Cajun & Creole Music & Dance Weekend
Featuring Balfa Toujours
April 19 – 21, 2024
Welcome to a weekend of Cajun and Creole music and dance with the very finest tradition-bearers. Our 2024 weekend marks the 40th anniversary of Lynne & Charlie Terr’s involvement with Folklore Village’s Cajun Weekend. The weekend will feature the fantastic Balfa Toujours.
Balfa Toujours has been together for over 30 years. Christine Balfa formed the band after the death of her father, the legendary fiddler Dewey Balfa, wanting to carry on the traditional Cajun music and message of the Balfa family. Balfa Toujours means “Balfa still and always.” The band plays Cajun songs from their Louisiana culture and continues to write expressive and incredibly danceable original songs. The band consists of musicians with rich musical families: joining Christine Balfa (guitar) is Jean-Jacques Aucoin (accordion), Blake Miller (fiddle), Shane Guidry (bass), and Jimmy Breaux (drums).
Folklore Village’s Cajun & Creole Weekend includes multiple levels of instruction in fiddle, accordion, guitar, and dance, plus cultural discussions, jam sessions, parties, traditional food prepared by RedBarn Catering, and more!
Meals
Sharing meals together is a time-honored tradition at Folklore Village. Festival meals are prepared in-house by the fabulous RedBarn Catering team. Using fresh ingredients, head chef J. Miller creates delicious, cultural meals with vegetarian and gluten free options. Have other dietary needs? Please note these in your registration form. While we cannot guarantee that every dietary request can be accommodated, the RedBarn Catering team does their best to accommodate everyone and can provide information on potential allergens during the festival.
Accommodations
Bunkhouse (Very rustic): $15 per person per night
**Capacity limited**
Stay on-site within walking distance (about 3 blocks) of Farwell Hall (main activities building). The bunkhouses are heated, with cots provided, and camp-style toilets and handpump nearby. Showers are located in Farwell Hall. Bring your own bedding, pillow, towel, flashlight, etc. Men and woman are housed in separate buildings. You can register for bunkhouse accommodations via the festival registration form.
Tenting: $10 per tent per night
Stay on our beautiful grounds! Many sites are available. No campfires allowed. Showers and bathrooms are located in Farwell Hall (main activity building). You can register for tent camping via the festival registration form.
RV Camping with Electrical Hook-Up: $15 per RV per night
**Extremely limited; reserve a spot early**
Folklore Village has limited electrical hook-ups for RVs. To register for a spot with electrical hook-up please email programs@folklorevillage.org.
Other Accommodations:
Motels are available with 7-15 miles of Folklore Village. Please make your own arrangements.
Super 8 (608) 935-3888
Deer Valley Lodge (608)924-1600
Best Western (608)935-7739
Pine Ridge Motel (608)935-3386
Quality Inn (608)987-4747
Lodging in Mineral Point