Balfa Week pays tribute to region's music, culture

The scene at Lakeview Park & Beach from outside the barn is a green field with cattle in the distance. 
The sound is musical
In the barn and outside Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week participants appear engaged with the program, each other or just being there. 
“I decided to go here to feel Cajun music and culture,” said Jeane Lemoine, of France. 
“I don’t know what I love Cajun music. It’s beautiful music to my ears,” he said 
Jeanne Solis, Folk Roots executive director;  said about 100 people will have registered by the end of this week for Balfa Week. They come from this country (18 states),  Canada, France, United Kingdom and New Zealand, Solis said. 
A map with pins for where people come from has a lone pin stuck Russia’s Siberia.
Balfa Week is an event that helps keep  Cajun and Creole culture alive. 
Balfa Week started in St. Martin Parish and has been held in Lafayette Parish and Chicot State Park in Evangeline Parish. 
In its 21st year, Balfa Week is staying at Lakeview. 
National Park Ranger Laney Brinnix said the week is an opportunity for participants to reflect on their culture and what role it plays and how it interacts with the world around them. 
Jo Vidrine, program and artistic director for the week, said Cajun and Creole culture is promoted. Participants will learn from each other and Grammy winners. 
After lunch session had the folks poring over questions like “What does culture look like to you?” 
New this year is dance lessons throughout the day, Solis said. 
Students from the University of Louisiana Lafayette will spend the day at the camp on Friday. On Saturday, a bus load of tourists from France were to visit. 
Balfa Week reinforces the value of cultural tourism, she said. 
Highlights cited for the week include: 
— Cultural immersion focused on Cajun & Creole music heritage and folklife;
— Intensive classes for music instruments, band Labs, vocals and dance,
— Lagniappe workshop and folklife demonstrations;
— Nightly dances featuring popular Cajun and Creole bands;
— Daily Jam des Amis music sessions;
— Louisiana-sourced food and beverages;
— Local culture and heritage excursions; and
— World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff.
Faculty includes Trey Boudreaux, electric bass and upright bass;  Gina Forsyth, Cajun fiddle; David Greely, fiddler and vocals; Kelli Jones, Louisiana dance; Kaleb Leday, accordion and electric guitar; Blake Miller, Cajun accordion and fiddle;  Amelia Powell, Louisiana dance and Cajun guitar; Wayne Singleton, Creole accordion; and Jane Vidrine, beginner fiddle. 
Supporters include Acadiana Center for the Arts, Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission, Jean Lafitte National Park Service, Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Louisiana Division of the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Sage Foundation, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, and Friends of Louisiana Folk Roots.