Cajun Spotlight 

Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest
 January 2006

KREWE DE WALLEYE PRESENTS...

After a fall hiatus the Krewe de Walleye has some great shows lined up to get us through the winter.  On Thursday,  January 26th the Krewe presents the Lost Bayou Ramblers at the Polish-American Hall in St. Paul. This young Cajun band has several CD’s out and  manage to keep the music firmly-rooted in tradition but still modern and “new”. On the 26th the Krewe will have a dance lesson at 8:00 pm and dancing from 7:30 to 11:00 pm. Tickets are just $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Try to get out and hear this hot band!
On February 18th the Krewe have their annual Mardi Gras Dance Party at the Medina Entertainment Center.  Playing will be the New Riverside Ramblers, the Faux Playboys and JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt.  There is a dance lesson at 5:30 pm and dancing from 6:30 to 11:15 pm. Tickets are $12 for Krewe members, $15 for nonmembers in costumes (masks qualify) and $17 for nonmembers without a costume.
Last but not least the Krewe presents Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys on Saturday, April 1 at the Marion KC Hall in Bloomington. Expect plenty of tunes from their great new album Dominos. Full details on this in the next issue.     
For information on joining the Krewe, an event calendar, addresses and other updates go to krewedewalleye.com.
 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO FOLK FESTIVAL

Each February the University of Chicago Folklore Society presents  a folk festival and most often there is a Cajun/Creole component to it.  This year is no exception, as the Pine Leaf Boys will be there. This group includes Wilson Savoy, Cedric Watson, Jon Bertrand and Blake Miller. It is definitely a group you want to hear. Also performing at the festival are Robert “Wolfman” Belfour, Bruce Green and Loy McWhirter, Don Paisley & the Southern Grass, Seamus Connolly and more. The dates are February 10-12. For more information go to uofcfolk.org.
 

NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS

Catch the New Riverside Ramblers at the Cedar Cultural Center on Saturday, January 7 and at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, January 15.
 

CAJUN HOT SOLES

The Cajun Hot Soles play two Sundays in January at the Half Time Rec: January 1 and  January 22. They also split a bill with the Twin City Playboys at Lee’s on Wedensday, Janaury 25.
 

FAUX PLAYBOYS

The Faux Playboys are at the Eagles Club on Thursday, January 12 and at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, January 29.
     

TWIN CITY PLAYBOYS

The Twin City Playboys at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 10 and to the Terminal Bar on Saturday, January 28. They also appear at Lee’s Liquor Lounge  with the Cajun Hot Soles on Wednesday, January 25. 
 

LOST BAYOU RAMBLERS IN OSHKOSH

Following their appearance in St. Paul, the Lost Bayou Ramblers head to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a show. You should contact Lynn Stephany at lynnstephany@new.rr.com for details.
 

FOLKLORE VILLAGE CAJUN WEEKEND

We don’t know who’s on the staff yet, but the dates for the Cajun Music and Dance Weekend at Folklore Village are March 31-April 2. We will have more information in the next issue.
 

EAGLES’ CLUB DANCES

A “new” dance venue that’s really not new at all has been getting lots of notice lately. The Eagles Club in south Minneapolis has been having country dances for years, but recently has added Cajun, zydeco and blues to the mix. Located at 2507 East 25th Street in Minneapolis, the club has a large dance floor, beverage service and is smoke-free. Most Wednesdays the Butanes play, and sometimes on Thursday there is Cajun /zydeco music (the Faux Playboys will be there January 12). Dances are generally start early, usually  between 7 and 8 pm. The phone number is 612-729-4469.
 

ROCKIN’ PINECONES AT MOOSEJAW

The dates for the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers annual music and dance weekend (aka MooseJaw) have been announced. It will be held on March 10, 11 and 12  at Maplelag Resort near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The line-up includes the Foghorn String Band, the Rockin’ Pinecones, caller Beth Molaro and the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers. There will be dance instruction (Cajun, Scandinavian, squares  and more),  jamming and lots of dancing.  For complete information and to download a registration form go to wildgoosechasecloggers.org
 

AUGUSTA HERITAGE CENTER STAFF

Cajun and Creole Week at Augusta heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia is July 9-15. All of the staff hasn’t been announced yet, but many of the instructors slated for the Balfa Heritage Week will also be at Augusta, including David Greely, Ed Poullard and  Steve Riley. More information will be passed along soon.
 

STAFF FOR BALFA HERITAGE WEEK

The next Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week is April 21-27 at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana.  There’s another great list of instructors, including Kenny Alleman, Al Berard, Jeffrey Broussard, Jonno Frishberg, David Greely, Ed Poullard, Dirk Powell, Lisa Reed, Steve Riley, Ann Savoy, Joel Savoy and Peter Schwarz. Registration has started and cabins are filling up fast. For complete information go to lafolkroots.org
 

BAYOU DANCER AND CO

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

LAKE COUNTRY GATHERING

The dates for the next Lake Country Gathering have been set: it will be September 15-17. This   Cajun/Creole jam and camp-out will again be at the home of Art and Connie Brown near Nisswa, Minnesota. It was a great time last September. Mark your calendar now.
 

POP WAGNER CD RELEASE PARTY

Pop Wagner celebrates the release of his latest CD at the Cedar Cultural Center on Saturday, January 21 at 8:00 pm. Joining Pop will be Bob Douglas, Adam Granger and Dan Newton. For more information about Pop go to popwagner.com. 
 

WEEKLY CAJUN JAM

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. An excellent way to start the weekend... 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • January 01 - The Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • January 06 - The Midway Ramblers: IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER, CHICAGO (8:00 PM)
  • January 07 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • January 07 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS (7:30 PM)
  • January 08 - Jumbo Ya-Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • January 10 - Twin City Playboys: 331 CLUB, NE MINNEAPOLIS (9:00 PM)
  • January 12 - The Faux Playboys: MINNEAPOLIS EAGLES CLUB (7:00 -10:00 PM)
  • January 14 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • January 15 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • January 19 - The Rockin’ Pinecones: MINNEAPOLIS EAGLES CLUB (7:30 -10:00 PM)
  • January 21 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • January 21 - The Cajun Strangers: TYRANENA BREWERY, LAKE MILLS, WI (7:00 PM)
  • January 22 - Jumbo Ya-Ya: CLUB UNDERGROUND, NE MINNEAPOLIS (4:00 PM-7:30 PM)
  • January 22 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • January 25 - Cajun Hot Soles, Twin City Playboys: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE 
  • January 26 - Lost Bayou Ramblers: POLISH-AMERICAN HALL, ST. PAUL (LESSON 7 PM; DANCE 7:30)
  • January 27 - Lost Bayou Ramblers, Andy’s Automatics: OSHKOSH (VENUE TBA)
  • January 28 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • January 28 - Twin City Playboys, others: TERMINAL BAR, NE MINNEAPOLIS 
  • January 29 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • February 03 - The Cajun Strangers, Last Gaspé: LAKEWOOD LUTHERAN, MADISON, WI (7:00 PM)
  • February 03 - The Midway Ramblers: IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER, CHICAGO (8:00 PM)
  • February 04 - New Riverside Ramblers: CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS (7:30 PM)
  • February 10 - Twin City Playboys: HAT TRICK LOUNGE, ST. PAUL (9:00 PM)
  • February 11 - Mardi Gras w/ Cajun Hot Soles, Black Bear Bayou: TOWN HALL, DALBO (7-11 PM)
  • February 12 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • February 18 - Krewe Mardi Gras: New R’side Ramblers, JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt,Faux Playboys: MEDINA
  • February 18 - The Cajun Strangers: CRYSTAL CORNER BAR, MADISON, WI
  • February 19 - NO DANCE: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • February 25 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt Mardi Gras Party: FLOYD’S, VICTORIA, MN (8:30 PM)
  • February 26 - New Riverside Ramblers Mardi Gras Concert/Dance: ST. JOAN OF ARC, MPLS(7:00 PM)
  • February 26 - The Cajun Strangers: ROXBURY TAVERN, ROXBURY, WI (3:00-5:00 PM)
  • February 26 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • February 28 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: DIXIE’S ON GRAND, ST. PAUL (6:00 -10:00 PM)
  • February 28 - The Cajun Strangers Mardi Gras: ESSEN HAUS, MADISON, WI (8:00 PM)
  • March 05 - Rockin’ Pinecones: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • March 12 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • March 19 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • March 26 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • March 31-April 2 - CAJUN DANCE & MUSIC WEEKEND: FOLKLORE VILLAGE, DODGEVILLE, WI
  • April 01 - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: MARION KC HALL (DETAILS TO FOLLOW)


NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

ESSAY QUESTION!

Discuss “The River as Metaphor in Popular Music”. Give examples. Your essay will be graded on the basis of…Just kidding. Although some of our research staff urged us to do an essay question instead of the usual matching quiz, none of them volunteered to grade the entries submitted. Our quiz will remain in its normal format, but rivers will be the topic. Can you match the song to the artist? Some songs can also be identified with performers not on the list. In these cases we have tried to list the artist who first recorded the song. Answers to the quiz will be be found elsewhere in this issue. 
 
01) Moon River a) Creedence Clearwater Revival
02) Take Me to the River  b) The Melodians
03) Down by the River c) Delmore Brothers
04) Cry Me A River d) Jimmy Cliff
05) Moody River e) Andy Williams
06) Green River  f) Bill Boyd’s Cowboy Ramblers
07) Big River Blues (Deep River Blues)  g) Pat Boone
08) Many Rivers To Cross h) Ike and Tina Turner
09) Rivers of Babylon  i) Julie London
10) River Blues j) Neil Young
*11) River Deep, Mountain High m) Al Green
* 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.