Cajun Spotlight 

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

SIOUX BAYOU CAJUN BAND

As part of the Madison (Wisconsin) Folk Music Festival in April, The Sioux Bayou Cajun Band plays for a dance on Friday, April 14 in Madison. It's at Grace Episcopal Church located at 116 West Washington Avenue. There will be a dance lesson at 7:30 pm; the dance starts at 8:00 pm.
 

MEMORIAL DAY PREVIEW

1) The Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend is May 26-28 at the Wheatland Festival Grounds in Remus, Michigan. We haven't seen the compete line-up yet, but do know that The Bone Tones and Café Accordion Orchestra will be there. For more information call (517) 967-8879.
2) The Third Annual Taste Louisiana Festival is May 27-29 in Amana, Iowa. Guests include T. Mamou, The Treater Band, Curtis Coubello and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. Lots of special events are slated including a Midwest Cajun & Zydeco Band Music Contest. For more information call 1-888-594-3093.
 

HALF TIME REC DANCE SCHEDULE

As we go to press there are two Sundays in April when there is no dance scheduled at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul. Here is the current line-up:
  • April 02 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt
  • April 09 - No Dance Scheduled
  • April 16 - The Cajun Hot Soles
  • April 23 - The Swamp Sextet
  • April 30 - No Dance Scheduled

BUFFALO GALS AT TAPESTRY

The Buffalo Gals perform a variety of swing, Cajun and old-time tunes for your dancing pleasure at Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 29th. Playing with the group that night on bass will be honorary "Gal" Doug Lohman. The group has a compact disk out that's available at Homestead Pickin' Parlor and other fine record stores.
 

CAJUN HOT SOLES IN WASECA, MINNESOTA

The Cajun Hot Soles play for a Cajun dance at the Boxcar Bar in Waseca, Minnesota on Saturday, April 15. Waseca is south of the Twin Cities not far from Owatonna. The Boxcar Bar is located at 202 West Elm Avenue. The Cajun Hot Soles have a busy schedule in the months ahead.  Besides their regular appearances at the Half Time Rec they play in Mankato on May 6, in Rock Island, Illinois on Friday, June 9 and a Saint Paul Saints pregame show on July 6.
 

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 II
Rocking the Rhythm: April 29, May 6, 13

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 April that's the 20th). Gathering Grounds is located at 5001 34th Avenue South; music is from 7 to 9 pm. The number there is (612) 721-9696.
 

WALKER CAJUNFEST DATES CHANGED

The dates of the CajunFest at Moondance Ranch near Walker, Minnesota have been changed from those announced previously. It will be August 11-13. This is the same weekend as the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth-Superior. More on both of these events in later issues.
 

THE $8000 QUESTION

One of the entertainment phenomena of the past year has been the very successful revival of television game shows, starting with "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?". In March a contestant was asked the following (for $8000): What style of music, popular in Louisiana, is a blend of Cajun music and blues?
  • a) bebop
  • b) bluegrass
  • c) klezmer
  • d) zydeco
(Is that your final answer?)
 

FROM THE MINNESOTA CAJUN AND ZYDECO MUSIC AND DANCE ASSOCIATION

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music & Dance Association (the Krewe de Walleye) presents Horace Trahan and The Bone Tones on Saturday, April 1st at the Cedar Cultural Centre in Minneapolis. Horace is a talented young accordion player and singer who has toured with Balfa Toujours and D. L. Menard. He has an excellent compact disk out on the Swallow label called Ossun Blues ; appearing on it are folks like D. L. Menard, Christine Balfa, Dirk Powell and Kevin Wimmer. If you like high-energy, traditional Cajun music you shouldn't miss this dance. There will be a basic dance lesson at 8:00 pm the dance starts at 8:30 pm.
The next Cajun/Zydeco Jam and Dance is April 26 at Tapestry Folkdance Center. It will run from 7 to 10 pm; a $3 donation to cover the cost of the space is requested. Tapestry is located at 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South in Minneapolis.. For information about the jam call John at (612) 339-3615.

The weekend of May 13-14 the Krewe presents two dances by Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse. Donna started her professional musical career right out of high school, playing keyboards first and later bass (including playing bass for Barbara Lynne and Archie Bell). Her third album was released last year and features Donna on accordion doing both zydeco-flavored R & B and traditional tunes. She will appear at the Everett McClay VFW Hall on Saturday, May 13 and at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, May 14.

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. REMINDER TO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS: Several memberships have or are about to expire. Please renew your membership (check your card for the expiration date).
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • 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 - CANCELED! >>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 14 - Beausoleil : FITZGERALD'S, CHICAGO, IL
  • April 15 - Midway Ramblers : CLUB ZYDECO, FRANKLIN PARK, IL
  • April 15 - The Cajun Hot Soles : BOXCAR BAR, WASECA, MN (8:30 PM)
  • 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
  • April 29 - The Buffalo Gals : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
  • April 30 - TBA : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL, MN
  • May 06 - The Cajun Hot Soles : BOTHY FOLK CLUB, MANKATO, MN (8:00 PM)
  • May 07 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 10 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • May 13 - Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse : EVERETT McCLAY VFW, BLOOMINGTON, MN
  • May 14 - Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 20 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • May 21 - The Bone Tones : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 24 - Cajun/Zydeco Jam (with room to dance) : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
  • May 25 - The Swamp Sextet : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • May 27-29 - Bob Reed , T. Mamou, others : TASTE LOUISIANA FESTIVAL. AMANA, IA
  • June 02 - Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • June 04 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • June 10 - Rosie Ledet : CAJUN FEST 2000, WEST ALLIS, WI
  • July 14 - The Magnolia Sisters : NORTH SHORE MUSIC ASSOCIATION, GRAND MARAIS, MN
  • July 15 - The Magnolia Sisters : TWO HARBORS FOLK FESTIVAL, TWO HARBORS, MN
  • July 16 - The Magnolia Sisters : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
  • August 13 - Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar.
 

APRIL, COME SHE WILL

April was the second month in the Roman calendar, and the name April is related to the French word apres, meaning after or latter. The month is a popular one in verse and song, representing the greening of the earth and the rebirth of love. We could only find a few songs with April in the title, but found a quote that suggested a theme. Hal Borland, in his book Sundial of the Seasons, says. "No winter last forever, no Spring skips its turn. April is a promise that May is bound to keep..."Each title in this month's quiz has "promise" in the title. Can you match the song with the performer?
 
 
01) THE PROMISED LAND a) Merle Haggard
02) PROMISES b) Waylon Jennings
03) I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN c) Bruce Springsteen
04) PROMISES IN THE DARK d) Sonic Youth
05) POEMS PRAYERS PROMISES e) Chuck Berry/Johnny Allan
06) NEVER IS A PROMISE f) Tracy Chapman
07) PROMISE g) Lynn Anderson
08) BROKEN PROMISE LAND  h) Fiona Apple
09) GRACELAND TO PROMISED LAND i) Pat Benatar
10) JUNKIES PROMISE  j) Eric Clapton
11) PROMISED LAND* k)John Denver

*Special Internet bonus question.

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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.