Don’t Miss LA Fête Cultural: a Celebration of Louisiana’s Culture

An upcoming event of huge interest to me has to be LA Fête Cultural 2010 on Wednesday, August 25th, at the Contemporary Arts Center.  LA Fête Cultural is a celebration of culture to honor five years of  The Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation. LCEF is an initiative started in spring 2005 by Former Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (current New Orleans Mayor) to support development and enhancement of the unique industries of Louisiana. LCEF was an instrumental non-profit organization in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina helping the cultural workers of Louisiana. Their newest battle has been assisting cultural workers affected by the oil spill.  La Fete Cultural consists of two events with a little flavor for all tastes and a look into different parts of our culture in Louisiana!

The Patron Party will feature The Shannon Powell Trio. Shannon Powell, world famous drummer known for his funky style, will grace the stage with pianist David Torkanowsky and bassist Roland Guerin.  Special guest with the trio will be the Soul Blues diva herself, Carol Fran. Everyone will be in for a treat when these great artists get together and show us all exactly what culture really is.

The patron party will feature a few favorite celebs. One in particular near to my heart is Mario Cantone, the funny man himself, whom you probably know best from Sex and the City as Anthony Marentino. Also in attendance Michael Cerveris, who you may remember from the Broadway Musical of Titanic, in which he played Thomas Andrews. I definitely can’t leave out Louisiana’s own Faith Ford best known for her role as Corky on Murphy Brown.Expect culinary surprises from local favorites such as K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, Herbsaint and Whole Foods (let’s hope they bring their Berry Chantilly Cake). Also, Chef Patrick Mould, who has a delicious recipe for broiled catfish filet with lump crabmeat sauté will grace the event; along with author of Zydeco Blues n’ Gumbo Cookbook, Chef Carolyn Shelton.

My favorite part of the upcoming LA Fête is the concert taking place in the Contemporary Arts Center warehouse.  One of my favorite local bands headlining the festivities is Big Sam’s Funky Nation, getting everyone to dance hopefully to “See Me Dance” from the new album, King of Party. Also performances from Tab Benoit’s Swampland Jam with the youngest (and my favorite) of the Neville’s Brothers Cyril Neville, guitarist Anders Osborne, Jumpin Johnny Sansone and to make it even more explosive Monk Boudreaux, Big Chief of the Golden Eagles, a local Mardi Gras Indian tribe, will make an appearance.

What pushes me closer to a happy music coma is the fact that there is even more music! Also performing is Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, hopefully leading everyone into some rub-board induced dancing. Closing out this dynamic list of artists is none other than The Stooges Brass Band & Big Chief Little Charles Taylor, so get ready to second line until you drop! The concert will be emceed by Mario Cantone, whom will hopefully tell us all how it was to breathe the same air as Sarah Jessica Parker, or maybe just tell me. If you are like me and believe in Louisiana, our rich culture and all those who help make it what it is, definitely check out this event.

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