Cajun Spotlight 

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

MARDI GRAS AT LANDMARK CENTER

The Swamp Sextet plays for a Mardi Gras dance on Tuesday, March 7 at historic Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul. The dance begins with a lesson at 6:30 pm; music goes until 10:30 pm. There will prizes for the best mask and the most feathers and there will be a cash bar. Tickets are $7 at the door and $5 in advance. For more information or to get tickets call (651) 292-3276.
 

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 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:
Zydeco I 
Getting the Groove: March 18, 25, April 1
Zydeco II
Moving with the Feeling: April 8, 15, 22
Zydeco III 
Rocking the Rhythm: April 29, May 6, 13

CAJUN DANCE IN GAYS MILLS, WISCONSIN

The Sioux Bayou Cajun Band plays for a Cajun dance in Gays Mills, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 11. Gays Mills in located 50 miles southeast of La Crosse in the Kickapoo River Valley in Wisconsin. The dance will be held in the Gays Mills Community Building and begins at 7:00 pm with a dance lesson. For more information call (608) 735-4546. The Sioux Bayou Cajun Band also play for a dance in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday, April 14 as part of the Madison Folk Festival.
 

JOHNNY CAN'T DANCE

Two members of the very-busy Cajun Hot Soles appear regularly at Gathering Grounds Coffeehouse in Minneapolis as Johnny Can't Dance. Ross Grotbeck (guitar, vocals) and Eric Paulson (fiddle, vocals) appear the third Thursday each month (In March that's the 16th). They usually have a guest percussionist on triangle, rubboard and spoons. Gathering Grounds is located at 5001 34th Avenue South; music is from 7 to 9 pm. The number there is (612) 721-9696. You can catch all of the Cajun Hot Soles on Sunday, March 12 at the Half Time Rec and on Saturday, March 25 at the Rendezvous Ballroom.
 

FROM THE MINNESOTA CAJUN & ZYDECO MUSIC AND DANCE ASSOCIATION

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music & Dance Association has been busy planning events for the months ahead. The next major dance is described in the next article; here are other events on the horizon:
  1. The next Cajun/Zydeco Jam and Dance is March 22 at Tapestry Folkdance Center. It will run from 7 to 10 pm and donations to cover the cost of the space are requested. Tapestry is located at 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South 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.
  2. The zydeco dance featuring Dwayne Dopsie scheduled for Sunday, April 9 at the Half Time Rec has been canceled.
  3. Still a few seats left on the bus going to Red Wing on Friday, April 14 to see Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. Cost for the dance and the round-trip ride is just $20. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for information.
  4. Tentatively scheduled for May 13 (and possible the 14th) is Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse. Venue to be announced.
  5. Farther down the road: The Magnolia Sisters (featuring Ann Savoy and Jane Vidrine) on Sunday, July 16 and Rosie Ledet (The Zydeco Sweetheart) on Sunday, August 13. Details in upcoming issues, but mark your calendars now.

HORACE TRAHAN AND THE BONE TONES APRIL 1

No foolin'! Horace Trahan from Lafayette, Louisiana will be playing a Cajun dance with The Bone Tones at the Cedar Cultural Centre on April Fool's Day. Whether it is in a small dancehall in Eunice or under the big blue Louisiana sky at Festival Acadiens, people are smiling and dancing when Horace gets on stage with his accordion. His smile and the sound of an old man's soul in his voice will transport you to times long ago. His genuine, exuberant love for the music has been cultivated within the rich soil of centuries of Cajun French melodies.

Horace began playing the diatonic Cajun accordion at age 16 and developed a strong desire to preserve his heritage through the music. As other teenagers were busy looking away from their families and out into the world, Horace turned towards his family and, with great respect, learned the language and music of his elders. Since then Horace has traveled around the country and Europe and has appeared with D. L. Menard and Balfa Toujours. At home with his new band (who we hope to get up here this fall) Horace plays a mixture of Cajun and zydeco.

Don't be a April Fool! If Horace Trahan can shake the The Bone Tones out of hibernation, he must be good. Come join us on April Fool's Day for a fantastic eveing of great Cajun music and lively dancing. A dance lesson with Maurine McCort and Kevin Whaley begins at 8 pm; dance starts at 8:30 pm. The dance is sponsored by the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (Krewe de Walleye). Tickets will be available soon at the regular Cedar outlets.

SPECIAL NOTE: Horace Trahan will be doing one or more workshops on Cajun accordion (and possibly Cajun vocals) on Saturday, April 1. The exact cost, time and location have yet to be determined. If you are interested in attending please contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT and we will get the details to you when they become available. 
 

RENDEZVOUS BALLROOM "GRAND OPENING"

Although the Rendezvous Ballroom has been operating at its new location at 2524 Nicollet Avenue for several months, it' celebrating it's Grand Opening on Thursday, March 2. An open house starts at 4 pm and includes the lighting of their new neon sign. There will be dance lessons by Lance Benishek, Ralph Tutilla, Jim Aubrecht and others. A dance from 7 to 10 pm will feature Dan Newton & Friends. Here are some of the other dances scheduled in March at the Rendezvous:
  • March 04 - Swing Dance with the Jaztronauts
  • March 10 - Dance w/ Vic Volare
  • March 11 - Dance with Daddy Squeeze & Friends
  • March 24 - Swing Dance with The Senders
  • March 25 - Cajun Dance with The Cajun Hot Soles

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • February 29-March 07 - Rosie Ledet : CRAWDADDY BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
  • March 02 - The Chicago Cajun Aces : FITZGERALD'S, CHICAGO, IL
  • March 03 - Boozoo Chavis : BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS, CHICAGO, IL
  • March 03 - The Swamp Sextet w/ Gary Powell : MAYSLACK'S, MINNEAPOLIS
  • March 04 - The Chicago Cajun Aces : JOE'S BEBOP CAFE, 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 - Midway Ramblers : CLUB ZYDECO, CHICAGO, IL (5-9 PM)
  • March 05 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • March 06,07 - Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys : FITZGERALD'S, CHICAGO, IL
  • March 07 - The Swamp Sextet : LANDMARK CENTER, ST. PAUL (LESSON 6:30 PM, DANCE 7:30 PM))
  • March 08 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • March 11 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • March 12 - The Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • March 16 - Johnny Can't Dance : GATHERING GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE, MINNEAPOLIS (7-9 PM)
  • 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 25 - The Cajun Hot Soles : RENDEZVOUS BALLROOM, MINNEAPOLIS
  • March 26 - The Buffalo Gals : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • April 01 - The Bone Tones w/ Horace Trahan : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • April 02 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • April 09 - CANCELLED! >>Dwayne Dopsie : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL, MN
  • April 09 - TBA : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL, MN
  • April 12 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • April 14 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys : SHELDON THEATER, RED WING, MN
  • April 15 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys : HARMONY BAR, MADISON, WI
  • April 16 - The Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • April 20 - Johnny Can't Dance : GATHERING GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE, MINNEAPOLIS (7-9 PM)
  • April 23 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • April 26 - Cajun/Zydeco Jam (with room to dance) : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar.
 

GONE...

There are some things that we grow up with that we never think of as temporary. We figure that like the rain, the sun, the moon and Dick Clark they will go on forever. One of the things that belonged in this category for many of us was the comic strip Peanuts. When we heard that Charles Schulz was retiring it seemed to make the world a little less of a secure place. His death in early February as his last new strip went to press was ironic. This month's quiz is dedicated to Mr. Schulz. Each song title has a cartoon character's name in it. Can you match the song with the performer?
 
01) CHARLIE BROWN a) Chubby Checker
02) LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS b) Black Sabbath
03) SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON c) The Coasters
04) ALLEY-OOP d) Donovan
05) ROAD RUNNER e) The Beatles
06) SUNSHINE SUPERMAN f) Prince
07) IRON MAN g) The Royal Guardsmen
08) POPEYE THE HITCHHIKER h) Hollywood Argyles
09) SWEET PEA i) Bo Diddley
10) BATMAN  j) Tommy Roe

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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.