LOUISIANA FOLKLIFE VILLAGE
LIKE ITS SIGNATURE DISH, GUMBO, Louisiana is a mix of many distinctive influences: 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 hand craft 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 this year includes memorial tributes and traditions, and cultural healing practices. Visit the Folklife Village to learn more about these unique community customs that honor loved ones and sustain self care.
Be sure to catch an intimate Cinco de Mayo mariachi performance by Mariachi Jalisco on Friday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m. in the Folklife Village!

WEEKEND 1
TENT B
THE WORK OF MANY LIVES – WATERWAYS IN LOUISIANA
CYPRESS PIROGUES
Joby Verret
Houma, Terrebone Parish
DUCK CARVING
John Hacsunda
Lafayette, Lafayette Parish
MINATURE BOATS
Charles Robin III
St. Bernard, St. Bernard Parish
SHRIMP NET MAKING
Charlie Robin IV
St. Bernard, St. Bernard Parish
TENT C
CULTURAL TRADITIONS – MEMORIAL CULTURE & WELLNESS TRADITIONS
WAX FLOWERS
Sabina Miller
Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish
CEMETERY RESTORATION
Heather Knight
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
JAZZ FUNERALS
Brian Banks
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
DIÁ DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR
Cynthia Ramirez
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
TENT D
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER – RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA
SOCIAL AID & 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
MUSES GLITTER SHOES
Krewe of Muses
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
SHOEBOX FLOATS & MINIATURE THROWS
‘tit Rex
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
TENT G
ARCHITECTURAL TRADES – MASTER BUILDING ARTS IN LOUISIANA
RESTORATION CARPENTRY
Dwayne Broussard
Patterson, St. Mary Parish
LATHE WOODTURNING
Marvin Hirsch
Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish
PLASTERWORK
Jeff Poreé
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
SLATE & COPPER ROOFING
Lionel Smith, Jr.
Kenner, Jefferson Parish
ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORK
Darryl Reeves
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
WEEKEND 2
TENT B
MADE BY HAND – CRAFTS OF EVERYDAY LIVES IN LOUISIANA
STRING INSTRUMENT REPAIR
Calvin Ardoin
Opelousas, St. Landry Parish
WOODCARVING
John Parfait
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
CAJUN ACCORDIONS
Clarence “Junior” Martin
Scott, Lafayette Parish
AFRICAN AMERICAN QUILTING
Cecelia Pedescleaux
Marrero, Jefferson Parish
TENT C
CULTURAL TRADITIONS – MEMORIAL CULTURE & WELLNESS TRADITIONS
YAKNI ACHUKUMA: NATIVE PLANT USES
Tammy Greer
Hattiesburg, MS
TRAITEUR TRADITIONS
Becca Begnaud
Scott, Lafayette Parish
I DESERVE IT! A CULTURE OF WELLNESS
Ashé Cultural Arts Center
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
TENT D
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER – RITUAL AND CELEBRATION IN LOUISIANA
MARDI GRAS FLOAT MAKING
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 & TRADITIONS
Kevin Dunn
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
MARDI GRAS WALKING KREWE & MEXICAN TRADITIONS
Krewe de Mayahuel
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
TENT G
ARCHITECTURAL TRADES – MASTER BUILDING ARTS IN LOUISIANA
DECORATIVE PAINTING
& RESTORATION
Diane Killeen
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
STAINED GLASS
Cynthia Courage Attenhofer’s Stained Glass Metairie, Jefferson Parish
MILLWORK
Heinz Gautschi
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
WOODEN WINDOW RESTORATION NOLA Wood Windows
New Orleans, Orleans Parish
BLACKSMITHING
Russ Forshag
Amite, Tangipahoa Parish