A CAJUN TRADITION
Cajun-style fiddle players of all ages and performance levels will take the stage at the Strand Theater next weekend to tout their skills and carry on Acadian tradition.
The fourth Annual Battle of the Bows Cajun Fiddle Competition returns Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Strand Theatre in Jennings. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Organizers say the competition has quickly grown in popularity, not only among the community, but also among southwest Louisiana musicians.
“Each year we have a great time and this year will be just as good, if not better,” said Southwest Louisiana Acoustic Cajun Music Jam President Doug Dugas. “This is a fairly new competition, but it’s been met with strong community support and it’s a lot of fun. We look forward to it and we know there are a lot of Cajun music fans in the area who do, too.”
This year’s battle will be held in memory of the late Ervin Lejeune, who died in January 2018. Lejeune was a Cajun fiddle player from the Lake Charles area, who is known not only for playing fiddle, but also for his custom-built accordions under the trademark “Professional.” Lejeune was also the son of the late Ira “Iry” Lejeune, one of the best-selling and most popular Cajun musicians in the 1940s and 1950s.
The Southwest Louisiana Acoustic Cajun Music Jam and the Jeff Davis Parish (JDP) Tourist Commission are presenting the competition.
“The event was the natural next step after organizing the jam session every other week,” Dugas said. “I believe it is our job as Cajun musicians to inspire our youth to carry on the traditions for generations to come.”
Dugas said anyone wanting to get involved or to volunteer could contact him at (337) 329-0106.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help with hosting on the day of the event or on Friday, Nov. 2, with preparations for the event,” he said.
Registration is free. Participants can pre-register, or just sign up on the day of the event at no charge.
Registration forms, sponsorship forms, as well as rules for the competition can be downloaded at www.jeffdavis.org/battle-of-the-bows.
Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded in five categories, including youth, junior, adult, twin fiddle and professional. Competitors must be 12 year of age or under to enter the youth division; age 13-18 to enter the junior division; and age 19 or older to enter the adult division. The professional division is open to all ages.
For more information on the competition visit www.cajunjam.org. or www.jeffdavis.org.
''I believe it is our job as Cajun musicians to inspire our youth to carry on the traditions for generations to come.”
– Doug Dugas