I just found out that Creole du Nord is playing at Thumbfest in Lexington, MI, on Saturday, August 31. They are playing from 12:15 to 1:00 pm on the Virginia McNabb Realtor stage (outside the Lion’s Hall at Huron & Washington), From 3:00 to 3:45 pm at the Marty & Ruth Habalewsky Workshop area (on the north side of Huron between Washington and Dallas), and from 5:45 to 6:30pm on the Lexington DDA Harbor Stage (George Stewart Stage at the Harbor in Tierney Park). Go and check it out!
–Bayou Joe
Aiyeeee!!! You can actually get to dance to Cajun/zydeco music in the southeast Michigan area twice this Labor Day 2013 weekend. On Saturday, August 31, Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats play at 11:15am (until around 12:30pm) on the FirstMerit Bank International Stage at the Arts Beats & Eats festival in Royal Oak, Michigan. There is a $3 fee to enter the festival before 3pm, plus you most likely will have to pay to park. Do NOT park where you’re not supposed to, or else expect a $50 ticket! You also can not bring in chairs or your own food or beverages. (What!? Dancers can’t bring their own water bottles?) It’s also sort of amusing that the festival puts a zydeco band on the “international” stage. Um, haven’t the Arts Beats & Eats folks heard that zydeco music is from Louisiana, and Louisiana is a part of the United States? Although, if you’ve ever visited southern Louisiana, it can almost seem sometimes like it is a different country.
Then on Sunday, September 1, head over to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for their annual Dancing in the Streets. The city of Ann Arbor shuts down S. Main St. around Washington and Liberty Streets between 2pm and 7pm, and there are several areas where you can try out different kinds of dancing. There’ll be swing, contra, folk, waltz, English Country dancing (no, it’s nothing like “American” country dancing), even some Polynesian dancing and a Charleston workshop. And for folks like me, there is the pièce de résistance with Creole du Nord playing Cajun and zydeco music on Main St. between 5:30 and 6:30pm. Susan Filipiak will be giving some Cajun dancing lessons, also. Dancing in the Streets is free, parking in downtown Ann Arbor is free on Sundays, and you can bring your own chairs and water, although you probably won’t need the chair because you’ll be dancing, right? Check out the DITS schedule at http://aactmad.org/dits/.
Bayou Joe
OK, so I haven’t posted anything here since October 2011. Well, it’s like this… In October of 2011, I had a knee replaced due to its deterioration from past athletic injuries. Then, after the surgery, I had about 7 months of heavy-duty physical therapy in order to get the new knee joint to bend again. It took 14 months to wean myself off narcotic pain-killers. I had to slowly reduce the dosage to avoid some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. While I was on the narcotics, I found it impossible to learn to play any new tunes for most of that time, whether on accordion or piano. It was also difficult to play tunes I already knew. I also took three months off work, and during that time I was either using a walker or crutches, so I didn’t feel like picking up any accordions. When I did try to play piano, I had to sit sideways, like Jerry Lee Lewis, because of the difficulty I had bending my knee.
About six months after the surgery, I began to tentatively dance a little. Irish Ceili dancing was too hard, as I couldn’t move my replaced knee fast enough, and that leg had trouble going behind the other leg to dance Irish “sevens.” I could do some contra dancing, though, and that helped my mind a lot. But for some reason I just couldn’t bring myself to write in this blog. Maybe it was a sort of “sour grapes” feeling I had, where if I couldn’t really participate in playing music or dancing then I didn’t want to write about it.
Well, anyway, I’m back now. So is my Cajun/zydeco band, Maison Bleue. We have a gig playing at Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Top of the Park on Wednesday, June 26. We play from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. We also hope to have Cyndy and Gail teaching some Cajun dance lessons starting around 6:30 pm. The Top of the Park stage is on E. Washington St., between Thayer and Fletcher Streets. There is a parking deck on Fletcher right at the end of E. Washington St. There is a fee to park, but the music and dancing is free! You can dance in the street, so wear some good shoes. There are also some food booths from local restaurants, plus there is a special seating area where you can purchase adult beverages if you are of a certain age.
If the weather holds out, and if you don’t mind a lot of driving, you can dance to two different CZ bands on Sunday, September 4!
First, Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats play on the International Stage at Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak, MI, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. That stage is near W. 6th & S. Lafayette streets in Royal Oak. There’s a $3 admission fee to get into the festival, plus you’ll most likely have to pay to park. There are also lots of food vendors there (that’s the “Eats” part of the festival title)–maybe Howe’s Bayou or Fishbones will have a food booth there?
Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats at the Marine City Festival 2011 (photo shamelessly borrowed from the Hepcats website)
Next, you can hurry out to downtown Ann Arbor, MI, for their annual Dancing in the Streets where Creole du Nord plays from 5:15-6:30 pm on S. Main St between Huron and Washington Sts. The overall event runs from 2:00-6:30 pm, and there are several stages with different kinds of music for dancing. In particular, you can do a lot of contra and swing dancing. This event is free, and parking is free in downtown Ann Arbor on Sundays.
Creole du Nord at Dancing in the Streets 2010
Michigan is settling back to its usual “not very often” Cajun/zydeco music scene, but there are still opportunities to listen to good local Cajun and zydeco music.
This Saturday, April 2, Monsieur Guillaume and His Zydeco Hepcats play at the Bayou Grill, 404 Main St., in Belleville, MI. You can’t miss the huge alligator on the roof! The Hepcats play starting at 9:00 pm. It appears the Bayou Grill is trying a regular Saturday night live music thing again–good for them! Not all of it is Cajun/zydeco music, but it is still live music! And check out the Hepcats new web page. I like it so much better than their old MySpace page. :-) Call the Bayou Grill at 734-697-2300 for more info. Oh, did I mention it’s a Cajun restaurant and you can get good things to eat there?
Then on Sunday, April 3, Cracklin plays at Cleary’s Pub, 113 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI (734-475-1922). Cracklin plays from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Don’t know much more than that, though. Someone go and check it out and send me a report!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 at the Dream Nite Club (photo by Jeff Boerger)
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.
Maison Bleue's frottoirist Mary rubs along with the Red Hot Louisiana Band (photo by Kip Godwin)
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 (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!
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.