Cajun Spotlight 

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

GUMBO YA YA IN ROCK ISLAND

The Gumbo Ya Ya Festival in Rock Island, Illinois is Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11. Some of the bands lined up to play either one or both days include Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse, Jack Brass Band, Chickenfoot Gumbo, The Midway Ramblers and Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars. Music runs from noon to midnight or so both days.
 

LOUISIANA HOT SAUCE FESTIVAL

Sawdust Days in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is held over the July 4th weekend each year.  Part of the celebration this year will be the Louisiana “Hot” Sauce Festival, with groups from Texas, Louisiana and local bands. Signed up so far are Dora & the Zydeco Badboyz, The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns, The Cajun Strangers and Big Nick & the Cydecos. This event has all the trappings of a GOOD TIME!!  Go to sawdustdays.com for complete details.
 

CAJUN HOT SOLES

Besides playing at the St. Paul Farmers Market on Saturday, June 18, the Cajun Hot Soles have three gigs in five days at the end of June. Friday the 24th they play outside Midway Stadium before the Saints game; Sunday the 26th they’re at the Half Time Rec and Tuesday the 28th they perform in Princeton, Minnesota at Tuesday in the Park. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of their debut CD at one of their gigs.
 

CRUISE THE RIVER W/ THE FAUX PLAYBOYS

The Faux Playboys will be playing for some evening cruises on the St. Croix this summer. These will be on three Friday nights: June 17, July 29 and August 19. There will be two trips offered each of these dates. The first at 6:15 pm includes a buffet dinner; the second at 8:45 has beverage service. The boat leaves from Stillwater. For more information  go to andiamo-ent.com/excursio.htm on the Web or  call 651-430-1236
 

THE KREWE’S CAJUN CRUISE

The Krewe de Walleye presents the 5th Annual Cajun Cruise on the St. Croix on Saturday, July 9  from 7:30 to 11:30 pm. The band this year is: Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp! If you missed out on hearing Dennis and his band at the Half Time Rec recently check out the rave reviews on his web site. Cost for the 4-hour cruise down the St. Croix River, an appetizer buffet, and dancing to the terrific sounds of Creole Stomp is still $35 per person. 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.
 

SMOKEY HOLLOW GATHERING...

...is on hold pending solution of some problems with the location. Please stay tuned.
     

AUGUSTA HERITAGE CAJUN/CREOLE WEEK

Cajun/Creole Week at Augusta Heritage Center is set for July 10-15. Located in West Virginia, this event features classes in a variety of instruments and dance, cooking and culture. Some of the staff this year includes James Adams, Charlie Terr, Paul Daigle, Ed Poullard, Jesse Lege, Goldman Thibodeaux, Jeffrey Broussard, Lisa Reed, Al Berard, Jason Frey, Mitch Reed, Joel Savoy, Tracy Schwarz, Larry Miller, Jackie Miller, Judie Smith, Mona Wilson, Courtney Granger, Michelle Kaminsky, Joely Bias, Chester Gremillion and Harry Trahan.  For information go to augustaheritage.com.
 

DANCE LESSONS WITH DAVID JORDAHL

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

MARDI GRAS IN FORT DODGE, IOWA

Fort Dodge, Iowa celebrates Frontier Days each year in June; this year it is June 3-5. To commemorate the Louisiana Purchase they are featuring a Mardi Gras theme this time. They will have a costume contest, Louisiana food and a band from Louisiana: Zydeco Mojo. For more information go to fortmuseum.com/frontier.html
 

NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS IN RICE PARK

The Flint Hills International Children’s Festival is June 4  and 5 in and and around downtown St. Paul. A free World Stage at Rice Park by Landmark Center features live music both days. The New Riverside Ramblers perform there Saturday from 1:45 to 2:30 pm and Sunday from 3:15 to 4:00 pm. 
 

HOMESTEAD CAJUN JAM ON HIATUS

After a run of almost nine years, the second Wednesday Cajun Jam at Homestead Pickin’ Parlor  have been suspended. 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.
 

UPOCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • June 02 - The Midway Ramblers: ST. JOSEPH’S FESTIVAL, SUMMIT, IL (6:00 -7:30 PM)
  • June 03 - Everett Smithson Band: HOOKS ROADHOUSE, EAST BETHEL (9:00 PM)
  • June 04,05 - New Riverside Ramblers: CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, ST. PAUL (1:45 SAT, 3:15 SUN)
  • June 05 - The New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 10,11 - Rosie Ledet, Donna Angelle, more: GUMBO YA YA FESTIVAL, ROCK ISLAND, IL
  • June 12 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 17 - Faux Playboys: ROCKIN’ THE RIVER. ST. CROIX BOAT CO, STILLWATER (6:00 & 8:30 PM)
  • June 17 - Everett Smithson Band: RASSET BAR & GRILL, BUFFALO (9:00 PM)
  • June 18 - The Cajun Hot Soles: ST. PAUL FARMERS MARKET (9:00 AM-NOON)
  • June 19 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 22 - Everett Smithson Band: LEGENDS, ST. CLOUD (9:00 PM)
  • June 24 - Cajun Hot Soles: SAINTS PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM (5:30 -7:00 PM)
  • June 25 - Everett Smithson Band: THE SPOT, CUMBERLAND, MN (9:00 PM)
  • June 26 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • June 26 - The Midway Ramblers: PARK DISTRICT, DEERFIELD, IL (5:00 -6:30 PM)
  • June 28 - The Cajun Hot Soles: TUESDAY IN THE PARK: PRINCETON, MN (7:00 -8:30 PM)
  • June 30-July 4 - Louisiana Hot Sauce Festival: OSHKOSH, WI
  • July 01 - Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars: BLUES FESTIVAL, DAVENPORT, IA
  • July 02 - The Midway Ramblers: WEGGY WINERY, RICHLAND CENTER, WI (1:00 -5:00 PM)
  • July 03 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • July 08 - Buckwheat Zydeco: INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, WORTHINGTON, MN
  • July 09 - Cajun Cruise w/ Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp: DETAILS ABOVE
  • July 10 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • July 15 - Everett Smithson Band: INNKAHOOTS, HAMEL, MN (9:00 PM)
  • July 17 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • July 21 - The Midway Ramblers: BANK ONE PLAZA, EVANSTON, IL (LESSON 6 PM, MUSIC 7-8:30 PM)
  • July 22 - Black Bear Bayou: VILLAGE BLEND, ST. ANTHONY (8:00-10:00 PM)
  • July 24 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • July 26 - New Riverside Ramblers: NORTHROP PLAZA, U OF M, MINNEAPOLIS (NOON - 1:00 PM)
  • July 29 - The New Riverside Ramblers: ROBINSON PARK, PINE CITY, MN (6:30 PM)
  • July 29 - Faux Playboys: ROCKIN’ THE RIVER. ST. CROIX BOAT CO, STILLWATER (6:00 & 8:30 PM)
  • July 30 - Nw Riverside Ramblers: TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER (LESSON 7:30 PM, DANCE 8:00 PM)
  • July 31 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • August 12,13 - New Riverside Ramblers: MBOTMA FESTIVAL, RICHMOND, MN
  • August 19 - Faux Playboys: ROCKIN’ THE RIVER. ST. CROIX BOAT CO, STILLWATER (6:00 & 8:30 PM)
  • August 24 - Cajun Hot Soles: SAINTS PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM (5:30 -7:00 PM)
  • August 25 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: MN ZOO, APPLE VALLEY (7:30 PM)
  • September 24 - Fais Do Do: Riverside Ramblers, Cajun Hot Soles: POLISH AMERICAN CLUB, ST. PAUL
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

RIDIN’ IN MY CAR...

Recently we had one of those increasingly rare days here in Minnesota when the temperature and calendar were in sync.  Not only was it a day in late May but the sun was out, it hadn’t rained in the last twelve hours and the temperature was in the seventies.  Our Music Quiz staff took a spin around town, rolling down the windows and turning the radio up loud. A discussion soon began on the best “car songs”, that is to say, those tunes that sound great while tooling around but only so-so at home.  A quiz based on this idea is still in the hopper but meanwhile, here’s a quiz featuring songs with “ride” in the title. Can you match the performer with the tune?
 
01) RIDE THE WILD SURF  a) Foghat
02) MAGIC CARPET RIDE b) Les Amis de la Louisiane
03) RIDE THE DONKEY c) Jimmie Rodgers
04) SLOW RIDE  d) Jan & Dean
05) RIDE MY LLAMA e) Steppenwolf
06) RIDE, POOKIE, RIDE f)   Beau Jocque/War
07) HITCHIN’ A RIDE g) The Beatles
08) RIDE CAPTAIN RIDE h) Cajun Hot Soles
09) O CAPTAIN!  MY CAPTAIN!  i) Vanity Fare
10) TICKET TO RIDE   j) Blues Image
*11) LOW RIDER k) Neil Young
* 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.