Cajun SpotlightCajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest December 2002 CAJUN/ZYDECO DANCE LESSONSMaurine McCort coninues her second level zydeco series (Rockin' with the Rhythm) November 23, December 7 and 14. Classes are held at the Oddfellows Lodge at 2382 Hampden in Saint Paul on Saturdays from 4 to 5:30 pm. For more information call Maurine at 651-488-6269 or email her at maurine@spacestar.com. Don't forget that through the end of May there are free Cajun or zydeco mini-classes before the Sunday dances at the Half Time Rec. Maurine will be teaching most of classes in December.NEXT DALBO DANCE SETThe next dance at the Town Hall in Dalbo, Minnesota will be Saturday, January 18. Playing will be the ever-popular Mad Cow Band and Tofu Gumbo, a new band playing a a variety of tunes with an emphasis on Cajun and Creole. We'll have more details and driving directions in the next CAJUN SPOTLIGHT. On Saturday, February 15 there will be a Mardi Gras at Dalbo Dance Party featuring The Cajun Hot Soles and more.GRAND PRAIRIE AT DUNN BROSGrande Prairie performs acoustic Cajun music at Dunn Bros. Coffee at 50th and Xerxes Avenue South on Saturday, December 21. Music starts at 7:30 pm. Both Grande Prairie and The Cajun Hot Soles will be at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend in Plymouth February 28-March 2.CAJUN JAMS AT HOMESTEAD CONTINUEJust a reminder that Cajun Jams are still held the second Wednesday of each month at Homestead Pickin' Parlor in Richfield. The time is 7 to 9 pm. Homestead is located at 6625 Penn Avenue South.NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS CDLook for an announcement soon about the new compact disk from the New Riverside Ramblers. A CD Release Party and Dance will take place early in the new year.KREWE PRESENTS...The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association continues to offer a free dance lesson before each of the regular Sunday night dances at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul. Most lessons in December feature instruction by Maurine McCort. Lessons in the new year will be taught by Kevin Whaley or a Krewe board member. The lesson is from 7 to 7:45 pm. Bands will start playing at 8:00 pm. The Half Time is located at 1013 Front Avenue.The Krewe presents an End of The Year Dance on Saturday, December 28. Playing will be The New Riverside Ramblers and JJ's Zydeco Paydirt. It will be at the Polish American Club in Saint Paul located at 1006 Arcade Street. Looking ahead, on Saturday, February 22 the Krewe has a great Mardi Gras dance planned with three bands: The New Riverside Ramblers, JJ's Zydeco Paydirt and Bayou Hazard. Location is the Everett McClay VFW in Bloomington. Mark your calendar now. Volunteers are needed to help decorate the hall; work for the entire afternoon and get in free to the dance. For information on membership in the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (The Krewe de Walleye) check out their great web site at www.krewedewalleye.com. UPCOMING CAJUN/ZYDECO EVENTS
THE KITTY KAT KLUBNow open in Dinkytown on 14th Ave SE between University Avenue and 4th St. SE (in the the old Ragstock space) is the Kitty Kat Klub. Appearing on Tuesdays through Dec 17 and starting again in January will be Dan Newton and members of the Cafe' Accordion Orchestra. The place has plenty of atmosphere; music starts at 8 pm.A CAPITAL HOLIDAYSaint Paul has renamed their New Year's Eve gala from A Capital New Year to A Capital Holiday. They have also moved the date from New Year's Eve to Saturday, December 28. Still the same is the nature of the event - dozens of performers playing at venues around downtown Saint Paul from 4:30 pm to the fireworks at midnight. Many venues will have room for dancing. The newspapers will have a complete schedule. Some favorites to look for include The Buffalo Gals, Monroe Crossing, The Fendermen, Barra, Curtis & Loretta, Dot Combo with Daddy Squeeze, Jaztronauts, Moonlight Serenaders, Trailer Trash, Jack Knife & the Sharps and Sabor TropicalFIRST FRIDAY DANCE AT MAIDEN ROCKMaiden Rock, Wisconsin is on the Mississippi about an hour's drive southeast of the Twin Cities. Dances are held at the Old Schoolhouse the First Friday from autumn through spring. Dances are taught and led by a caller accompanied by a string band playing traditional old time dance music. On December 6 the Mastodons will be playing. 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. PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a dance in January; look for the Barn Cats in February.WHAT'S IN A NAMEHere at the offices of NOTES & STEPS we spend considerable time on the World Wide Web searching for tour schedules, getting festival information and such. An outside observer might see this as "surfing the 'Net". We prefer to call it "engaged in research". From time to time our staff is known to investigate less serious topics. Recently someone saw a holiday movie and got to wondering what Mrs. Santa Claus' first name was. After some research we came up with no definite answer, but learned that in Switzerland her name is given as Lucy (according to one source, anyway). The movie industry has given her several names, including Merry (!). Our staff has moved on to other research, so there the matter lies. The quiz this issue features songs with Mr., Mrs. or Miss in the title. Can you match the performer with the song?
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