ROTARY PLANS BOOT-KICKIN', FIDDLE-SAWIN' SHINDIG CAJUN-CREOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL SET FOR MAY 28-29.Byline: Eric Leach 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. - When 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 Rotary Club members decided to add a Cajun flavor to their clam bake 16 years ago, they had no idea the event would turn into one of the biggest charity fundraisers in the city's history. ``We expect more people than ever this year, maybe 20,000,'' said Elaine Freeman, a member of the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District's board of directors and president of the Rotary group. This year's festival is May 28-29. The event started as a one-day festival at Strathearn Historical Park and exploded in popularity in 1992 after it was changed to a two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, over the Memorial Day weekend. ``It's one of the biggest Cajun festivals this side of the Mississippi,'' Freeman said. ``We're very pleased at how successful it has become. It is like running a major business.'' The Simi Sunrise Rotary Club was formed in 1986 and has since given out more than $1 million dollars to local groups to sponsor programs for children, senior citizens, parents and others. The Cajun festival, which has raised more than $100,000 annually in years past, is the group's biggest fundraiser. ``People come to this festival from all over California and other states,'' Freeman said. ``It's just a good, relaxed event where people enjoy the music, dance and socialize so·cial·ize v. so·cial·ized, so·cial·iz·ing, so·cial·iz·es v.tr. 1. To place under government or group ownership or control. 2. To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable. . But it's crowded. There are hundreds of people dancing, and the dance floor keeps getting bigger.'' It's now held at Rancho Santa Susana Santa Susana can refer to several places:
Organizers said that while some of the people are avid Cajun music
Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Catholics of Canada. dancers who follow the bands whenever they can, beginners are welcome and lessons are available. There is no particular style of dress other than to be comfortable, Freeman said. Steve Pietrolungo, a Simi Valley middle school principal and chairman of the Cajun Festival for the Rotary Club, said this year's event has a number of new attractions and is set up for bigger crowds. ``We want to make sure it's a family event. The kids get in free, and we've really expanded the children's area.'' As far as food, there will literally be tons of 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. , along with other spicy favorites like 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. , gumbo, and Cajun sausage. Tickets for adults are $15, but they may be purchased for $12 on the Internet through the festival's Web site at www.cajun2005.com. Entertainers this year include Keith Frank, Step Rideau & 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, Outlaws, Dora & the Zydeco Bad Boys, Lisa Haley & the Zydekats, Curly Taylor & Zydeco Trouble. ``The bands we've got are known throughout the nation, and these bands have their own following. Some of them really know how to dance,'' said Pietrolungo. Members of the brass section of the Simi Valley High School Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California which was established in 1920 as the first high school in the valley. It nestles in the Santa Susana Mountains and is adjacent to the San Fernando Valley, part of the city and county of Ventura. marching band Noun 1. marching band - a band that marches (as in a parade) and plays music at the same time band - instrumentalists not including string players will be on hand for the parade each day, and hats and beads will be on sale. ``It's a parade for the kids, a parade for the adults - anybody who wants to join in, like the Mardi Gras,'' Pietrolungo said. A few years ago, a man from Southern Louisiana criticized the Simi Valley event, saying it wasn't authentic enough. But Pietrolungo said organizers do their best to bring in high-quality entertainment in the Cajun and Creole tradition, with activities that are fun for the whole family. ``We're in Southern California so it's going to have some of our own flavor,'' he said. ``It's not going to be as authentic as Louisiana, but we do a good job.'' Eric Leach, (805) 583-7602 eric.leach(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO The Simi Valley Cajun-Creole Music Festival will be held at Rancho Santa Susana Park, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave. The festival runs Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, May 29, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. CAPTION(S): box |
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