Music center stage at Lafayette festival

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCKFestival International de Louisiane volunteer Aime Newland folds T-shirts Wednesday afternoon in a merchandise tent in downtown Lafayette. Newland said this was her second year as a volunteer.

LAFAYETTE — The annual “Love Fest” of world music — Festival International de Louisiane — began downtown Wednesday with performances by Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys and Bryan Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers.

Before the festival ends Sunday evening, thousands of visitors from across the country are expected to attend the festival of music, film, theater, art and of course, food.

Though the opening ceremony is at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the Scène Popeyes International stage, the music begins much sooner with performances by Sonny Landreth and Bas Clas with Erick Adcock, Dickie Landry and Roddie Romero as the opening acts on two festival stages. Following is a list of Thursday’s lineup.

Sc ène Popeyes International stage

• 6 p.m. — Sonny Landreth
• 8 p.m. — Bombino
• 9:45 — Robert Randolph & the Family Band

Sc ène Malibu Fais Do-Do

• 6 p.m. — Bas Clas with Eric Adcock, Dickie Landry and Roddie Romero
• 7:45 p.m. — Ceux Qui Marchent Debout
• 9:30 p.m. — Debo Band

For those seeking a break from music during the festival, there are nightly performances at 7 p.m. of Ray Bradbury’s “Kaleidoscope” at Theatre 810 on Jefferson Street; afternoon events such as the Soirées du Cinéma film series at The French Press, 214 E. Vermilion St.; and the Innovation Poetry Slam at Parish Ink, 310 Jefferson St.

ä ON THE INTERNET:
www.festivalinternational.com