2nd Annual "Bayou n' Brooklyn" Music Festival Set For May 11 through 13

April 6, 2012 - PRLog -- The 2nd Annual Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival is set for May 11 through May 13, 2012, at the Jalopy Music Theatre in the Red Hook district, 315 Columbia St., Brooklyn, NY 11231. Sponsored by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and Louisiana Culture, Recreation & Tourism, the music festival brings Cajun Zydeco music to Brooklyn and features legendary Cajun music performers such as Al Berard, Forest Huval and Jesse Lege.

The three-day festival offers event-goers song, dance, workshops, community jams, folklore, art and food, including authentic gumbo. Sing-and dance-along concerts for children are planned.

The festival showcases nine bands including Al Berard & Forest Huval, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Empty Bottle Ramblers, Catahoula Cajun Band, Offshore Aces, Dr. Zsa, Zydegroove, Cleoma’s Ghost, Johnny Ace’s Sidewalk Zydeco, and C’est Bon!

“Cajun music is one of America’s precious cultural resources and here in Brooklyn, it is a rare occurrence,” said event founder Deborah Monlux. “The songs played by Cajun musicians today were handed down from generation to generation.

“It is a tradition in this music for musician to add their own personal technique and individuality to the songs, performing and making it uniquely their own. They bring an authentic artistic quality to this festival and share with other lovers of the craft,” she said.

The community jam sessions are open to players of all ages and abilities, and are designed to the allow anyone to try an instrument, bring voice to the sing or just come to listen.

The “I Love Cajun Fiddle!” event, Sunday, May 13 at 11 a.m., aims to teach children 8 years old and older, how to make their violins sound like a Bayou-bred fiddle. Michelle Kaminsky, a member of Offshore Aces and the director of Cajun Kids in Rhode Island, will lead this workshop.

Also on the schedule is an art exhibit, on the walls of the Jalopy, featuring the work of Eric P. Richardson, and Unwritten Stories – a Cajun cultural session with performers Jesse Lege, Al Berard, Forest Huval and Darren Wallace.

Unwritten Stories allows event-goers the opportunity to immerse themselves into the stories and music of the Cajun culture. They can hear about the natural and logical sequence between historical fact and musical evolution and learn the history of the Cajun people starting with their roots in France, following their resettlement to Canada and their ultimate forced migration to Louisiana and the culture as it has developed from there.

The Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival debuted in May 2011 to a sold-out crowd at the Jalopy Theatre. As the borough's first Cajun Zydeco festival experience, Bayou n' Brooklyn brings the authentic vibes of Louisiana Cajun music to New York City and its surrounding regions.

The festival is family-friendly and welcomes all ages to join together to engage in the song, folklore, instruments and food of the Louisiana culture. In an effort to promote cultural exchange, attendees sing and jam with each other, as well as with the legendary headlining musicians.

Children under 12 years old are admitted free. Day passes are $15 or $35 for all three days. The festival pass includes family dance, community jam sessions, Un-Written Stories culture talk, and all-night dance hall bands. Workshops are $25, or 2 for $40. The “I love Cajun Fiddle!” workshop is $20. or For reservations call (718) 395 3214 or visit www.bayou-n-brooklyn.com.

Media contact email:  cajuntalk.brooklyn@gmail.com and phone:  (212) 696-6677

# # #

Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival, an annual festivity showcasing the musical prowess of Louisiana with the aim of preserving its traditional music form especially with the Cajun, Creole, Zydeco music scene.