Cajun Spotlight
Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance in the Upper Midwest
February 1999
UPCOMING CAJUN & ZYDECO EVENTS1) Buckwheat Zydeco was scheduled
to play at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Wednesday February 3 but the
performance has been canceled. He has undergone vocal cord surgery and
is expected to reschedule the tour later in the year. Don't put your dancing
shoes away that night, though: playing there instead that evening will
be The Bone Tones, The Swamp Sextet and Zydeco Blue.
2) The University of Chicago Folk Festival in early February will feature
Lawrence Ardoin and Edward Poullard. Lawrence Ardoin is a
son of Bois Sec Ardoin and plays accordion; Edward Poullard plays fiddle
in a style influenced by Canray Fontenot. Among the other performers
are Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers, Western Swing fiddle
legend Johnny Gimble, the Original Soul Stirrers and Dave Myers.
Dates for the festival are February 5-7; for more information call (773)
702-9793.
3) The Sioux Bayou Cajun Band from southern Wisconsin has two
dances lined up in February. They're at the General Store in Spring Green,
Wisconsin at 6:00 pm in Saturday February 13. The evening dance follows
an afternoon bluegrass jam. For more information call (608) 588-7070. The
following Saturday they play at the Community Center in Gays Mills, Wisconsin.
Dance instruction begins at 7:00 pm and the dance around 7:30 pm. Call
(608) 735-4740 with any questions.
4) Just got word that The Swamp Sextet will be at the Cedar Cultural
Centre on Friday February 12 and at Barry's Bar & Grill in Lincoln,
Nebraska on Tuesday February 16.
5) The Bone Tones travel to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for the Pine
Point Bean and Brew Festival February 12 and 13. Elkhart Lake is located
about 60 miles north of Milwaukee.
6) ZoloGo are on the Half Time Rec on Sunday February 21. Please
note that this will start and end later than usual (9:30 pm to 12:30 am)
to accommodate a live radio broadcast!
CAJUN MUSIC, DANCE & CULTURE WEEKEND
The Cajun Music, Dance and Culture Weekend at Folklore Village Farm in
Dodgeville, Wisconsin is March 12-14. Plenty of interest in this event
as it will be the first appearance there by great Cajun accordionist and
singer Eddie LeJeune. Also appearing will be Junior Matthews,
Kirby Jambon, Charlie Terr, John Terr, Will Whedbee and Alicia Rheal.
Dance instruction will be by Opelousas, Louisiana native (and Twin Cities
resident) Millie Ortego. In addition to dance workshops, there will
be sessions on Cajun language and culture, vocals, fiddle, accordion and
guitar and well as opportunities for jamming and making traditional Cajun
Mardi Gras masks and hats. Contact Folklore Village or CAJUN SPOTLIGHT
for a brochure. Space is limited; register by February 23 and save $10
on full-time registration. For more information call Folklore Village at
(608) 924-4000.
MARDI GRAS BAL MASQUE
The Twin Cities' annual Mardi Gras Bal Masque will be February 20 at the
Majestic Ballroom in Cottage Grove. Music will be by The Bone Tones,
The Swamp Sextet and JJ's Zydeco Paydirt. There will be a costume
contest and some surprises. To get to the Majestic Ballroom take Highway
61 south about 5 miles past 494; at Jamaica Avenue turn west and take the
frontage road on 61 south about a half mile. If you can't get to Eunice,
Lafayette, Mamou or Iota this year, definitely make it to Cottage Grove!
FIRST KREWE DE WALLEYE CD PARTY A SUCCESS
by Linda Reiss
Over 50 people, beginning dancers as well as oldtimers, attended the
first Minnesota Cajun & Zydeco Music & Dance Association (alias
Krewe de Walleye) CD dance party potluck on January 9 at the Oddfellows
Hall in St. Paul. Dancers and listeners enjoyed a variety of Cajun and
zydeco tunes, had a chance to catch up with each other socially and meet
new acquaintances. The lagniappe (Cajun French for a little something extra)
was the great potluck; each new arrival brought something interesting to
share and there was no shortage of food throughout the evening (my personal
prize for Best of Show is awarded to Court Fiedler for his marinated mussels
with vegetables!)
Because of the February 20 Mardi Gras Bal Masque MCZMDA will not have
an event in February, but look for our table at the dance if you'd like
to become a member, get more information or just shmooze. (Don't forget
the discount at MCZMDA events and the inimitable Krewe de Walleye mug you'll
receive as a member.) Also, read the Krewe de Walleye update and news on
the March event in the next Cajun Spotlight/Notes & Steps newsletter.
Thanks to the people who attended the CD party and also to those who
took that opportunity to join the association and to help support Cajun
and zydeco music in the Twin Cities. Contact CAJUN SPOTLIGHT for information
on joining the Minnesota Cajun & Zydeco Music & Dance Association.
STEVE RILEY BAND MEMBER KILLED
Jimmy Domengeaux, guitarist with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
for the last four years, was killed in a motorcycle accident in the Lafayette,
Louisiana area early January 25. He had played with the band the night
before at Whiskey River Landing in Henderson. From bandmate Peter Schwarz:
Dear Friends,
I'm sure many of you have already heard. We have very sad news. Jimmy
Domengeaux was killed early Monday morning, January 25th, in a motorcycle
accident here in southwestern Louisiana. For the past four years as guitarist
with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, he was featured in performances
and recordings heard around the world. His music career stretched back
some 38 years, perhaps most notably with the band, Black Dog. He
also performed with Warren Storm, Cajun Heat, The Gumbo Cajun Band,
Sheryl Cormier, amongst others. Jimmy was a gifted guitarist and a
happy spirit. His smile and his high voltage solos lit up the stage wherever
he played and his dynamic style was an integral part of our sound. He was
also a caring friend and a brother on the road. We speak not only for the
band, but also the music community, and fans around the world, in sending
our deepest condolences to his family in this sad time. He will be sorely
missed. Jimmy was 44 years old. He is survived by his mother and father
Mr. & Mrs. Murphy Domengeaux, sisters Letty Darbone, Judy
Theriot and Nancy Baham, brother Jackie Domengeaux and
daughter Javen Domengeaux, age 9.
The family has asked that anyone wishing to make donations (for a trust
that will be set up for Jimmy's daughter Javen) please send to: Murphy
or Annie Domengeaux, 210 East Bridge Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. For
all of you who have called and written, the band appreciates your thoughts
in this hard time. We will be sure to bring all your responses to Jimmy's
family. I don't think they really realize what an impact he made on people
all over the world.
-Peter Schwarz
CAJUN AND ZYDECO DANCE LESSONS
Maurine McCort regularly offers her popular Cajun and zydeco lessons.
Classes are held Saturdays from 4-5:30 pm at the Oddfellows Lodge at 2382
Hampden in Saint Paul. Cost of each series is $35 or $45. For more information
and to confirm dates call Maurine at (651) 488-6269. Here's the schedule:
Cajun Jitterbug: Feb 20,27, March 6,13,20
(Note: zydeco lessons start in late March; contact Maurine or Cajun
Spotlight for details)
UPCOMING CAJUN AND ZYDECO EVENTS
February 1-7 - Li'l Malcolm & the Zydeco House Rockers : CRAWDADDY
BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
February 03 - The Midway Ramblers : FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL
February 03 - The Bone Tones, The Swamp Sextet, Blue Zydeco : FIRST
AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS
February 5-7 - Lawrence Ardoin and Ed Poullard : UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
FOLK FESTIVAL
February 05 - The Swamp Sextet : MAYSLACK'S, MINNEAPOLIS
February 05 - Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers : FITZGERALD'S,
BERWYN, IL
February 05 - The Midway Ramblers : BORDERS BOOKS, SCHAUMBURG, IL
February 06 - C. J. Chenier : FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL
February 06 - Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers : BUDDY GUY'S
LEGENDS, CHICAGO, IL
February 8-16 - J. J. Callier & the Zydeco Knockouts : CRAWDADDY
BAYOU, WHEELING, IL
February 10 - Cajun Jam : HOMESTEAD PICKIN' PARLOR, RICHFIELD MN (7-9
PM)
February 10 - The Chicago Cajun Aces : FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL
February 12 - The Swamp Sextet : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
February 12 - The Midway Ramblers : BORDERS BOOKS, ORLAND PARK, IL
February 12 - The Chicago Cajun Aces : JOE'S BEBOP CAFE, CHICAGO, IL
February 12,13 - The Bone Tones : PINE POINT BEAN & BREW, ELKHART
LAKE, WI
February 13 - The Midway Ramblers : THE CHICKEN BASKET, WILLOWBROOK,
IL
February 13 - Sioux Bayou Cajun Band : GENERAL STORE, SPRING GREEN,
WI (6:00 PM)
February 13 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
February 15,16 - Terrence Simien : FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL
February 16 - Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas : BROTHER JIMMY'S, CHICAGO,
IL
February 16 - The Midway Ramblers : STRAND CAFE, LEMONT, IL
February 16 - The Chicago Cajun Aces : SCHUBA'S, CHICAGO. IL
February 16 - The Swamp Sextet : BARRY'S BAR AND GRILL, LINCOLN, NE
February 19 - The Midway Ramblers : BORDERS BOOKS, WHEATON, IL
February 20 - Mardi Gras Bal Masque w/ The Bone Tones : MAJESTIC BALLROOM,
COTTAGE GROVE
February 20 - Sioux Bayou Cajun Band : COMMUNITY BUILDING, GAYS MILLS,
WI (7:00 PM)
February 21 - ZoloGo : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL (9:30 PM)
February 22 - Geno Delafose, Beausoleil : COLLEGE OF DUPAGE, GLEN ELLYN,
IL
February 26 - Geno Delafose, Beausoleil : MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY,
EAST LANSING, MI
February 26 - The Midway Ramblers : BORDERS BOOKS, NAPERVILLE, IL
February 27 - Geno Delafose, Beausoleil : MACOMB CENTER, CLINTON TOWNSHIP,
MI
February 27 - The Bone Tones : CEDAR CULTURAL CENTRE, MINNEAPOLIS
February 28 - JJ's Zydeco Paydirt : HALF TIME REC, ST. PAUL
NOTE: Please call to confirm events more than six weeks from first item
on calendar.
HOW MUCH WOOD WOULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK...
The woodchuck is a burrowing rodent also known as the ground hog. February
2 is Ground Hog Day, although in some older versions of the traditional
story the animal seeing (or not seeing) its shadow is a bear or badger.
The idea that it being sunny or overcast on February 2 is a guide to whether
winter will hang around can be traced back to England. Candlemas is February
2 and associated with the purification of the Virgin Mary; candles used
for sacred purposes on blessed on that day. An old English song says, "If
Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter have another flight; If Candlemas
brings clouds and rain, Go, Winter, and come not again." Our quiz this
month is full of shadows; can you match the performer with the song?
| 01) SHADOW DANCING |
a) Marcy Playground |
| 02) STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE |
b) Fleetwood Mac |
| 03) MOON SHADOW |
c) The Rolling Stones |
| 04) THE SHADOW OF SEATTLE |
d) Andy Gibb |
| 05) SHADOWS IN THE RAIN |
e) Chris Isaak |
| 06) SHADOW OF A DOUBT |
f) Creedence Clearwater Revival |
| 07) JUMPING AT SHADOWS |
g) The Four Tops |
| 08) TOMBSTONE SHADOW |
h) Cat Stevens |
| 09) SHADOWS IN A MIRROR |
i) Tom Petty |
| 10) HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR MOTHER, BABY, STANDING IN THE SHADOW? |
j) Sting |
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 $8.00. Email Notessteps@aol.com
or NOTES & STEPS/CAJUN SPOTLIGHT, John Tallaksen, 2425 East Franklin,
#211 Minneapolis, MN 55406.
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