City Tapped As 4-Year Home to Songwriters Festival

Come May; Lafayette will be a temporary home to seasoned and burgeoning musicians alike as part of the South Louisiana Songwriters Festival and Workshop.

The event, a five-day event dedicated to challenging lyricists to partner up with unconventional colleagues and create original work, the SOLO Festival culminates with a weekend of songs from May 26-27 at Warehouse 535 and the Blue Moon Saloon. In addition to the live performances by unusual collaborations, the festival will also feature traditional solo and group performances, as well as sessions curated by Barry Ancelet, Ph.D.; Herman Fuselier; and Christiaan Mader.

Before that, however, workshop participants will spend days creating songs and evenings performing them for their fellow contestants for a chance to refine their work. The event’s Thursday evening performances will feature original songs that defy genres and stereotype.

Performers set to perform include Marc Broussard, Louis Michot, Zachary Richard and Kimmie Rhodes.

Organized by the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, the festival has two components: one of a workshop, and the other a festival celebrating the lyrical fruits of their labor. Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux said during his annual report that the city was selected among other musically inclined cities such as Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; and Nashville.

Kate Durio, Robideaux’s assistant who spearheads the CREATE initiative, described the festival as a “big win” for the region’s music community.

“The fact that it’s a four-year commitment really shows some sustained investment,” she said after the Robideaux Report.