Live at the Lakefront — a celebration of local music, art and cuisine — has returned to Lake Charles’ shore.

For the next two Fridays, the family-friendly community festival will light up the Arcade Amphitheater at the Lake Charles Event Center, offering waterfront views, an outdoor art market and what Allie Livingston, the second vice president of the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Board of Directors, said will be a “vibrant atmosphere.”

“Live at the Lakefront is a concert series that helps to give a stage to local artists — whether it be the musicians or the art vendors — and we also have food trucks,” Livingston said. “It’s a great family-centered environment and a good place to kick back and decompress from your week.”

Launched in 2012 as a small initiative to support local artists, Live at the Lakefront has grown into a signature event for Southwest Louisiana, drawing thousands of attendees each year, Livingston said.

This week’s concert lineup includes Justin Martindale & The Backstabbers and The Loaded 44rz.

The Flamethrowers and Fools & Sages will perform April 4.

The concerts are set for 5:30-10 p.m. both nights.

Livingston said should rain be an issue for this week’s concert, the event will be moved inside the Event Center.

“We will be having it, rain or shine,” she said.

Proceeds from beverage sales will directly benefit the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, which helps to sustain and expand arts and cultural initiatives throughout the five-parish region.

“The mission of the Arts Council is to help connect and to support artists and arts organizations so all the proceeds from the event will go right back into the organization for programming and support of local artists and organizations,” Livingston said.