We Love You, Candye Kane!

There's a slew of great reasons to go to the 23rd Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival, and not just because of the fest's logo: an alligator in sunglasses playing the guitar. (You need the T-shirt.) On the Blues Stage: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza and the West Coast Sheiks, the Mannish Boys, Paul Oscher, Nathan James with James Harman, R.J. Mischo, featuring Rick Holstrom. On the Cajun-Zydeco Stage: Gator Beat, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, the Bayou Brothers, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. But on Sunday at 6:45 p.m., when Candye Kane and her smoking hot guitarist Laura Chavez take the Blues stage, we'll have reason to cheer until our throats are as raw as skinned catfish. The much-beloved blues belter had her second surgery for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer just a few weeks ago and her presence is a testament to her bravery and balls-out talent. The whole cancer thing hasn't slowed down her 250-plus worldwide shows every year, and we're dame lucky to bask in her glory. Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley; Sat.-Sun., May 26-27, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; $20, $15 children 5-12; simicajun.org

Sat., May 26, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., May 27, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., 2012

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