The band not only played on her 1991 hit, but Carpenter's name-checking of the sextet in the lyrics ("And there ain't no cure for my blues today, except when the paper says Beausoleil is coming into town") stimulated a new fan base for the group.

BeauSoleil's leader, Michael Doucet, whose brother David is the band's singer and guitarist, spent part of his career studying the roots of Cajun music with masters such as Denis McGee and Canray Fontenot.

The band has existed for about 30 years and recorded 28 projects. Its marriage of fiery fiddle, accordion and rapid rhythms that usually unfold as waltzes or two-steps makes it fairly impossible to keep a foot from tapping, so they're worth seeking out when you need to be energized.

Performing: 8 p.m. Friday (Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion); 1:15 p.m. Saturday (Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion); and 8:30 p.m. Saturday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage).

. . .

Howard Tate: Talk about the definition of a Philly soul man.

In the 1960s, Tate was a powerhouse on Verve Records, and along with renowned producer Jerry Ragovoy unleashed a slew of soul tunes, hitting the top 20 on the pop and R&B charts.

Then, in the late'70s, Tate disappeared from the music business, first selling securities in New Jersey and Philadelphia, then turning to drugs, which eventually landed him in a homeless shelter.

But after hitting rock bottom, Tate was able to float back to the top: He became a preacher and a drug counselor in the'90s and returned to music in 2001 when a New Jersey disc jockey discovered his whereabouts.

Now 63, Tate is using his musical gifts beyond making an income -- he plans to use his money to build a rehab center and homeless shelter.

Performing: 9:30 p.m. Friday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage); 2:45 p.m. Saturday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage); and 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion).

. . .

Nukariik: In 2006, the group AltaiKAI, from Russia, stunned festivalgoers with the bizarre, yet intriguing, practice of throat singing.

This year, sisters Karin and Kathy Kettler, who perform as Nukariik, will offer their unique version of Inuit throat singing, while also performing what are known as "ja ja" songs, accompanied by a small drum.

Though some throat singing often contains unusual, almost froglike sounds, the type presented by Nukariik comes more from the diaphragm, with the duo's note trading and quick breathing forming a rhythmic melody.

At their shows next weekend, Nukariik (the Inuit word for "sisters") will be joined by Karin's 7-year-old son, Nathan, who is learning to play the drum.

Performing: 1:30 p.m. (Genworth Foundation Family Stage); 4 p.m. Saturday (Dominion Stage); 3 p.m. Sunday (Comcast Stage); and 5:15 p.m. Sunday (Genworth Foundation Family Stage).

. . .

Plena Libre: What could be more spirited than a dance band from Puerto Rico?

This 13-piece orchestra has existed since 1994, when bassist-composer Gary Nu?ez decided he wanted to update the country's popular bomba y plena traditions.

Traditional "bomba" music emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries among slaves on the sugar plantations in Puerto Rico. Then, in the 19th century, "plena" arrived as a sort of blend of "bomba," but with the addition of Taíno Indian music, Spanish sounds from the Puerto Rican highlands and lyrics that recounted history and political commentary.

Along with a combination of horns, strings, percussion and a cast of singers, "plena" is mostly about the story, which is often improvised.

Performing: 5:15 p.m. Saturday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage); 7:30 p.m. (Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion); 2 p.m. Sunday (Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion); 5:45 p.m. Sunday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage).

. . .

Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa: Among slack-key guitar players, Kaapana is an icon. Though he's largely considered one of the genre's greatest creators, especially in his native Hawaii, Kaapana has caught the ears of American performers for years.

Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs and Sonny Landreth have all utilized his musical prowess, the distinctive slack-key style of playing that is believed to have arrived in the late 1800s, when Mexican cowboys brought the guitar to Hawaii.

The popular Hawaiian tradition of the hula is one of the reasons that slack-key playing was invented; by "slackening" the strings on a guitar, a fingerpicked solo could glide more easily to accompany the dance.

Kaapana has joined talents with Mike Kaawa, a well-known musician who has performed on Hawaii's Big Island for decades.

Performing: 5 p.m. Saturday (Comcast Stage); 3:45 p.m. Sunday (Ukrop's/First Market Bank Stage); 5:30 p.m. Sunday (Dominion Stage).