The Louisiana Folk Life Festival

This weekend was the Louisiana Folk Life Festival here in Monroe, La. It was a two day event that showcased traditional ways of louisiana life. It was really hot but alot of fun. We ate foods on sticks, listened to live music and watched countless demonstrations. Here are some pics and brief descriptions of what we saw. Enjoy!

William Luster

William spent his two days at the festival building a palmetto shack. i talked to him on the second day and he had some great stories. now i know how to build a house out of palmetto leaves...lets hope i dont ever HAVE to!!!!!

Melvin Harper

Melvin is a local artist here in monroe. he has alot of work in edmund's gallery across the street. today he was making walking canes.

Lionel Key Jr.

"Uncle Bill's Creole File" Hand Made Since 1904...This guy's name is Lionel Key Jr. you may have seen him on cooking shows. his great uncle started the business and he has taken over and kept it traditional. he is grinding the sassafras leaves to make the gumbo file in a cypress log bowl that was his great uncle's. he said it is 100 years old. check out his website at www.unclebillspices.com!

Dempsy Perkins

this guy was cool. his name is Dempsy Perkins and he is carving a sassafras dough bowl.

Dempsy Perkins

we went back the next day to see his finished product. as he finished sanding it, a couple walked up and bought the bowl.

Dempsy Perkins

Dempsy Perkins tools. he handcrafted these himself.

Russell and Elaine Bourque

Russell Bourque and his wife Elaine demonstrate ginning and spinning brown cotton. he sat and ginned the cotton and she is at the spinning wheel in the background making thread. his machine was made by Dempsy Perkins.

Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas performed friday night. this was the second time i've seen her and the closest i've ever been to her. she is sassy!

Irma Thomas

like i said...sassy!

Louisiana Folk Life Festival

people will eat anything on a stick down here

Louisiana Folk Life Festival

kate's foot being painted with henna

Louisiana Folk Life Festival

me and keny at the louisiana folk life festival

i'll post this one too. my little brother just left for the outward bound program about a week ago. he came over the night before he left and played nintendo. joshua is the one on the right by the way. the one in the nypd shirt is his best friend (he's basically my brother) ryan. anyway, fun times before he left.