FIL gets jump on the weekend with a big Thursday night

The 2008 Festival International de Louisiane gets off to an early start Wednesday to get the jump on cross-state rival New Orleans Jazzfest, and it presents some of its headline names on a big opening Thursday night show at Popeyes Scene International main stage in downtown Lafayette LA.

This year, Thursday night kicks off with hometown roots rocker Sonny Landreth, followed by the incomparable Blind Boys of Alabama (with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band horn section), and closing with jazz funkster Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk. Later in the weekend, The Duhks, Burning Spear and Terrance Simien's Zydeco Experience are among the highlights.

Formed in 1986, Festival International de Louisiane is a community-based, non-profit arts organization that provides a free (yes, free) family event celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana. The 22nd FIL runs April 23-27 in Lafayette LA.