LOUISIANA FOLKLIFE VILLAGE

LIKE ITS SIGNATURE DISH, GUMBO, Louisiana is a spicy stew comprised of many distinctive elements: African-American, Cajun, Creole, Latin, French, Cuban, Isleño, Native American and practically everything in between. To experience this unique culture firsthand, step into the Louisiana Folklife Village and discover many of the state’s generations-old traditions and cultural highlights. Here, you can see artists create elaborate sculptures for Mardi Gras floats, blacksmiths forge decorative ironwork for French Quarter balconies, musicians meticulously handcraft accordions and Mardi Gras Indians bead their suits. Learn how to knit a shrimp net, build a pirogue or glitter a Muses shoe. These are only a few of the dozens of traditions featured in the Louisiana Folklife Village that bear witness to our state’s unique cultural and diverse history.
Special programming brings SUSTAINABILITY to the forefront. FIRST WEEKEND, Bayou Culture Collective showcases the important work of coastal communities to preserve and pass on cultural traditions in Louisiana. SECOND WEEKEND, highlights New Orleans community programs include interactive demonstrations on composting, rain barrels, building materials recycling and more! Be sure to catch an intimate mariachi performance by Mariachi Jalisco on Thursday, May 5th at 2:35p.m. in the Folklife Village!

WEEKEND 1

TENT B
THE WORK OF MANY LIVES – WATERWAYS IN LOUISIANA

TRADITIONAL BOAT BUILDING
Tom Colvin
Franklinton, Washington Parish

DUCK CARVING
John Hacsunda
Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

ART OF BONZI
Guy Guidry
Covington, St. Tammany Parish

NET MAKING & MINIATURE BOAT
BUILDING
The Robin Family
St. Bernard, St. Bernard Parish

TENT C
SUSTAINABILITY – ACTION IN LOUISIANA

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

ECO-FRIENDLY THROWS
Krewe of Tradition
Houma, Terrebonne Parish

CULTURAL PRESERVATION THROUGH BASKET WEAVING
Janie Luster
Rhett Williams
Theriot, Terrebonne Parish

YAKNI ACHUKMA: NATIVE PLANT USES
Tammy Greer
United Houma Nation

TENT D
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER – RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA

SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUB CRAFTS
Wynoka Boudreaux
Ladies of Unity LLC
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

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

MINIATURE FLOATS AND THROWS
Krewe of ‘tit Rəx
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

TRIBUTE TO RONALD LEWIS
Charlotte Lewis
House of Dance and Feathers
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

TENT G
ARCHITECTURAL TRADES – MASTER BUILDING ARTS IN LOUISIANA

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

PLASTER WORK
Jeff Poreé
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

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

ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORK
Darryl Reeves
New Orleans, Orleans Parishə

WEEKEND 2

TENT B
CULTURAL TRADITIONS – FOLKLIFE IN LOUISIANA COMMUNITIES

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

ALFOMBRAS DE ASERRIN
Xochilt Silva
Terrytown, Jefferson Parish

PIÑATA CRAFTS
Scarlett Alaniz Sanchez
Harahan, Jefferson Parish

MARDI GRAS WALKING KREWE
Krewe de Mayahuel
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

TENT C
SUSTAINABILITY – ACTION IN
LOUISIANA

RAIN BARRELS
Andreas Hoffman
Green Light New Orleans
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

COMPOSTING
Lynne Serpe
Compost Now
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

ANTHROPOFEST: BRING WHATCHA WANNA
New Orleans Center for the Gulf South
Tulane University
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

BUILDING MATERIALS RECYCLING
The Green Project
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

TENT D
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER – RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA

MARDI GRAS FLOAT SCULPTURES
Tana Barth
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

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

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

MUSES GLITTER SHOES
Krewe of Muses
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

TENT G
MADE BY HAND – CRAFTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN LOUISIANA

ORNAMENTAL WOODWORKING
Charles Gillam
New Orleans, Orleans Parish

STRINGED INSTRUMENT REPAIR
Calvin Ardoin
Opelousas, St. Landry Parish

CAJUN ACCORDIONS
Clarence “Junior” Martin
Scott, Lafayette Parish

QUILTING
Cecelia Pedescleaux
Marrero, Jefferson Parish

BLACKSMITHING
Russ Forshag
Amite, Tangipahoa Parish