2026 Visiting Artist: Louis Michot
This year's Lower Town Arts & Music Festival welcomes a very special guest: Louis Michot, fiddle player, vocalist, and creative force behind the Grammy Award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers. He is the inaugural Visiting Artist in the Paducah CVB's new Visiting Artist Program. Michot calls New Orleans — the country's newest UNESCO Creative City — his artistic home.
Louis Michot at LTAMF
Catch Louis Michot on the festival stage on Friday, May 8 at 5:00 PM. His set draws from a deep well of Cajun and Creole tradition, built over a career that spans more than 20 albums, six film scores, and 100 original songs, including work on the Oscar-nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Before the Festival: Community Events
Michot's visit begins before the first note is played on the festival stage. As part of his residency, he'll spend two days engaging with the Paducah community through a series of free events:
- A History of Louisiana French Music — Wednesday, May 6 at 10:00 AM | Market House Theatre, Studio 200 (Free) Sign up here
- Cajun and Creole Music in French Louisiana — Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 PM | Market House Theatre, Studio 200 (Free) Sign up here
- PSAD Neighborhood Open House & LTAMF Kick Off — Wednesday, May 6 at 5:00 PM | Paducah School of Art and Design. Meet Louis, enjoy student artwork and light refreshments. (Free)
