Cajun Spotlight

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest 
  June 2003

DANCE & DINE WITH THE CAJUN HOT SOLES

On Saturday, June 28th there will be a Cajun dance with the Cajun Hot Soles at the Rosetown American Legion in Roseville, Minnesota. Roland and Tara Landry from Louisiana will be preparing authentic Cajun food; beverages will be available from the Legion bar. There will be a dance lesson at 7:00 pm and dancing from 7:30-11:30 pm. Admission to the dance is $5; food and drinks are extra. The hall is located at 700 West County Road C in Roseville. This is between Victoria and Dale. Note: the address is on County Road C, but you go about one block south of C on Rosetown Court to find the hall. 
 

GUMBO YA YA FESTIVAL

The 11th Annual Gumbo Ya Ya Festival in Rock Island, Illinois is Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7. The national groups performing on the two stages include Donna Angelle, Jo Jo Reed, Roddie Romero, C, J. Chenier, Dikki Du and Rosie Ledet. For more information call 309-788-6311.
 

OLD FAVORITES AT SUMMER EVENTS

  1. Rosie Ledet will be at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa on Thursday, July 3 at 10:30 pm. Also appearing that weekend will be swamp blues legend Lazy Lester.
  2. Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie will be at the Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 5. 
  3. Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys make a swing through the area in July. They will be at the Oshkosh Waterfest on July 10, at Blissfest in Cross Village, Michigan on July 13 and at the Hiawatha Festival in Marquette, Michigan July 18-20.


JJ'S ZYDECO PAYDIRT CD COMING
Mark your calendar now for the CD Release Concert and Dance for JJ's Zydeco Paydirt! It will be Saturday, June 7 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. You can also catch them at at Grand Old Days in Saint Paul on Sunday, June 1 outside MJM Hair at 2:30 in the afternoon.

THE KREWE PRESENTS...
The dance lessons offered at the Half Time Rec before the Sunday night dances are finished for the season. 
On Friday, July 18 the Krewe welcomes Sean Ardoin & Zydecool for their first appearance in Minnesota. This is a great band fronted by a musician from one of the first families in Creole and zydeco music. His great great uncle was Amede Ardoin and his grandfather is Bois Sec Ardoin. The dance will be at the Marian Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington. 
The 3rd Annual Cajun Cruise on the St. Croix is Saturday, July 26. Music will be by The New Riverside Ramblers. The four-hour evening cruise on the Saint Croix leaves from and returns to Stillwater and includes an hors d'ouevres dinner. Tickets are $35 per person and are available now from Carroll Franco at 1455 Osceola Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105. Tickets are also available at Homestead Pickin' Parlor, Cadenza Music and the Podium. This event usually sells out so act soon. 
To learn how to become a member of the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association and to view other useful information check out www.krewedewalleye.com. 
 

GRANDE PRAIRIE AT TAPESTRY IN MAY

Grande Prairie returns to Tapestry Folkdance Center to play for a Cajun dance in the big room there Saturday, May 31. There will be a Cajun dance lesson at 7:30 pm; dancing starts at 8:00 pm.
 

CAJUN CAMPOUT IN VIROQUA

Bob and Philothea Bezin are putting on a Cajun Music Campout and Jam on their farm near Viroqua, Wisconsin over the Fourth of July Weekend. Located on a hilltop with few mosquitos, there's room to camp in open fields or woods. Bob and Philothea provide a Cajun Buffet each evening; other meals are planned on the spot. It's a chance to visit and play with Cajun music fans from around the area. If you would like more information contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.
 

OSHKOSH SAWDUST DAYS

Sawdust Days in Oshkosh, Wisconsin are July 2 to July 6. There's a great schedule of performers, including Wisconsin favorites Cajun Strangers and, from Louisiana, Moise and Alida Viator with EH LA-BAS! This last-named groups features a great old-style Creole jazz sound with some hot fiddle playing. A schedule for Sawdust Days can be found on the Web or contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.
 

CAJUN/ZYDECO FEVER IN WISCONSIN

Lynn and Tom Stephany continue working to build interest in Cajun and zydeco music and dance in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin area. Dance lessons in Cajun and zydeco dance are offered regularly in Oshkosh and Menasha. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for details.
 

NONC ALLIE YOUNG IS GONE

Nonc Allie Young, who grew up and lived in Basile, Louisiana, but traveled the world playing Cajun accordion, passed away in late April. He was 90 years of age. While he led his own band, the Basile Cajun Band, for many years, some of his most widely heard playing is with the Balfa Brothers on recordings made in the '70s. He traveled extensively with the Balfas, and also with D. L. Menard. He traveled throughout the United States and to France and China. He is survived by a large family and many friends and fans.
 

BENEFIT FOR LISA OF THE DITCH LILIES

Lisa Schultz of the Ditch Lilies was in a car accident recently and, although she is recovering, is facing some serious medical bills. A benefit will be held to help her out on Saturday, June 7 at Molly Quinn's in Minneapolis. Performing from 3 to 8 pm will be (in order) Dakota Dave Hull, 52 Pick-Up, Bayou Hazard, Pig's Eye Landing and Monroe Crossing. Molly Quinn's is located at 4300 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Suggested donation is $10. Come on down and hear some great music while supporting a worthy cause.
 
  • UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS
  • May 31 - Grande Prairie: TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER (LESSON 7:30, DANCE 8:00 PM)
  • May 31 - Cajun Hot Soles: EL RANCHO MANANA, RICHMOND, MN (8:00 PM) 
  • June 01 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt: MJM HAIR, GRAND OLD DAYS, ST. PAUL (2:30-5 PM) 
  • June 01 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 03 - The Midway Ramblers: CONCERT IN THE PARK, PALOS HILLS, IL (7:00 PM) 
  • June 06 - Bayou Hazard: : PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM) 
  • June 06 - The Buffalo Gals: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MPLS (8:00 PM) 
  • June 07 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt CD Release Dance: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER (8:00 PM)
  • June 06,07 -Donna Angelle, C. J. Chenier, more: GUMBO YA YA FESTIVAL, ROCK ISLAND, IL
  • June 08 - Jumbo Ya Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 11 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD (7-9 PM) 
  • June 13 - The Cajun Strangers: FOLKLORE VILLAGE, DODGEVILLE, IA (8:00 PM) 
  • June 14 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MPLS (8:00 PM) 
  • June 15 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 17 - Bayou Hazard: WASHINGTON SQUARE BAR & GRILL, WHITE BEAR LAKE (8:00 PM)
  • June 19 - The Buffalo Gals: GINKGO COFFEEHOUSE, ST. PAUL (7:30 PM) 
  • June 21 - Bayou Hazard: SUMMERFEST, MAIDEN ROCK, WI (3-6 PM) 
  • June 22 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 25 - The Midway Ramblers: CONCERT IN THE PARK, RIVER GROVE, IL (7:30 PM) 
  • June 26 - The Cajun Hot Soles: PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM)
  • June 28 - Dinner/Dance w/The Cajun Hot Soles: ROSETOWN LEGION HALL, ROSEVILLE, MN (7:00 PM)
  • June 29 - Bayou Hazard: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • July 03 - The Cajun Strangers: SAWDUST DAYS, OSHKOSH, WI (VARIOUS TIMES) 
  • July 03 - Rosie Ledet: BLUES FESTIVAL, DAVENPORT, IA (10:30 PM) 
  • July 03-05 - Moise & Alida Viator w/ EH LA BAS!: SAWDUST DAYS, OSHKOSH, WI (VARIOUS TIMES)
  • July 05 - Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie: BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA,BAYFIELD, WI 
  • July 09 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD (7-9 PM) 
  • July 10 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: WATERFEST, OSHKOSH, WI (6:00 PM) 
  • July 12 - Midway Ramblers: MAPLE TREE INN, BLUE ISLAND, IL (7 - 11 PM)
  • July 13 - Midway Ramblers: MAPLE TREE INN, BLUE ISLAND, IL (4 - 7 PM) 
  • July 13 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: BLISSFEST, CROSS VILLAGE, MI 
  • July 18 - Sean Ardoin & Zydekool: MARIAN K OF C HALL, BLOOMINGTON (DETAILS TO FOLLOW)
  • July 18 - C. J. Chenier: JAZZ FESTIVAL, DUBUQUE, IA
  • July 19 - Midway Ramblers: PRAIRIE ARTS CENTER, SCHAUMBURG, IL (7-9 PM) 
  • July 19-21 -Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboy: HIAWATHA FESTIVAL, MARQUETTE, MI 
  • July 20 - C. J.Chenier: SHEFFIELD GARDEN WALK, CHICAGO 
  • July 26 - Cajun Cruise w/ New Riverside Ramblers: ON THE SAINT CROIX,STILLWATER
  • July 26 - Cajun Hot Soles: MINNESOTA FOLK FESTIVAL, NEAR HASTINGS, MN (5 TO 6 PM)
  • July 28 - New Riverside Ramblers: NORTHRUP MALL PLAZA, U OF M, MINNEAPOLIS (NOON)
  • August 13 - New Riverside Ramblers: CONCERT IN THE PARK, WALTON PARK, OAKDALE (7:00 PM)
  • August 14 - The Cajun Hot Soles: PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM)
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar. 
 

I THINK THAT I SHALL NEVER SEE...

Not far from the offices of CAJUN SPOTLIGHT is a small park. Often on nice days our staff walks over and eats lunch while enjoying the shade under a large tree. Last week the tree was dropping large numbers of furry, stringy things about 1 to 2 inches long. Were these seeds. or a kind of fruit, or pollen or ...? Our staffers being a largely city-bred lot spent much of the rest of the day trying to identify the trees in the park and around our office. Rather than consider this wasted time, we decided to use trees as a quiz theme. Can you match the song with the performer or composer?
 
01) WILLOW WEEP FOR ME a) Nathan Abshire & the Pine Grove Boys
02) MAPLE LEAF RAG  b) Ralph Stanley
03) HICKORY WIND  c) Dorsey Burnette
04) CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE d) Chad & Jeremy
05) PEACH PICKIN' TIME IN GEORGIA e) Scott Joplin
06) PINE GROVE BLUES f) The Byrds
07) THERE WAS A TALL OAK TREE g) Jimmie Rodgers
08) THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE h) D. L. Menard
09) MAPLE ON THE HILL i) Prez Prado
10) EN BAS DU CHENE VERT
(UNDER THE GREEN OAK TREE)		 j) Laurel & Hardy

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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