Cajun Spotlight 

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

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Our move to the new office is complete, although we are far from having everything unpacked. Quite frankly, we doubt that feat will be accomplished any time soon. We have settled in to the extent that we hope to get the newsletter out just about on time this month. Our apologies to anyone inconvenienced by the late arrival of the September issue. On a related note, if you would like your special event to be mentioned in these pages, we need your information by the 25th of the month. If we get it after then we cannot guarantee that it will make it into the next issue. Thanks for your continued support; see you on the dance floor...
 

LOCAL CAJUN/ZYDECO EVENTS

  • 1) JJ's Zydeco Paydirt play for your listening and dancing pleasure at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul on Sunday, October 29.
  • 2) Two chances to catch the Cajun Hot Soles in October. The first is at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, October 8. They will also play for a Halloween Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center on Saturday, October 28. Costumes are optional.
  • 3) The New Riverside Ramblers are at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, October 15 and at the Cedar Cultural Centre on Saturday, October 21.
  • 4) The Swamp Sextet are at the Half Time Rec on Saturday, October 22.

 

DANCE LESSON

Maurine McCort resumes her popular Cajun and zydeco lessons in October. You can call her at (651) 488-6269 for information or contact
CAJUN SPOTLIGHT. The emphasis this fall is on zydeco; here's the schedule. 
Zydeco I: Gettin' the Groove
Oct 7, 14, 21
Zydeco 2: Workin' with the Feeling
Nov 4, 11, 18
Zydeco 3: Rockin' the Rhythm
Dec: 2, 9, 16 
As in year past, classes will be at the Oddfellows Hall from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The hall is located at Raymond and Hampden in Saint Paul.
 

ELEVENTH ANNUAL UPRIVER FAIS DO-DO

with TRACY SCHWARZ AND LES BON AMIS

November 11th, 8 p.m. at The Cedar Cultural Centre
Tickets $15 - Available at the Cedar. 
Advanced purchase advised; space limited. 

This year the 11th Annual (and final) Fais Do Do will be back home at the Cedar. And the band for the Fais Do-Do is a virtual "Who's Who" of nationally and locally renowned musicians - many of the same players that brought the Cajun sound to the Twin Cities in the early days. 

Tracy Schwarz and Les Bon Amis 
(the best Cajun band you may never have heard of ! )
Tracy Schwarz on fiddle/accordion
Peter Schwarz on bass 
Charlie Terr on accordion 
John Terr on guitar
Matt Haney on fiddle/pedal steel
Paul Loughridge on drums
and special guest appearances by Eric Mohring, Maureen Mullen and Gary Powell (founding members of the Bone Tones) and many other local musicians
For info call Tedego Productions at (612) 378-0117 
 

DEWEY BALFA CAJUN AND CREOLE HERITAGE WEEK

Louisiana Folk Roots (with assistance from members of Balfa Toujours) has announced the Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week. This week-long series of workshops and dances will focus on the music and culture of southwest Louisiana. Instructors will be top names in their fields. It takes place April 22-27, 2001 at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park near St. Martinville, Louisiana. Newly-constructed waterfront cabins (each with a screened porch, kitchen and fireplace) will house attendees. The park is noted for its wildlife and natural beauty. Information on this week is available at http://lafolkroots.org/ Registration for the week is already opened, so act soon to save your spot.


FROM THE MINNESOTA CAJUN AND ZYDECO MUSIC AND DANCE ASSOCIATION

The dance with T Mamou will not be happening in October. The band was unable to get enough Midwest area appearances lined up to make the trip feasible. We are trying to get a date arranged for early December.

The next big Krewe event is the 2nd Birthday Party and Membership Appreciation Party and Meeting. Don't let the Meeting part put you off; we just plan to spend a few minutes getting your comments, suggestions and ideas. The bulk of the evening will be dancing to the great sounds of The Swamp Sextet! It will be held at the old Marshall-University High School in Dinkytown on Saturday, November 18. Complete details will be in the next CAJUN SPOTLIGHT and KREWE NEWS.

If you recently joined the Krewe or renewed a membership, rest assured that your membership card will be on its way soon. The expiration date of youf membership is on your card. Please renew in a timely manner if you want to keep getting the informative Krewe newsletter,KREWE NEWS. Linda Reiss does a great job as Editor!
 

BARNCATS AT MAIDEN ROCK

Maiden Rock, Wisconsin is on the Mississippi about an hour's drive southeast of the Twin Cities. Dances are held the First Friday of the month from autumn through spring. All dances are taught and led by a caller accompanied by a string band playing traditional old time dance music. Playing on October 6 will be the Barn Cats ' Pamela Longtine, John Heine, Teresa Neby Lind and Eric Lind. The Old Schoolhouse is one block off Hwy 35 on County Road S; music starts at 7:00 pm. For more information call Gary at (715) 448-2608 or Dori at (715) 647-2200.
 

MONDAY NIGHT SQUARE DANCE IS BACK!

We are happy to announce the return of Monday Night Square Dances at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul! The dances are currently scheduled only on the first Monday of the month (in October that's the 2nd). Hours are 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Live old-time music, live callers, live dancers. All dances are taught; you don't need to bring a partner. The Half Time Rec is located at 1013 Front Avenue in St. Paul.
 

CLOGGING CLASSES

Both Beginning and Intermediate classes in Appalachian clogging are being given by Teresa Neby Lind. Teresa was in the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers for over 9 years and is a member of GIRL GERMS. The classes are held on Mondays starting October 2 and run for eight weeks. Location is at Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis. The Beginning class starts at 7:00 pm and the Intermediate class at 8:15 pm. There will be live music at each class; wear hard soled shoes but no taps or street shoes please. Cost is $40. To register call Urban Fitness Unlimited at (612) 728-3884. If you have questions call Teresa at (651) 644-9549 or email tanby@aol.com. 

Clogging for Kids is also offered at Tapestry with instruction by Sue Hulsether. These classes started on Monday, September 18 and meet weekly from 6 to 7 pm through October 23. Sue is a member of the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers and a fine dance caller. For more information or to get information about upcoming sessions call (612) 724-4695.
 

THIRD TUESDAY OLD TIME DANCE

The next Third Tuesday Old Time Dance is October 17 starting at 7:30 pm. The evening includes live music and calling by various folks. If you're interested in playing or calling contact Teresa at (651) 644-9549 or tanby@aol.com. Brings snacks and liquids; paper products will be provided. A small donation is asked to cover expenses. The Oddfellows Lodge is at Raymond and Hampden in Saint Paul.
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • October 01 - No Dance Scheduled : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 08 - Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 11 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • October 13 - The Buffalo Gals : NISSWA COMMUNITY CENTER, NISSWA, MN
  • October 13 - Midway Ramblers : BORDERS BOOKS, NAPERVILLE, IL (8 PM)
  • October 15 - The New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 21 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
  • October 22 - Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • October 22 - Midway Ramblers : SIMON'S TAVERN, ANDERSONVILLE, IL (9 PM)
  • October 28 - Cajun Hot Soles Halloween Dance : TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
  • October 29 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 05 - The Bone Tones : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 08 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • November 11 - Upriver Fais Do-Do w/ The Tracy Schwarz Trio : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE
  • November 12 - Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 18 - Krewe de Walleye Membership Party : DETAILS TO FOLLOW
  • November 19 - New Riverside Ramblers : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • November 25 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS 
  • November 26 - Swamp Sextet : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • December 03 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • December 09 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS 
  • December 10 - Cajun Hot Soles : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • December 13 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • December 17 - The New Riverside Ramblers : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar. 
 

AS SAND THROUGH THE HOURGLASS, SO ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES 

Well, that's the way I remember the spoken intro to the long-running soap opera. The theme for this month's quiz was suggested by (stolen from) a pairing of two songs on an end-of-summer radio show on KFAI, the excellent community radio station here in the Twin Cities. Both had 'sand' in the title. So thanks to Mr. Pete Lee of Bop Street (Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 6:30 pm.). It's a great show and worth a listen. Can you match the performer with the song?
 
01) LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND a) Shangri-Las
02) WHITE SILVER SANDS b) America
03) MR. SANDMAN c) Chordettes
04) WALKING IN THE SAND d) Metallica
05) CASTLES MADE OF SAND e) Bob Dylan
06) ENTER SANDMAN f) The Drifters
07) COWGIRL IN THE SAND g) Bill Black Combo
08) EVERY GRAIN OF SAND h) Pat Boone
09) SANDMAN i) Bruce Springsteen
10) I'VE GOT SAND IN MY SHOES j) Jimi Hendrix
*11) SANDY  k) Neil Young
 * 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 $10.00. E-mail: Notessteps@aol.com or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, P. O. Box 582192, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2192