July 7-10, 2011

De Temps Antan

The stars will be on display at La Fête de Marquette à La Rue Dickinson this summer. A truly stellar group of performers who span the globe from the Sahara Desert to the Arcadian Prairie will be arrayed for your enjoyment at the intersection of E. Washington Ave and South Dickinson St. Madison, WI (map). In its sixth year the free music event, which attracts thousands, celebrates French culture and benefits the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, will be staged from July 7 – 10th. The French-themed event occurs on or near Bastille Day (July 14th), the French national holiday.

Bombino

Musicians from throughout the French-speaking world including North and West Africa, French-speaking Canada, Europe , and the Caribbean will perform throughout the weekend. Artists with roots in the New Orleans, Cajun and Zydeco traditions will again perform primarily on Sunday, Le Jour de Louisiane.

Rosie Ledet

It’s hard to recall any Madison music event that could boast a more spectacular or more diverse cast of musical characters. Anders Osborne, Cyril Neville, Rosie Ledet, Glenn David Andrews, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, The Lost Bayou Ramblers and Papa Grows Funk are some of the heavy hitters from Louisiana. While BelO, Maraca, Bombino and Baloji are some of the global celebrities set to converge on our fair city. De Temps Antan and Raz-de-Marée are two of the finest Quebecois groups from that culturally rich province. See the artists and performance times attached for more details

BelO

Because of the incredible, vibrant dance tent sessions last year La Fete organizers have established a new large tent dedicated to Quebecois and Cajun dance. La Tente De Danse will be wall to wall dance floor with a stage for live music and callers and dance instruction. A schedule for this special tent will be forthcoming. Quebec’s Raz-de-Maré e (Tidal Wave) and Cajun phenoms Ryan Brunet et Les Malfacteurs (The Outlaws) will keep the tent buzzing. There will be a small fee to support this new venue. Keep an eye out for advance tickets.

~Bob Queen
La Fête de Marquette