Posts Tagged ‘zydeco dancing’

Creole du Nord at Bayou Detroit, September 21

Friday, September 20th, 2013

Creole du Nord is playing for the 1st “Bayou Detroit” celebration at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit on Saturday, September 21. The event starts with an open Cajun jam session at 6:00 pm (musicians, bring your instruments!), then there are zydeco (and Cajun two-step) dance lessons at 7:00 pm, then Creole du Nord plays from 8:00 to 11:00 pm. Tickets are $12 in advance (can be ordered online at the Bayou Detroit link above), or $15 at the door. The party is actually on the Majestic’s rooftop “Alley Deck” which is on the roof, overlooking the alley below. The Majestic Theatre complex is at 4120 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, MI. There is limited parking right behind the Majestic; get there early to grab a spot. You may be able to find a spot on the street, but most of the street parking has meters that are only good for two hours, although I believe the city stops enforcing the meters after 8:00 pm. Don’t take my word for that, though, as parking may have changed around there.

The Bayou Detroit web site also mentions “Cajun food on the outdoor grill” and then lists a Crawfish Boil 1/2 lb for $7.50 and Chicken Gumbo served with Fried Okra for $5.95 so I believe those are additional charges to the admission fee.

It sounds like y’all could pass a good time at this event. I’m hoping to make it there in time for the jam session, although I have been fighting off a cold.

–Bayou Joe

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Zydeco Hepcats in action, Sept. 20-21

Friday, September 20th, 2013

Bonjour, y’all. Y’all have two chances to see Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats the weekend of September 20-21, 2013. On Friday, Sept. 20, they play at the American Legion Hall at 2079 W. 12 Mile Rd. in Berkley, MI. There is a “Zydeco Steak Out” at 5:00 pm, the Hepcats play starting at 8:00 pm. I’m sure there is a cover/food/beverage charge. Call 248-542-7668 for more info.

Then the Hepcats play at Westland, Michigan’s “Blues Brews and Barbeque” on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Hepcats play from 8:00 to 9:30 pm, other (non-CZ) bands also play starting at noon. This event actually starts on Friday, Sept. 20, but the Hepcats only play there on the 21st.

Blues Brews and Barbeques is at the Westland City Hall Grounds, 36601 Ford Road.

–Bayou Joe

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Report from Dancing in the Streets

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

Beaucoup folks enjoyed themselves in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, on Sunday, September 1, for Dancing in the Streets. The morning weather looked like it wanted to rain, and while I was contra dancing around 2:30 pm I felt a couple of rain drops. But after that the weather cleared and the sun shined through the clouds. It wasn’t too hot, but was very humid.

The humidity was perfect for the Cajun and zydeco music of Creole du Nord from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. I was able to pass a good time dancing with some folks then. Saw some folks I hadn’t seen in a while, like Ken and Lois, who you can see at many Michigan CZ dance events.

Creole du Nord at Dancing in the Streets

Creole du Nord plays on North Main St. at Dancing in the Streets 2013

Susan Filipiak gave some Cajun and zydeco dance lessons, and while the lessons were generally good, I wish she wouldn’t have taught folks to zig-zag from side to side while two-stepping as it makes it harder to pass slower folks who continually zig in front of you when the dance floor (or in this case, the dance street) gets crowded. She also taught something she called the “crooked two-step” that some of us knew as the “Mamou Two-Step.” For those who don’t know, the Mamou Two-Step is a variant where you lead with two steps to one side but only one step on the other side. Basically, the leaders will lead with two steps with their left foot and only one on their right, while followers will lead with two steps with the right foot and only one with their left foot. It’s easier to see and dance than it is to write about it.

Zydeco dancing at Dancing in the Streets

Zydeco dancing at Dancing in the Streets

I was pleased that I was able to do a lot of dancing at this year’s Dancing in the Streets. I danced the entire contra dance from 2 to 3 pm, then did a waltz workshop from 3 to 4 pm. Tried to dance to some English Country Dancing, but I was beginning to wilt from the heat so took a break to sit down and cool off by drinking a quantity of water. Then managed to dance most of the CZ dancing, too.

Maybe we’ll see the rest of y’all at next year’s Dancing in the Streets!

–Bayou Joe

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Oktoberfest with Creole du Nord at the Local Pub & Brewery, October 7 & 8

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

The Local Pub & Brewery (local to Jackson, Michigan, that is) is having an Oktoberfest party on October 7 to 9. And since an Oktoberfest party is a lot like a Cajun Fais Do Do, they’ve got Creole du Nord to play on Friday and Saturday. Friday has Creole du Nord play from 7-10 pm, Saturday it’s “La Petite” Creole du Nord from 3-5:30 pm. All of the music and dancing takes place outside under a tent, and good (warm) weather is forecast for this weekend, so head on out and check it out! While you’re at the pub, you can also fill up on food and beverages. The Local Pub & Brewery is at 6020 Ann Arbor Road, in Jackson, MI. Make sure you go to Ann Arbor Road in Jackson and not in Ann Arbor nor Plymouth nor even in Jackson, Mississippi!

Creole du Nord is also celebrating a CD release party. Although I haven’t heard their CD, if it is as good as their live music, you’ll want to buy one of those CDs! The CD is entitled “Snow Swamp,” and they’re $10 each.

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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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Buckwheat Zydeco, C.J. Chenier in Ann Arbor, February 16, 26

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy, Baby! The next week or so is a good time to listen to zydeco music in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area, as Buckwheat Zydeco and C.J. Chenier (more about C.J. in just a bit) both visit tree-town.

Buckwheat Zydeco - Lay Your Burden Down

Buckwheat Zydeco - Lay Your Burden Down - Grammy winner!

Stanley “Buckwheat Zydeco” Dural, Jr., plays The Ark in A2 (that’s slang for Ann Arbor, for those who may not know) on Wednesday, February 16. Doors open at 7:30, showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20. As far as I can recall, this is the first time The Ark has hosted a zydeco act, although they have had Cajun music acts previously. BTW, The Ark is at 316 S. Main St. in A2. Info: 734-761-1800/734-761-1451.

Mr. Dural has been playing zydeco music for a long time. I have several of his zydeco LPs (i.e., old-fashioned vinyl records) from the late 1970s/early 1980s. He recently won a Grammy in the “Best Cajun/Zydeco Music Album” category for his latest recording, “Lay Your Burden Down.”

Mardi Gras beads divider line

On February 26, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band come to Ann Arbor to play at the Dream Nite Club, 314 S. Fourth Ave.

C.J. Chenier at Dream Nite Club flyer

C.J. Chenier at Dream Nite Club

Doors open at the Dream Nite Club at 8:30 pm on February 26, show starts at 9:30 pm with local band Maison Bleue playing a 30-minute set, followed by C.J. Chenier. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Info: 734-222-4522.

Mardi Gras beads divider line

Creole du Nord also plays The Ark on February 25, but that’s for another post.

Trivia question: Besides both playing piano-key zydeco accordion, both Buckwheat Zydeco and C.J. Chenier have something in common. They both played in the same zydeco band with a famous zydeco headliner, although in different years. Whose band was that? (Answer later.)

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