Cajun Spotlight 

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

SMOKEY HOLLOW MOVED, RENAMED!  NOW “LAKE COUNTRY GATHERING”

Join folks from across the Midwest as they gather for a weekend of music, dance, food and fellowship. The location is the rural home of Art and Connie Brown. Art and Connie live near Nisswa, Minnesota and have a large field for camping and a roomy machine shed for playing, dancing and dining.  There’s lots of room for rough camping (no hook-ups) and meals will be figured out by the attendees either individually or as a group.  There will be a potluck on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm. If you opt not to camp there are motels in Nisswa (the Nisswa Motel and Days Inn Motel of Nisswa).  Please let Art know if you plan to attend (so he knows how many to plan for) or contact him if you have questions. Email him at abrown@brainerd.net or call 218-963-3804.  There are plenty of additional activities in the area. Art and Connie’s house is 5 miles east of Nisswa and 4.5 miles north of Merrifield at the intersection of County Roads 4 and 118 (25709 County Road 4).  We hope to get going Friday evening and wind it up Sunday. If you can’t make it for the whole weekend come up for a day or two. The hot weather and mosquitoes are gone...let’s play some tunes and do some dancing! To be sent a flyer contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT.
 

BAYOU BOOGIE AT GRAND PORTAGE

The 14th Annual Bayou Boogie takes place over Labor Day Weekend at the Grand Portage Hotel and Casino in Grand Portage, Minnesota. Playing will be The Treater Band, Bayou Barn Boogie Band and young fiddling sensation Amanda Shaw with her band.  Also playing will be Midwest favorites Big Nick & the Cydecos! Feast on Louisiana cuisine and don’t miss the Mardi Gras parades, storytelling, crafts and music. It’s a party for the whole family!  Details at grandportage.com
 

WEEKLY CAJUN JAM DRAWS A CROWD

A new weekly Cajun Jam has been started on Saturday mornings in south Minneapolis. The location is Betsy’s Back Porch Coffee at 5447 Nicollet Avenue (at the corner of Nicollet and Diamond Lake Road). They’re have been as many as ten people on some Saturdays, but usually a smaller group of regulars keep the tunes coming. Hours are from 10:00 am to  about 1:00 pm. Bring your fiddle, guitar, accordion, triangle, mandolin, dancing shoes or whatever. Great music, nice folks, good coffee and delicious sandwiches. A most excellent way to start the weekend... IMPORTANT NOTE: There will not be a Jam at Betsy’s on Saturday, September 17.  We will be up in Nisswa for the Lake Country Gathering (see article on this page). Please join us there.
 

KREWE DE WALLEYE’S CAJUN FAIS DO-DO

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (Krewe de Walleye) presents a Cajun Fais Do Do with two bands at the Polish American Club on Saturday, September 24. The evening stats with a Potluck Dinner at 6:00 pm. There will be a dance lesson at 7:00 pm followed by the Cajun Hot Soles from 7:30 to 8:45 pm. There will then be another dance lesson, and the New Riverside Ramblers play from 9:15 to 11:30 pm.  Cost is just $8 for Krewe members and $10 for nonmembers. If attending the potluck bring a dish to share; dishes and silverware will be provided. The Polish American Club is located at 1003 Arcade Street in St. Paul.
 

NANCY’S CAJUN JAM POTLUCK A SUCCESS!

A big shout-out to Nancy Tennessen for all her work in preparing beforehand and cleaning up afterward at the annual Cajun Jam Potluck. This year over 80 people stopped by on a beautiful Sunday to play music, dance and visit with friends new and old. When you see Nancy let her know how we appreciate all her hard work. 
 

DANCE LESSONS WITH MAURINE MCCORT

Zydeco Dance Lessons with Maurine McCort will start in October at the Oddfellows Lodge. Lessons are $10 per person per lesson. The Oddfellows Lodge is at the corner of Raymond and Hampden in St. Paul. No partner needed. The schedule is: 
Getting the Groove (Beginning)
     October 8, 15, 22
Working with the Feeling (Intermediate)
     October 29; November 5
Rocking the Rhythm (Advanced) 
     December 3, 10, 17

THE CAJUN STRANGERS

The Cajun Strangers from the Madison, Wisconsin area have three gigs in September.  Friday, September 9 they play at the Cajun on Chicago Festival in Freeport, Illinois at 6:00 pm. The next night (Saturday the 10th) they play at the Tyranena Brewery in Lake Mills, Wisconsin (7:00 pm). Finally, they travel to Chicago on Saturday, September 17 to play at O’Brien’s Restaurant on Wells and North Streets (4:00 pm). For news and schedules go to their website: cajunstrangers.com
 

DANCE VORTEX 2005

Dance Vortex is a weekend of Cajun, zydeco and other music and dance held in October of each year in Mentone, Alabama (a few hours drive from Birmingham or Atlanta). The line-up of performers is always impressive, and this year is no exception. Musicians on hand include Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Michael Doucet avec ses Beaux Amis (David Doucet, Jimmy Breaux and Mitch Reed), Elise Witt with Roger Bellow & Mick Kinney, Wing and A Prayer  and Atlanta Swamp Opera. Instructors are Anthony Lewis & Cheri Mullenix,  Chris Trahan & Janine Dugas and Leah Smith & Jesse Edgerton. The dates are September 30 to October 2, the location is Camp Riverview. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for a flyer or go to DanceVortex.com for more information.
 

BAYOU DANCER AND CO

David Jordahl and guest instructor Cheri Mullenix offer a pair of Men-Only and Women-Only Zydeco Workshops on Saturday, September 10. Men and women are needed as practice partners for both sessions. Get the full story at bayoudancer.com
 

BLACK BEAR BAYOU AT VILLAGE BLEND

Black Bear Bayou perform again at the Village Blend in St. Anthony. on Friday, September 30.  The Village Blend is located in the St. Anthony Shopping Center on New Brighton Blvd; the address is 2900 Pentagon Drive NE. The Village Blend serves sandwiches, coffee and a great selection of wines. Music will be from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.
 

UPCOMING CAJUN/ZYDECO HAPPENINGS

  • September 02-04 - Bayou Boogie: GRAND PORTAGE CASINO, GRAND PORTAGE, MINNESOTA
  • September 03 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • September 03 - Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp: THRASHER OPERA HOUSE, GREENLAKE, WI
  • September 04 - Pat Harison & the Hoodoo Makers:  HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 09 - The Cajun Strangers: CAJUN ON CHICAGO FESTIVAL, FREEPORT, IL (6:00 PM)
  • September 10 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • September 10 - The Cajun Strangers: TYRANENA BREWERY, LAKE MILLS, WI (7:00 PM)
  • September 11 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 16 -18 - Lake Country Gathering (Cajun Jam/Dance Weekend): NISSWA, MN
  • September 17 - NO CAJUN JAM: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • September 17 - The Cajun Strangers: O’BRIEN’S RESTAURANT, CHICAGO, IL (4:00 PM)
  • September 18 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 22 - Rockin’ Pinecones: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, MPLS (9:30 PM)
  • September 24 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • September 24 - Fais Do Do: Riverside Ramblers, Cajun Hot Soles: POLISH AMERICAN CLUB, ST. PAUL
  • September 25 - Jumbo Ya Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • September 30 - Black Bear Bayou: VILLAGE BLEND, ST. ANTHONY (8:00 PM)
  • October 01 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 01 - New Riverside Ramblers: BIG ISLAND RENDEZVOUS, ALBERT LEA, MN
  • October 02 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • October 07 - Beausoleil: FITZGERALD’S, BERWYN, IL
  • October 08 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 08 - Beausoleil: DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM, FISH CREEK, WI
  • October 09 - Red Stick Ramblers: OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC, CHICAGO
  • October 09 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • October 15 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 16 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • October 22 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 23 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • October 29 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 30 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 06 - Savoy Family Band: OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC, CHICAGO
  • November 06 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 12 - Cajun Hot Soles, Skandilous: DALBO TOWN HALL, DALBO, MN (7:00 PM)
  • November 12 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS (7:30 PM)
  • November 13 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 20 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 27 - TBA: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • December 04 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • December 17 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS (7:30 PM)
     NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...

At the Balfa Heritage Camp in April our staff attended a cultural session on the topic of the survival of Cajun French. Mention was made that in times past records labels based in the heart of Cajun County would release Cajun songs with only the English title listed, or with the French title as an afterthought.  Fortuantely the situation has improved since then. We always like it when bands performing Cajun and Creole music introduce each song, giving the Cajun French name of the tune and the performer associated with it. The English name is also useful so that folks unable to wrap their tongues around French can have a name to give when requesting favorites. The quiz this month is an aid to such. Can you match the Cajun French title with the English? Lâche pas la patate!
 
01) Tee yeux noir a) The Back Door 
02) J’ai ete au bal  b) Unlucky Waltz
03) La porte d’en arriere  c) I Passed By Your Door
04) Jongle a moi  d) I Went to the Dance
05)  J’ai passe devant ta porte e) The Flames of Hell
06) La valse de toute le mond  f) Little Dark Eyes
07) Les flammes d’enfer g) Lovebridge Waltz
08) Valse de malchanceux h) I Made A Big Mistake
09) J’ai fait une grosse erreur  i) I Saw the Wolf, the Fox and the Weasel
10) La valse du pont d’amour j) Think of Me
*11)  J'Ai Vu le Loup, le Renard et la Belette  k) Everybody’s Waltz
* 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.