Archive for the ‘Dance’ Category

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Excellent Website for Cajun, Zydeco, Creole Dances

Sunday, August 21st, 2011

A dedicated Cajun music fan, Arn B has set up and maintained this website for many years. Go to his home page http://www.ArnB.org and under the “Schedules” tab, select “Central” (Michigan is considered “Central” to the guys in Jersey).

Then click on the Preferences soft button, and put in your town, and how many miles you’re willing to drive to go Cajun dancing. Arn B will let you know all the stuff going on in your part of Michigan. Most of the posts I make to Garry’s Michigumbo Blog come from Arn B’s site.

Enjoy!

Posted by Alan

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Wheatland Music Festival

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

38th Annual Wheatland Music Festival

http://www.wheatlandmusic.org/

September 9th, 10th, & 11th (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Performers to include:
Lafayette Rhythm Devils ~ The Freight Hoppers
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band ~ Ray Bonneville
The Laws ~ Grey Larsen & Cindy Kallet
Rhythmic Circus ~ Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith
Abigail Washburn & the Village ~ Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock
Black Jake and The Carnies ~ Los TesManiacs
Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry ~ Starlight Six
Michigan Songwriters ~ Kirby, Susan Harrison, Karisa Wilson, J.Oscar Bittinger
Nic Gareiss & Jessie Nieves ~ Old Foresters ~ Rick Thum and Friends
The Red Sea Pedestrians ~ An Dro ~ Blue Water Ramblers
Jive At Five ~ The Rhythm Billies

The Lafayette Rhythm Devils

Posted by Alan

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Great Lakes Folk Festival

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Great Lakes Folk Festival, East Lansing, MI

http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net/Schedule/

Friday, Saturday, Sunday — August 12th, 13th, and 14th.

Cajun band Feufollet

http://feufollet.net/

Posted by Alan

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Catch some Cracklin, March 11 & 12

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

We’ve really been having a feast of live Cajun/zydeco music in the southeastern Michigan area lately. And this weekend it continues! Michigan based Cracklin plays on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12.

Cracklin logo

Friday is at Goodnight Gracie in Ann Arbor, at 301 W. Huron St (SW corner of First St.), from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. $5 cover. Cajun food available. Not sure if this is a 21 and over event or not (but probably). More info: 734-623-1443. Also don’t think there is a dance floor.

On Saturday, Cracklin appears at the (NOT “teh”!) Black Sheep Tavern in Manchester (Michigan), 115 E. Main St., for two different seatings, 6-8pm and 8-10pm. This is due to the fact that the last time Cracklin played there diners didn’t want to leave and so others folks couldn’t get in to hear Cracklin! There of course will be a Louisiana inspired menu as well as the regular menu. More info: 734-428-8972.

And, of course, not to be outdone, another local band, Creole du Nord, plays their regular gig at the Passport Restaurant & Lounge, 3776 S. State St. in Ann Arbor, on Sunday, March 13 (yikes! Friday the 13th done come on a Sunday this month!), from 6 to 8 pm. Go get some dinner and even do a little (or a lot of) dancing. Info: 734-222-1111.

(The Passport/Creole du Nord poster above doesn’t mention March 13, but CdN are indeed playing at the Passport on the 13th.)

Posted by Garry.

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Mardi Gras! live music in the Detroit area, March 8

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Mardi Gras is upon us! March 8 in 2011. If you’re looking for some LIVE Cajun/zydeco/New Orleans/swamp pop music in Michigan, you’re in luck!

Maison Bleue plays for a Mardi Gras party in Dearborn at the Dearborn Hills Golf Course banquet hall at 1300 S. Telegraph Rd. The party is from 3:30 to 9:00 pm, Maison Bleue plays from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. There is also a student band playing from 3:30 to 4:45 pm. This party is a fundraiser for the Dearborn Education Foundation. Tix are $25 at the door. Info at 313-827-8790. Also included with your admission ticket is a very tasty Cajun buffet. It’s all I can do to get the band back playing instead of going back for more chow!

If you’re on the east side of Detroit (or even if you aren’t), you may want to check out Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats as they play at the Cadieux Cafe at 4300 Cadieux Road in Detroit. That party starts at 8:00 pm or thereabouts. No cover charge, and no reservations needed, although the Cafe does say that if you have a party of 8 or more folks, please do call and make a reservation. Call 313-882-8560 for reservations or more info. Presumably, one could make it to both the Dearborn and Detroit Mardi Gras gigs if one were so inclined! If you do make it to the Cadieux Cafe, remind them that it’s spelled “Zydeco Hepcats” instead of “Zydaco Hepcats” as they have on their online schedule!

Also, although it’s not near Detroit but up in Elk Rapids (north of Traverse City) in Michigan’s lower peninsula, one could catch the Saucecats at a Mardi Gras party at Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen. It’s at 617 Ames St. in Elk Rapids. No cover charge, no reservations needed. Call 231-264-0530 for more info.

Alan previously posted info about the MG party with Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas and Creolization at The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids, so scroll down for that info.

Posted by Garry

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Detroit Metro Mardi Gras Parties

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

For a listing of Mardi Gras Parties in the Detroit Metro Area starting tonight, Saturday, March 5th, through Fat Tuesday, March 8th, take a look at this website:

http://www.after5detroit.com/a5/features/mardi-gras-party-guide-3.html



Posted by Alan.

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Mardi Gras at The B.O.B.

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

The B.O.B. (Big Old Building) is hosting its annual Mardi Gras party on Fat Tuesday, March 8th, with music, contests, dancing, and food & drink specials.

The party begins at 3:30 in the afternoon, and runs on ’till closing time. Admission is free.

The B.O.B.
20 Monroe Ave N W
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Free admission; Event begins at 3:30PM; Info: (616) 356-2000
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas @ 6pm (LA Zydeco)
Creolization @4pm (MI Zydeco)

Posted by Alan.

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It’s almost Mardi Gras time!

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 8, this year, but you can get a head start on Mardi Gras this weekend. Friday, March 4, sees Creole du Nord take to the stage at the Dream Nite Club in Ann Arbor for an MG party. $10 admission (ladies $5 until 10:00 pm), live music by CdN begins at 10:00 pm. The Dream Nite Club is at 314 S. Fourth Ave. in downtown Ann Arbor, MI. Call 734-222-4522 for more info.

Then on Saturday, March 5, Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats play a Mardi Gras party at the Bayou Grill in Belleville, MI. Party time is 8:00 pm. You want to attend this event with an empty stomach so you can fill up on some Cajun food there! The Bayou Grill is at 404 E. Main St. in downtown Belleville. More info at 734-697-2300. For a landmark, look for the huge alligator on the roof of the Bayou Grill.

And if that’s not enough CZ music for you in one weekend, you can catch Creole du Nord again on Sunday, March 6, as they play their regular  6-8 pm Sunday gig at the Passport Restaurant & Lounge at 3776 S. State St. in Ann Arbor. Info: 734-222-1111.

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Low turnout for C.J. Chenier in Ann Arbor

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

C.J. Chenier played the Dream Nite Club in Ann Arbor, MI, on Saturday, February 26, and sadly there wasn’t much of a crowd there to enjoy his music. I was honored that my band, Maison Bleue, got to play a 30-minute opening set before C.J. went on stage with his band, and it was nice to hear that C.J.’s rubboard player, Clifford Alexander, really liked our set!

C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band

5/6 of the Red Hot Louisiana Band at the Dream Nite Club: Mike Morris, Tim Betts, C.J. Chenier, Clifford Alexander, Glen Griffin (photo by Jeff Boerger)

The Dream Nite Club is set up nicely for dancing–it just needed some more zydeco dancers to crowd the floor! At least everyone who was there looked like they were passing a good time.

C.J. Chenier & Clifford Alexander

C.J. Chenier & Clifford Alexander at the Dream Nite Club (photo by Jeff Boerger)

C.J. Chenier

C.J. Chenier at the Dream Nite Club (photo by Jeff Boerger)

Anyway, the Dream Nite Club is hosting a Mardi Gras party on Friday, March 4, with local band Creole du Nord. Y’all should go and check that out.

Update: Maison Bleue’s frottoirist, Mary, got to play a couple of tunes with the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Thanks to MB’s guitarist Kip Godwin for the cellphone picture of Mary on stage with CJ.

Red Hot Louisiana Band with guest frottoirist Mary

Maison Bleue's frottoirist Mary rubs along with the Red Hot Louisiana Band (photo by Kip Godwin)

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Zydeco (& Cajun) music in SE Michigan, February 25-27

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Tonnerre mes chiens! It’s zydeco and Cajun music feast time in southeastern Michigan the weekend of February 25/27.

Friday, February 25 gives dancers (or just listeners) a choice. If you’re near Ann Arbor (or maybe not so near) go and check out local band Creole du Nord as they play at The Ark. It’s a benefit for BreakFast 2011, for the St. Andrews Church breakfast program. The Ark is at 316 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor. Tix are $30, doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. There are other (non-CZ) acts appearing, too. Info: 734-761-1800 (days), 734-761-1818 (evenings).

Or, maybe you’re closer to Hamtramck on the 25th. If so, head on over to Kelly’s Bar & Grille at 2403 Holbrook St for a Mardi Gras party with Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats. Showtime is 9:30 pm, and there’s no cover charge. Traditional New Orleans style food is on the menu for his party, not to mention party favors and dancing! Info: 313-872-0387.

Then on Saturday, February 26, it’s time to head on over to Ann Arbor for sure as C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band rocks zydecos (or would it be zydecoes?) the Dream Nite Club at 314 S. Fourth Ave. in downtown Ann Arbor. Tix are $25 at the door (rumor is they may only be $20, the advance ticket price, at the door), and doors open at 8:30 pm. Local band Maison Bleue (humorously renamed Maison Bleue–the Ice Cold Michigan Band just for this gig due to the recent cold & snowy weather in southeast Michigan) open with a 30-minute set at 9:30 pm. Large dance floor. Info: 734-222-4522.

Frottoirists Mary & Clifford Alexander

Frottoirists Mary (Maison Bleue) & Clifford Alexander (Red Hot Louisiana Band)

Finally, on Sunday, February 27 you can go and catch Creole du Nord at the Passport Restaurant & Lounge at 3776 S. State St. in Ann Arbor. CdN plays from 6 to 8 pm, a great time to do some dancing along with eating dinner. They’re also playing at the Passport on March 6, 13, 20, & 27, and on April 17. The Passport seems to be trying to promote lots of different kinds of dancing, so keep encouraging them in that direction!

Mardi Gras beads

Answer to previous trivia question: Both Buckwheat Zydeco (aka Stanley Dural, Jr.) and C.J. Chenier played in Clifton Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band, although at different times. Kip provided a few more details with his comment to that particular post in which that trivia question was posed.

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