Festival International de Louisiane

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Anyone looking for a reason to feel proud to be a Louisianan need only make plans to be in downtown Lafayette when the "largest international music festival in the United States" returns full-force for five days in Acadiana, bringing artists from countries the world over—with an emphasis on the Francophone diaspora—to Lafayette. Music, visual arts, theatre, dance, and cuisine combine into a melting pot that celebrates the common threads that bind their cultures and Louisiana's own artistic expressions together. "Festival," as it is simply called by the locals, is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year of transforming downtown Lafayette into an entertainment complex with many music stages presenting local, international, and emerging musicians; food court areas, street musicians, and animators; arts & crafts boutiques; art galleries; cultural workshops; and a world music store.

As usual, scores of bands this year are coming from all corners of the globe, and plenty of Louisiana greats are there to make things complete. It's big, it's colorful, and best of all, it's free! festivalinternational.org.