On Saturday, March 1, Louisiana Folk Roots will host the Evangeline Parish Roots Heritage Day at the Ville Platte Civic Center, 704 N. Soileau St. in Ville Platte. Activities for all ages include presentations and jam sessions that kick off at 2 p.m. Christine Balfa Powell, Jeffery Broussard, David Greely, Sam Broussard, D'Jalma Garnier and Steve Riley will be on hand for instruction and performances throughout the day's events. At 7 p.m., Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys take the stage for a Cajun dance. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students with valid ID, and free for children 12 and under.
You can also sign up to register or volunteer for the 2008 Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week, held April 18-25 at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte. The week-long camp will bring together a number of Dewey Balfa's relatives, friends and students. The camp's growing roster of class instructors includes Tony Balfa, Jeffery Broussard, Sam Broussard, Preston Frank, Jonno Frishberg, David Greely, Ginny Hawker, Christine Balfa Powell, Dirk Powell, Steve Riley, Ann Savoy, Tracy Schwarz and Kevin Wimmer. Instructor Coordinator Peter Schwarz and Culinary Director Pat Mould are also on board for the week of learning and fun. The dance bands include Balfa Toujours, The Red Stick Ramblers, The Pine Leaf Boys, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, and Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. The week will also feature master presentations from The Savoy Family Band, The BeauSoleil Trio and other artists and groups yet to be announced.
For more information on either event or to register for the Heritage Week, visit www.lafolkroots.org or call (337) 234-8360.