Bulletins Summary Fees, Schedule, and Registration Talent Lineup Our Chef Accommodations (On- and Off-site) Reviews from Past Years Photos from Past Years Links Contact Information

Buffalo Jambalaya 2005 -The BEST in Cajun/Zydeco music and dance! Buffalo Jambalaya Ingredients: • Three great bands a day, for four days! • Cajun & Zydeco Dance lessons for all levels • Musical instrument workshops led by our guest artists • Craft artists helping you create Louisiana-style art • Cajun/Creole culture corner • Midnight jam sessions you can join in or relax & enjoy • Scrumptious Cajun cooking

Full Time is Thursday 4pm to Sunday 4pm Part Time is Friday 4pm to Sunday 4pm Amount (through May 23) $285 Full-time $240 Part-time Amount (after May 23) $325 Full-time $280 Part-time Please click link for full schedule of events - BJ2005 Schedule (246 KB) BFMS members receive a $10 discount. See www.bfms.org for for membership information. The fee includes all meals, snacks, dance events, workshops, and a bed. All campers must be preregistered & fully paid at check-in time. Refunds (minus $40 cancellation fee) will be given through June 7. Sorry, no refunds after that date. Registration is not transferable. Your confirmation letter/e-mail includes directions and a packing list. Downhill cabins with indoor showers are assigned to earliest registrants. A limited number of private rooms with one double bed are available for $100. Confirmation is dependent on maintaining a gender balance, so register early with a “dance buddy.”

To register online, please use the following link: Online Registration To register by mail, please download following form: Complete Flyer (738 KB) or Form Only (33 KB) BJ2005 will maintain a gender balance. We expect camp to sell expect camp to fill early, so your best bet is to register early with a "dance buddy". Buffalo Jam 2005 T-shirt - (Click for large image) Design by Deane Nettles. To see more of Deane's work, go to his website or e-mail him at DeanNet@aol.com.

The Bands Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble Curley hit the scene strong last year with a new sound! – undeniable zydeco groove mixed with smooth, urban R&B. His debut CD “County Boy” opened to rave reviews with tight musicianship and intelligent lyrics. He’s got the whole package – the sound, vocals, talent, dedication, bloodlines (his daddy is Jude Taylor) and he’s all that too. Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble is: Curley Taylor - vocals, accordion Matt Sonnier - rubboard Errol Taylor - bass Keith Clement - keyboard Steve Dimant - guitar Erick Minix - drums Websites: Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble from LSU's Acadian Gate Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble Website Zydeco Force Zydeco Force was originally formed in 1988. After a break up in the 1990's, they regrouped with the new millennium. Their sound is strong as ever! The band displays a wide range of styles, from the "double-clutchin" funk sound, which they helped introduce, to the more traditional rural French creole sounds. They’ve got the funk and the smooth groove, to keep you up dancin’ all night. Zydeco Force is: Robby "Mann" Robinson - bass player, vocalist, and keyboard player Jeffery Broussard - accordionist, vocalist, and bass player Jonathan "Papoose" August - drummer Faran Broussard - guitarist and vocalist Herbert "Broom Stick" Broussard - scrub-board and vocalist Websites: Zydeco Force from LSU's Acadian Gate Zydeco Force Website The Lafayette Rhythm Devils Put down the cell phone! Turn off the TV! Dig out your dancing shoes and put on your party pants!! The Lafayette Rhythm Devils are coming! This exciting Louisiana Cajun band will make you forget your worries and keep you dancing and entertained all night long. They will give you traditional Cajun waltzes and two-steps to dance or listen to and add their own little “spices” to make you dread the end of the night. Their infectious excitement and attitude will make you feel like you are back in Cajun Country no matter where the dance may actually be. Front men Peppy Carmello and his partner Randy Vidrine of Charivari provide their own high lonesome style of vocals and authentic Cajun sounds. Chris Segura also of the band Feu Follet provides his own take charge style of fiddling to accent the accordion of Peppy and the guitar of Randy. The solid rhythm section of Yvette Dupuy on bass and Donald Lejeune on drums keep it all together and helps give the band their own distinct sound. Don’t miss ‘em a real Cajun party is coming to town! The Lafayette Rhythm Devils are: Peppy Carmello – accordion and vocals Randy Vidrine – guitar and vocals Donald LeJeune - drums Yvette Dupuy - bass Chris Segura – fiddle Website: The Lafayette Rhythm Devils Website from LSU's Acadia Gate The Dance Instructors Cajun Instructors: Janine Dugas and Chris Trahan Janine Dugas - Janine was named Best Female Dancer in Louisiana at the 1986 AOC Cajun Dance Contest in Lafayette, LA. Her nickname is "Janine the dancin' machine". In 1987 she founded the first Cajun dance Mardi Gras krewe in Louisiana, Krewe de Canaille. The Krewe has grown from being a small group of 30 local dancers to now having more than 200 members worldwide. For the next three years, she became a professional Cajun Dancer, dancing as part of the Cajun Connection show band in Branson, Missouri. She joined the Cajun Folklore troupe Renaissance Cadienne in 1992 and has been performing and teaching dance with this group throughout the United States, Canada, France and Belgium. Janine has taught dance workshops over the last 15 years in Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; Nashville,at Buffalo Gap Camp in Capon Bridge, West Virginia; at the Dance Vortex camp in Menton, AL; in Haute-Savoie in the French Alps; and in Cork, Ireland. She lives in Lafayette, LA. Chris Trahan - Chris started dancing at an early age in his hometown of Lafayette, LA. In 1986, he began dancing regularly at Mulate's Restaurant in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, where a bronzed pair of his shoes hangs on the wall today. He's an original member of Krewe de Canaille. In 1987, he performed with the Cajun Connection band in Branson, Missouri as dancer, M.C., and humorist for the show. Moving to Baltimore, Maryland in 1989, Chris started teaching Cajun dance workshops in the Baltimore - Washington D.C. area. In addition, he has taught at both the Baltimore Folklife Festival and the Washington Folk Festival in Washington, D.C. He's conducted dance workshops in Louisiana; Nashville, TN; Richmond, Virginia; Little Rock, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; Gulfport, Mississippi; at Buffalo Gap Camp in Capon Bridge, West Virginia; and at Dance Vortex in Menton, AL. You may have also seen him dance on the Mary-Chapin Carpenter video, "Down at The Twist and Shout". Chris has been a member of the Cajun Folklore troupe Renaissance Cadienne since 1994. He lives in Lafayette, LA. Zydeco Instructors: Harold Guillory and Amanda Lavigne Harold Guillory and Amanda Lavigne - Harold Guillory of Lake Charles, LA and Amanda Lavigne of Ville Platte, LA will dazzle you with their Zydeco! This dynamic team has taught together nationally, while each has earned their reputation individually. Harold has performed zydeco music all his life and is definitely a unstoppable ball of energy. He also hosts the popular weekly TV show, Louisiana Zydeco Live. Amanda has won many awards for her own dancing at such popular festival as Plaisance and Zydeco Extraveganza. Together, they will be teaching the authentic moves they’ve grown up with in the workshops over the weekend. Get ready...Get Ready...Get ready!!! Websites: http://www.zydecoach.com/louisianalive/index.htm

Michael Richard, formerly the head chef for Cafe Vermilionville in Lafayette, LA brings 13 years of Cajun culinary talent to BJ2003. He has been named Louisiana chef of the year and has been guest chef at events such as the 2002 Saulieu, France C/Z festival. He’ll provide dinner at 6pm on Thursday, three meals a day Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday and snacks after the evening dances.

On-site: Buffalo Gap is a 200-acre camp, nestled in the mountains near Capon Bridge, WV, is about 2 hours west of Washington, D.C. and 2 hours east of Pittsburgh, PA. The grounds include wooded hills with hiking trails, a lake with a sandy beach, sauna, dining hall, an open-air dance pavilion, and a large dance hall. Housing is in rustic dormitory-style cabins which sleep 8 to 12 people. All male, all female and couples cabins are available. Cabins have plumbing and electricity, but some do not have indoor showers. Dancers must bring their own towels, toiletries, bed linen, pillows, blankets or sleeping bag. Tenting sites are available, but there are no RV hookups. For photos of the camp and facilities, please see - Buffalo Gap website For directions and a map, please see - Buffalo Gap directions To contact other campers, please use the Message Board below. Off-site Campers who are not really campers will be glad to know that in our motel-barren location in West Virginia there are actually two Bed and Breakfast locations within 20 miles of Buffalo Gap Camp (see below). Both are located south of Capon Bridge,WV and their proprietors assure us the drive to "town" is 12-14 minutes. Add to that another 5-6 minutes to come up the hill to camp and it's not a bad drive. Many other accomodations are located off Rt 50 near Winchester and can be accessed with any search engine.   Two local Bed and Breakfasts (These are not associated with Buffalo Jambayala). Asa Cline House in Yellow Springs, WV -  304-874-4115 The Menagerie at Delray, Delray, WV  -  304-496-8942 Two local budget motels (These are not associated with Buffalo Jambayala). Hayfield Motel in Gore, Va - 540-877-1019 (closest to camp) Mohawk Motel in Winchester, Va - 540-667-1410 (owned by a Harley motorcycle owner) Many other accomodations are located off Rt 50 near Winchester and can be accessed with any search engine.

The Buffalo Jambalaya committe has just started a message board for sharing of ride information and other infromation about the camp. To join, please see the message board website or send a blank email to Buffalo_Jambalaya_Messsages-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Once you join, all messages will be forwarded to all members.

Read review of this year - Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2004 Read review two years ago - Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2002 Read review three years ago - Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2001

Photos from Buffalo Jam 2004 by Heather Rabinowitz Photos from Buffalo Jam 2003 by Heather Rabinowitz Photos from Buffalo Jam 2001 by Marty Katz.

Buffalo Jambalaya Websites from Years Past Buffalo Jambalaya 2004 Buffalo Jambalaya 2003 Buffalo Jambalaya 2002 Buffalo Jambalaya 2001 Buffalo Jambalaya 2000 Buffalo Jambalaya 1998 Buffalo Jambalaya 1997 Some Performers from Years Past Bois Sec Ardoin Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin' Lawrence Ardoin and Traditional Creole Balfa Toujours Basin Brothers Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers Roy Carrier & the Night Rockers Com An Cayenne The Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band Gina Forsyth J. Paul Jr. & Zydeco Newbreedz Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas Willis Prudhomme Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic Leroy Thomas and Zydeco Roadrunners Zydeco Crayz Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, Charivari Cajun Band Lil' Malcolm and the House Rockers Some Dance Instructors from Years Past Ben Pagac and Debbie Shaw Chris Trahan and Janine Dugas "Crazy John" Sowizel Harold Bernard and Jodie Hebbert Miriam Fontenot and Don Brasseaux Christine Balfa Pam Ardoin Willie Bushnell and Keisha Roberts Jim Dugas Debra Seeck Walter Dill Michael Seider Michael Hart and Sharon Schiliro Other great camps for Cajun/Creole music and culture Augusta Heritage Center's Cajun/Creole Week   August in Elkins, WV Dance Vortex   October in Mentone, AL Miscellaneous Links Alex Poliakoff Local Zydeco Photos Le Bon Temps Relay Local Schedule CajunZydeco.Net Gary Hayman's Zyd-e-zine

Questions? General: Mike Baker at 410-662-1336 or dancingMike@verizon.net Registration: Robert Janku 301-762-3151 or reg@buffalojam.org Contact for website issues: webmaster@buffalojam.org Graphic Design for Buffalo Jambalaya copyright 2003 by Deane Nettles. To see more of Deane's work, go to his website or e-mail him at DeanNet@aol.com. Last Update: