Cajun Spotlight 


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

TASTE LOUISIANA FESTIVAL

The Taste Louisiana Cajun & Zydeco Festival in Amana, Iowa is May 27-29. The lineup includes Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns, Hadley Castille and the Sharecropper Band, Hunter Hayes and Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp. For complete information go to www.cajunfest.net. 
 

NEW RIVERSIDE RAMBLERS

The New Riverside Ramblers are at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, May 21.
 

CAJUN HOT SOLES

The Cajun Hot Soles split the bill with the Twin City Playboys at Lee’s Liquor Lounge on Wednesday, May 24. The Hot Soles also play a pregame show at Midway Stadium before the Saints game on Friday, May 26. Music starts at 5:30 pm
 

JJ’S ZYDECO PAYDIRT

JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt will be at the Half Time Rec in St. Paul on Sunday, May 14.
 

TWIN CITY PLAYBOYS

The Twin City Playboys have a busy schedule in May. May the 5th finds them at the 318 Club in Excelsior; the next night they’re one of the groups at the MBOTMA Benefit at Dulono’s. On Thursday, May 11,  they share the stage with Cattle Gate and Copper Box at Lee’s Liquor Lounge; the next night (the 12th) you can catch them at the Hat Trick Lounge in downtown St. Paul. As mentioned above, they will also be at Lee’s on Wednesday, May 24, with the Cajun Hot Soles. Finally, the Twin City Playboys make their debut appearance at the Sunday Night Dance at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, May 28. 
 

THE FAUX PLAYBOYS

The Faux Playboys are at the Half Time Rec on Sunday, May 7 and at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 11. 
 

BAYOU DANCER AND CO

David Jordahl offers Cajun and zydeco dance lessons. Get the latest schedule of classes and dances and  more information at bayoudancer.com.
 

SAWDUST DAYS IN OSHKOSH

Presented over the July 4th weekend as part of Sawdust Days in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the  Louisiana Hot Sauce Festival features great bands from Louisiana. Appearing this year will be Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws, The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Travis Matte and the Zydeco Kingpins and Knight Train. For complete information on the many activities and bands that are part of Sawdust Days go to sawdustdays.com
 

ROCKIN’ PINECONES

The Rockin Pinecones are at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 25.
 

LA FETE DE MARQUETTE IN MADISON

There will be a free festival in honor of Bastille Day in Madison, Wisconsin July 15-16. La Fete de Marquette in Central Park will feature local, national and international performers. All the performers haven’t been named yet, but it appears that Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie AND Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys will play on Sunday. We will have more specific information as it becomes available.
 

ZYDECO CRUISE 2006

The 2006 Zydeco Cruise is November 12-19. It will depart from New Orleans and travel to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. On board will be Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Dance instruction, workshops and lots of live performances. For the complete story go to zydecocruise.com.
 

DANCE LESSONS IN OSHKOSH

A series of Intermediate Cajun and Zydeco Dance Lessons will be offered in June in Oshkosh. If you are interested in getting the complete schedule and details contact Lynn at 920-410-0900 or email lynnstephany@new.rr.com.
 

KREWE DE WALLEYE PRESENTS...

The Minnesota Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Association (The Krewe de Walleye) presents the Lost Bayou Ramblers on Thursday, June 29 at the Polish-American Hall. This group impressed everyone the last time around - come see what the buzz is all about!  Details in the next issue.
 

CAFE ACCORDION “ON” TELEVISION

If you’ve seen a commercial for Suave hair care products recently and thought the music was familiar, you’re probably a fan of Café Accordion Orchestra!  A Portuguese fandango from their Dancing on the Moon  album is featured in the ad. 
 

STEVE RILEY INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

An instructional DVD for intermediate accordion students featuring Steve Riley has been released. Go to almenapictures.com for information on this and other Louisiana-based documentaries, videos and instructional DVDs. One of these videos is a documentary looking at the musical and spiritual road that musician Horace Trahan has traveled the last few years. Go to the web site for a preview for this film.

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 who were at the Balfa Heritage Week are also at Augusta, including David Greely, Ed Poullard and  Steve Riley. Also on hand will be Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Al Berard, Paul Daigle, John and Jane Vidrine, Charlie Terr, Larry and Jackie Miller, Courtney Granger, Mona Wilson and Joely Bias. To order a catalog describing all the Augusta Heritage Theme Weeks this summer go to  augustaheritage.com.
 

UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS

  • May 05 - Twin City Playboys: 318 CLUB, EXCELSIOR, MN (7:30 PM)
  • May 05 - Midway Ramblers: IRISH-AMERICAN CENTER, CHICAGO (8:00 PM)
  • May 06 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • May 07 - Faux Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • May 11 - Twin City Playboys, Cattle Gate: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, MPLS (8:30 PM)
  • May 11 - Faux Playboys: EAGLES CLUB, 2507 E. 25TH ST., MPLS (8:00 PM)
  • May 12 - Twin City Playboys: HAT TRICK LOUNGE, ST. PAUL (9:00 PM)
  • May 13 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • May 14 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • May 20 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • May 20 - Midway Ramblers: DUNN FEST, GUTTENBURG, IOWA (7:00-10:00 PM)
  • May 21 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • May 24 - Cajun Hot Soles, Twin City Playboys: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, MPLS (8:30 PM)
  • May 25 - The Rockin’ Pinecones: MINNEAPOLIS EAGLES CLUB (8:00  PM)
  • May 26 - Cajun Hot Soles: SAINTS PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM)
  • May 26-28 - Cajun Strangers, more: WHEATLAND TRADITIONAL ARTS WEEKEND, REMUS, MICHIGAN
  • May 27 - Cajun Jam: BETSY’S BACK PORCH COFFEE, MINNEAPOLIS (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
  • May 27-29 - Taste Louisiana Cajun/Zydeco Festival: AMANA, IA
  • May 28 - Twin City Playboys: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 03,04 - New Riverside Ramblers: FLINT HILLS CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, LANDMARK CENTER
  • June 04 - New Riverside Ramblers: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 08 - Twin City Playboys, Pop Wagner: LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, MPLS (8:30 PM)
  • June 08 - Faux Playboys: EAGLES CLUB, 2507 E. 25TH ST., MPLS (8:00 PM)
  • June 11 - New Riverside Ramblers: ART INSTITUTE GALA, FAIR OAKS PARK, MPLS (12:10, 2:25 PM)
  • June 11 - Cajun Hot Soles: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 13 - New Riverside Ramblers: LAKESIDE PARK CONCERT, FOREST LAKE, MN (7:00 -9:00 PM)
  • June 18 - Jumbo Ya Ya: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 25 - JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt: HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (8:00 PM)
  • June 29 - The Lost Bayou Ramblers: POLISH-AMERICAN HALL, ST. PAUL (LESSON AT 7:00 PM)
  • June 30-July 04 - Louisiana Hot Sauce Festival: SAWDUST DAYS, OSHKOSH, WI
  • July 01 - Cajun Strangers: SUNSPLASH, GREEN LAKE, WI 93:30-6:00 PM)
  • July 07 - The Pine Leaf Boys: SUMMERDANCE, CHICAGO
  • July 08 - The Pine Leaf Boys: FOLK AND ROOTS FESTIVAL, CHICAGO
  • July 13 - Faux Playboys: EAGLES CLUB, 2507 E. 25TH ST., MPLS (8:00 PM)
  • July 20 - TC Playboys: SAINTS PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM)
  • July 21 - Nathan & Zydeco Cha Chas, Beausoleil: ZOO AMPHITHEATER, APPLE VALLEY (7:30)
  • July 22,23 - Cajun Hot Soles: TWO HARBORS FOLK FESTIVAL, TWO HARBORS, MN
  • July 25 - New Riverside Ramblers: NOON CONCERT SERIES, NORTHROP PLAZA, U OF M (NOON)
  • July 28 - Faux PLayboys Rockin’ on the River: ST. CROIX BOAT & PACKET COMPANY, STILLWATER
  • July 29 - Cajun Hot Soles: FARMER’S MARKET, 5TH AND WALL ST., ST. PAUL (9:00 AM-NOON)
  • July 29 - New Riverside Ramblers: TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER, MPLS (7:30 PM)
  • July 31 - Cajun Hot Soles: SAINTS PREGAME SHOW, MIDWAY STADIUM, ST. PAUL (5:30 PM)
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than four weeks from first item on calendar.
 

WHY DOES A HUMMINGBIRD HUM?

The answer to this old riddle, of course, is ”Because it can’t remember the words!” Well, no problem remembering the words to the songs in the quiz this month: we feature all instrumental hits. All are from the ‘60s, and we’ve avoided (as far as we can tell) using movie or TV themes.  As always, the answers are on the inside.  
 
 
01) CLASSICAL GAS a) The Tornadoes
02) PIPELINE  b) Mr. Acker Bilk
03) WALK - DON’T RUN c) The Chantays
04) REBEL ROUSER d) Santo and Johnny
05) SLEEPWALK e) Jimi Hendrix
06) ALLEY CAT f)  Mason Williams
07) TELSTAR  g) Bert Kaempfert
08) WONDERLAND BY NIGHT h) The Ventures
09) STRANGER ON THE SHORE i) The Safaris
10) GREEN ONIONS j) Booker T and the MGs
*11)WIPE OUT  m) Duane Eddy
*12) THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER n) Bent Fabric
*13) LAST NIGHT o) Frank Zappa
*14) PEACHES EN REGALIA p) The Mar Keys
* 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.