38th Annual Natchitoches–NSU Folk Festival

Bertha will be exhibiting at this annual family-friendly Folk Festival at NSU in Natchitoches this weekend.

(From their website): Folk cultures are sustained when the torch of tradition is passed from one generation to the next. Communities are strengthened and lives given greater meaning as masters of traditional arts share their inheritance with new tradition bearers. The 2017 Festival theme “Keeping Tradition Alive!” celebrates the ways in which so many outstanding artists young and old are tapping into the power and artistry of the old ways, revitalizing and reimagining tradition as they make it their own.

As the artists taking part in the 2017 Festival demonstrate, Louisiana folk culture is vibrant and diverse. The folk music of many culture groups will be featured, with Cajun music by Ray Abshire and Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, French Creole la la music by Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Zydeco by Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie and Gerard Delafose and the Zydeco Gators, traditional Delta tunes by the Back Porch Band, bluegrass with the Clancey Ferguson Band, Texas swing by the Caddo Creek Band, and blues by Hezekiah & the Houserockers, the Wayne “Blue” Burns Band, and Ed Huey.

Regional crafts such as wood carving, Czech Pysanky eggs, Spanish moss dolls, pine needle baskets, and handmade furniture will be exhibited, along with day long demonstrations by crafts persons working on site.

Folk foods will include cracklin’s, red beans and rice, gumbo, Indian tacos and, of course, Natchitoches meat pies. Along with performances by folk dancers, Cajun dance lessons, narrative sessions, and the annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, this will be a Festival to remember. Join us for a rousing celebration of Louisiana’s heritage, past and present! Mark your calendar today!