Cajun SpotlightCajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest June 2004 GUMBO YA YA FESTIVAL IN ROCK ISLANDThe Annual Gumbo Ya Ya Festival in Rock Island, Illinois is June 11 and 12. Appearing will be Donna Angelle & Her Zydeco Posse, Hurricane Gumbo, Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band, Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp. J. J. Callier, Roddie Romero, Big Nick and the Cydecos and more. Two stages each day; great food, contests, dance lessons and more. For more information go to ridistrict.com and click on "Events".GRANDE PRAIRIE AT HOMEGROWN KICKOFFAs part of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association‘s Homegrown Kickoff Festival June 4-6 local Cajun band Grande Prairie will be playing for a dance on Friday, June 4 from 8 to 10 pm. Homegrown Kickoff is at El Rancho Manana Campground & Riding Stable near Richmond, Minnesota. Go to www.minnesotabluegrass.org or call 1-800-635-3037 for details.STEVE RILEY AND BUCKWHEAT ZYDECOBuckwheat Zydeco and Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys appear at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater on Thursday, June 24 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $27 and are available from uptowntix.com. For the complete schedule of zoo concerts go to mnzoo.org.4TH OF JULY MOVED TO JUNE!For several years Bob and Philothea Bezin have hosted a Cajun Music Campout and Jam on their farm near Viroqua, Wisconsin over the Fourth of July Weekend. This year they have moved it to the weekend BEFORE the 4th because many folks are busy the holiday weekend. The campout is June 25, 26 and 27. 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.FROM THE KREWE DE WALLEYE...The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association has set the date for its annual Cajun Cruise on the St. Croix River. It will be Saturday, July 17. Playing this year will be the Faux Playboys. $35 includes a 4 hour cruise down the beautiful St. Croix River on the new. larger Jubilee paddle boat, an hors d'oeuvres buffet and dancing to the music of the Faux Playboys. Call Carroll Franco to reserve your place at 651-699-0376 or email her at cafzydeco@yahoo.com. Send checks to Carroll at 1455 Osceola Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105. Numbered tickets will be sent upon receipt of money, along with departure time and location. There is a cash bar on the boat. This event will sell out; don’t wait too long to get your tickets. Also, parking is at a premium, so make sure to get to the boat with time to spare. The following month (Saturday, August 7) the Krewe will have a dance at the Polish American Hall with music by The Bluerunners, a great Louisiana band that covers all the bases. We will have additional information in the next issue. To read more about the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association and see about other events go to www.krewedewalleye.com.DANCE LESSONS WITH DAVE JORDAHLDavid Jordahl offers regular dance lessons and occasional CD Dance Parties at Four Seasons Dance Studio in Minneapolis. These lessons are on hiatus for the summer. We will have information about Dave’s lessons and dance parties when they resume.LOOKING AHEAD IN 2004Here are dates and lineups for area Cajun and/ or zydeco events in the months ahead.
NOONTIME LOUISIANA MUSICEach summer there is a series of live performances at noon on the Northrop Auditorium Mall at the University of Minnesota. Two performances by local Louisiana music favorites are scheduled in June. On Monday, June 14 The Patrick Harison Band will play; the following day (June 15) the New Riverside Ramblers are there. As mentioned before, music starts at noon.CAJUN/CREOLE WEEK AT AUGUSTAThe staff for the Cajun/Creole Week (July 11 -16) at Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia has been announced. Instructors include Marc Savoy, Al Berard, Courtney Granger, Mitchell Reed, Joel Savoy, Charlie Terr, Paul Daigle, Wilson Savoy, Jason Frey, Ann Savoy, Edward Poullard, Michelle Kaminsky, Tracy Schwarz, John Terr, Jesse Lege, Mona Wilson, Joely Bias, Chester Gremillion, Carol & Gerald Trahan and Jackie & Larry Miller. Zydeco Force will be on staff, with accordionist Jeffrey Broussard teaching zydeco accordion. For more information call 1-800-624-3157 or check out augustaheritage.com. We have a limited number of catalogs for Augusta here at the office; call us if you would like one.UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS
THREE’S A CROWD?In some song titles, a single word is enough; in others two concepts are juxtaposed for our musical edification and enlightenment. The quiz this month looks at songs with three things in the title. Can you match the performer with the song?
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