2011 Honoree Bruce Daigrepont Bruce has been holding the Cajun music fort on the New Orleans front for many years now. A former banjo player, he was first turned on to the music of his heritage at the 1977 Cajun Music Festival when he saw another young man, Marc Boudreaux, sitting in with Octa Clark, Hector Duhon and the Dixie Ramblers. Within a few years, his first group, Bourré, was one of New Orleans' hottest bands, playing regularly at the Maple Leaf Bar, and appearing at the Jazz and Heritage Festival. When Bourré broke up in 1985, Bruce formed his own Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, which became a staple on the New Orleans scene, especially his regular gig at Tipitina's. He went on to become a highly respected representative of French Louisiana, providing the New Orleans area with fine Cajun music on a regular basis. He has toured throughout the United States and performed at a number of places in Canada,including Winnipeg's Festival du Voyageur and the Festival d'Eté in Québec. His thoughtful albums raised the bar for their consistent quality of songwriting and musicianship. In an excellent example of the combination of preservation and creation, he has managed to make his complex new arrangements sound as though they have been around for generations. Yet as appreciated and respected as Bruce has been in this area, he is even more popular in the land of our Acadian ancestors, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where he and his band are revered, regularly receiving standing ovations from crowds who have learned the lyrics to their songs, such as "Disco et fais dodo" and "Acadie à la Louisiane," and sing along with them at packed concerts. We are proud to dedicate the 2011 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, this year celebrating our ongoing Acadian connections through the Grand Réveil Acadien, to Bruce Daigrepont, not only for his thoughtful compositions and excellent musicianship, but also for his elegant representation of our music and culture throughout the years, and especially for keeping the lines of communication open between les Acadies. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2011 Tentative Schedule Scène Ma Louisiane (Festival Stage) Friday night, October 14 5:15 – 6:15 Geno Delafose with Christine Balfa 6:30 – 7:30 Hert LeBlanc with Bruce Daigrepont 7:45 – 8:45 Joel Sonnier with Michael Doucet Saturday, October 15 10:30 - 11:30 Lafayette Rhythm Devils 11:45 - 12:45 Joe Hall and the Cane Cutters 1:00 - 2:15 Pine Leaf Boys 2:30 - 3:30 Isle Dernière 3:45 - 4:45 Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys 5:00 - 6:15 Bonsoir Catin 6:30 - 7:45 Feufollet Sunday, October 16 10:30 - 11:30 Rachel Wilson and Cajun Express 11:45 - 12:45 Cameron Dupuy and the Cajun Troubadours 1:00 - 2:00 Mamou 2:15 - 3:15 Beausoleil 3:30 - 4:30 Hert LeBlanc 4:45 - 5:45 Bruce Daigrepont 6:00 - 7:00 Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys Heritage Stage Saturday, October 15 10:45 – 11:45 Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys 12:00 – 12:45 En français 12:45 – 1:30 Lost Bayou Ramblers 1:45 – 2:45 Preston Frank, Ed Poulard and Friends 3:00 – 4:00 Unisson 4:15 – 5:15 Geno Delafose and French Rockin Boogie 5:30 – 6:30 Roddy Romero and the Hub City All Stars 6:45 – 7:45 Horace Trahan and the New Ossun Express Sunday, October 16 11:00 – 12:15 Ryan Brunet and the Malfaicteurs 12:30 – 1:45 Jambalaya (with D.L. Menard) 2:00 – 3:00 Chubby Carrière and the Bayou Swamp Band 3:15 – 4:15 Jesse Legé, Joel Savoy and Cajun Country Revival 4:30 – 5:45 Wayne Toups ZydeCajun Salle de danse Saturday, October 15 12:00 – 1:30 Robert Jardell and Pure Cajun 2:00 – 3:30 Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boyz 4:00 – 5:30 Corey “Lil Pop” Ledet Sunday, October 16 12:00 – 1:30 The Savoy Family Band 2:00 – 3:30 Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys 4:00 – 5:30 Balfa Toujours w/special guest Ray Abshire Louisiana Folk Roots Atelier Saturday, October 15 11 a.m.-Noon: LFR Kids' Camp Spotlight hosted by Henry Hample 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Cedric Watson & D’Jalma Garnier 1:30-3 p.m.: The Acadian Connection featuring Unisson, Hert Leblanc, Bruce Daigrepont and Blake Miller facilitated by Valerie Broussard Boston and Lucius Fontenot 3:15-4:15 p.m.: Marce Lacouture's Festival Community Chorus with special guest David Greely 4:30-6 p.m.: McCauley, Reed & Vidrine Reunion Sunday, October 16 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Twin Fiddling with Jonno Frishberg & Gina Forsyth 12:45-1:45 p.m.: Christine Balfa, Courtney Granger and Tony Balfa 2-3 p.m.: Classie Ballou Jr., Jeffery Broussard, D’Jalma Garnier and Brandon Ledet 3:15-4:15 p.m.: A Memorial Tribute to Peppy Carmello Louisiana Folk Roots Jam des Amis Tent Cajun and Creole Jam des Amis sessions led by accomplished musicians. All players are welcome! Saturday, October 15 12:30-2 p.m.: Corey Arceneaux 2:15-3:45 p.m.: UL Lafayette Traditional Music Ensemble Sunday, October 16 12:30-2 p.m.: Sheryl & Russell Cormier 2:15-3:45 p.m.: Brazos Huval Schedule subject to change.