The 30th Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival | June 18th-19th, 2016

LONG BEACH BAYOU FESTIVAL CELEBRATING ITS 30th YEAR!

AT RAINBOW LAGOON PARK, LONG BEACH
Saturday & Sunday, June 18-19, 2016

Guitar Shorty, Big Jay McNeely, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners,
Leon Hughes’ World Famous Coasters, Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys,
The Sai Whatt Band, Mark St Mary Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band

Cajun & Creole Cuisine, Dance Instruction & Continuous Dancing,
Mardi Gras Parade, Watermelon & Crawfish Eating Contests, Activities for Kids and Teens

The Long Beach Bayou Festival, a Zydeco, Blues Creole & Cajun festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary – boasting a popular Mardi Gras atmosphere, Cajun & Creole food delicacies and Blues, Cajun & Zydeco music at Rainbow Lagoon Park, (at Linden Ave & Shoreline Drive), Long Beach, CA on Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19, 2016. Hours are 11:00 am – 9:30 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am – 8:00 pm on Sunday. Info and tickets: 562-912-4451, www.longbeachbayou.com.

Known for top notch artists in Blues, Cajun and Zydeco, the festival features simultaneous stages of music along with plenty of activities for kids.

This year’s Blues Stage features a tremendous lineup for the 30th anniversary of Bayou Fest. Headlining Saturday night is the legendary guitarist/vocalist Guitar Shorty. Shorty is credited with being an influence to Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. Setting the stage for Shorty on Saturday night are Leon Hughes’ World Famous Coasters starring Leon Hughes from the original Coasters – known for classic hits such as “Poison Ivy”, “Charlie Brown” and “Yakety Yak.” Headlining on Sunday is “King of the honkin’, squealin’, bar walkin’, flat-on-his-back Blowin’ (saxophone) tenor men”, Big Jay McNeely. Bringing the crowd to a peak before McNeely’s finale are the popular smooth jazz/R&B outfit, The Sai Whatt Band. Formerly known as “Prime Time,” they scored a massive hit with their single “I Owe It To Myself”, which went to #19 in the US and #1 in Europe. TV appearances include American Bandstand and Soul Train.

That’s just the beginning of an incredible Blues Stage lineup this year. Adding to the outstanding roster of talent is American Soul Blues band, Jimmy Hewitt and the Soul Dogg Band featuring Lyrica Garrett. World renowned guitarist Hewitt has played with Patti Labelle, Tower of Power Horns, Thelma Houston, and Chuck Mangione among others; front woman Garrett was discovered by Tina Turner and has toured or recorded with the likes of Sly Stone, Rick James, Chaka Khan, and Stevie Wonder. Rounding out the Blues talent is Kenny Sara & the Sounds of New Orleans, with bristling New Orleans Jazz, R&B, and 70’s and 80’s funk, and William “Soul” Porter & the Porterhouse BJS with their Tribute to B.B King, who bring their blues, jazz and soulful inspiration to celebrate the sound of the “King of the Blues.” Andy Hill and Renee Safier’s Hard Rain brings a roots flavor to the Blues Stage. Their ensemble won “Americana Group of the Year” at the Los Angeles Music Awards in 2007.

The Zydeco Stage features the most popular artists in the Cajun and Zydeco genre. International Zydeco stars Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners add their own flavor to “old school Zydeco” and have eight CD’s to their credit. Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys add highly innovative contemporary Zydeco while still respecting tradition; “The Delta King”, Mark St. Mary and His Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, bring their infectious, award-winning (Bay Area Blues Society’s Best Zydeco Band 2007) traditional Louisiana blues and Zydeco sounds. The already stellar lineup also includes La Recolte Cajun Band, whose decidedly danceable Cajun styling made them winners for “Best New CD of the Year” at the Annual “Le Cajun Awards 2014”, and The Revelers, the Louisiana supergroup whose tonic of swamp-pop, Cajun, country, blues, and Zydeco was called “Groove bound and dance compelling …” by Offbeat Magazine. Last, but most certainly not least, are JJ Caillier & the Zydeco Knockouts, whose combination of the Blues styles of Clifton Chenier and the funky Beau Jocque moves everyone. West Coast favorite, Bonne Musique Zydeco, draws upon the influences of the blues and New Orleans artists of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s to create a blend of music designed for dancing.

As always the large shaded wooden dance floor will be filled all weekend long. The easy dance instruction for all ages is always a popular feature, so even the most inexperienced dancers can join in on the fun.

Popular festival traditions continue with a colorful costumed Mardi Gras parade led each day by the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band, and a delectable French Quarter marketplace with gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, hush puppies and other Cajun and Creole delights, plus coffees and desserts such as sweet potato pie, beignets and an array of cobblers. The popular crawfish and watermelon eating contests also return this year.

Children of all ages appreciate the Kids Corner featuring storytelling, sing-a-longs, arts and crafts, magic, and costume and mask making for the Mardi Gras Parade. The Kids Corner also features kids shows and games and activities for older kids are also featured.

Long Beach Bayou Festival, June 18-19, 2016
Rainbow Lagoon Park, (at Linden Ave & Shoreline Dr), Long Beach, CA
Sat: 11 am -­ 9:30 pm, Sun: 11 am – 8:00 pm
Ticket purchase and Info: www.longbeachbayou.com, (562) 912-4451
Tickets: Adults: $25/day-advance, $30/day-gate;
Seniors (60+) and Students (18+): $20/advance, $30 at the gate;
Children 12 & under: free
Active Duty, Retired and Reservists of the Military: free with current, valid Military ID

Rainbow Lagoon Park is located on the North side of Shoreline Drive, between Shoreline Village Drive and Linden Avenue. Parking is available on the Marina Green Lot across from Rainbow Lagoon Park.

The event is presented by Benoit Entertainment Group. A portion of the profits will benefit LALA (Louisiana to Los Angeles), a non-profit organization which raises educational funds for local youth to attend college. The festival is sponsored by City National Bank, McDonald’s, Bud Light, Long Beach Press Telegram, Blues Festival Guide, Benoit Entertainment Group,LLC, and Rainbow Promotions, LLC.

Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, 2016

CAJUN/ZYDECO STAGE
Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners (Sat, Sun)
Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys (Sat, Sun)
La Recolte Cajun Band (Sat)
Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band (Sat)
Bonne Musique Zydeco (Sat)
The Revelers (Sun)
J.J. Caillier & the Zydeco Knockouts (Sun)

BLUES STAGE
Big Jay McNeely (Sun)
Guitar Shorty (Sat)
Leon Hughes’ World Famous Coasters (Sat)
The Sai Whatt Band (Sun)
Jimmy Hewitt & the Soul Dogg Band featuring Lyrica Garrett (Sat)
Hard Rain (Sun)
Kenny Sara & the Sounds of New Orleans (Sat, Sun)
William “Soul” Porter BJS Band Tribute to B.B. King (Sat)

plus Mardi Gras Parade each day with New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band and Dance Instruction

Full House Promotions & Tour Mgmt