Louisiana, a cultural crossroads where many distinctive influences of African American, Cajun, Creole, Latin, French, Cuban, Haitian, Isleño, and Native American traditions converge. Dive into the Louisiana Folklife Village to explore unique cultural highlights and age-old traditions. Witness artists skillfully sculpt intricate Mardi Gras float wonders, blacksmiths forge enchanting ironwork for French Quarter balconies, musicians intricately handcraft accordions, and Black Masking Indians meticulously bead their suits. Connect with these culture bearers firsthand and explore traditions like knitting a shrimp net, building a pirogue, or decorating a sugar skull. These are just a glimpse of the many traditions showcased in the Louisiana Folklife Village, each telling a unique story of our state’s rich history.

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Louisiana World Exposition, or more commonly known as the 1984 World’s Fair, we reflect on its significant focus of Louisiana’s rich traditional cultures — a legacy thriving in the heart of the Folklife Village. The original Louisiana Folklife Festival debuted at the World’s Fair, bringing tradition bearers from across the state together, laying the foundation for many to become fixtures at Jazz Fest as regular demonstrators. Although the Louisiana Folklife Festival and Louisiana World’s Fair are now part of history, the Jazz Fest Folklife Village maintains its vital legacy. Be sure to join in on the special programming during the first weekend.

Fan favorite “Under the Big Top” returns to the Folklife Village for the second weekend. Daily demonstrations and mini-circus shows, featuring aerialists, equilibrists, jugglers, and acrobats will be held throughout the festivities.

On closing day, catch the quintessential Cinco de Mayo mariachi performance by the acclaimed Mariachi Jalisco on Sunday, May 5th, at 1:15 p.m. in the heart of the village. 

Don’t miss a visit to the Louisiana Folklife Village for a celebration of Louisiana’s cultural tapestry. This integral part of Jazz Fest adds depth to your festival experience, revealing the heart and soul of the state’s vibrant traditions.

Photo of the Folk Life Village

Weekend 1

TENT B
MADE BY HAND: CRAFTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN LOUISIANA

Calvin Ardoin, Louisiana Folklife Village

STRINGED INSTRUMENT REPAIR
Calvin Ardoin
Opelousas,
St. Landry Parish

Louisiana Folklife Village Artist

YAKNI ACHUKUMA:
NATIVE PLANT USES 

Tammy Greer  
Hattiesburg, MS

Clarence "Junior" Martin, Louisiana Folklife Village

CAJUN ACCORDIONS 
Clarence “Junior” Martin  
Scott,
Lafayette Parish

Cecelia Pedescleaux, Louisiana Folklife Village

AFRICAN AMERICAN QUILTING 
Cecelia Pedescleaux  
Marrero,
Jefferson Parish

TENT C
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER - RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA

Wynoka Boudreaux, Louisiana Folklife Village

SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUB
CRAFTS & TRADITIONS 

Wynoka Boudreaux 
Ladies of Unity LLC 
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Victor Harris, Louisiana Folklife Village

MARDI GRAS INDIAN
CRAFTS & TRADITIONS 
Victor Harris 
Spirit of Fi Yi Yi
& the Mandingo Warriors 
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Krewe of Muses Shoe, Louisiana Folklife Village

MUSES GLITTER SHOES 
Krewe of Muses
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Cynthia Ramirez, Louisiana Folklife Village

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR 
Cynthia Ramirez  
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

TENT D
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOUISIANA WORLD'S FAIR

Erin Tooher -STORY BOOTH, Louisiana Folklife Village

STORY BOOTH
Erin Tooher

New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Barth Family, Louisiana Folklife Village

FLOAT BUILDERS
Barth Family
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Weaver's Guild, Louisiana Folklife Village

BROWN COTTON WEAVING
New Orleans Weaver’s Guild

New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Ernie Savoie, Louisiana Folklife Village

TRADITIONAL BOAT BUILDING & CYPRESS PADDLES
Ernie Savoie
Center for Traditional
Louisiana Boat Building
Raceland,
Lafourche Parish

TENT G
ARCHITECTURAL TRADES - MASTER BUILDING ARTS IN LOUISIANA

Dwayne Broussard, Louisiana Folklife Village

RESTORATION CARPENTRY
Dwayne Broussard
Patterson,
St. Mary Parish

Marvin Hirsch, Louisiana Folklife Village

LATHE WOODTURNING 
Marvin Hirsch & John Hartsock
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Jeff Porée, Louisiana Folklife Village

PLASTERWORK
Jeff Porée
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Darryl Reeves, Louisiana Folklife Village

ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORK
Darryl Reeves
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Lionel Smith, Jr., Louisiana Folklife Village

SLATE AND COPPER ROOFING
Lionel Smith, Jr.
Kenner,
Jefferson Parish

Weekend 2

TENT B
THE WORK OF MANY LIVES - WATERWAYS IN LOUISIANA

John Hacsunda, Louisiana Folklife Village

DUCK CARVING
John Hacsunda
Lafayette,
Lafayette Parish

Charles Robin III, Louisiana Folklife Village

MINIATURE BOATS
Charles Robin III
St. Bernard,
St. Bernard Parish

Charlie Robin IV, Louisiana Folklife Village

SHRIMP NET MAKING
Charlie Robin IV
St. Bernard,
St.Bernard Parish

Ron Blue - Louisiana Folklife Village

BOAT BUILDING & RESTORATION
Ron Blue
Ponchatoula,
Tangipahoa Parish

TENT C
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER - RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA

Tana Barth, Louisiana Folklife Village

MARDI GRAS FLOAT CRAFTS
Tana Barth
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Tyrone Casby, Louisiana Folklife Village

LOUISIANA MARDI GRAS INDIAN
CRAFTS & TRADITIONS
Tyrone Casby
Mohawk Hunters
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Kevin Dunn, Louisiana Folklife Village

SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUB
CRAFTS & TRADITIONS
Kevin Dunn
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Krewe De Mayahuel, Louisiana Folklife Village

CULTURAL WALKING KREWE
Krewe De Mayahuel
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

TENT D
UNDER THE BIG TOP

Meret Ryhiner, Louisiana Folklife Village Performer

CIRCUS ARTS
Meret Ryhiner
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Dwayno the Clown, Louisiana Folklife Village Performer

CLOWNING ARTS
Dwayne “Dwaino” Walker
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Quentin Jackson, Louisiana Folklife Village Performer

TRAPEZE ARTS
Quentin Jackson
New Orleans,
Orleans Paris
h

Louisiana Folklife Village Performer

JUGGLING ARTS
David Chervony
Chicago, IL

Rachel milner, Louisiana Folklife Village Performer

JUGGLING ARTS
Rachel Milner
Oakland, CA

BIG TOP TENT LOGO

ACROBATIC ARTS
Jordan Smith
Metairie,
Jefferson Parish

BIG TOP TENT LOGO

ACROBATIC ARTS
Francien Ferrando
Metairie,
Jefferson Parish

TENT G
ARCHITECTURAL TRADES - MASTER BUILDING ARTS IN LOUISIANA

Cynthia Courage, Louisiana Folklife Village

STAINED GLASS
Cynthia Courage
Metairie,
Jefferson Parish

Heinz Gautschi, Louisiana Folklife Village

MILLWORK
Heinz Gautschi
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

NOLA Wood Windows, Louisiana Folklife Village

WOODEN WINDOW RESTORATION
NOLA Wood Windows
New Orleans,
Orleans Parish

Russ Forshag, Louisiana Folklife Village

BLACKSMITHING
Russ Forshag
Amite,
Tangipahoa Parish