Down to wire for festival
Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 3, 2005
FERRIDAY &045; Setting the stage for Delta Music Museum’s Hall of Fame Inductees is no easy task, but some of Louisiana’s youngest stars will take on the task Saturday at the Delta Music Festival.
The Louisiana Music Cavalcade of All Stars has taken its best performers from its four-year existence and formed the tour group that will grace the stage in Ferriday just before headliners Clarence &uot;Frogman&uot; Henry and Irma Thomas.
The Cavalcade, supervised by the Secretary of State’s office, promotes Louisiana culture and music by involving young artists in statewide tours.
Performers this year will include Zydeco performer Jeremy Fruge, whose band has recorded two CDs, brothers Mickey and Jack Jones, singers Tricia Landry, Sean Edwards, Martin Sndyer and sisters Faith and Lauren Dorsa.
All the performers with the exception of 6-year-old Lauren Dorsa have performed at the Ferriday festival before, Cavalcade coordinator Al Harris said.
&uot;(The Dorsa sisters) will steal the show,&uot; Harris said.
The Cavalcade is schedule to perform between 12:15 and 1:30 p.m., just after a welcome from the mayor. Festival Chairman Judith Bingham said all times are subject to change and delay though.
After the Cavalcade, Henry will perform.
Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be between Henry’s performance and Thomas’.
Thomas is scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m. and will play until the end of the festival.
Festival posters are currently available at the Delta Music Museum for $2 and copies signed by artist Shirley Byrne will be available Saturday for $10.
This year’s poster features Thomas, Henry, the Ferriday downtown area, famous street signs and alligator native to Louisiana.
The gates for the festival will open at 8 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $2 and no one will be allowed in without an armband, available at the gates.
Setup will start Friday after 5 p.m. and the performers will stay in area hotels, including the Isle of Capri hotel in Natchez. The Isle helps sponsor the event.
A sheriff’s escort will bring Thomas and Henry to the festival site.
Vendors selling food, crafts and birds will be set up all day.