sapfrog-
Are you aware that in your Zone you're going to have difficulty growing any bamboo outdoors and have it survive the winter? The hardiest bamboos can only handle about -minus 20 degrees F for a short time, before they die (i.e., the rhizome system). Loss of aboveground growth occurs at temperatures above that. Or are you intending to put your plants in pots and bring them in in the winter?
I'm not saying it's impossible for you to grow bamboo in Zone 4, but it's a mighty big challenge to grow it and have it survive over several years.

I think kudzu is scaring you a little too much. If you get the cold hardier ones they will grow like perennials as long as they are well mulched

Examples

http://www.endangeredspecies.com/text/Plants/Bamboo/Names/Descriptions/Phyllostachys/PHBI.htm

http://www.endangeredspecies.com/text/Plants/Bamboo/Names/Descriptions/Phyllostachys/PHAUO.htm

I do agree with kudzu that you may not ever have above ground withstand the winter. Depends whether one could find a microclimate.