Tagged: festivals

Italian folk dancing is returning to the Sicilian Heritage Festival.

The Daily Star reports the festival will be held March 8-10 in the Tangipahoa Parish community of Independence.

Classes in folk dancing are planned for community members in advance of the festival, said board chairwoman Robin Abrams.

She said local dance instructor Lisa Maggio will supervise the classes.

This will be the fifth year for the festival.

The Essence Music Festival is dropping the music — from its name, that is.

The festival held in New Orleans every July 4th weekend for the past 18 years has rebranded itself The Essence Festival. Organizers say the change is designed to showcase the event as more than a music festival.

Still, music will remain a focus for the 19th annual festival, which is July 4-7.

The lineup includes more than 30 acts — a number of them Essence veterans. On the roster are Jill Scott, Maxwell, New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, LL Cool J and Brandy.

For that lull in activity in New Orleans between Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, a new event will debut next year. The Fair Grounds will be opening up the infield to mark the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Derby.

Some farmers market shoppers plan their visits like sorties, executed with military precision to purchase a set menu of products. Others head to market to learn.

Over the past decade and a half, thousands of market shoppers have learned how to grow butterfly and hummingbird gardens from Folsom’s Mizell family. School trips invariably bend Jim Mizell’s ear to learn about the size of plants and colors needed to attract our fluttering friends.