Cajun Spotlight 

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest 
 May 2001 

CAJUN MUSIC IN THE MADISON AREA

  1. Sybil and Tally Miller, Cajun musicians from Sulphur, Louisiana, return to the Madison, Wisconsin area on Saturday, May 5. They play for a dance at Nora's Two, about 10 miles east of Madison. Joining them will be members of the Fisheree Cajun Band. The evening starts at 6 pm with gumbo; the dance begins about 7 pm. with a brief dance lesson. For more information call 608-764-5264.
  2. On May 19 the Midway Ramblers from Chicago play for a dance and potluck at Folklore Village near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. A beginning dance workshop starts at 5 pm; the dance and potluck start at 6:30 pm. For more information call 608-924-4000.

BEBE CARRIERE IS GONE

The last of the old generation of Creole fiddlers from Louisiana passed away in April. Bébé Carrière was from Lawtell and was 93 years of age. He played house parties in the 1930's and 1940's with his brother Eraste (who died in 1983). His most well-known song was probably "Blue Runner", but he played many songs that harken back to an older tradition. Some of his family today spell the last name Carrier, and Roy Carrier is a cousin.
 

TASTE LOUISIANA CAJUN FEST

The Fourth Annual Taste Louisiana Cajun Fest will be May 26-28 at the Amana Colonies Visitors and Convention Center in Amana, Iowa. On the schedule are Balfa Toujours, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Damon Troy & Louisiana Beat and Lee Benoit and his band. Also appearing will be 14 year-old accordion player Matthew Courville. Beside lots of opportunities for eating and dancing, there will be workshops, comedy, costume contests and bobbing for crawfish. For information call 1(888) 594-3903 or email swidmer@netins.net. You can find it on the Web at: showcase.netins.net/web/cajunfest/index. html.
 

DANNY POULLARD HAS PASSED AWAY

Danny Poullard, great Cajun/Creole accordion player, passed away at home on April 27 following a heart attack. He was 63 years of age. He had undergone several heart operations over the past two decades, and was recently being tested for placement onto the heart transplant list. Born near Eunice, Louisiana, Danny moved to the San Francisco area in the early 1960's. Following John Simeon's death he became the leader of the group Louisiana Playboys, In 1982 he joined with Eric and Suzy Thompson to form the California Cajun Orchestra. While in the Bay area he mentored many accordion players and helped to establish the thriving Cajun/zydeco scene there. He taught at Augusta Heritage Workshops for several years, and made trips to Wisconsin's Folklore Village as well. His accordion playing was strong, yet graceful - ornamented, yet sounding simple and direct. He was generous in sharing his music, both at workshops and music camps and at home. He will be greatly missed.
 

DANCE LESSONS

Maurine McCort's popular Cajun and zydeco dance lessons conclude for the spring with Zydeco C: Rockin' with the Rhythm on May 5, 12 and 19. All lessons are on Saturdays from 4:30 to 6 pm and take place at the Oddfellows Hall at Raymond and Hampden in Saint Paul. Cost is just $30. Call her at (651) 488-6269 for information and to confirm dates and times.
 

LOUELLA MENARD IS GONE

Louella Menard, the wife of D. L. Menard, passed away in early April. Louella not only helped D.L. in his chair-making business, but helped write many of the songs he is famous for (including "Under the Green Oak Tree"). She welcomed the many visitors who came to their home in Erath, Louisiana. We extend our condolences to D. L. and other family and friends.
 

FROM THE KREWE DE WALLEYE

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association is taking a slight breather after a very busy and crowd-pleasing April. In May they will sponsor a dance with The New Riverside Ramblers on May 12. It will be at the Oddfellows Hall at Raymond and Hampton in Saint Paul. Tickets are going quickly for the Bone Tones Dinner & Dance Cruise on June 16. Tickets are just $30 per person and include dinner, live dance music and a cruise on the beautiful St. Croix. Space is limited. To get tickets send your check to Carroll Franco at 1455 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. For information on membership in the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (The Krewe de Walleye) and all these special events check out the web site at www.krewedewalleye.com or call CAJUN SPOTLIGHT

LATER THIS YEAR...

  1. In June, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys will be near Chisholm, Minnesota as part of Blues on the Range. He is slated to appear at Ironworld outside of that town on Saturday, June 8 in the evening. Sonny Landreth plays Friday night. For more information check out www.bayfront blues.com
  2. The Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth is August 10-12. Appearing on the Friday the 10th will be Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys.
  3. C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band will be crisscrossing Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota during the nest few months. No word yet on a Twin Cities stop.
  4. Beausoleil makes several appearance in Wisconsin and Minnesota in August, September and October, some with Marcia Ball.
  5. A Zydeco Music & Dance Weekend is planned at Folklore Village in September. This is located near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

LOCAL CAJUN/ZYDECO WEB SITES

Here are a few Web sites that have current news and schedules for Cajun and zydeco events in this area. There are also many links to sites with a more national and international scope.
 
The Cajun Hot Soles
cajunhotsoles.com
C/Z Resources in the Upper Midwest
lanker.home.mindspring.com
The Krewe de Walleye
krewedewalleye.com
The New Riverside Ramblers
lanker.home.mindspring.com/band/nrr.html

 

RESO-NATION IS COMING!

Mark your calendar now for the 2001 National (Resophonic) Night Out. This year the event takes an entire weekend (June 8-10) as the sound of resonator guitars are in the spotlight. Concerts at the Suburban World Theatre on Friday and Saturday night will feature local and national acts. An exhibit at the Minnesota History Center on Saturday and Sunday will feature a look at resophonic guitars from the beginning to now. Jams and workshops are also planned. Exhibits and jams are free and open to the public. Tickets to the concerts and the workshops are available at Homestead Pickin' Parlor and Willie's American Guitar. For more information email sweetga@tcfreenet.org or call Willie's American Guitar at 651-699-1913.
 

BLUES JAM AT HOMESTEAD

Regular acoustic blues jams have been added to the calendar at Homestead Pickin' Pickin Parlor. The jams are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Monday each month from 7 to 9 pm; in May that would be the 7th and the 21st. Homestead is located at 6625 Penn Avenue South.
 

DALBO COMMUNITY DANCE

There is another great community dance scheduled at the Dalbo Town Hall on Saturday, May 19. There will be music by Bourne Bayou, Warren Peterson & Friends and The Cajun Hot Soles. Dancing starts at 7 pm. Dalbo is located about an hour north of the Twin Cities on Highway 47. The town hall is located a little way outside of town. For more information or directions call CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.
 

MBOTMA HOMEGROWN KICKOFF

The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association's Homegrown Kickoff Festival is June 1-3 at Camp in the Woods Resort in Zimmerman, Minnesota. Featured are over 20 of the best old time and bluegrass groups from the Upper Midwest, including Curtis & Loretta, Cousin Dad, Becky Schlegel & True Blue and more. There will be a Saturday night Cajun dance with the Cajun Hot Soles, workshops, jams and more. Tickets are available now from Homestead Pickin' Parlor. For more information call 612-285-9133 or 1-800-635-3037.
 

FIRST MONDAY SQUARE DANCE

Monday, May 7, is the day for another FUN square dance at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul. The dance starts at 7:30 pm. Dance to some of the finest old time musicians and best callers in town,
 

THIRD TUESDAY OLD TIME DANCE

The next Third Tuesday Old Time Dance is May 15. starting at 7:30 pm. If you're interested in playing or calling contact Teresa at 651-644-9549 or tanby@aol.com. A small donation is asked to cover expenses. The Oddfellows Lodge is at Raymond and Hampden in Saint Paul.
 

AT FOLKLORE VILLAGE

  1. A Cajun dance workshop followed by a Cajun dance and potluck is scheduled May 19. Music will be by The Midway Ramblers.
  2. A Scandinavian Midsummer Festival takes place at Folklore Village June 29 through July 2. On the staff this year are Aune Nokkala and Oiva Ylönen, Al and Molly Reko, Elise Peters and Wiscandia. There will be dances, workshops, special activities for children and a Scandinavian Majstang (midsummer pole) and a Finnish Juhannuskoko (midsummer bonfire).
  3. Folklore village hosts a bluegrass festival July 13 and 14. We'll have more information in the next issue of NOTES & STEPS.
  4. Folklore Village is planning a Zydeco Music & Dance Weekend in September. Signed up to teach is Mona "Zydeco Queen" Wilson; other staff is still being lined up.


Folklore Village is located near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. For information call 608-924-4000
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • May 05 - Dinner-Dance w/ Sybil & Tally Miller (from Louisiana): NORA'S TWO, EAST OF MADISON, WI
  • May 06 - The New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 09 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • May 12 - The Cajun Hot Soles : LOTUS LAWN & GARDEN, CHANHASSAN (11 AM-3 PM)
  • May 12 - The New Riverside Ramblers: ODDFELLOWS HALL, ST. PAUL (A KREWE EVENT)
  • May 13 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 19 - The Midway Ramblers: FOLKLORE VILLAGE FARM, DODGEVILLE, WI
  • May 19 - The Cajun Hot Soles, Bourne Bayou: DALBO TOWN HALL, DALBO, MN
  • May 20 - The Bone Tones: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • May 25-27 - The Bone Tones: WHEATLAND TRADITIONAL ARTS WEEKEND, REMUS, MI
  • May 26-28 - Taste Louisiana Cajun Fest: AMANA, IA
  • June 02 - The Cajun Hot Soles : MBOTMA FESTIVAL, ZIMMERMAN, MN
  • June 03 - The New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • June 07 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: RIVERSIDE PARK, OSHKOSH, WI
  • June 08 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: BAYFEST, GREEN BAY, EI
  • June 09 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: STATE FAIR, WEST ALLIS, WI
  • June 10 - The Bone Tones: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • June 13 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7-9 PM)
  • June 16 - Cajun Dinner & Dance Cruise w/ The Bone Tones: ON THE ST. CROIX (A KREWE EVENT)
  • June 17 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • June 22 - The Buffalo Gals: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
  • June 23 - The New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS
  • June 24 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
  • July 20,21 - The New Riverside Ramblers: HIAWATHA FOLK FESTIVAL, MARQUETTE, MI
  • July 26 - The New Riverside Ramblers: RAILROAD PARK, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN (6-9 PM)
  • August 09 - The New Riverside Ramblers: COON RAPIDS DAM PARK, COON RAPIDS, MN (7-9 PM)
  • August 14 - The New Riverside Ramblers: MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER, ST, PAUL (6:30-8 PM)
  • August 17 - Beausoleil: BOG TOP CHAUTAUQUA, BAYFIELD, WI
  • August 21 - The Cajun Hot Soles: ST. PAUL SAINTS PREGAME, MIDWAY STADIUM (5:30 PM)
  • September 08 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HOUSE CONCERT/DANCE, MPLS (CALL 952-927-8968)
  • September 21-23 - Zydeco Music/Dance weekend: FOLKLORE VILLAGE, DODGEVILLE, WI


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

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR...

After a lot of hemming and hawing, it seems that winter has finally left and spring is here. Leaves are popping out on the trees and lawns are now (mostly) greened up. Gardening is a hot topic of conversation around the water cooler. At the offices of NOTES & STEPS we have only a few people with a green thumb, while the rest of us seem to think that dandelions are not without a certain beauty and that plants that have to be dusted or dry cleaned instead of watered are a wonder of modern science. This month's quiz features songs with "garden" in the title. Can you match the performer with the song?
 
01) GARDENING AT NIGHT a) Lynn Anderson
02) OCTOPUS'S GARDEN  b) Semisonic
03) GARDEN PARTY c) Ralph Stanley
04) ROSE GARDEN d) REM
05) SCULPTURE GARDEN  e) The Beatles
06) SECRET GARDEN f) Stephen Stills
07) JOHNNY'S GARDEN g) Ricky Nelson
08) PRETTY LITTLE MISS IN THE GARDEN h) Bruce Springsteen

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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