhomme's rousing music can also be heard at 1:30 p.m. on the West stage.

The west stage will feature the Rivers Revue Band at 4:30 p.m. Led by Natchitoches native Hardrick Rivers, this popular local band plays a variety of jazz, rhythm and blues, zydeco and folk music. The East stage will feature the Hoodoo Papas at noon, the Back Porch Band, whose several members include current and former NSU professors, at 1:30 p.m.; and at 3 p.m., Scotty Pousson's invigorating Cajun music. Pousson also kicks off the evening events at 6:30 p.m. on the Main stage.

Saturday evening's activities get started with the Southern Messengers singing traditional African American gospel on the West stage at 6 p.m., while Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadours will play country music on the East stage. Russell's set list is a mixture of rocking honky tonk, driving roots-rock, blues, bluegrass, and Southern gospel with something to appeal to all. The River Road Boys, who have played together over thirty years, can be heard on the Main stage at 8 p.m. playing Western Swing. The River Road Boys have played at a number of festivals, and other events including the International Economic Summit of the Seven Industrialized Nations for President George Bush and other visiting dignitaries. Glen Jacqueneaux and Cajun Friends will top off the evening's events on the East stage at 7:15 p.m. with over two hours of Cajun music. Ending the evening activities at 9:30 p.m. on the Main Stage will be Rivers Revue.

The Festival will also feature authentic crafts and a variety of food. This year's Festival theme focuses upon Louisiana's agriculture and folk traditions. Ticket prices are $7 per day for adults; $3 for children ages seven through twelve. Children six and under are admitted free. An all-event pass is available for advance purchase for $12. Group rates are available, but must be pre-arranged and pre-purchased. For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332 or at www.nsula.edu/folklife.

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