The Baltimore Folk Music Society Proudly Presents

Buffalo Jambalaya

Zydeco and Cajun
Dance and Music Camp

Time and Location:
	Thurs. to Sun., August 7-10, 2008 in Darlington, MD
Bands:
	Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys Lil' Malcolm and The Zydeco House Rockers J.J. Caillier and The Zydeco Knockouts
Dance Instructors:
	Anthony Lewis and Cheri Mullinex Chris Trahan and Janine Dugas
Cajun Chef:
	Brian Smith of Randol's Restaurant

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

Click here to order the Buffalo Jambalaya 2005 LIVE CD

Click here for the weather forecast for Camp Ramblewood, Darlington, MD See some photos of BJ2005 by Heather Rabinowitz. The Buffalo Jambalaya 2005 Live CD can be ordered by clicking here. The Buffalo Jambalaya 2004 Live CD can be ordered by clicking here.

Buffalo Jambalaya 2008 -The BEST in Cajun/Zydeco music and dance! Buffalo Jambalaya Ingredients: • Three great bands a day, for four days! - Each band will play a full set on each of the four days. • Cajun & Zydeco dance lessons for all levels - basic skills, beginning and advanced dance lessons for both Cajun and Zydeco will be held. • Musical instrument workshops led by our guest artists - These are not formal lessons, but a chance to ask the band members questions and learn from them. You must provide your own instrument. • Craft artists helping you create Louisiana-style folk art - Leslie and Nadine's class was a big hit last year. Click here for some photos and more details. • Cajun/Creole culture corner - Sit down in a small circle and ask questions, hear stories and learn a little as artists share their culture and lives. • Midnight jam sessions led by one of the bands - Everybody is welcome to bring an instrument and join in or you can just relax and listen or get up and dance. It goes as long as you stay! • Scrumptious Cajun cooking - We bring in a great Louisiana chef for a wide and varied Cajun menu. • Hiking, volleyball, basketball, tennis or lazing in the sun at the pool - There's always lots to do, including nothing. Pour all the ingredients together into Camp Ramblewood, mix thoroughly, add your own alcohol and it makes a great Buffalo Jambalaya!

Through July 9	$325 Full-time	$275 Part-time
After July 9	$365 Full-time	$315 Part-time

Full Time is Thursday 5pm to Sunday 4pm.
Part Time is Friday 3pm to Sunday 4pm.

BFMS members receive a $10 discount. See www.bfms.org for membership information.

A limited number of cozy (9' x 9') rooms with two twin beds, a window and a shared bathroom are available for an additional $90. They do not have lockable doors, but a curtain across the doorway.

Your registration 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 July 25. Sorry, no refunds after that date. Registration is not transferable. Your confirmation letter/e-mail includes directions and a packing list.

Confirmation is dependent on maintaining a gender balance, so register early with a “dance buddy.”

Here is this year's tentative schedule - BJ2008 TENTATIVE Schedule (66 KB)

--->>>> ONLINE REGISTRATION <<<<--- To register by mail: Complete Flyer (PDF format 72 KB) or Application Form (JPG format 98 KB) BJ2008 will maintain a gender balance. Please register with a "dance buddy". Buffalo Jambalaya 2008 T-shirt $15 each T-shirt and logo design by Eric Volkman & Lois Lefkowitz.

The Bands     Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys Steve Riley grew up in the prairie town of Mamou where French is spoken on the street, the national holiday is Mardi Gras, and a poor family is one without a fiddler or accordion player. American popular culture was stealing Mamou’s children away when Steve took up the accordion and became his hometown’s favorite son. Steve plays a single-row diatonic instrument made by his cousin, famed accordionist Marc Savoy. Steve concentrated on learning Savoy’s fiery, intricate style and the music of the Balfa Brothers. At age 15, this young prodigy was noticed by Dewey Balfa, who invited Steve to join his band. Under Dewey’s guidance, he grew as a performer, learning hundreds of French songs and how to sing them in Balfa’s singular hurts-so-good style, and taking up the fiddle as well. In 1988, Steve Riley and David Greely formed the Mamou Playboys, which rapidly gained prominence on the international folk scene without sacrificing the allegiance of Louisiana fans. In a land where accordion is king, Steve has inspired countless young men and women to follow him and keep Cajun music’s royal instrument alive. The Mamou Playboys now includes David Greely on fiddle and saxophone, Sam Broussard on guitar, Brazos Huval on bass and Kevin Dugas on drums. We feel very privileged to have them at Buffalo Jambalaya this year. Website: www.mamouplayboys.com/     Lil' Malcolm and the Zydeco House Rockers Lil’ Malcolm & The Zydeco House Rockers personify two closely related terms: family and tradition. This five-man band centers on guitarist Percy Walker and his two sons, drummer Percy Walker, Jr. and accordionist Lil’ Malcolm Walker. Inspired by Zydeco legends like Buckwheat Zydeco and Rockin’ Dopsie, the band’s steady focus on tradition sets them apart from the newest wave of “pop Zydeco” bands. Percy Walker, Sr. began his musical career at an early age, learning to play the drums from his older brother Joe Walker. He soon moved to guitar, then bass, then accordion. Percy began playing in bands at the age of ten, even playing with the legendary Rockin’ Dopsie during his musical career. Eventually he formed a band of his own, Percy Walker & The House Rockers. Percy taught his children to play, much like his older brother taught him. The children shared Percy’s devotion and love of the music, and Percy was pleased to have young Zydeco devotees following in his footsteps. Even in their youth, Percy’s sons were anxious to start a band with their talented father. Soon the boys starting playing house parties and garnering great crowd reactions. When the diminutive Malcolm started a group, he chose the name of his father’s band. Lil’ Malcolm & The House Rockers was a name that instantly reflected the group’s emphasis on family ties, and on great music. Lil’ Malcolm & The Zydeco House Rockers also place a strong emphasis on creating live shows that are exciting and fun. “We let the crowd enjoy (the music) with us,” remarks Percy Walker, Sr., adding that he likes to pull audience members onto the stage to dance and play with the band. The House Rockers note that keeping tradition in Zydeco is the best way to make the music enjoyable. By honoring the musical styles that were successfully established by legendary Zydeco figures, the House Rockers are a band that is sure to please. Websites: www.intrepidartists.com/lilmalcom.html     J.J. Caillier and The Zydeco Knockouts J. J. Caillier III was born October 27, 1967 in Lafayette, LA. When he was eight years old, his father had a zydeco and blues record store where he would spend most of his time working along side of his dad. He has had the opportunity to meet several legends of Zydeco artists such as Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat, and Rockin Sidney. In the late 70's, J.J.'s father became a driving force in the Zydeco music revival. He hosted a popular radio show called "Zydeco Gumbo", as well as producing landmark releases by BooZoo Chavis and Clifton Chenier. It was on one of these recordings, "Country Boy, Now Grammy Award Winner 1984" by Clifton Chenier, that J. J. would make his recording debut, creating keyboard tracks for the King of Zydeco. According to J.J., "It was an experience that I'll never forget." It was in 1996 that he pursued his own career in Zydeco, with a combination of the blues styles of Clifton Chenier and the funky style of Beau Jacque. J.J. says, "With a style like that, you can move everyone," and that's what he intends to do. J.J. has written 5 CD's in his rising career. He has toured with the late great Beau Jacque and with the Zydeco sweet heart, Rosie Ledet. His current CD, “Do You Want to Dance?” has a music combination that draws individuals of all ages to dance and enjoy themselves. Watch for J.J. Caillier at Buffalo Jambalaya 2008! Websites: www.jjcaillier.com The Dance Instructors     Anthony Lewis and Cheri Mullinex Anthony Lewis and Cheri Mullinex began teaching Zydeco dance in 1997. Their emphasis is on presenting the Creole culture as authentically as possible to honor the people who created this music and dance. "We are simply people who find a great deal of joy and peace in Zydeco Music and dance and want to share it with as many people as possible." They are largely responsible for the strong and growing Zydeco scene in the Atlanta area. They have accomplished this through dance demonstrations,teaching regular classes and workshops, and hosting Creole instructors for local workshops. As founders of Lost in the Rhythm they also arrange tours to SWLA and since 1999 have been promoting dances by bringing bands from Louisiana and Texas to Atlanta. Website: Lost in the Rhythm     Janine Dugas and Chris Trahan Janine Dugas 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. Janine has taught dance workshops in Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; Nashville and at Buffalo Gap Camp in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. 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; and at Buffalo Gap Camp in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. He lives in Lafayette, LA.

We are excited to have Brian Smith as our cajun chef this year. Brian is the executive chef at Randol's Restaurant in Lafayette, LA. He will provide dinner at 6pm on Thursday, three meals a day Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday and snacks after the evening dances.Here are a couple of items we have feasted on in the past: • Bronzed garlic chicken breast topped w/ mushrooms & red onions over brown rice pilaf. • Broiled tilapia topped w/ shrimp & mushroom in a garlic butter & white wine sauce over brown rice, artichoke hearts & roasted peppers • Chicken & smoked sausage jambalaya There will be a delicious vegetarian entree available at each meal. Here are some previous year's entrees: • Homemade black bean cakes w sour cream and salsa • Tofu and corn enchiladas with red mole sauce • Eggplant stew with tomatoes, peppers and chickpeas over pasta We are sorry, but the kitchen cannot accommodate individual dietary requests.

On-site: Ramblewood, a 200-acre camp in Darlington, MD near I-95, exit 89 will be our home for the weekend. It is about 45 minutes north of Baltimore, 75 minutes south of Philadelphia and 2 1/2 hours south of New York City. For those flying, Baltimore Washington International airport (BWI) is just one hour south and is serviced by both Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airlines, two very low cost carriers. The grounds include wooded hills with hiking trails, a pond with a sandy beach, a swimming pool, a dining hall with complete commercial kitchen, an open-air dance pavilion, a large dance hall and numerous other meeting areas. There are beach volleyball, tennis and basketball courts with all equipment except tennis racquets provided for you. Housing is in dormitory-style cabins which sleep 6 to 12 people. All male, all female and couples cabins are available. The cabins are self-contained, closed buildings, with screened windows and ceiling fans. Indoor hot water showers, sinks and toilets are either in or attached to all cabins. 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 - Camp Ramblewood website or this website from the Scottish dance weekend. For directions and a map, please see - Ramblewood Directions. Off-site: Campers who are not really campers will be glad to know that our new location has an abundance of accommodations within an easy drive of Ramblewood. Most are in the towns of Havre de Grace and Aberdeen and less than 14 miles from camp. Two local Bed and Breakfasts (These are not associated with Buffalo Jambayala). Vandiver Inn in Havre de Grace, MD -  800-245-1655 Granite & Lace in Port Deposit, MD  -  410-378-5710 Two local budget motels (These are not associated with Buffalo Jambayala). Super 8 Motel in Havre de Grace, MD - 410-939-1880 Budget Inn of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, MD - 410-272-2401

The Buffalo Jambalaya committe has a message board for sharing of ride information and other information 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.

Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2006 Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2004 Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2002 Review of Buffalo Jambalaya 2001

Photos from Buffalo Jambalaya 2005 by Heather Rabinowitz Photos from Buffalo Jambalaya 2004 by Heather Rabinowitz Photos from Buffalo Jambalaya 2003 by Laura Rice Photos from Buffalo Jambalaya 2001 by Marty Katz.

Buffalo Jambalaya Websites from Years Past Buffalo Jambalaya 2007 Buffalo Jambalaya 2006 Buffalo Jambalaya 2005 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 Charivari Cajun Band The Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band Terry And The Zydeco Bad Boys Gina Forsyth Keith Frank And The Soileau Zydeco Band Brian Jack and The Zydeco Gamblers The Lafayette Rhythm Devils The Lost Bayou Ramblers Rosie Ledet And The Zydeco Playboys Kevin Naquin And The Ossun Playboys J. Paul Jr. & Zydeco Newbreedz Willis Prudhomme Step Rideau And The Zydeco Outlaws Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic Leroy Thomas and Zydeco Roadrunners Lil' Malcolm And The Zydeco House Rockers Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas Zydeco Force Some Dance Instructors from Years Past Cal and Lou Courville Harold Guillory and Amanda Lavigne Marv Resnick Ben Pagac and Debbie Shaw Chris Trahan and Janine Dugas "Crazy John" Sowizel Harold Bernard and Jodie Hebbert Anthony Lewis and Cheri Mullinex Miriam Fontenot and Don Brasseaux Christine Balfa Pam Ardoin Willie Bushnell and Keisha Roberts Jim Dugas Debra Seeck Walter Dill Michael Seider and Barbara Davis 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 Somebody Scream Productions - Cajun/Zydeco in the Mid-Atlantic Region CajunZydeco.Net Gary Hayman's Zyd-e-zine Alex Poliakoff Local Zydeco Photos Baltimore Blues Society San Francisco Area Zydeco and Cajun Dance Page

Questions? General: Paul Schneider at 703-749-7949 or director@buffalojam.org Registration: Linda Schoenbrodt at 410-804-8095 or reg@buffalojam.org Volunteers: Pat Yaffe at 410-653-2571 or volunteer@buffalojam.org Contact for website issues: webmaster@buffalojam.org