FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ZEST OF CAJUN CULTURE.Byline: David Greenberg The creator of this article, or someone who has substantially contributed to it, may have a conflict of interest regarding its subject matter. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Daily News Staff Writer By late Saturday morning the 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 in 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. was flooded with revelers wearing colorful strands of beads while sampling a smorgasbord of Cajun delights and washing it down with a cold brew. ``It's very authentic,'' Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise President Sid Liberman said in explaining the event's popularity. The Rotary Club, which sponsors the event, estimated attendance will top last year's total of 14,000 by at least 1,000. That would increase the money raised for the club's charities from $84,000 to $100,000, organizers said. While the rest of the country's Memorial Day weekend revelers munched on hot dogs, hamburgers and other traditional picnic fare, festivalgoers opted for alligator-on-a-stick, beans and rice, crayfish crayfish or crawfish, freshwater crustacean smaller than but structurally very similar to its marine relative the lobster, and found in ponds and streams in most parts of the world except Africa. Crayfish grow some 3 to 4 in. (7.6–10. , gumbo, jambalaya jam·ba·lay·a n. A Creole dish consisting of rice that has been cooked with shrimp, oysters, ham, or chicken and seasoned with spices and herbs. [Louisiana French, from Provençal jambalaia. and Cajun sausage. ``It's people getting together to have a good time,'' said Jacki Campbell, 41, of Simi Valley. ``There's not enough of that on a daily basis.'' Hundreds chose to work off their calories on a hardwood floor, dancing to the beat of Cajun bands such as Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, Crawdaddy O and JT & the Zydeco zydeco (zī`dĭkō'), American musical form originating among the African-American Creoles of Louisiana. Drawing on elements of traditional Cajun music as well as jazz, country and western, and blues, it is characterized by French lyrics, Zippers. Those unfamiliar with Cajun dances were offered free lessons. The festival also features a daily Mardi Gras-style parade. ``I've never been to the real Mardi Gras,'' said Patrick Burnside, 50, who often speaks to Cajuns on his CB radio and was one of the first to pass through the gates at Saturday's 10th annual festival. ``I'm enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. with New Orleans.'' Held at Los Angeles and Tapo Canyon avenues, the festival will continue from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today. Doug Kershaw, a nationally known Cajun musician, will headline today's bill, which is scheduled to include Lisa Haley & the Zydecats, Acadiana and Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for those 12 and under. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color in Simi and Conejo Editions only) JT & the Zydeco Zippers perform Saturday at the 10th annual Cajun Creole Music Festival in Simi Valley. The event continues today. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News |
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