Cajun Spotlight 

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest
 February 2000

MARDI GRAS WITH THE BONE TONES

A Twin Cities' Mardi Gras without The Bone Tones? Unthinkable! Fortunately we won't have to experience such a thing The Bone Tones will be back together for the 12th Annual Mardi Gras Party on Saturday, February 26th at the Cedar Cultural Centre. Greg Njoes of Richfield Flowers and Events will do his usual bang-up job of decorating. There will be no costume contest and parade, but costumes are encouraged. Starting at 8 pm there will be opening sets by The New Riverside Ramblers and The Swamp Sextet; The Bone Tones hit the stage at 10 pm. Because the Cedar has limited space tickets are being sold in advance for just $12; tickets at the door (if any!) will be $15. Last time this was held at the Cedar it was sold out, so if you want to go, get your tickets early. 
 

FOLKLORE VILLAGE FARM CAJUN WEEKEND

The Cajun Music and Dance Weekend is scheduled March 17-19 at Folklore Village Farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Returning this year are Eddie LeJeune, Kirby Jambon, Miriam Fontenot, Will Whedbee and Charlie and John Terr. The Twin Cities' own Eric Mohring will be there also. Workshop topics include Cajun Language & Culture, Cajun Vocals, Accordion, Guitar, Triangle, Fiddle and Cajun Dance. If you would like a brochure contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT at (612) 339-3615 or call Folklore Village at (608) 924-4000. 
 

CAJUN/ZYDECO DANCE LESSONS

Maurine McCort's popular Cajun and zydeco dance lessons continue through spring. Classes are held Saturdays from 4:30 - 6 pm at the Oddfellows Lodge at 2382 Hampden in Saint Paul. Cost of each series is $25 or $35. For more information and to confirm dates call Maurine at (651) 488-6269. Here's the schedule:
  • Cajun Jitterbug: February 12, 19, 26, March 4
  • Zydeco Basics: March 11, 18, 25

LOUISIANA FESTIVAL IN MICHIGAN

The Taste Louisiana Cajun Festival appeared last year in Iowa. It makes an early stop this year at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan February 18-20. Musicians appearing include The Treater Band, Curtis Coubello, Hadley Castille & the Sharecropper Cajun Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. The weekend includes Cajun food, Cajun dancers, Mardi Gras costumes and more. For more information call 1 (888) 594-3093. The Taste Louisiana Cajun Festival in Amana, Iowa is set for May 27-29. More about this festival in a future CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.
 

THE SWAMP TONES?

Combine 75% of the Swamp Sextet with accordionist Gary Powell of the Bone Tones and what do you get? Great music! While Dan (Daddy Squeeze) Newton appears with Cafe Accordion at the Loring Cafe, Karl, Lee, Ted and Gary perform at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, February 6. The regular Swamp Sextet line-up appears at the Cedar Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 12.
 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO FOLK FESTIVAL

Somehow each year the University of Chicago Folk Festival manages to include some great Cajun or Creole musicians. This year is no exception. Appearing the weekend of February 4-6 at the Hyde Park campus are Bois Sec Ardoin, Danny Poullard, Edward Poullard, Charlie Terr, Tracy Schwarz and Ginny Hawker. The weekend includes workshops, jam sessions and dances. To order tickets call (773) 702-7300.
 

FROM NANCY WESTON...

The 7th Annual Mardi Gras Yankee-Chank Swamp Jam will take place on Monday March 6, 2000, at McGee's Landing in Henderson, LA. For those of you who have joined us before, this trip needs no introduction! For those of you who have not, what we do is this: drift for almost 2 hours (11 am-12:45 pm) through the Atchafalaya Swamp on a motorized flatboat. You can jam, dance, or just watch the view. There is room for up to 45 people, and spots are first come, first served. The cost is $11 per person. You can send me a check now (made out to Nancy Weston) to reserve your spot. Send check with names to 19 Purcell Dr., Danbury, CT 06810, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for confirmation and a map to the site. (I can e-mail you a confirmation and directions if you prefer - let me know.) If you choose to wait until the last minute, you can call me at the Millers (318-779-2456) starting 3/1 and reserve a spot if there are any left. This trip is lots of fun and a chance to relax with music and with friends from around the country. (There may be some smuggled live Cajuns on the boat, such as the infamous Tee Larry÷ of Iota, and Jim "Dancing Shoes" of Lafayette !) Don't miss the boat! (PLEASE PASS ALONG THIS INFO TO ANYONE YOU KNOW GOING TO LOUISIANA FOR MARDI GRAS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED. MUSICIANS, PLEASE SIGN UP EARLY SO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE PLENTY OF MUSIC!) 
 

KREWE DE WALLEYE PRESENTS

Here are special events and activities planned by the Minnesota Cajun & Zydeco Music & Dance Association in the months ahead: 
  1. The Cajun Hot Soles play for a Krewe de Walleye Benefit Dance on Saturday, February 12 at the Oddfellows Lodge in Saint Paul. There will be a potluck dinner and social hour at 7 pm and a dance lesson at 8 pm. The Cajun Hot Soles play a variety of Cajun and Creole tunes.
  2. NEW! A Cajun/Creole/Zydeco Jam Session with ROOM TO DANCE is set for the fourth Wednesday of each month at Tapestry Folkdance Center in south Minneapolis. In February it will be on the 23rd. It will run from 7 to 10 pm and donations to cover the cost of the space will be requested. So bring your instruments, dancing shoes or both. Tapestry is located at 3748 Minnehaha Avenue S. in Minneapolis. NOTE: The Second Wednesday Jams at Homestead Pickin' Parlor in Richfield will continue. For information about the jams call John at (612) 339-3615.
Other upcoming events from the Krewe include a dance at the Half Time Rec on April 9 with Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. The Krewe is also chartering a bus on Friday, April 14 to Red Wing, Minnesota to see Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. Organization members can get both the round-trip bus ride and a ticket to the show for just $20. This trip is sure to sell out and filling fast. For more details email Linda at L.Reiss@excite.com or call Cajun Spotlight. The Krewe Web page is up and running but still undergoing minor adjustments: check it out at krewedewalleye.com.REMINDER TO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS: Many memberships have or are about to expire. Please renew your membership (check your card for the expiration date). If you wish to continue getting your membership discount at events you will have to renew. Also please send your email address to Linda at the above address if we don't have it; sometimes late-breaking news is sent out that way.
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

February 01-13 - Lil' Brian Terry : CRAWDADDY BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
February 04-06 - Bois Sec Ardoin, Danny & Edward Poullard, others : UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
February 05 - The Cajun Hot Soles : WILMAR NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, MADISON, WI
February 06 - The Swamp Sextet w/ Gary Powell : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
February 09 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
February 12 - Krewe de Walleye Dance with The Cajun Hot Soles : ODDFELLOWS LODGE, ST. PAUL
February 12 - The Swamp Sextet : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
February 13 - New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
February 14-20 - Lil' Malcom & the Houserockers : CRAWDADDY BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
February 18 - Buffalo Gals : AMAZING GRACE COFFEEHOUSE, DULUTH, MN
February 18-20 - Taste Louisiana Cajun Festival : KEWADIN CASINO, SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN
February 20 - The Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
February 22-27 - Lil' Brian Terry : CRAWDADDY BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
February 22-24 - Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie : KOHLER ARTS CENTER, SHEBOYGAN, WI
February 23 - Cajun/Zydeco Jam (with room to dance) : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
February 25,26 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band : FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL
February 26 - Mardi Gras w/ The Bone Tones, Swamp Sextet, Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE
February 27 - Zydeco Brothers (Joel and Mark) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
February 29-March 07 - Rosie Ledet : CRAWDADDY BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
March 03 - BooZoo Chavis : BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS, CHICAGO, IL
March 04 - Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys : FAMOUS DAVE'S, UPTOWN, MINNEAPOLIS
March 04 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
March 05 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
March 08 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
March 12 - The Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
March 17-19 - Cajun Weekend w/ Eddie LeJeune : FOLKLORE VILLAGE FARM, DODGEVILLE, WI
March 18 - The Swamp Sextet : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
March 19 - New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
March 22 - Cajun/Zydeco Jam (with room to dance) : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
March 25 - Balfa Toujours, Geno Delafose : HEMMENS AUDITORIUM, ELGIN, IL
March 26 - The Buffalo Gals : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
April 09 - Dwayne Dopsie : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL, MN
April 14 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys : SHELDON THEATER, RED WING, MN

NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar.
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We note on the calendar that the Chinese New Year begins February 5. The Chinese calendar runs on a 60-year cycle comprised of 5 cycles of twelve years. Each of these twelve years is associated with an animal; the new year starting on February 5th is the Year of the Dragon. The quiz theme this month features the animals that are part of this calendar. Can you match the song with the performer?. 
 
 
 01) RAT SALAD a) Howling Wolf
02) ALL-E-OXEN FREE b) John Anderson
03) TIGER BY THE TAIL c) Black Sabbath
04) WHITE RABBIT d) Major Lance
05) PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON e) Buck Owens
06) SNAKECHARMER f) Rufus Thomas
07) FASTER HORSES g) Kingston Trio
08) BLACK SHEEP h) Jefferson Airplane
09) MONKEY TIME i) Pink Floyd 
10) LITTLE RED ROOSTER j) Peter, Paul & Mary
11) WALKING THE DOG k) Tom T. Hall
12) PIGS ON THE WING l) Rage Against the Machine

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NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT is an independent newsletter about Cajun, zydeco and other traditional music & dance events and news in the upper Midwest and beyond. A one year subscription is $8.00. Email Notessteps@aol.com or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, 2425 East Franklin, #211 Minneapolis, MN 55406.