Guestbook
Our Guestbook is temporarily shut down. Please check back soon.
Name: TEd GrangerThanks to everyone involved in DBCCHW 2005, organizers, instructors, bands, dancers, students...everyone! Great week. Seattle friend Walter Barbee put my pictures on his web site. Take a look if you like. www.cajuntunes.com A la prochaine, TEd
The week was enjoyable. Al Berard is a fantastic instructor. I was really inspired by all my new friends I met in the guitar class...Rob, Mary Jo, Ted..the whole group. Thankyou for choosing to come to South Louisiana on your time off. Keep playing !!! Pat
Nice site!
Love the new web page. Hope to be able to make it to some of your events. Especially love the Jam Sessions
Although I grew up in Acadia National Park (in Maine), it took my relocating to California and discovering Chris Strachwitz's lp collections of Cajun music to fall in love with the magic warmth of Acadiana. Since then, I've interviewed and written about many makers of the music, including Dewey, and have journeyed to catch Christine and company at Breaux Bridge. I intend to keep learning and enjoying more, both in Cajun country and at home, and will be passing it all on to my readers in Songlines, the Rough Guide, the San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere.
Just started playing and checking out some fiddle sites.
Hey Christine & Dirk, Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope things are ok, eh? On jongle à vous et à vos enfants souvent! Au printemps, Mardi Gras?? Prenex garde à vous-autres. Marcel
merci beaucoup, balfa toujours - for a wonderful concert in nelsonville, ohio! kevin w. and courtney, thank you so much for the autographs, i will cherish them always. courtney, you are an amazing musician and singer, keep up the good work! i hope to see you again soon! au revoir, sarah
All the best from down under, you got me started putting together a Cajun band down here in Aussie(www.thecahoots.com) in 1993 while you was at the Ashokan Cajun week, Kevin showed me many fiddle tricks and Nelda taught me Cajun triagle. Many thanks, the balfa`s will always be my favorites. Dave
a warm cajun greating from the cold scandinavia. thank you for the music and all the fine peoble in your beautiful state LOUISIANA. The first cajun festival in Denmark has just been held this month with 10 bands from Denmark and from US the great great Abshire with band. A great experience for us all. Keep on your good work See you next summer
Thanks to Folk Roots for hosting the jams and presentations at Fest. Acadiens. The jam sessions were excellent and some of them really attracted a lot of listeners. I enjoyed the accordion workshop by Belton Richard and Steve Riley (how can you miss?). Thanks to the folks who brought their uprights to the jams and let several of us play them. Blake Castille must have cloned himself because he was everywhere during the Fest; on-state with the Lucky Playboys & Dexter Ardoin, participating at the LFR tent & more. How did he do it? I'm thinking alien conspiracy. Only 5 months and change until Spring Balfa '05 at Chicot! Yes, I am counting.
Greetings! Our guestbook is finally repaired. Please feel free to sign it.
Had a great time at the jam tent this festival. Thanks to all the people who were kind enough to help a novice learn to play the songs.
Bon jour from the world headquarters for Cajun Western Swing music - Cowboy Joe's Radio Ranch. Keep up the good work promoting and preserving LA folk music and culture. http://www.cowboyjoesradioranch.com
My grampaw was from St. Francisville. He died before I was old enough to appreciate all the things he tried to teach me. I am thankful that organizations like yours exist to keep Cajun culture alive.
Very nice web site love it, will pass it on to my friends who are out of state . As you can see by my last name i'm not too much cajun :-)
En espérant un jour pouvoir visiter votre beau pays! André
Hey Courtney... If u read this before I talk to u again I just want to say that I love u and I miss u very much! Good luck in Ireland and BE CAREFUL! Take care of yourself and come back to me! I love u and miss u much!! ¤Rachael¤
I can't tell you how glad I was to see Christine & Dirk doing this. I know Dewey would be proud. He made a non~cajun girl into one of you. There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about him; a very good friend. I may not be active in the music, but I keep the memories of Dewey in my heart forever. Congrads on the beautiful baby girl and keep up the great work. love you Maureen Day (will be Moore 8/10/02~as I am gettin' married)
I just spoke to Mr. Morellos, a camper rental person. His phone Nr. is 988-3942, in Laf. He says that he would give special rates on campers if the Folklife people would coordinate the rentals through his business. He says he has gotten calls from various states asking about rentals.
Just found out about this site, please keep me advised of updates and activities. Thank you!
Thank you for preserving the cajun culture.
aaaaayyyyyeeeee lache pa la patate!!!
Congratulations on your new baby girl!! I really admire what you are doing to preserve and promote the precious culture we are blessed with here in Loiusiana. My wife and I are expecting our first child in Febuary, and I can't wait to introduce him to the great music, food, and people that are the essence of Louisiana. I have travelled all over the United States for my job, and I can say there is no other place like it.
The Army goes rolling along, or in my case, chewing along. I can't wait to get back to LA in April and away from this snow. Christine and Dirk, all of us in the Fort Drum DENTAC, the "D Bay Blondes", and my Cajun music loving patients, wish you and the T'Bebe the best. The bad news is that I'm being made to take down the pictures of you all from my operatory walls. Got a poster I can frame?
Congrats Tina and Dirk on your beautiful baby girl.....I know your joy abounds and you long for the nights when you had 8 hours uninterrupted sleep. All of us in Atlanta celebrate your good fortune.
Great site. We had a terrific time last year during heritage week. Loved dancing on the table! Look forward to seeing everyone next month during Mardi Gras. Congratulations again Dirk and Christine on your new arrival. Take care.
havnt lost my cajun ways yet.cant waite to get back to st.martinville.yall keep some gumbo and boudin warm for me.
Welcome to the world, Amelia Rose Balfa Powell! We look forward to meeting you in person soon. Congratulations Christine and Dirk!
Christine and crew, I realized too late what we all missed growing up in that wonderful little town. We had many opportunities; a great education, Up With People, a great school atmosphere...but my generation missed out on the heritage and culture. They were still sending kids home if they spoke French... so it must be something to ashamed of. Boy did we all miss out ! Keep up the good work. By the way, we just moved Mom out of Basile. She's in Azalea Estates (a retirement home)in Gonzales. Yvonne Andrepont Basile High 1971
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys performed at the Barns at Wolf Trap last Thursday (Nov. 29). Steve said this was a special place for him, because the last time he played there was with Dewey Balfa. SRMP was a real treat since Washington tends to attract mostly zydeco - which I love, but Cajun music is my first love. This is my first visit to your site. Strange considering I have the 2nd Annual Arrete Pas La Musique poster hanging in my office with the web site listed below. Excellent graphics. Unfortunately I will miss Heritage Week. I will check back on a regular basis. Any word on the latest addition to the Balfa family?
For those of you who missed the workshops by Steve Riley, you should know you missed a treat for the afficionados of the Cajun accordion. Steve showed many different licks and songs and was more than willing to show and breakdown anything the class members asked. But then what else would one expect from a class act. Thanks Steve and La. Folkroots from one of your newest members.
What a wonderful organization! Thanks to you all for so generously sharing your time, talent, treasure and effort to preserve LA French Culture. My family and I are looking forward to joining your membership and becoming involved. Also, your web site is great! To Jodi, thanks for the information. Angela
Just found your site via the mention in Dirty Linen magazine. Want say how glad I am to see this and want to remind folks about both the LouisianaFolklifeFest.org up here in September and my two shows on KEDM.org
Great site!
Thanks for the update on the update of the web site. We were starting to get twitchy. Wish I could help, but I can't figure out how to do my own. Meanwhile, I think you meant 2002 for the next Heritage Week. Lache pas la calendrier! Our fingers are poised to register. Thanks for the good work. TEd (& Sandy)
I just wanted to let folks know that we have been working on updating the website for a while now but we are having trouble. It should be up soon. The dates for next year's heritage week are April 14-21, 2002 and registration will open on September 17 for the general public and September 1 for Friends of Louisiana Folk Roots. We are also planning a week for October 2002 at Lake Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, LA. Hope to see you there! Merci!
hey hey guys! its me again~!~! just want to write to say hi~!~! well hi~!~! lata luv ya'll
What an amazing history, Balfa Toujours! I enjoyed reading about the bands history and the connection all have to the Legend himself, Dewey Balfa. I was touched by Dirk's story of sometimes seeing Dewey moved to tears while playing. I too have been moved to tears while playing the "Bass" with my father (Accordion, Harmonica, vocals, Banjo),brother(Guitar, Mandolin, vocals, and fiddlepicker[steals sisters fiddle for mandolin break/solo if string breaks! Okay, so I only saw him do it once, but it was ingenious & incredible!], and sister (Fiddle, Guitar, and vocals). I am saddened at times when I think of the day that my own father will be hanging up the Accordion & Harp. But, behind the saddness is "Great" joy and happiness that I experience when jamming with my family!... Thanks Dad for the INCREDIBLE gift you have given me, I love you. Mom, thanks for all your encouragement and for being our number one fan. Steve & Laura you two blow me away, you can play with the best! I love you all (And oh ya, I love you too, Kevin & Brian. You are good friends, not to mention solid on the skins!)-- Maybe I should apologize for being long winded, but after reading about "Balfa Toujours" I was overcome by many thoughts and emotions... Thanks B.T., See you in Remus, MI at the "Wheatland Festival!" Keep the Music Alive!
Hi Folks! So sorry I was unable to attend this year but I will be for sure next year. Keep up the good work. Hugh
Keep up the good work & let me know if/how I can help! Maybe I can get some cajun & zydeco folks over to Florida! We started TAZACA (Tallahassee Zydeco and Cajun Assn.) over there. Soon we'll have a BIG Crawfish Festival!
hey zo shawee grace brillo and stein!! did i forget any? lol just want to say that u are incredible~!~!~!~!lol work with me people~!~! life is wonderful~!~!~ tell me u love me~!~!~! lol well just thought i'd share that with you~!~! i miss u snigg~!~! luv ya~!~! rach ~ !~!
What a wonderful site!!! VIVA LA LOUISIAN
Hi Balfa Toujours! We were the organisers of Broadstairs Folk Week, UK, when you were here. We visit Louisiana this August...great to read your Wenbsite.
I Love this site.
hey hey guyz, i just thought that i would drop a few lines. tina and dirk...good luck with everything. hope everything goes great kevin...keep playn that fiddle courtney, my brother, i love you with all my heart. keep playn and stay the same. i love you. thanks for always being there for me. i wouldn't have made it without you. you are very talented don't throw that talent away. take care of yourself. I LOVE YOU KA-COURT~!~!~! LOL~!~!
As members of the CFMA for many years, I applaude you for all of the efforts and hard work in keeping the music alive and I know that you will continue to be very successful in your endeavors. Although I missed it this year, you can be sure I will attend next year. Thank you for the music!
Hey Christine and Dirk how is everything. I just played a request for Musique de ma jeunese. I wish we could have made the workshop; unfortunately me and my wife have to take care of my grandmother whose 91 and bedridden thats the only thing that stopped a few of us from going. thanks for giving you'll life for us to look up to.
To Balfa Toujour: I think this was a great thing to do this week. Mr. Dewey would be proud that you guys have let the Cajun music live on. I really enjoy the music and your friendship.. Until next time I love ya'll and see you soon.
Thank you for all your hard work and efforts to bring this essential organization into being. Some of my best friends are there for the Heritage Week right now. This year I'm there in spirit only, but I wish you all the most special of times!
Congratulations with this fine event. I have a danish website on the cajunculture. We are a very enthusiastic group of musicians, dancers and cajuncooks - and some of them will be with You this april! Let the good times roll! www.cajunmusic.dk
We're a-comin'! I feel it is only fair to offer my thick Northern blood to the sparrow-sized 'skeets of the Atchafalaya! Keep working that roux and don't let it burn! I am offering my services as a "designated eater"! ;-D [We are sooo looking forward to seeing you and everyone in what has become our heart's home. Thanks for doing this, Dirk , Christine, Kevin and everybody involved.] Best wishes, Michael and Patricia Lynch Cajun & Zydeco News
We are blessed because we live in this beautiful country on the Bayou Teche next door to Dirk and Christine. Looking forward to dancing at the evening dances at Lake Fausse Point.
most important is to keep the music and the dance alive, everywhere in the world hello and thanks ,Katy
Great Website!!! Can't wait to come to Dewey Balfa Week . Sorry to miss the dance Saturday. We will be there Sunday 4/22... "Les Femmes d'Enfer" plays a dance on Saturday, April 21st in Grand Caillou, and for the blessing of the fleet in the morning. All six femmes are coming!, you need us to bring anything from Seattle?? -Tami, Claudette and Alexina
Great looking site. But, more importantly, great organization with a great purpose!
It is beautiful to see that someone has the passion and the vision to communicate how precious Cajun and Creole cultures are. Christine, your father would be proud.
Great Website guys! Fair Play to you all! Once again thanx 4 a fab week. The people the music the dance and the food all reserve a special place in mine and Sheilas Hearts. Hey! Do you Know the Web site address for Louisiana proud 101.1 fm We'd love to listen to it live but can't find it on the net. Time to Feck off and sling me hook! Watch out for those Mardi Gras Cowboys! Love Tony & Sheila
Great website. We play some cajun, try to get to British festivals. Hope to visit Louisiana this August!
Great web site! Looking forward to having all the visitors here at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park (My backyard!)
I play fiddle with the Bay Area Cajun band Frog Legs. Also, have been playing with Danny Poullard for the past several years in the band Danny and Friends aka the Y2Kjuns. In addition to fiddle I play accordion, guitar and occasionally bass. I'm also an avid C/Z dancer. I had the good fortune of attending workshops with Dewey at Fiddle Tunes, Port Townsend, WA. There I also got to meet Canray, Denis Mcgee, Calvin Carrier, Mike Doucet and many others. I've been to Louisian a number of times and have always had a great time.
congradulations....Dewey is proud and happy...and is fiddling as I type.
You have a great web site and good music to follow up with
SYMPA VOTRE MACHIN
What a great undertaking -- forming an organization to help preserve the Cajun culture! I wish you success.
Congratulations and good luck in your endeavors. We know that you will be hugely successful!
Great job on the web site.
I've been to the jam at Chris' and it was a blast!
Great web site! I am very glad to hear about your organization and its goals. The Heritage Week event is such a new idea for this area. One that I hope local people will support.