Cajun SpotlightCajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest December 2003 ZYDECO DANCE LESSONS WITH MAURINEMaurine
McCort offers zydeco lessons this fall. Classes are held at the Oddfellows
Lodge Hall at 2382 Hampden in St. Paul on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.
Cost is $10 per person per class. Here's the schedule:
ZYDECO LESSONS WITH DAVID JORDAHLEach
Sunday David Jordahl and Deb Clark offer beginning and intermediate
zydeco lessons at Four Season's Dance Studio in Minneapolis. The classes
are open to all who want to get to the next level of zydeco.Each week will
begin with the basic step and find that Zydeco groove.After the first half
hour, students are welcome to request moves and aspects on which to focus.
Individual attention will be given as much as possible.Bring your music
requests,too.Classes are held from 4 to 5:30 pm every Sunday and each class
is $10. Four Seasons Dance Studio is located at 1637 Hennepin Avenue South
near Loring Park. It has wood floors, a great sound system, places to sit
and relax, and a refrigerator and serving counter. For more information
on the lessons and other topics related to Louisiana music and dance check
out David's Web site bayoudancer.com.
You can also call David at 612-226-1851 or email david@bayoudancer.com.
THE KREWE PRESENTS...The
Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association dance featuring
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys in November was perhaps the
best-attended event the Krewe has presented yet. Over 300 people came!
One reason perhaps was the great publicity for the event. This included
an appearance on KARE-11's local morning show by Steve and the band accompanied
by a half-dozen local dancers. This televison time along with prominent
mentions in the newspapers really brought out the fans. It was a great
dance too; with Steve playing plenty of old favorites and some new tunes
from his latest album Bon Reve.
Next
up for the Krewe is a New Year's Eve Dance with The New Riverside Ramblers.
It's on Wednesday, December 31 at the Polish American Club in Saint Paul.
Check the Krewe Web site for details. The big Mardi Gras dance will be
held at the spacious Medina Ballroom on Saturday, February 28th. More information
on that in the next issue.Don't forget that before zydeco dances at the
Half Time Rec on Sunday night the Krewe presents a zydeco lesson by Maurine
McCort. To learn about the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance
Association and to view other useful information check out www.krewedewalleye.com.
HACKBERRY RAMBLERS FILM PBS DEBUTJohn
Whitehead's documentary MAKE 'EM DANCE: The Hackberry's Ramblers
Story will have its national broadcast debut on PBS on January 13.The Hackberry
Ramblers were formed in 1933, and co-founders Luderin Darbone and
Edwin Duhon still lead the band today. They have toured the world,
been on the Grand Ole' Opry and on MTV.John Whitehead (a Saint Paul resident)
has presented the film at film festivals here in the Twin Cities and in
France. It's a history of the group and a portrait of a musical partnership
that has remained strong and vibrant. Check your local listings for time
of broadcast.
HONKYTONK SOLSTICE DANCECelebrate
the solstice honkytonk-style on Sunday, December 21 with Pop Wagner
& the Honkytonk Aces at the Cedar Cultural Center.A cabaret/dance
Will feature Pop and Cal Hand, Mary Klueh, Bill Hinkley, Jeff Garrett,
Mike "the Raz" Russell and more.There will be Cajun, western swing
and honky-tonk tunes. The party starts at 8:00 pm.
NATIONAL MAGAZINE MENTIONS LOCAL C/ZDirty
Linen magazine covers world and folk music. In their latest Issue they
feature an article by Dan Willging on recordings by Cajun and zydeco bands
outside of Louisiana. Two Twin Cities groups are included: The New Riverside
Ramblers and their debut CD Saute la Barriere and JJ's
Zydeco Paydirt Recent release John Deere Zydeco. The
magazine is available at larger general bookstores and many music specialty
stores. The issue is Number 109; December 2003/January 2004.
NOTE:
Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item on calendar.
FAST TWITCH VS. SLOW TWITCHMost
of the time we think that the opposite of white is black and the opposite
of dark is light. When talking on Thanksgiving Day, though, after the turkey
is carved and being passed around, the opposite of white (meat) is dark
(meat)! In America white meat is more popular, while elsewhere the dark
meat runs out first. The difference in the color and texture of the meat
on turkey and other birds has to do with the type of muscles. Slow twitch
muscles such as those in the leg and the thigh are darker than the fast
twitch muscles of the breast. The use of the terms light and dark are said
to have their origin in Victorian times when words like leg and breast
were not used in polite conversation. The music quiz this month concerns
light vs. dark. Can you match the song with the performer?
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