Cajun Spotlight 

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest
 January 2005

JANUARY DALBO DANCE

Mark your calendars!  Saturday, January 15, from 7 to 11 pm, the Dalbo Town Hall will come alive with two exciting bands. The Mad Cow Band will heat up the hall with a lively mix of old time, Irish and other music.  The Smokey Hollow Ramblers will follow with blues, jug band, old school rock and even a few Cajun tunes. Everyone is welcome - no dance experience is necessary! Demi Miller will offer a free dance lesson at 6:45 pm. Admission is $7 for adults; children are admitted free.  The Town Hall is wheelchair accessible and smoke free. Dalbo is located about an hour north of the Twin Cities between Cambridge and Princeton. To get to the Town Hall from Dalbo:  take Highway 47 north about 2 1/2 miles to County 16.  Go west (left) 1.8 mile to Jaspar St.  Go left 0.2 mile to 399th Ave.  Go right 0.2 mile to Nacre St.  Go left to the Town Hall. Overnight lodging is available at area motels and at nearby Sweetgrass Farm. For more information contact Amy at asabrina@ecenet.com or call  763-389-1536
 

NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS IN SIOUX FALLS

The New Riverside Ramblers travel to South Dakota for a dance in Sioux Falls  Saturday, January 22.  It takes place at the Knights of Columbus Hall and starts at 7:30 pm. There will be a dance lesson. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for details
 

DANCE LESSONS WITH MAURINE MCCORT

Maurine McCort is offering Cajun and zydeco lessons at the Oddfellows Hall in St. Paul.  Cajun dance classes are offered in January: Two Step on January 8; Waltz on January 15 and Jitterbug on January 22 and 29. Lessons are on Saturday from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. No partner is needed and cost per session is just $10. For information you can email Maurine at  Maurine.McCort@co.hennepin.mn.us or call 651-688-6269  You can also speak to Maurine before the free zydeco dance lesson on Sundays at the Half Time Rec (offered only when a zydeco band is scheduled). 
 

CAJUN MUSIC AT THE U OF C FESTIVAL

The University of Chicago Folk Festival is held each February; the dates this year are the February 4-6. Some great Cajun and Creole music will be part of the event this year with the appearance of guitarist J. B. Adams, accordionist Edward Poullard and fiddler Cedric Watson. For more information about this event go to uofcfolk.org on the Web.
 

2005  MARDI GRAS YANKEE-CHANK SWAMP JAM  

from Nancy Weston

The 12th Annual Mardi Gras Yankee-Chank Swamp Jam will take place on Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, 11:00 am, at McGee’s Landing in Henderson, Louisiana.  What we do is this:  drift for almost 2 hours through the Atchafalaya Swamp on a motorized flatboat.  You can jam or dance. This trip is lots of fun and a chance to relax with music and friends from around the country. (There may be some smuggled live Cajuns on the boat, such as the infamous “Tee Larry” of Iota!) There will be two boats to accommodate more folks, and spots are first come, first served. PLEASE INDICATE if you are a musician, and what you play!  This is very important to ensure even and adequate numbers of musicians between the two boats.    The cost is $12 per person.  Send me a check ASAP (made out to Nancy Weston) to reserve your spot:  PAY ATTENTION HERE - DIFFERENT ADDRESS!!!!    186 Ray Milner Rd., Iota, LA  70543.  DO NOT SEND TO MY CONNECTICUT ADDRESS!  Include your e-mail (preferred) or a stamped-self-addressed envelope for confirmation and directions to the site.   If you choose to wait until the last minute, you can call me at 337-779-2040  to reserve a spot if there are any left, or find out about cancellations.   (Starting Jan. 5 use the 337 phone number.)    After the  jam, those who would like can stay to eat at McGee’s (open menu) and can continue jamming and dancing.  Do not try to reserve or buy your ticket for the boat trip through McGee's as this is a charter trip.  However, with notice, you may join us at McGee’s afterwards even if you do not make the boat ride.
 

MADISON’S  FOLK BALL FESTIVAL

The annual Folk Ball Festival in Madison, Wisconsin is January 14-16. This weekend of music and dance will include a dance with music by Reptile Palace, Sloboda, Orkestar Bez Ime, The Cajun Strangers and more. There will be a  workshops and performances as well. For more information  www.plantpath.wisc.edu/~tdd/Fb2005.htm The Cajun Strangers will also play for a dance in Deerfield, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 22. Check their web site for details.
 

DANCE LESSONS WITH DAVID JORDAHL

David Jordahl offers instruction in a variety of Cajun and zydeco dance styles, including Cajun Cowboy Jitterbug. Go to bayoudancer.com for his latest schedule of classes
 

MARDI GRAS IN DALBO

The 2005 Mardi Gras Dance Celebration at the Dalbo Town Hall is Saturday, February 19 from 7 to 11 pm. Costumes are encouraged! Step out of the Minnesota cold and into the color, music, and fun of this annual event for dancers and music lovers of all ages.  The Cajun Hot Soles and Black Bear Bayou will offer up hot 'n spicy Cajun, Creole, and Louisiana blues tunes.  Two steps, waltzes, and however you want to move dancing will be encouraged.   A free dance lesson is included, party favors, too. Admission is $10 for adults, children are admitted free.  The Town Hall is wheelchair accessible and smokefree.  Refreshments by Mom's Food Co-op of Cambridge will be on sale.
 

HOMESTEAD CAJUN JAM ON HIATUS

After a run of almost nine years, the second Wednesday Cajun Jam at Homestead Pickin’ Parlor  have been suspended  effective this month. If you would like to be notified whenever informal Cajun jams are scheduled drop an email or a postcard to CAJUN SPOTLIGHT. Thanks to all the folks who came out to the jams or just stopped by to listen and visit
 

CAJUN WEEKEND AT FOLKLORE VILLAGE

For those interested in advanced planning, the dates for the 2005 Cajun Music & Dance Weekend at Folklore Village are March 18-20. Some of the folks slated to be on staff include Charlie Terr, Jason Frey, Al Berard, John Terr, Will Whedbee, Stacy Huval, Jackie Miller, Robert Morrow and Eric Mohring.  We’ll have more information as we get it.
 

THE KREWE DE WALLEYE PRESENTS...

[Upcoming events sponsored by the Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music & Dance Association]
4TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
FEBRUARY 26, 2005
MEDINA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
THREE BANDS:
THE FAUX PLAYBOYS
JJ’S ZYDECO PAYDIRT
PATRICK HARISON & THE HOODOO-MAKERS

NOTE: The Krewe offers zydeco lessons before zydeco bands at the Sunday night Half Time Rec dances. For details go to krewedewalleye.com
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • December 31 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: DIXIE’S ON GRAND, ST. PAUL (6-10 PM)
  • January 02 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • January 08 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER (7:30 PM) 
  • January 09 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • January 14 - The Cajun Strangers, others: FOLK BALL, UW MEMORIAL UNION, MADISON, WI
  • January 14,15 - C. J. Chenier & the Red-Hot Louisiana Band: FITZGERALD’S, BERWYN, IL
  • January 16 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • January 21 - Everett Smithson Band: NEUMANN’S BAR, NORTH ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • January 22 - New Riverside Ramblers: KC HALL, SIOUX FALLS, SD (7;30 PM)
  • January 22 - The Cajun Strangers: ONE MAIN STREET, DEERFIELD, WI (7:00 PM)
  • January 23 - Bayou Hazard: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • January 29 - Everett Smithson Band: INNKAHOOTS, HAMEL, MN
  • January 30 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • February 04,05 - Everett Smithson Band: MIDWINTER FEST, RUSTIC INN, PALLISADE, MN (9:00 PM)
  • February 04-06 - Edward Poullard, Cedric Watson, more: U OF CHICAGO FOLK FESTIVAL, CHICAGO
  • February 05 - Everett Smithson Band: NEUMANN’S BAR, NORTH ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • February 05 - Bal Masque w/ New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER (8:00 PM) 
  • February 06 - New Riverside Ramblers: ST. STEPHEN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, MPLS (NOON-2:30 PM)
  • February 06 - NO DANCE! (SUPER BOWL): HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • February 08 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: DIXIE’S ON GRAND, ST. PAUL (6-10 PM)
  • February 10 - Rosie Ledet: FAMOUS DAVE’S UPTOWN, MINNEAPOLIS
  • February 11 - Beausoleil, Preservation Hall Jazz Band: SYMPHONY CENTER, CHICAGO
  • February 12 - The Cajun Strangers: SWAMP ‘N’ GRASS, ELKHART LAKE, WI
  • February 13 - NO DANCE!: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • February 16 - Buckwheat Zydeco: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, EAU CLAIRE, WI
  • February 17 - Buckwheat Zydeco: PARAMOUNT, ST. CLOUD, MN
  • February 18 - Buckwheat Zydeco: SHELDON THEATRE, RED WING, MN
  • February 19 - Mardi Gras w/ Cajun Hot Soles, Black Bear Bayou: TOWN HALL, DALBO, MN
  • February 19 - Buckwheat Zydeco: MAYO CIVIC THEATRE, ROCHESTER, MN
  • February 20 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • February 26 - Krewe de Walleye Mardi Gras: MEDINA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
  • February 27 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • March 06 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • March 11,12 - Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience: MESKWASKI CASINO, TAMA, IA
  • March 12 - C. J. Chenier: LAKE OF THE TORCHES CASINO, LAC DU FLAMBEAU, WI
  • March 13 - Bayou Hazard: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • March 18-20 - Cajun Music/Dance Weekend: FOLKLORE VILLAGE, DODGEVILLE, WI
  • March 20 - Jumbo Ya-Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • March 27 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • April 23 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HOBGOBLIN MUSIC LOFT, RED WING (7:30 PM)
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE...

Our last look at the songwriters working out of the Brill Building in New York City looks at perhaps the most famous pair: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. They met in Los Angeles in 1950 -  Stoller was attending college and playing in a dance band; while Lieber was a high school student working in a record store. The loved the same kind of music, and began to write songs. Jimmy Witherspoon recorded their Real Ugly Women, but when Elvis Presley covered their tune Hound Dog (a minor hit for Big Mama Thornton) they were on their way. They moved to New York City and wrote hit tunes for many performers. A musical featuring their tunes even made it to Broadway: Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Can you match the song with the performer?
 
01) LOVE POTION #9   a) Elvis Presley
02) BROTHER BILL (THE LAST CLEAN SHIRT) b) Dion & the Belmonts
03) RUBY BABY c) Ben E. King
04) POISON IVY  d) The Coasters
05) STAND BY ME e) T-Bone Walker
06) SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE f) Peggy Lee
07) HOUND DOG   g) Wilbert Harrison
08) TREAT ME NICE   h) The Robins
09) IS THAT ALL THERE IS i) The Rolling Stones
10) KANSAS CITY    j) Big Mama Thornton
* Special internet bonus question.
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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. Email Notessteps@aol.com or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, 2425 East Franklin, #211 Minneapolis, MN 55406.