Hear the sounds of New Orleans at the 24th Annual Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival, Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27th at Rainbow Lagoon Park, 11:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Throughout the weekend New Orleans and Louisiana comes alive with: Cajun, Zydeco and Blues music on two stages. This years Bayou Stage features Geno Delafose, T-Broussard, Mark St. Mary, and Lisa Haley, among others.
On the blues stage, guitarist Tito Jackson, Zac Harmon, Laurie Morvan and Artwork Jamal, among others. Known worldwide for his role in the Jackson 5, Tito also has an unyielding passion for the blues, influenced by such artists as Albert Collins and B.B. King. Festival highlights also include a Mardi Gras Parade led by New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band; continuous dancing on a large covered dance floor at the Bayou Stage; free, quick and easy dance workshops for all ages; crawfish and watermelon eating contests; colorful French Quarter cultural arts & crafts marketplace and delicious gumbo, Crawfish etouffee, hush puppies, red beans & rice, among other Cajun & Creole delicacies. Transplanted Louisianans can reunite with one another and enjoy the spirit of their home state. Children can create costumes for the parade in the Kids Bayou Tent that offers free arts & crafts, and a Teen Corner will have games and activities.
Performing on the Bayou Stage: Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie, T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers, Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band, Lisa Haley, Bayou Brothers, Mark St. Mary Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, Lil Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations and Creole Belle Cajun Dance Band. Club NOrleans Stage will feature blues artists: Tito Jackson performing Blues/R&B, Zac Harmon, Artwork Jamal, Laurie Morvan, Dennis Jones, vocalist Sweet Baby J'ai, Blue Dice, Sai What Band, Oreo Divas Salute to Motown and Gregg Young featuring vocalist Andrea Palm.
Tickets are: Adults - $25/advance, $30/at the gate; Seniors (60+) - $20, Students (ages 13-17) - $10, Children 12 & under are free. VIP tickets are $65 per person and include backstage access, reserved seating, 1 meal and 2 drinks. For more information see the festivals website or call (562) 424-0013.
Rainbow Lagoon Park is located on the Northside of Shoreline Drive, between Shoreline Village Drive and Linden Avenue. Parking is available on the Marina Green Lot across from Rainbow Lagoon Park. Hotel Maya, located at 700 Queensway Drive in Long Beach, is offering special room rates. Call the hotel at (562) 435-7676, and ask for the Bayou Festival rate.
The event is presented by Rainbow Promotions, LLC, (producers of the annual Long Beach Jazz Festival). A portion of the profits will benefit Comprehensive Child Development, a non-profit organization in its 25th year providing childcare and education for children whose parents work or are in job training.
For more information contact Teresa Conboy PR.
