LAKE CHARLES, La. — A new festival featuring tasty food and amazing music will help kick off summer in Southwest Louisiana.

The first ever Shrimp and Jazz Festival will be held from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, June 20 in Exhibition Hall of the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive in downtown Lake Charles. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and younger.
The Shrimp and Jazz Festival will feature a variety of shrimp dishes by local vendors and businesses, as well as art vendors and a dazzling lineup of soulful jazz music.
The schedule will feature Grammy nominated musician Mickey Smith Jr., along with Tipitina Internship Band, the Jairus Daigle Network, Taylor Morrel, Kevin Lambert, David Locklear, Tim Norris, Jarvis Jacob, Street Side Jazz Band, the Lake Charles Young Band Nation and MBK featuring Jamain and Germain Winfrey.
According to event coordinator Shari Davis, the purpose of the festival is to promote the diversity of the people and cuisine of Lake Charles, which is experiencing a large growth trend at this time due to new industries and jobs in Southwest Louisiana.
Visit www.swlashripjazzfest.com for more information.