Cajun Spotlight 

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

SIOUX BAYOU CAJUN BAND

The Sioux Bayou Cajun Band will be playing in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Friday, September 8 in the historic opera house located above Gordon's Café. Gordon's will be serving a Cajun buffet from 6 to 9 pm. The dance starts at 7 pm with a basic dance lesson. Gordon's Café is located at 138 N. Iowa Street in Dodgeville. There is no charge for this event.

DANCE LESSONS

Maurine McCort will resume her popular Cajun and zydeco dance lessons in October. We'll have the complete fall schedule in the next issue.

FOR THE MUSICIAN: CAJUN SONG INDEX

Nancy Weston has completed a data base which contains over 4000 alphabetical entries of song titles from nearly 500 Cajun records, cassettes, and CD's. You'll find the song titles, the album/cassette/CD title, and a reference number (e.g. Arhoolie 6015). Especially of value to the musician who is trying to find versions of a song that s/he wants to learn, this listing can also help a listener to find what album or tape to buy if s/he is looking for a favorite song. The booklet costs $30 (add $4 for shipping) and 10% of the profit goes to the Louisiana Cajun Musicians Fund (established to help Louisiana Cajun musicians in time of need) or to the CFMA's Apprentice Fiddler Program and to the Augusta Heritage Arts Cajun Youth Scholarship Program (both intended to help preserve Cajun music). You can call 203-744-6823 or e-mail ImCajunTwo@aol.com for more information. To order, send a check or money order to Nancy Weston, 19 Purcell Dr., Danbury, CT 06810. Be sure to include your full address, e-mail, and phone.

AUGUSTA HERITAGE CENTER

CAJUN SPOTLIGHT reporters Eric Paulson and Kurt Olson attended the Augusta Heritage "Cajun/Creole Week" this past July 9-14 at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. This is an "immersion" program in Louisiana music, dance and culture. It offers a full range of instruction by expert staff for music (accordion, fiddle, guitar) and dance (Cajun, zydeco). Part of the fun is meeting all the friendly folks from all parts of the country, and discovering our common musical interests.

The staff members are a "who's who" of Louisiana music: Bois Sec Ardoin, Eddie LeJeune, Danny & Eddie Poullard, Dirk Powell, Mitch Reed, Kevin Wimmer, Randy Vidrine, Jesse Lege, Tracy Schwarz, Charlie & John Terr and Larry Miller. We mustn't forget dance instructors Miriam Fontenot and Don Brasseaux( Cajun dance) and Mona Wilson (zydeco dance).

Some of the memories we brought back were: getting there in a total of three cars (two break-downs)…jamming on the "porch" at all hours…playing with Bois Sec…lessons from Dirk Powell and Mitch Reed…zydeco music and dancing that shook the bricks in the "ice house" at 3 am…meeting the friendly staff members…staff concerts and dances every night…no time to sleep…realizing that we are fortunate to have such a large and vibrant Cajun/zydeco music scene in the Twin Cities.

(NOTE: when not on assignment for CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, Eric and Kurt play in the Cajun Hot Soles.)

UPRIVER FAIS DO-DO

Mark your calendar now for the 11th Annual Upriver Fais Do-Do. It's set for Saturday, November 11 at the Cedar Cultural Centre in Minneapolis. Performing will be Les Bon Amis: Tracy Schwarz, Peter Schwarz, Charlie Terr, John Terr, Matt Haney and Paul Loughridge. Look for many musical guests also Details in the next issue of CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.

FROM OUR NEWS SERVICES

Recently a Twin Cities-area band called The Bone Tones, who play primarily Louisiana Cajun French Music, won trophies at the CFMA awards in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Cajun French Music Association sponsors a "Cajun Grammy's" program called "Le Cajun Awards and Music Festival". There are nine categories of awards including a category called "Le Prix d' Hors de Nous" which honors the best band playing Cajun music residing outside of the Cajun Region in South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. There were six bands entered from outside the region in the category including two from Europe.

The Bone Tones won in this category with each band member taking home a trophy. Their winning CD entitled "Live Recording/Bone Tones" features the following Twin Cities area residents: Gary Powell on Cajun accordion and vocals, Eric Mohring on fiddle and vocals, Matt Haney on steel guitar and fiddle, Doug Lohman on bass, guitar and vocals, Paul Loughridge, drums and triangle, Maurine McCort on guitar and Millie Ortego on triangle. The second place winner was a band from England called ZigaZag; third place went to the band How's Bayou from Seattle, Washington. Some of the Bone Tones traveled to Lafayette to accept the trophies during the awards show. Much to their surprise several of the local Cajun music fans in attendance surrounded them to express compliments on the quality of their music.

FROM THE MINNESOTA CAJUN AND ZYDECO MUSIC AND DANCE ASSOCIATION

The dance featuring Rosie Ledet and her talented band was a great success; over 200 people attended. Many of the people attending were new folks who had seen the favorable write-ups in the local press. 

The Krewe has scheduled a CD Dance Party for Saturday, September 9 at Oddfellows Hall at Raymond and Hampden in Saint Paul. It will NOT be a potluck this time; basic Cajun dance instruction begins at 8 pm.

In October Bob Reed's band T-Mamou will be in town for a Krewe-sponsored dance. It will be on Sunday, October 8 or Sunday, October 15. The venue for this dance has not yet been set either; stay tuned.

In November the Krewe marks it's second anniversary with a Member's Appreciation Dance and Meeting (don't worry, the meeting part will be short!) The date is Saturday, November 18. Other details are pending.

Finally, there are new faces on the board of the Krewe de Walleye. Leaving the board after having done such a great job are Gail Jacobson, Maurine McCort and Shelly Siegel. New members effective August 22 are Bob Kinney, Jim Uttley and Jeanne Hayes. Jeanne is the new secretary and Bob is the volunteer coordinator.

DANCE VORTEX V

Dance Vortex is a dance camp held in northeast Alabama about a two-hour drive from Birmingham and Atlanta. The dates this year are October 6-8. Cajun, swing and waltz music is featured. Musicians on staff are Lee Benoit & the Bayou Stompers, Roy Carrier & the Night Rockers, Atlanta Swamp Opera, Flat Three with Molly Clark and Laurie Fisher & Cailen Campbell. Dance instructors are Chris Trahan & Janine Dugas, Anthony Lewis & Cheri Mullenix and Erin Brandt. There will be dance workshops and jams with the musicians. It's a fantastic weekend and those who have gone rave about it. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for a flyer.

MINNESOTA FOLK FESTIVAL

Mark your calendars now for the Minnesota Folk Festival. It's set for Saturday, September 16 at Mears Park in the Lowertown District of downtown Saint Paul. Performers scheduled at this free festival include Linda Breitag, Kathy & Leo Lara, Christine Lavin, Tom Robinson, Scoil na d`Tri, Ross Sutter and, playing for an evening Cajun dance, The New Riverside Ramblers. There will also be a songwriting contest, arts and crafts vendors, a silent auction and workshops. Volunteers to help out are needed; for information call Janice at (612) 781-0450 or email jjaeger@tcinternet.net. For more information contact NOTES & STEPS

ACCORDION MUSEUM IN DULUTH

Helmi Harrison has an accordion museum in Duluth, Minnesota. Call (218) 628-2441 for the hours of "A World of Accordions" at 2801 W. First Street in the scenic port city.

ROCK BEND FOLK FESTIVAL

The Rock Bend Folk Festival is September 9 and 10 in Saint Peter, Minnesota. Appearing will be The Buffalo Gals, Tish Hinojosa, John Gorka, Phil Guy, Ann Reed, The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Stuart Davis and others. This relaxed festival features a strong line-up this year (its 10th anniversary!). More information is available on the Web at: 
http://www.rockbend.org

UPCOMNG CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • September 01 - Fisheree Cajun Band : LAKE SUPERIOR MUSIC FEST, BAYFIELD, WI
  • September 08 - Sioux Bayou Cajun Band : GORDON'S CAFE/OPERA HOUSE, DODGEVILLE, WI
  • September 09 - Krewe de Walleye CD Party : ODDFELLOWS LODGE, ST. PAUL
  • September 10 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • September 13 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • September 16 - The New Riverside Ramblers : MINNESOTA FOLK FESTIVAL, ST. PAUL
  • September 17 - The New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • September 24 - The Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 01 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 08 - Krewe de Walleye presents T-Mamou : VENUE TBA (TENTATIVE)
  • October 11 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • October 15 - The New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 21 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • October 22 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 28 - Cajun Hot Soles Halloween Dance : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
  • October 29 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 05 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 11 - Upriver Fais Do-Do w/ The Tracy Schwarz Trio : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE
  • November 12 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 18 - Krewe de Walleye Membership Party : DETAILS TO FOLLOW
  • November 19 - The New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 25 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS 
  • November 26 - Cajun/Zydeco Dance (probably) : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • December 09 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS 
  • December 17 - The New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar. 
 

APPEALING APPLES

One of the early Minnesota recollections of our music quiz editor is a visit to the state fair in the mid '50s. Coming out to South Saint Paul from the streets of Brooklyn on family vacations to visit grandparents always meant plenty of new experiences, but the fair was something else! One particular memory was the Agriculture Building and a display of several dozen varieties of apples. Who could have imagined a simple word like 'apple' encompassing all the various sizes and colors of the fruit on display? The quiz this month features songs with 'apple' in the title. Can you match the song with the performer?
 
01) APPLE SCRUFFS a) Soundgarden 
02) WATCHING THE APPLES GROW b) Annette
03) APPLEBITES c) The Osmonds
04) ROTTEN APPLE d) George Harrison
05) LITTLE GREEN APPLE e) Stan Rogers
06) APPLE, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE f) Tab Hunter
07) APPLE BLOSSOM TIME g) Jay & The Techniques
08) ONE BAD APPLE h) Alice in Chains
09) PINEAPPLE PRINCESS i) Judy Collins
10) GOLDEN APPLES OF THE SUN, SILVER APPLES OF THE MOON j) O. C. Smith
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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 $10.00. E-mail: Notessteps@aol.com or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, P. O. Box 582192, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2192