CAJUN-SPICED COUNTRY MUSIC MIX, FOOD DRAW THOUSANDS.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Though some found more country than Cajun in the local Cajun Creole Music Creole music was the music genre that transformed into zydeco. Creole music is no longer a form of music that is performed. Louisiana roots music and dance Festival, organizers said the event is growing in popularity every year. This year the two-day, 12th annual festival at Rancho Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley attracted 15,000 people to the booths - including 25 featuring food and 64 with arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. - and about half a dozen music acts. ``It's bigger than ever,'' said Dennis Barbee, chairman this year. ``Each year it gets bigger and better.'' Critics - including Gary Huggins, a South Louisiana native who now lives in San Diego - said that only two of the musical acts truly represented Louisiana French culture. ``My interest and concern is for the authentic representation and preservation of Louisiana CODE, OF LOUISIANA. In 1822, Peter Derbigny, Edward Livingston, and Moreau Lislet, were selected by the legislature to revise and amend the civil code, and to add to it such laws still in force as were not included therein. French culture,'' Huggins said. ``This festival is an insensitive, exploitative, misrepresentation misrepresentation In law, any false or misleading expression of fact, usually with the intent to deceive or defraud. It most commonly occurs in insurance and real-estate contracts. False advertising may also constitute misrepresentation. of Louisiana French culture. ``I commend the Rotary Club for their community service,'' Huggins said. ``However, it is reprehensible rep·re·hen·si·ble adj. Deserving rebuke or censure; blameworthy. See Synonyms at blameworthy. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin repreh for the Rotary Club to raise funds by the misrepresentation and exploitation of the music of the Cajun and Creole people.'' Organizers said the event benefits the community, and the music pleases the audiences. ``Our objective is to get bigger crowds to get more funds,'' Barbee said. ``The better the entertainment, the more money that can be handed out in the community.'' The event is the largest fund-raiser of the Rotary Club of Simi SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative Sunrise, which will distribute the proceeds among 40 different community programs. Last year the festival raised $100,000 that the club distributed to programs for children, senior citizens, parents and others. Beneficiaries included the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA YMCA in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. . Festivalgoers said that they enjoyed a mix of music - some country flavor as well as Cajun entertainment. John Keenan, 38, of Simi Valley set up a canopy tent on an open field in front of the stage and enjoyed the food and music. ``We love it,'' said Keenan, who has attended the event each year for about a decade and savored the crawfish crawfish: see crayfish. , gumbo, shrimp and chips. He said he and his wife, Judy, enjoyed visiting Louisiana when they lived in Texas. This time the Keenans brought along their year-old son, Zack, for family fun. John Keenan likes the variety of Americana at the festival, which he finds never boring. ``I like the fact that it's Cajun-based, but you have the hot dogs and hamburger next to the crawfish,'' Keenan said. ``There's some rock and country and Cajun bands. I like it all. You can only listen to something for so long.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Nanci Hiller of Northridge and Bob Womack of Hollywood dance Sunday at the Cajun Creole Music Festival in Simi Valley. (2 -- 3) Hunter Hayes, left, performs while listener Brian Bengler, 11, gets into the spirit in a mask. Evan Yee/Staff Photographer |
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