LaFete in New Orleans

I was thinking of going to LaFete in New Orleans in March, especially now since Pashur is going to be there. Anyone know anything else about it or has anyone else ever been? The website doesn't give alot of information. I'm only 40 minutes away so I would just drive in everyday. I'm excited that there is actually some facepainting activity close to me! I've never been to any other facepainting convention or classes and I'm desperate to learn.

I went last year and it is awesome!!! Go if you can - you probably won't get a closer more amazing opportunity!!! Plus you get the bonus of meeting people in your region..... great networking! It is a bargain as far as conventions are concerned and A FANTASTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE!!!

If you go - pm me and I will pm my cell so we can meet up!

Fantastic!! I can't wait to meet you
Now I'm very excited for spring to get here and winter is my favorite season LOL

Okay, so if you both are going now I want to go. I've never been. Maybe we can all meet up???

I am one of the ORIGINAL "cast members" of LaFete.
A bit of trivia for ya....the first year it was held in Lafayette and was actually called Laffest for Living Arts Fantasy Fest, but people kept mis-typing it on forums, etc to say La Fete, so the second year they just adopted the nickname as the official name, and moved it to New Orleans for a few years.
I go EVERY year, and will continue to do so as long as it is still being held.
It was supposed to be in Baton Rouge or Houma this year, but I don't think Susie had the time to make new arrangements, so it will be at the same location in New Orleans where it has been held for the past 2 years. This March will be the 4th year.
LaFete is a really great event. Mark Reid has been there every year, along with myself, Elaine and Mike Rohr, Nora Susko, Christina Davison, Arla Albers, Jan Collinson, Dot Com (John Scott), Susie Pierce, Bethanie Dardant and her handsome hubby Magic Mike, Nicole Rieser, Larissa Pelc (she has been to all of them in spirit....she had to miss the one this year because she was getting married--yeah....like that's a good excuse to miss LaFete....Sheesh...LOL), and Marcela has come for part of each one.
We have had tons of other people you might have heard of who have attended one or two, but not been to them all like Cory Conrad, Katie and Doug Hunt, Shirley Pine, Erika Harrison, Rebecca Tonkovich, Pam Trent, Pashur & his girlfriend Jennifer; Nick Wolfe (this year we had a little birthday celebration for Nick, since we were there on Friday 13th.......can you say ZOMBIE CRAWL in the FRENCH QUARTER boys and girls.....complete with a homemade Godzilla birthday cake)......and many other face painters from all over the place.
The day focuses on face painting, and the evening on body painting jams.
There is a vendor's room for shopping, and a professional photographer getting all the portfolio quality shots and some nice candid shots as well.
It really is considered by those who have been there from the start to be a FAMILY event, especially since we eat most meals together (most meals are included in the cost of the event--there are even vegan offerings), and even paint together at a public venue, like the zoo or the park.

OKay, I'm in! Thanks for all the information, Lisa!
Quick question.... is it enough of a family event to bring my 13-year-old for the classes? She really wants to learn more and since this is soooo close to home and we wouldn't even have hotel expenses, I am leaning towards taking her with me. I'm afraid we would probably only be there during the day as I would have to drive back home each evening to take care of the rest of the family, so she wouldn't be there for the body painting.
Also... I've never been to any face painting conventions or classes- do we bring our own kit?

Thanks so much!

Yes, you could bring your daughter for the FP classes, you'd just need to buy another full participant ticket for her.
The body painting usually doesn't start until after dinner each night. so you could stay each day through dinner then head out and return in the AM.
We are debating bringing our children this year (they will be 14, and 13 by then).....we would just have to get a second room (which is the most expensive part of the event) to fit us all, unless they have a suite.....and that could get pricey.

Yeah, very pricey, especially in that area! I'd invite ya'll to stay with us, but we're in the middle of major renovations (while living here) so it's one huge giant mess!

I can't wait to meet everyone! I thought I would be going and not know anyone there, but now I'm so excited! That makes 4 of us!

Well, since I am a vendor, and avid body painter, I really HAVE to be close to the convention space the entire time. Plus, I am usually one of the main food contributors to the event.

Oh, and to answer your previous question...... Yes, everyone brings his/her own kit to use during classes and jams..... but with so many different types of artists there, you will no doubt get the opportunity to try a variety of different types of makeup and styles, as everyone is very willing to share and educate

The food, the cajun food, the fire crackers, the gumbo!!! Included lunch and dinner virtually every day!!!! I came home and made the food for my family! It was almost as good as the wonderful stuff they all prepared.

Many of the classes were "paint along" with instructor which is so great for building your confidence level that "yes, you can do it". And NO MULTI DAY EVENT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO allowed me to be in classes with such talented people (instructors and students) within 3 rows where you can really see what is being done and ask questions - and view the brushes, techniques, and setups that work with our industry's professionals. Without sounding cheesy - it was a mind blowing - and life changing/inspiring event for me! And New Orleans is such a unique and wild place that it really provides the perfect backdrop for a zombie crawl and body painted models! Throwing the beads off the balcony at the crowds in full zomby that Fri 13th that we zomby crawled for Nick's birthday was a complete trip!!! I am so glad I am attending the full 3 days this year!!!!

Lisa is an amazing artist, henna wench, and cook - I can vouch for her!!! She gets things done!!!

Register now - don't delay!!!

Darn! Now I want to come!

Awwww Thanks Wendy.
The food is always yummy.......

Elaine and Mike usually bring BBQ for one of the meals.
Susie, Beth, and Nicole provide some nice Cajun food for the other meals.
And I usually provide the desserts for the event.
But I have been talking with Susie, and I may also bring my homemade chicken spaghetti or chicken and dumplings for one of the meals. It is easy to reheat those and they usually taste even better after the reheating.
I will still be bringing some desserts though. I'll be taking requests a little closer to time. I think my triple chocolate cheesecake from LaFete two years ago will be back by popular demand.

wow - this looks like soo much fun!

I wish I could go... (

Yeah... she made it sound so good... and the price is good too. But I've committed myself to FABIAC. I'm soooo torn!

Maybe next year!

woot woot - booked my hotel today - next gotta gather the money for the registraition for two.... sooo excited....

so who's all going? I wanna meet you all!!!

oh! and does anyone know what the classes are yet??
has the schedule been released?? haven't seen anything updated on the site - so was wondering if anyone here had the 411

I'm definitely going... I can drive in each day since I live 45 minutes away so don't need a hotel, but I'm thinking about getting a room on Saturday night anyway.

I can't afford this year... but it's definitely on my things to do next year... and I love that you don't have to pay a full fee if you have someone come with you who isn't taking part of the class. My husband is a photog who would love to wander and takes pics of everyone working.

my hubby is coming to paint! so it will be lots of fun for us.

can't wait!

I'm close enough as well. I know we are going to give it a try.

Waiting to see the "roster" of names and instructors. Pretty sure Pashur is going.... Suzie should be posting the schedule soon!

I am getting so excited!

has anyone here been able to register?? I can't seem to get the link to work for me, but I sent an e-mail with my info but have not received a response.
does anyone know who I need to contact?

Hey everyone!! Add me to the list who is going!! I couldn't be more excited!! Just starting out and haven't really done much except at the school my little boy goes to, just volunteer stuff. Wendi you where so gracious with meeting with me! Thanks so much! Can't wait to catch up again! And Lisa you have been so sweet with helping answer several of my questions. Really excited to get to meet you in person! And "Squiggles" I am really really excited to meet you. We are in the same area, I'm in Gulfport! So sorry, I visited you website and got your real name but have already forgotten it! Can't remember if it was Lisa or Wendi but one of them told me about you but with the holidays I haven't been able to catch up to you yet. So HI!! ;o) I'm coming home each night too, so we should car pool! I have a minivan, so we should all fit! Oh my goodness, I could wet my britches I'm so excited!!

Vi, I talked to a girl who had received my registration information. She said she would send me a paypal request and it never happened. I have her name and number writen down in a notebook, I just need to find it. Did some organizing and filed it away in a safe place, lol! But I'll look for that in the am and get back to you. I've been meaning to do that anyway.

So yay! Fun times, good eatin & great teaching! And did I mention I think i'm gonna wet my pants?! LOL!! Just can't wait! I promise I'll be on here more often, just got a speedy new laptop, yay me! My old computer was just that, old and super slow! Getting online was so annoying but now zoom zoom! So chat with ya'll more soon!

Dreaming of La Fete,
MeLisa

I really really want to go this year. I have a gig on March 21st though, so I'd have to leave on Saturday.

I wish the schedule was up so I could see what I might be missing.

Anyone else going??

Christina Davison talked to me about how much she loved La Fete - more so than other conventions. I wrote about our interview here on my blog -> Interview with Christina

~Michelle Heffner