NSU’s Prather Coliseum was once again transformed into the finest musical venue and restaurant in Louisiana for the 2024 Folk Life Festival on July 20. Thousands of festivalgoers packed NSU’s Prather Coliseum to be entertained by an eclectic variety of musical acts and presenters from all over Louisiana and surrounding states. In addition to the music, over 70 vendors from Louisiana and surrounding states sold books and crafts as well as educating festival goers on various Louisiana and Native American folk ways. Festivalgoers who ventured outside could see a representative from the West Baton Rouge Museum in period dress demonstrating laundry day in the days before machines.
Renowned Gospel Music icon and leader of the Zion Harmonizers, Brazella Earl Briscoe, Sr., was named as the honorary Chair of the 2024 Folklife Festival. He was joined onstage by the 2024 inductees into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists. These accomplished and eclectic folk artists were multi-media artist Cynthia Ramirez and the Gospel group The Zion Harmonizers, a group of superb singers whose roots extend all the way back to 1938.
The Louisiana Fiddle Championship, held in conjunction with the Folk Life Festival, was hotly contested with four former champions vying for this year’s honors. Joe Suchanek, of Fields in Beauregard Parish, is the 2024 Louisiana Fiddle Champion.
The Victory Belles, a 1940’s style singing group sponsored by New Orleans’ WWII Museum, sang two well received concerts. Chloe Marie Johnson, from LSU, Courtney Anderson from UNO and Allison Newton from ULM performed standards from the WWII era in 1940’s style dress and hairstyle.
Longtime area musical favorites, Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, closed out the festival with a high energy set of 1960’s and 1970’s hits.
In one of the event’s more pleasant surprises, Estelle Brown was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Her induction certificate was presented by Hall of Fame President Mike Shepherd and local attorney/ band leader Rodney “Johnny Earthquake” Harrington. Estelle Brown, a musical legend, was a member of the “Sweet Inspirations” group. She and her fellow singers appear on some of the 1960’s and 1970’s most well known hits. She sang backup for musicians as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix and Wilson Pickett. She is perhaps most well known for her 1,000 performances as a backup singer for Elvis Presley.
The festival is a long-standing favorite as evidenced by its loyal following. Many of the attendees and performers have been coming for years. The loyal following and the festival’s new friends kept the dance floor moving and the concerts well attended.
The Folklife Festival, now in its 44th year, is designed to showcase, preserve and perpetuate Louisiana’s unique culture. This year’s theme was “The Old Songs Live Forever”. For a modest admission fee, the NSU Folk Life Festival features a solid day of superb music, crafts, food and above all, fun.
