Dance styles range from dancing in place with barely perceptible movement of the feet with very little upper body action, to a wide ranging swing style that involves partner twisting, synchronized side-stepping, and small jumps. A mirrored wall behind and pulsing lights below give it a go-go feel. Swamp pop is a genre of music created by young Cajun and African American musicians in the early 1950s that blended elements of the locally popular traditional French music, New Orleans rhythm and blues, country and western music and the emerging phenomenon of rock & roll. Maybe I was wrong about the dancers needing a break. Behind the bar, T-shirts are displayed for sale in a variety of colors–all featuring a reproduction on the back of a sign fashioned years ago as a plea to the occasionally overexcited patrons: “Please DO Not Stand on the Tables, Chairs, Cigarette Machine, Booths, and Juke-Box! One of the clubs that brought in touring bands off the “chitlin’ circuit,” the Playhouse helped inform the distinctly Louisiana music genre of Swamp Pop. The Saturday morning band has featured legendary Cajun master musicians Nathan Abshire, Dewey Balfa and Sady Courville as well as contemporary supergroups, such as Balfa Toujours and the Lafayette Rhythm Devils. 1 & 2). You see, even though the Holiday was built for the younger crowd, I always liked hanging out with the older people and listening to French music. The jam offers an opportunity for musicians to meet and play together, regardless of their skill level. Additionally, the club’s location, just off the Lafayette parade route, makes it especially hopping during Mardi Gras, when in previous years, they have hosted an all-day party with food for sale and a day long schedule of bands. Even with all the documented history, no one is exactly sure when the Saturday morning band tradition started. Now the hall is comfortable no matter the weather. High school teacher and Cajun cultural activist Revon Reed pitched the idea to Tate as a 15-minute live Saturday morning broadcast from Fred’s Lounge on Ville Platte radio station KVPI (1050 AM). The hall is a family tradition started by Lawrence’s parents in 1955. Swamp pop songs, like Dale and Grace’s I’m Leaving It Up To You and Rod Bernard’s This Should Go On Forever, were so popular that they appeared on the U.S. pop charts. Dancehall attendees are usually dressed one of two ways–to the nines in their finest new clothes, or in older, comfortable worn in gear that falls somewhere between workout and work clothes. The regulars all say their good-byes–knowing they will see each other next week–same time, same place. To the outside of the dance floor and beyond the posts on both sides of the room stand dozens of tables with hundreds of chairs stacked on top, all waiting to be dusted off and used again. Upon entry, zydeco music is already playing on the sound system, interrupted at regular intervals by Sid, breaking in from a microphone he keeps behind the bar. Cajuns are people of French descent who migrated to Louisiana from Canada during the eighteenth century. It was an experience that I wouldn’t do again, but I wouldn’t sell it for anything in the world either…I’d really like to see something happen with this building, in honor of my brother, Chick.” As his voice quivered with emotion, Vidrine continued, “He was a kind and generous man who helped everybody who needed it, and this was his place. Voices inside and outside the hall raise up–loud and boisterous, soaring carefree on Saturday night. Workshop #2 Intermediate Zydeco & Cajun Dance. Over the years, there have been shows by FM radio breakouts Givers, New Orleans dance punk organist and puppet show Quintron and Miss Pussycat, new wave rockers Bas Clas, local indie heroes Brass Bed as well as a string of classic shows by Lafayette rockers Matt Rock & the PowerBoxx. The windows were opened for air to flow freely and so that the music could be heard outside. The faces are often stoic as they complete complicated dance moves, seemingly effortless and in sync. The majority of classic-era dancehalls share several common characteristics. Instead of water, the space is thick with memories of so many glory days. As they played, the band cooked a gumbo just off the stage and around the corner by a pool table, which they served to the crowd when they took a break. People from all over the world have stayed in the Blue Moon’s five guest rooms alongside local and touring bands from all genres who have graced the stage. Although the primary music genres performed have been roots rock-oriented, the Blue Moon has since grown to feature many styles of music. cajun slap (aka yankee turnaround, yankee shuffle, the skip) ( 0 Votes) Login or Register to Vote Zydeco Dance Workout and Social Group. Those regulars, mostly older, make a weekly trek from all over the southern portion of the state to visit and dance. It is said that in those early days, the bar was opened six days a week and always packed with locals. Courting is still a major function of the dancehall, even though the discerning eye of the once ever-present chaperones are no longer there to help monitor the behavior of the young single dancers. These holes are now the only source of light–giving the building the feeling of a sunken ship on the bottom of the ocean. Boot Scootin’ Boogie. Once the original concept of live Cajun music, announcements and advertisements in French became a hit, the show quickly grew into the two-hour-long program that it is today. Country Line Dancing Lessons in Boardman, OH CCPA. After traveling down the dark and dirty country roads, a lighted building appeared in the distance. Local acts who regularly graced the Southern Club stage read like the list of artists from a swamp pop greatest hits compilation: Lil’ Bob and the Lollipops, Guitar Gable and the Musical Kings, Johnnie Allan, the Fabulous Boogie Kings and Bobby Page and the Riff-Raffs, with swamp pop supergroup the Shondells (featuring Warren Storm, Rod Bernard and Skip Stewart). In 1880, the railroad arrived in Lafayette, then called Vermilionville. Mitchell started zydeco dancing 16 years ago and visits Louisiana a few times a year. Also, many halls began as grocery stores or saloons and over time became exclusively dancing and drinking establishments. The Cajun Traveling Waltz is one of the easiest to learn. Julianne Ross has been writing since 1994. But the clubhouse of swamp pop, the Southern Club, still stands just outside Opelousas, a roadside monument to remind all of the good times that were once had there. Music: Cajun, Two Step or Mambo type songs: Cool, Cool Mardi Gras, Tulane, He’s My Little Jalapeno, Please, Please, Would You Consider all by Scooter Lee (scooterleecom, cdbabycom, Amazoncom or iTunescom) Mambo #5 by Lou Bega, Too Many Pockets by Darryl Worley [1-8] 4 TOE STRUTS FORWARD (R,L,R,L) 1-2 … The Southern Club had an official grand opening on January 1, 1956. 1,237 Zydaholics | Houston, USA. Driving the quiet state roads en route, you pass through serene countryside. An immediate left inside the door takes you to the restaurant area–also used for bingo and bourré, a favorite card game of locals. Sadly, no Louisiana organization exists to preserve, support, and celebrate these cultural icons. The Liberation Band went into a James Brown song and the dance floor filled followed by a string of Henry’s own songs that kept the crowd at full attention and dancing. At the foot of the levee sits Angelle’s Whiskey River Landing, affectionately known to locals as simply Whiskey River. (Also available from Vàrese is the second volume in this series, Absolutely the Best of Cajun and Zydeco, Vol. Chick’s brother, Rayburn Vidrine, worked at the club for 25 years and saw lots of acts, but his favorite performer to see at the club was Antoine “Fats” Domino. Just then, a car with two older couples pulled into the lot. 116 Members. Along with the instructor, five dancing couples demonstrate each of the dances. As the vehicle grew nearer, faint music cut the humid night air. Following in a long line of Louisiana bars and dance halls before it, the Blue Moon (as it is commonly referred to locally) has a diversified business plan–in this case, a location where both a bar as well as a dance hall and guesthouse cohabitate. As the club begins to get crowded, the band takes the stage. Eugene even had to go and get more beer. Started Nov 18 in Seminole, USA. Sound levels are checked, and after Sid’s brief word of welcome from behind the bar, the accordion bellows breathe and come to life, beckoning the other instruments to join in. video features detailed instruction of the Cajun two-step, waltz, and jig. Richard’s Casino (also known as Tee Maurice) in Vatican featured a dirt track behind the hall that was used for both horse and car races. Much of the décor, inside and out, of the Holiday Lounge is a South Pacific theme, a nod to T-Ed Manuel’s time in the Merchant Marines during WWII. For over forty years, Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys appeared weekly at La Poussière, which means “The Dust” in Louisiana French, for their Saturday night dance. It lends itself to turns and spins, according to the dancer’s skill. Cajun Dancing “ Two-step ” songs (4-beats) There are several options for dancing to Cajun two-step music: 8-ct two-step – quick/quick slow, quick/quick slow - travels around the line-of-dance.. 6-ct two-step - quick/quick slow, slow - travels around the line-of-dance – this is known as “Mamou Two-Step,” and is the same thing as … The dancers need it too. Local and visitors alike pause to take in the sight of the largest swamp and wetland in the United States­, dotted with houseboats, cypress trees, and birds on the wing. Currently, an effort to do just that is underway, led by Chick’s brother. Grant Street Dancehall opened on the Fourth of July, 1980. Visitors get pulled onto the dance floor to try out the two-step, the bands are good and the drinks are fairly priced. This is because they consider themselves a dance band–many longtime regulars at La Poussière can attest to this fact. In a moment of sheer delight at the entire scene, I was overwhelmed by the belief that The Playhouse might be here for another fifty years, and that I hoped it didn’t need to change one single bit to make it work. As the crowd rolled in, Lil’ Buck’s band continued to play as a few university students paused to listen from outside the open front door of the club, then turned to head downtown where cruising and drink specials rule the night. The most popular drink orders seem to be a Bloody Mary and (often two at a time) 10 ounce beers. As they got out, one of them said loudly, “I can’t believe this! A second stage to the right allowed for a seamless transition from one band to the next. She holds an Associate of Arts in theatre art. Past the bar on the left and through a set of double doors with porthole windows stands the main room. A few of the musicians who consider La Poussière a second home got on the phone and arranged a benefit concert with an all-star lineup. The Cajun Traveling Waltz is one of the easiest to learn. Lee Brothers Dancehall in Cutoff featured a barbershop and small general store. His appearance sent a wave of energy careening through as the entire room rose to their feet. A bar in the rear serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and sometimes food is offered for sale. And his party at Grant Street was no exception, as he effortlessly tore through blues standards and R&B favorites, thrilling the crowd and inspiring dancing, from wild spinning to a slow drag. Make your way to the corner of North Saint Antoine and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and you’ll be at a spot that has inspired many visits to Lafayette. We’re coming up on 60 years here–still family owned-and-operated.”. Folk artists, including The Mammals and The Duhks, as well as Texas acts The Weary Boys, Scott H. Biram, Dale Watson, The Gourds and even legendary songwriter Billy Joe Shaver have all played to sold out crowds. It is hard to believe that when last call comes, it is only 1:45 p.m. You close your tab and make your way out the door, squinting in the daylight. The band fell in love with the club and asked if they might play there sometime. The air is thick with smoke. It filled a void in the Lafayette scene, allowing locals a fun, new open-air venue and dance spot as well as a dynamic place for travellers to stay. Everyone talks about the latest community news. These were intensely local affairs that were held at both grand plantation homes and small farmhouses. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Along the banks of the Bayou Vermilion rests the Vermilonville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, a large complex... Fifty years as an established business is quite a feat. Since then, the Southern Club has sat quietly, waiting to be revitalized and put back into service. Guitar gods Bill Kirchen, Dick Dale and AM radio royalty Susan Cowsill have all additionally performed several times on the crowded back porch. He was also a sideman with Clifton Chenier for 10 years starting in the late ‘60s, followed by playing alongside  Rockin’ Dopsie and Buckwheat Zydeco. Simply put, the Southern Club was the home of swamp pop. A List of Different Types of Dances for the 21st Century, How to Learn Dance Steps to Dance to Bluegrass, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Saturday night was special: time to leave behind all your troubles, dress up in your second best clothes (you need the best for church in the morning!) An exterior hallway that divides the bar from restaurant (long-closed) features hand-painted tropical fish on a deep aqua background. Cross over and place toe beside foot (count left), kick forward (count 2), step-ball-change while turning ½ (counts 3&4). Farmers and Artisans Market starts at 8AM Info: (337) 500-1177: TX Houston: Feb 13 (Sat) 2021 Dance Lesson: So You Wanna Dance Promotions Hosts The resulting additions have come in leaps and bounds, and the crowd has kept coming too. Working the land, a machine, oil derrick, washing clothes or cooking and cleaning, enduring the seasonal highs and lows from before sun-up until after sundown six days a week didn’t leave one with much energy or money for a party. Excitement”–Patrick Henry. First as a journalist for the Hendersonville Star News, and "Starlog Magazine" writing actor interviews. The dance over, cars begin to climb the levee and head home. Regulars and visiting musicians alike seek him out to pay homage upon entering. The whole extended family loaded up in a wagon (or in later years a car) and drove to the outskirts of town. Each move is … The majority of these legendary institutions have closed their doors, but the few that remain open are now a frequent stop for tourists from all over the world. A beacon of red and yellow neon appears reflecting in the smooth waters of a seasonally flooded crawfish pond that rests between the road and the club. The two things intertwined well, allowing visitors to experience local culture in a literal backyard, while locals enjoyed a revolving cast of characters to share their culture with. Click the images at the right and you can choose to view, download or print PDF files of The All-Time Favorite Line Dance Classics (Vol. 2. Several important documentaries were also shot on location at Fred’s, including Alan Lomax’s 1991 film Cajun Country. When weather permits, the rear walls can be folded away, creating an open-air barn feel that allows the music to fill the area around the hall. A visit to El Sid O’s is always memorable. Instruments featured in the genre are accordion, fiddle, triangle, washboard and bass fiddle. Nobody cooks like a Louisiana Cajun – in the kitchen or on the dance floor. Probably for this reason, La Poussière and Mouton are forever linked. The messages are half announcements about upcoming shows or the band of the evening and half a pitch for drink specials, but it is understood that Sid not only runs the show, but is a part of it. Originally a boat launch that added a shaded back porch for fishing contest weigh-ins, the back porch dancehall area was framed in and the space began hosting an occasional dance. “Old embers get rekindled–everything old is new again,” Manuel said. “Fats was really something to see live,” said Vidrine. Cajun Dance es una coreografía de la catalana Neus Lloveras, hecha para la canción del mismo título de Robert Mizzel. At the beginning of 2017, Grant Street Dancehall hosted a birthday party for guitar master Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal in the smaller side room called “The Saloon.”  Sinegal has had a long and illustrious career, from recording as a session musician for Excello Records in the 1950s, fronting his own rhythm and blues band Lil’ Buck & the Top Cats in the early ‘60s. This seating area allowed an unobstructed view of the dance floor for mothers and grandmothers to watch every move of the younger female family members as they danced and talked with young men. Grant Street also hosted legendary touring bands including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, J.J. Cale, Marcia Ball, B.B. He wore a suit coat studded with gifts of pinned on cash-anything from fives, tens, and twenties, on up to a single hundred dollar bill. Daddy stood out front in the dark and watched it light up. In the period after WWII, Fred’s Lounge, and other places like it, became a haven for local Cajun culture. The Blue Moon now boasts an additional bar near the entrance and a deck complete with a seating area in the side yard, which is used for special events, such as wedding receptions, book signings and food service. The old time atmosphere, great Cajun music, a colorful cast of regulars, and the well-worn dance floor make a trip to Breaux Bridge to visit La Poussière a genuinely good time. The stage lights are reflected in the instrument’s polished finish as the accordionist moves in time to the music. The windows could be propped open to allow for unrestricted airflow. I should have known better–it would be almost two hours before the first note was struck. Originating in the Acadiana area, swamp pop was very popular throughout South Louisiana and in southeastern Texas. ... Cajun and Zydeco Dancing. The changing tides of popular music, the rising popularity of casinos, the raising of the drinking age from eighteen to twenty-one, and the aging population of dancehall enthusiasts all played a part in the decline in dancehall numbers. Typically, women could enter and dance for free, while men paid a charge to dance–a ticket was stapled to their collar upon entering the dance floor. I'm compiling a complete listing of commercially-released Cajun, Louisiana Creole and zydeco music. The bal du dimanche, or Sunday dance, is held 1-4 p.m. weekly in the Performance Center. The Club’s location meant it was a convenient stop for national touring musical acts who were making their way between the New Orleans area and the larger cities in Texas. Larger local festivals have brought many memorable musical acts to the Blue Moon. And it was always fun to drink a little bit with him beforehand. The Cajun Traveling Two-step will be familiar to anyone who has danced the Country Western Two-step. The annual Thanksgiving food drive show at El Sido’s (now in its 28th year!) The stage itself is slightly raised, allowing a better chance of seeing the band over the heads of the people on the always-crowded dance floor in bygone years. The steps are easy to execute, and don’t involve any complicated moves. Eugene eagerly agreed. Folks were still arriving at midnight. In less than one month the doors were once again open for business. Organized by The Line Dance Queen. About Search Results. You’re at the famous Fred’s Lounge in Mamou. When the band strikes into “La Danse de Mardi Gras,” Tante Sue leads a procession around the crowded bar and insists that patrons join in. The Holiday Lounge hasn’t gone anywhere. The whole room, band included, watches–their eyes glued–as the dancers enjoy the brief attention on the elevated pedestal. Workshop #3 Advanced &Intermediate Zydeco Dance Although the Blue Moon’s first steps into music were decidedly local, it did not take long for touring bands to start making it a regular stop. Tate passed away in 1996 and a plaque honoring him is on the wall just outside the front door. Even in the parking lot, the urge to move is almost irresistible, encouraging those just arriving to move a little quicker to get inside for their first dance of the night. Wear comfortable shoes with a leather or non-stick sole that can glide well on the floor. According to Rayburn, “I worked here for 25 years, and I saw a lot of different fads in music, in dress and the way people act. The decorative style is decidedly tropical, with the exterior walls featuring painted palm trees that are now almost engulfed by the live banana trees growing right in front of them. Décor includes beer and liquor signs, as well as banners and posters from events past and future. The traditional Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music offered by the bands that play at Vermilionville bring out a widely varying crowd. The damage was extensive–water logged ceiling, busted sheet rock, roof, rafter, and electrical damage, as well as destroying the entire kitchen. Entering through the front door, you are met with a large bar that conceals two huge drink coolers that once held over a thousand beers each. “All these people in here–now this is how it used to be all the time. It quickly became a popular spot in downtown Mamou, a small town that was, and still is, well-known for its watering holes. The gigantic room is anchored at the far end by the main stage. The line of travel is counter-clockwise, according to the shape of the dance floor. The club was packed and quickly turned into Lafayette’s premier venue to see bigger local acts as well as a regular stop for national and regional bands on tour. Organized by The Line Dance Queen. It is not uncommon to find master Cajun musicians at the jam, sitting side by side with novice players. Dance Instructor. Waltz, Cajun 2 Step, Jig, & Cajun Jitterbug lessons! No other time is it more evident than the free Cajun jam, held every Wednesday night. The club even appeared for sale in the local classified ads. By the time the band started the room was getting crowded, old friends and acquaintances exchanging greetings as they flooded in, some bearing offerings for the growing food table and others delivering bills to Chickeen’s suit coat. Regardless of the outside temperature, most dancers will be drenched in sweat before the night is over.