To paraphrase Lucy and Charlie Brown...There has to be some weekend in a person’s life that has to be “the best” one they will ever have. I think I just had mine, and I fear it’s all downhill from here. Bobby and I just spent the most fun four days in memory at Buffalo Gap in Capon Bridge, West Virginia for the annual Buffalo Jambalaya encampment. We have done this for eight of the last nine years, and I believe this was the best one yet. Never has the weather been so perfect. Never has every meal been so masterfully prepared and so delicious to eat. Our compliments to Chef Michael Richard of Lafayette, LA who astounded us meal after meal. He even made a masterpiece out of the lowly grits at breakfast one morning by flavoring them and mixing in chopped peppers and kernels of corn.

There was so much to do during the day, and evening. In the “old days”, pretty much everybody did the same thing. We all took the Cajun, and Zydeco lessons, from beginner to advanced as the weekend progressed. Now there are just so many choices, from the usual dance lessons at all levels, to singing workshops (in French), workshops to learn to play fiddle, harmonica, accordion, triangle, rubboard, etc. There were also numerous impromptu gatherings of amateur and professional musicians who just wanted to get together to play some music. And we can’t leave out the cooking lessons given by Roy Carrier to about a half dozen Chef wannabees. Lets also mention the sauna, and swimsin the lake. We also want to give a special thanks to Paul and Lois for their annual Daiquiri party that makes Saturday afternoon so much fun. Special praise also to Anthony Lewis and Cheri Mullinex for making the Zydeco lessons so “Louisiana”, with their minimalist and sexy moves, and also for being so very available to dance with, and to get some private tutoring, when needed.

Cheri Mullinex	Anthony Lewis

Live dance music started Thursday night with each of the three bands perfoming for about an hour and 15 minutes, and included a short dance demo by each of the instructors during the intermissions. On Friday and Saturday, one or another band would play for an afternoon fais do do, and the remaining two bands played for the evening dance. On Sunday afternoon all three bands again played a farewell set. Every night, after the formal dance was over, and everyone had had their fill of their midnight snacks, many would gather on the boathouse porch, or by the nearby bonfire, for more music. Each night a different band would lead this less formal performance. Amateur musicians were invited to participate and play along with the band members

The Zydeco music provided by both T. Broussard & the Z. Steppers, and by Roy and the Carrier Family Band was exciting. Both bands were at their best, as it is always a challenge to play when your peers are right there to listen to you. It was hard to sit when these bands got going, no matter how tired we were. Royt got to play a lot of bluesy stuff and R& B, which gave us a chance to try some west and east coast swing dancing, and a little Whiskey River too. T. played a lot of the more contemporary style Zydeco, some funky rhythms that allowed for a lot of playful dance steps, syncopations, hesitations, etc.

But the real star of the weekend was the Savoy Family Band. Not only did they play and sing one beautiful Cajun song after another, but they mixed in several up-tempo jitterbug numbers a la the Red Stick Ramblers. Wilson Savoy on keyboard was alone, worth the price of admission. He could be heard throughout camp as he practiced or warmed up before performances or just went up to play for his own pleasure. Campers walking about listening to him on keyboard would pass each other with big wide grins and say “I’m lovin’ this!” Joel Savoy on fiddle, on the swing numbers sounding like a young Stephane Grappelli, was a pleasure to listen to. And what performers! At one point they did a “musical chairs” bit, switching instruments several times within one song, without missing a single note.

East coast dancers seem to have a definite bias toward Zydeco over Cajun. In previous years, some campers would leave the pavilion when it was time for the Cajun Band to play. The floor was always less crowded for the Cajun Band than for the Zydeco bands. NOT THIS YEAR! People I have known for years, who always protested that they didn’t really care for Cajun music very much, were transfixed by the Savoy Family Band. I don’t think anyone left the dance floor when they played. In fact, it was probably more crowded. If surveyed, it would not surprise me if they were voted the best band at camp.

One of the many highlights for me, was the Saturday night bonfire. The temperature had fallen through the evening probably into the 50’s. So instead of playing on the boathouse porch, the Savoy’s moved the midnight jam to be near the bonfire. I cannot begin to describe how perfect this all was. The setting, the music, the company of old and new friends huddled by the fire, just was so magical. Those of us that attended, will not forget the feel of that evening for a long time. When Mark and Anne had finally grown weary, T. Broussard, of almost limitless energy promised to keep it all going until 5 AM., proving once more that there ain’t no party like a T. Brou party.

Many thanks to all who worked so hard to bring together such a fabulous event. Five of us met for dinner on the way home, and all we could talk about was how soon we could sign up for next year, and how great everything was this year. One of the new comers, aptly called it a LAND CRUISE. Rookies and veterans alike, we all had the most fun weekend of our lives.

Additional pictures of this spectacular weekend will be added as new "Buffalo Gap 2004" albums at Heather's webshots pages.
-- Heather and Bobby Rabinowitz (yeahuright@comcast.net)