Posts Tagged ‘music’

Return of the Louisiana Dance Party, November 19!

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Aiyeeeeeeee! A few folks may remember when Maison Bleue played for a monthly “Louisiana Dance Party” at the Pittsfield Union Grange Hall just south of Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the early 2000s. Well, in honor of the fact that Maison Bleue played their first Cajun/zydeco dance at the Grange in November of 2000, they deemed it necessary to celebrate that 10th anniversary with another Louisiana Dance Party!

Maison Bleue from 2001

Maison Bleue plays at the Pittsfield Grange on January 19, 2001

The dance is Friday, November 19 (2010), with dance lessons starting at 7:00 pm (we’ll teach you how to do a basic Cajun two-step and waltz, and a basic zydeco step–it’s easy and fun!), then Maison Bleue will play live music starting at 8:00 pm. The event runs until 11:00 pm or so. Watch for other guest musicians (and maybe local bands) to also play during the evening. There will be an intermission around 9:30 pm with (non-alcoholic) refreshments served, and yes, there will be cake! (Hopefully, with 10 candles on it.)

Fake alligators

Pet Maison Bleue's pet 'gators!

The Pittsfield Union Grange Hall is at 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, about 1/2 mile south of I-94. Heading south from I-94, when you cross Oak Valley Drive, the road you’re on will narrow down to two lanes. The Grange is immediately on your left. It looks sort of like an old-fashioned school house. Once you pass Oak Valley Drive, if you seem to be in open country, you’ve probably gone past it. Try to find a driveway to turn around, then head back to the Grange. (Note: The Pittsfield Grange Hall is NOT to be confused with the Pittsfield Township Hall, in case you’re looking it up online!)

Garry lying down on the job

Garry at the last Louisiana Dance Party on April 16, 2004

To celebrate the 10 years of being together as a band, Maison Bleue is charging admission based on the prices from 2000. They are $6 for adults (20 years and older), $3 for teens (ages 13 to 19), and kids 12 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Please bring clean soft-soled shoes to change into for dancing to help protect the nice wooden dance floor from grit that gets tracked in with street shoes. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and prepare to have fun!

Get the flyer.

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First Friday Cajun Dance with the Midway Ramblers

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

OK, so it’s in Chicago! While I am trying to keep the Michigumbo blog focused on Cajun and zydeco dance and music events in the state of Michigan, occasionally it can stray outside of the Wolverine state. Chicago does have a fairly active CZ community, and the Midway Ramblers are part of that community. The Midway Ramblers usually have a “First Friday” Cajun dance every month (October through May) and so their dances are on October 1, November 5, and December 3 through the end of 2010.

Those dances are at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox (at Wilson), usually in the Schanachie Room on the 1st floor. Admission is $8 (12 years and younger free). The dances run from 8:00 to 11:00 pm (Central time, of course), and they take a break for some dance instruction around 9:00 pm. They even have a number to call for more info: 630-833-3515. BTW, there is free parking at the venue, and there is an Irish pub on the premises where you can even get something to eat before the dance.

Garry playing squeezebox with the Midway Ramblers

Garry playing squeezebox with the Midway Ramblers in 2003

One of these days I’m going to get back to a Midway Ramblers dance in Chicago!

The Midway Ramblers are fairly active. Check out their online schedule. Also check out Monica Vachlon’s “Monica’s List” about Chicago area CZ events.

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Dancing in the Streets

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Every Labor Day weekend, the city of Ann Arbor closes the streets in downtown Ann Arbor for Dancing in the Streets, an event sponsored by AACTMAD (the Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance). There are multiple stages with multiple bands playing various types of music for dancing, including ballroom, swing, English, contra dance, Scottish, Polynesian, Middle Eastern, and of course Cajun. The 2010 DitS is on Sunday, September 5.

This year’s Cajun music at DitS is provided courtesy of Creole du Nord, a band of Mark Palms who hails from the Manchester, MI, area. He is a fine local musician who also plays in a band with his wife Carol, the Raisin Pickers. The Palms also promote the Riverfolk Festival in Manchester each year. Anyway, Creole du Nord is playing from 5:15 to 6:30 pm this year, so grab your dancing shoes and get there! Don’t forget you’ll be dancing outdoors in the streets (which is why they call it “Dancing in the Streets”)!

Here’s the full 2010 DitS schedule. Oh, by the way, DitS is absolutely free!

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