Yardbirds, Robbie Krieger among Simi Valley festival headliners

The 28th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival will once again enliven Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 27th and 28th at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park at 5005 Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley. The event features a full stage for each of its musical genres. The spirited music will go non-stop each day from noon until 7:30 pm (or 10:30 am-8:30 pm).

Headlining the blues stage this year will be the pioneering blues-rock band the Yardbirds, the Robby Krieger Band (celebrating 50 years of the Doors’ music), Mitch Ryder, Lazy Lester and the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; as well as L.A.-based roots-rockers the 44’s, soulful SoCal songstress Alex Nester and festival returnees Kelly’s Lot. Another festival favorite, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, returns for the fourth straight year and will be performing at both stages.

On the Cajun and Zydeco stage will be the “original ragin’ Cajun” fiddler Doug Kershaw; Grammy-winning accordionist Jo-El Sonnier and the Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch Reed. Performing on this stage too are Crawdaddio and the Bayou Brothers, who also will back Lazy Lester on the blues stage, while Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles will play on both the Cajun/Zydeco and Blues stages.

The annual Mardi Gras Parade will take place both days, and everyone is invited to join in with the marching bands, stilt walkers and other costumed characters. Also, during the breaks at the Cajun/Zydeco stage, dance instructor AJ Gibbs will lead the crowd in free dance lessons.

Single Day tickets are $25 for adults (13 and over); $45 for a two day pass; children 12 and younger are free. New this year will be a limited number of SuperTicket passes. For $124 for a single day or $199 for both days, SuperTickets holders get a reserved seat, in the shade, directly in the front of the blues stage as well as private bar access (and two complimentary drinks) and other exclusive “backstage experiences.” Tickets are available on the festival’s website. Only single day tickets are available at the gate for $30.
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SATURDAY MAY 27th

BLUES STAGE

  • Kelly’s Lot
  • Lazy Lester
  • The Yardbirds
  • The Robby Krieger Band
  • Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

CAJUN/ZYDECO STAGE

  • Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
  • Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch Reed
  • Mardi Gras Parade
  • Jo-El Sonnier
  • Doug Kershaw[/one_half]

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SUNDAY MAY 28th

BLUES STAGE

  • Alex Nester
  • The 44’s
  • Mitch Ryder
  • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles

CAUN/ZYDECO STAGE

  • Bayou Brothers
  • Crawdaddio
  • Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
  • Mardi Gras Parade
  • Cajun Trio featuring Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch Reed
  • Jo-El Sonnier[/one_half_last]

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com