The Louisiana by-waters and bayous are home to some of the nation's most flavorful folklore. Commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Professional Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas releases a new CD entitled Jambalaya ~ Stories with Louisiana Flavor. With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, de Las Casas adds her own spice to favorite Louisiana tales and adds Cajun flavor to familiar folktales. Original southern style musical interludes give listeners a taste of the rich cultural heritage that is Louisiana's unique recipe. Strapped for cash, Napoleon Bonaparte sold a large territory including Louisiana to President Thomas Jefferson of the United States in April of 1803. The deal became known as the "Louisiana Purchase." Louisiana is the home of many different cultures including the French, Spanish, Acadians (Cajuns), and Africans. The blending of these cultures have resulted in a rich mixture of tales. Calling upon her family's Cajun heritage, de Las Casas retells traditional Louisiana folklore such as "The Talking Eggs" and adds a tasty twist to familiar favorites such as "The Cajun Cornbread Boy," an adaptation of "The Gingerbread Boy." Jambalaya celebrates the many cultural flavors of Louisiana. de Las Casas spent her childhood living and traveling world wide. She lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, Spain, and California, and traveled across Europe and the United States. de Las Casas says, "Some of my real life adventures include living in a nipa hut in the Philippines; dancing hula in Hawaii; collecting shark's teeth on the shores of Southern Spain; staring in awe at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel in Rome; and exploring the volcanic ruins of Pompeii, Italy. I had an exciting childhood and can now translate those experiences into my stories." de Las Casas currently resides in the New Orleans area, having made a permanent home with her husband and two children. Still, de Las Casas' urge to travel is innate. She tours extensively as a professional storyteller, performing programs for thousands of children every year as well as workshops for educators and other storytellers. In addition to maintaining a full-time performing career, she is active in the arts on the local, statewide and national levels. She is Co-founder and President of Independent Children's Artist Network, a Louisiana statewide arts organization, and serves as the Louisiana State Liaison to the National Storytelling Network. She co-publishes and serves as Editor of Working smARTS, an international email newsletter for professional children's artists. de Las Casas also performs with and serves as the Director of Story Ballet Magic, a touring theater ensemble that integrates storytelling and ballet en pointe. For de Las Casas, storytelling is a natural extension of her life experiences. She states, "I enjoy preserving the past for future generations to enjoy. I also enjoy sharing the rich heritage of different cultures. Leonard Nimoy once said, 'The more we share, the more we have.' Storytelling allows you to share and keep at the same time." Visit Dianne de Las Casas on her website at http://www.storyconnection.net.