Cajun Spotlight 

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest
 August 2004

CAJUN HOT SOLES

After keeping a low profile in June and July, the Cajun Hot Soles are back in action in the second half of August. They play at the St. Paul Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 21 from 9 am to noon.  The next day, Sunday the 22nd, they appear at the Half Time Rec in Saint Paul starting at 8:00 pm. Copies of their fine new CD will be available at the dance. The following weekend they travel to northern Minnesota to appear at the AFRAN Festival in Huot and Red Lake Falls on August 28. They end the month with a pre-game performance outside Midway Stadium before the Saints play. Music starts there at 5:30 pm and goes until 7:00 pm. For information about any of these event go to cajunhotsoles.com
 

AUGUST CAJUN JAM AND POTLUCK

Nancy Tennessen hosts her annual Cajun Jam and Potluck (the 7th!) in her backyard on Sunday, August 15. These have become a tradition in the local dance community  – a chance for folks to get together, relax and visit with friends. Nancy lives in northeast Minneapolis at 626 4th Street NE.  This is one block east of University Avenue; turn at Emily’s Lebanese Deli on University at 7th Avenue NE. It’s just a few minutes from downtown. The party starts at 2:00 pm. Bring a dish to share with the group. Plates and silverware (and ice cream!) will be provided.   Stop by and play a few tunes, dance or  visit with friends. 
 

FROM THE KREWE DE WALLEYE...

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association on presents a dance on Friday, August 6 at the Polish American Hall with music by The Bluerunners, a great Louisiana band that covers all the bases. There will be a dance lesson at 7:30 pm; dancing starts at 8:00 pm.  To  read more about the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association and see about other events go to  www.krewedewalleye.com 
 

NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS     

A busy month ahead for the New Riverside Ramblers. On Tuesday, August 10 they perform at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul. This free event goes from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. They travel to Louisiana for appearances in Lafayette over the weekend of August 20-22. While there they also will pick up their recent award the "Prix Dehors" from the Cajun French Music Association for their debut CD. Soon after getting home they appear on the Heritage Square Stage at the Minnesota State Fair. The dates for this are  August 26-29. Times vary from day to day so check the newspapers’ fair schedule.
 

SUGAR MAPLE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MADISON

The first annual Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival is August 6 and 7 at Lake Farm Park in Madison, Wisconsin. on the bill are The Redbirds, Yid Vicious, Robbie Fulks, Tally and Sybil; with The Cajun Strangers, The Pints and more. The event is presented by the Four Lakes Music Collective. For details go to fourlakesmusic.org
 

WALKER CAJUNFEST IS BACK!

The Cajun Festival at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota is back!  Four days of Cajun and zydeco music are planned from August 19-22 with some great Louisiana bands. Performing will be The Basin Brothers Cajun Band, Zydeco Joe, The Treater Band and more.  Check out the web site of the  casino for updated information.
 

BAYOU BOOGIE IN GRAND PORTAGE

Bayou Boogie returns to the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino in Grand Portage, Minnesota over Labor Day weekend this year. On hand will be Rosie Ledet, The Treater Band and Amanda Shaw. Information should be available on their web site
 

KINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVAL

The Kingfield Neighborhood Association in south Minneapolis presents their neighborhood festival on Saturday, July 31 from 4 to 9 pm. It takes place at Martin Luther King Park at 41st Street and Nicollet. Performing around 6:30 pm will be Black Bear Bayou; they will play for about an hour.
 

DANCE LESSONS WITH DAVID JORDAHL

David 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’ll have information about Dave’s lessons and dance parties when they resume.
 

CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • July 31 - Black Bear Bayou: KINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVAL, 41ST AND NICOLLET (6:30 PM)
  • August 01 - No Dance Scheduled: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 06 - Tally & Sybil w/The Cajun Strangers: LAKE FARM PARK, MADISON, WI
  • August 06 - From Louisiana - The Bluerunners: POLISH AMERICAN CLUB, ST. PAUL
  • August 07 - From Louisiana - The Bluerunners: LEE’S LIQUOR BAR, MINNEAPOLIS
  • August 08 - Midway Ramblers: CONCERT ON THE PARK, ORLAND PARK, IL (7:00 PM)
  • August 08 - Possibly No Dance: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 10 - New Riverside Ramblers: MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER, ST. PAUL (6:30 -8:00 PM)
  • August 11 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN’ PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7:00-9:00 PM)
  • August 13 - Lil’ Brian & the Zydeco Travelers: THE NARROWS BAR, NAVARRE, MN
  • August 14 - Lil’ Brian & the Zydeco Travelers: BLUES FESTIVAL CRUISE, DULUTH, MN
  • August 15 - Bayou Hazard: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 17 - Rockin’ Pinecones: MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER, ST. PAUL (6:30 -8:00 PM)
  • August 19-22 - Cajunfest: NORTHERN LIGHTS CASINO, WALKER, MINNESOTA
  • August 21 - The Cajun Hot Soles: ST. PAUL FARMER’S MARKET, 5TH & WALL STREET (9:00 - NOON)
  • August 22 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 24 - Midway Ramblers: CONCERT ON THE PARK, LINCOLNSHIRE, IL (7:00 PM)
  • August 26-29 - New Riverside Ramblers: MN STATE FAIR (VARIOUS TIMES)
  • August 26 - Lil’ Brian & the Zydeco Travelers: FAMOUS DAVE’S UPTOWN, MINNEAPOLIS
  • August 27 - Chicago Cajun Aces: MUSIC AT HARRY’S PLACE, BELOIT, WI (6:00-9:00 PM)
  • August 28 - Cajun Hot Soles: AFRAN CHAUTAUQUA & FRENCH FESTIVAL, RED LAKE FALLS, MN
  • August 29 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 31 - Cajun Hot Soles: PREGAME PERFORMANCE, ST. PAUL SAINTS GAME (5:30 PM)
  • September 03-05 - Bayou Boogie: CASINO, GRAND PORTAGE, MINNESOTA
  • September 05 - Bayou Hazard: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 05-07 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: ONEIDA CASINO, GREEN BAY, WI
  • September 08 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN’ PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7:00-9:00 PM)
  • September 10,11 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: WHEATLAND FESTIVAL, REMUS, MI
  • September 12 - Jumbo Ya Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 19 - To Be Announced: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 21 - Beausoleil: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, STEVENS POINT
  • September 26 - Beausoleil: IOWA STATE CENTER, AMES, IA
  • September 26 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • October 10 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • October 13 - Cajun Jam: HOMESTEAD PICKIN’ PARLOR, RICHFIELD, MN (7:00-9:00 PM)
  • October 17 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • October 23 - New Riverside Ramblers: DISCIASCIO’S BANQUET HALL, COON VALLEY, WI (8-10 PM)
  • October 24 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • November 13 - Cajun Hot Soles, others: TOWN HALL, DALBO, MN (7:00 PM)
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

PARTY TIME IN BOSTON AND NEW YORK!

As we work late this week finishing the newsletter, a few of our staff have their eyes and ears glued to the Democratic Convention in Boston. Coverage of these political pepfests has certainly changed from what is termed around here The Olden Days.  It has been several years since the polling of the delegates to pick a nominee has resulted in a late-night, edge-of-the-seat nail-biter, and the major networks have long ago given up gavel-to-gavel coverage.  Still, some people are still interested enough in the process to listen to the speeches and argue (in their living rooms) with the commentators.  We find this a better alternative than those who dismiss politicians altogether yet complain about the course our country takes. The quiz this month features party songs. Can you match the performer with the song?
 
 
01) IT’S MY PARTY a) Claudine Clark
02) PARTY DOLL b) Chubby Checker
03) PARTY LIGHTS c) Wanda Jackson
04) GARDEN PARTY d) Duke Ellington
05) HAVING A PARTY e) Rick Nelson
06) WASN’T THAT A PARTY f) Boozoo Chavis
07) RENT PARTY BLUES g) The Irish Rovers
08) LEONA HAD A PARTY h) Buddy Knox
09) DANCIN’ PARTY i) Sam Cooke
10) PARTY ALL THE TIME j) Lesley Gore
*11) THERE'S A PARTY GOIN' ON k) Eddie Murphy
* Special internet bonus question.
Back to Cajun Spotlight Page
Back to Newsletter Page
Back to Main Page

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. Email Notessteps@aol.com or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, 2425 East Franklin, #211 Minneapolis, MN 55406.