Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival

Dane Terrell wins 2025 Red Beans & Rice Cookoff  

By: Dr. Shane Rasmussen  

NATCHITOCHES – With his entry “Ashli’s Beans,” Dane Terrell of Natchitoches won first place in the Judges’ Choice Category in the 2025 Red Beans & Rice Cookoff held at Northwestern State University as part of the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. 3 Stooges, comprised of Jacob Carpenter of Belmont, […]

Louisiana Folklife Center inducts seven into Hall of Master Folk Artists 

NATCHITOCHES – A traditional crafts person, five musicians and an art historian were inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists during an induction ceremony held at Northwestern State University as part of the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Inductees included cultural authority and traditional crafter Christy Castille, who also served […]

Ron Yule of DeRidder wins 2025 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship

NATCHITOCHES – Ron Yule of DeRidder was named Grand Champion of the 2025 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship held at Northwestern State University as part of the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Second place winner was Samuel O’Kelley of DeRidder, with Phillip Mayo of Leesville placing third and Asher Hotard of Folsom placing fourth. The […]

Louisiana State Fiddle Championship to be held July 19 

 NATCHITOCHES – The Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will take place as part of the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the Northwestern State University campus on July 19. The Fiddle Championship will be held at 1 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall, located at 143 Central Avenue on the NSU […]

Red Beans and Rice Cookoff to be part of Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival July 19

NATCHITOCHES – This year’s Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on July 19 will include a Red Beans and Rice Cookoff. Professionals and hobbyists alike can compete to demonstrate their cooking skills. Registration and the cooks’ meeting will take place at 8 a.m. in the N-Club Room inside Prather Coliseum. Cooking officially begins at 8:45 a.m. The […]

45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held July 19 

NATCHITOCHES – The 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held on Saturday July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum located at 220 South Jefferson Street on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. The festival’s curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors and traditional crafts persons will open at 9 a.m., with […]

Zion Harmonizers, folk artist Cynthia Ramirez named to Hall of Master Folk Artists

By Kristen P. Townsend 

NATCHITOCHES – Six gospel musicians and a multi-media folk artist were inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists Saturday at the 44th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Inductees were Cynthia Ramirez and the Zion Harmonizers, whose leader, Brazella Briscoe, served as honorary festival chair. 

Director […]

Joe Suchanek of Fields wins second Louisiana State Fiddle Championship

By Kristen P. Townsend 

NATCHITOCHES – Joe Suchanek of Fields won his second Louisiana State Fiddle Championship Saturday. Suchanek overcame a tough challenge from past champions Ben Robinson (2005, 2009), Clancey Stewart (2018) and Ron Yule (2000, 2019) along with newcomers Asher Hotard and Samuel O’Kelley in the championship round. 

The Louisiana […]

Square dance lessons to be taught at Folk Festival

By Kristen P. Townsend

NATCHITOCHES – “Chicken in a bread pan pickin’ out dough and we didn’t do it then like we did a while ago.” This may be one of many calls heard as you swing your partner and do-si-do around the dance floor on Saturday July 20 at the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Folk […]

Folk Festival will feature Bluesman Sonny Gullage

Kristen P. Townsend

NATCHITOCHES – Following a family line of musical genius ranging from Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter to grandmother and gospel recording artist, Sister Alberta Gullage, and bassist father, Tony Gullage, who has performed with many well-known musical greats, such as Henry Butler, emerges Sonny Gullage. Sonny is taking […]

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