The Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Programs
co-hosted with The Louisiana Office of State Parks

Upcoming Program:
April 21 - 27, 2006 at Chicot State Park, Ville Platte, Louisiana

Learn first-hand from masters of Cajun and Creole music, dance, language, cuisine and culture in some of the most beautiful settings in southwest Louisiana. The Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Programs offer participants a chance to deepen their knowledge of and appreciation for some of the world’s most unique cultural expressions with a resident staff that includes some of the region’s most talented musicians, singers, storytellers and scholars.

Located in Louisiana’s beautiful state parks, the events offer true immersion and unparalleled opportunities to meet and learn from senior artists seldom seen locally or outside the state.

These events are the flagship programs of Louisiana Folk Roots. They are named in honor of the great fiddler and cultural ambassador Dewey Balfa, who is the father of Louisiana Folk Roots founding director Christine Balfa Powell.

Campers from 38 states and 9 countries have praised the week as “inspirational, emotional, educational, rewarding... I don't know how you could improve this.”

These events fulfill an often-expressed dream of Dewey Balfa by providing a setting in which all those interested in Cajun and Creole culture can come together for learning and camaraderie. A typical day includes meals cooked by local Cajun and Creole chefs, intensive classes with experienced teachers, visits from master artists who can share life stories as well valuable insight about their fields, an evening dance with a top local band, and an after-hours jam session.

There are plenty of classes for beginning musicians as well as for more advanced players, and classes for those who are not musicians but would nonetheless enjoy learning about Cajun and Creole music culture. Participants may also choose to learn about other facets of the culture by attending classes in Louisiana cooking and cuisine, language, dance, native crafts, and Louisiana natural history. With so many aspects of the Cajun and Creole cultures represented, the program has something for everyone!

Participants are housed in cabins equipped with a full kitchen, and there are also many sites available for camping in tents or trailers, complete with water and electricity. Dormitory accommodations and primitive campsites are also available.

The Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Programs and the Roots Heritage Festival
		Supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency.
		Made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities State Affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.