Cajun Spotlight 

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

LAKE COUNTRY GATHERING: A LOOK BACK

September 16-18, 2005
Nearly 20 musicians and dancers from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota gathered for a weekend of Cajun and Creole music, food and friendship at the farm of Art and Connie Brown near Nisswa, Minnesota.  The large, colorful vegetable and flower garden with resident bluebirds and migrating monarch butterflies welcomed arriving campers.  An inviting walking trail meandered through the woods for those seeking a bit of adventure or peaceful solitude.
Our hosts had transformed the machine shed into a dance hall and restaurant complete with sound system and open air seating.   Behind the dance hall in a large mown field tents were set up.   The full moon extended each day’s music and merriment well into the night.  The sound of accordion, fiddle, guitar, triangle and voices filled the fresh Northwood’s air.  Who knows what woodland creatures, remaining out of our sight, drew near to gaze, listen and perhaps dance?  How else can the rhythmic crackling of twigs in the dark woods be explained?
Friday night the music went past 1:30 am.  A light rain freshened campers early Saturday and mild weather prevailed the rest of the weekend.  Saturday we had quite a potluck feast complete with corn macheaux, gumbo, homemade apple juice and a variety of salads and sweets. The evening meal, stories and songs were shared.  Helpful techniques for playing instruments were generously provided and demonstrated and the music continued beyond midnight. 
Sunday the weekend wrapped up with more music, shared food, breaking camp and saying farewell to our  hosts, Art and Connie.  A big THANK YOU to both of them for all their hard work and kind hospitality. We are planning another gathering next year. If you enjoy playing or dancing to this heartfelt music, you will want to be there.
[Thanks to Linda Olson for this article.]
 

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. Lessons are on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. The schedule is: 
Getting the Groove (Beginning)
     October 8, 15, 22
Working with the Feeling (Intermediate)
     October 29; November 19
Rocking the Rhythm (Advanced) 
     December 3, 10, 17

KREWE DE WALLEYE BENEFIT

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (Krewe de Walleye) presents a benefit dance for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Bands scheduled to perform include The Faux Playboys, The Cajun Hot Soles and The Rockin’ Pinecones. The Marion KC Hall in Bloomington has donated the location and the bands have donated their time.  There will be a dance lesson beginning at 7 pm; music goes until at least midnight. A $10 donation will be collected. You will have the opportunity to choose the relief effort of your choice  from the following: Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, The New Orleans Musicians Association or the American Red Cross The hall is location is 1114  American Blvd. West
 

CAJUN STRANGERS AT KATRINA BENEFIT

On Sunday, October 2, several of Madison's traditional musicians will come together to raise money for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. The benefit will take place at the Harmony Bar, 2201 Atwood Avenue in Madison. The party will begin at 2:00 pm with the Cork N Bottle String Band. Other performers include Harmonious Wail, Jeff Hickey, Bill and Bobbie Malone who specialize in traditional vocal harmonies, the Nob Hill Boys , traditional Cajun dance music with the Cajun Strangers and the Mexican roots music of Cris Plata and Extra Hot. Minimum donation to the event is $10.00. The Harmony will be cooking up some jambalaya, red beans and rice and cornbread to celebrate the food and culture of Louisiana! The event is sponsored by the Harmony Bar, WORT, Isthmus, EconoPrint, the Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective  and Konect Consulting. More information available at www.fourlakesmusic.org
 

BAYOU DANCER AND CO

David Jordahl offers Cajun and zydeco dance lessons. Get the latest schedule and lots more information at bayoudancer.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.
 

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. All money in the tip jar will be donated to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
 

CLASSIFIED ADS

FOR SALE:  Furnished trailer home  in Iota, Louisiana, for sale. 2.5 acres of open land with some trees.   35 minutes to the outskirts of Lafayette.   New sewer system. 3 bedrooms, kitchen,  living room, full bath and half bath, screened porch. Three  outbuildings for shop, garage, mobile home storage - HUGE amount of storage space. Air conditioning, heat, ceiling fans,  washer and drier, fridge, dishwasher. Kitchen fully equipped for cooking, eating. 
Contact Nancy Weston at imcajuntwo@aol.com or call 203-744-6823. Web site photos at http://homepage.mac.com/imcajuntwo/PhotoAlbum5.html.
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • September 30 - Krewe de Walleye KATRINA BENEFIT: MARION KC HALL. BLOOMINGTON (7:00 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 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • October 07 - Beausoleil: FITZGERALD’S, BERWYN, IL
  • October 07 - The Midway Ramblers: IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER, CHICAGO (8:00 PM)
  • October 07 - Dwayne Dopsie: FAMOUS DAVE’S UPTOWN, MINNEAPOLIS (9:00 PM)
  • 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 - Rockin’ Pinecones: 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 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • October 20 - Rockin’ Pinecones: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, MINNEAPOLIS (9:30 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 28-31 - Big Nick & the Cydecos: MENOMONEE CASINO, KESHENA, WI
  • October 29 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • October 30 - Pat Harison & the Hoodoo Makers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM) 
  • November 05 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • November 06 - Savoy Family Band: OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC, CHICAGO
  • November 06 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 11 - C. J. Chenier: CEDARBURG CULTURAL CENTER, CEDARBURG, WI
  • November 12 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • November 12 - Cajun Hot Soles, Skandilous: DALBO TOWN HALL, DALBO, MN (7:00 PM)
  • November 12 - C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: FERMILAB, BATAVIA, IL
  • November 13 - Jumbo Ya Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 19 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • November 20 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • November 26 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • November 27 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • December 03 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • December 04 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • December 10 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • December 11 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • December 17 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS (7:30 PM)
  • December 18 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

GULF COAST BLUES...

All of us have seen the heartbreaking pictures and heard the stories coming out of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and other states in the last month. The devastation visited upon these areas by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita are unprecedented in our lifetime. The songs in this month’s quiz focus on that region. Can you match the performer with the song?
 
01) VALSE DE CALCASIEU a) Jesse Winchester 
02) GALVESTON b) Iry LeJeune
03) ALLONS A LAFAYETTE c) Freddy Cannon
04) CRESCENT CITY d) Kennt Tibbs
05) CITY OF NEW ORLEANS e) Glen Campbell
06) PORT ARTHUR BLUES  f) Varise Connor
07) GULF COAST BLUES g) Fats Domino
08) LAKE ARTHUR STOMP h) Arlo Guthrie
09) VALSE DE HOLLY BEACH  i) Lucinda Williams
10) WALKING TO NEW ORLEANS  j) Joe Falcon
11) BILOXI  k) Bessie Smith
12) WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS l)  Nathan Abshire
*13) (Holly Beach) UNDER THE BOARDWALK m) Balfa Brothers
* 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.