Reason to Celebrate!

Great news, music fans: April marks the start of the Jazz Fest.

Visitors from across the globe travel to south Louisiana for the annual musical event. And while many are still in sticker shock over the ticket price hike – $50 daily – the lineup may indeed warrant it. A proverbial “Who’s Who” in music, this year’s performers include Sheryl Crow, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Dr. John, Billy Joel, Tim McGraw, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Stevie Wonder, John Prine, Jimmy Buffet, Diana Krall, Santana, Dianne Reeves and literally hundreds more.

Rubbing shoulders at this year’s jazz fest will be our own Tab Benoit (April 25) and again with the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars (April 27).

It’s a great opportunity to experience the music, culture and heritage of our region.

You say the high sticker price and travel are not your bag? No problem.

There’s plenty of culture, heritage and FREE music to be had right here in the Tri-parishes. And, get this, a number of performers that are appearing at the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Fest are also playing here at home … again, for FREE.

The Cypress Sawmill Festival April 4-6 at Kemper Williams Park in Patterson has Waylon Thibodeaux, the Molly Ringwalds and more. Treater, the Southern Boyz, Brunson Billiot Band and Charles Mann take the stage at the Grand Bois Cajun/ Swamp Pop/Zydeco Music Festival that same weekend in Bourg. St. Mary Parish’s 5th annual Bayou Teche Bear Festival April 18-19 has Rockin’ Doopsie & the Zydeco Twisters, Hunter Hayes and Johnny Firmin & Company. That same weekend, Hip Boot Joe, Jake and Nifty Fifties and Vince Anthony also play. The 45th annual Larose Family Fun Festival April 25-27 has Plow, Southern Cross, Reaux Shambeaux. And May 1, the Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair has booked Benoit, Thibodeaux, Toups, Ball, Hayes and ’70s rockers Wet Willie.

And, of course, there’s Downtown Live After 5.

Did I mention these events also feature some of the best food, crafts and fun south of Interstate 10!

So whether it’s at the Jazz Fest or one of the many Tri-parishes’ festivals, grab your dance shoes. It’s our month to boogie.