SIMI EATERY TO SPICE UP CAJUN FESTIVAL.Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer Stephen Stieffel relishes how just the right blend of Cajun spice creates a deep heat that arrives on the palate slowly, while tantalizing tan·ta·lize tr.v. tan·ta·lized, tan·ta·liz·ing, tan·ta·liz·es To excite (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach. the nose with a distinct fragrance. ``A lot of people think Cajun Creole food is ultraspicy,'' said Stieffel, owner and chef of the city's only Cajun food restaurant. ``But it's really taking the gentle blend of the Spanish with the French that creates a laid-back zest that's never overpowering.'' La Louisianne Express on Erringer and Cochran will be among 16 food vendors serving up dishes like etouffee é·touf·fée n. pl. é·touf·fées A spicy Cajun stew of vegetables and seafood, especially crayfish. [Louisiana French, from French (à l')étouffée, stewed and Louisiana sausage during 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 over the Memorial Day weekend. Alligator alligator, large aquatic reptile of the genus Alligator, in the same order as the crocodile. There are two species—a large type found in the S United States and a small type found in E China. Alligators differ from crocodiles in several ways. on a stick, 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 boiled 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. are among other authentic Creole dishes on the menu. For the less daring, hot dogs will be served. ``We try to make it really authentic,'' said Ed Chapin, organizer of the event. ``If we don't have it just right, we hear about it.'' That means the right combination of food, dancing and authentic Cajun and 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, music, Chapin said. Among this year's featured guests is Acadiana, a five-member band that hopes to attract a crowd of experienced and novice steppers to the dance floor with its traditional swing-dance variations. For those who have never experienced authentic Cajun sound, expect something ``completely different,'' said Terri Tintorri, the band's Cajun accordion player. ``It's more danceable than bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. , and it's definitely not disco,'' said Tintorri. ``It's different than country, and it's not rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. . It's a sound all by itself - you'll know when you hear it.'' The weekend fund-raiser is the seventh coordinated and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise. Last year's festival raised roughly $35,000 for various Ventura County charities, Chapin said. He anticipates anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 people to attend this year's celebration, which will raise funds for charities including Care and Share, Simi Valley Boys Club, Salvation Army and Casa Pacifica. The rotary club spearheaded the first Cajun festival in 1989, after the humble success of its yearly bluegrass festival. As club members brainstormed for new ways to raise money for the county's charity groups, they discovered there was a niche for Cajun cuisine and festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . ``We learned there was a good-sized Cajun and Creole population in Southern California,'' Chapin said. ``We thought we'd bring it to our community.'' Roughly 60 craft vendors will sell handmade items from jewelry to wind chimes. A Mardi Gras parade will take place each day at 3:45 p.m. Dance lessons and activities for children will also be available. ``We've been planning for this all year,'' Chapin said. ``It will celebrate the Cajun Creole culture - that's the attraction of it.'' THE FACTS WHAT: Cajun Creole Music Festival. WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. WHERE: Corner of Tapo Canyon Road and Los Angeles Avenue. COST: Advance tickets, $8; at the gate, $10. Children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. TICKETS: Available at Simi Valley Bank (all branches), Ken's Stationers, Del Taco, La Louisianne Express, Holiday Hardware, Les Sisters in Chatsworth. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) La Louisianne Express owner Stephen Stieffel is one of 16 food vendors cooking in the upcoming Cajun Creole Music Festival. Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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