Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! No. 76 (May 2019)

Florida

CajunZydeco.com

Lee

Benoit

NUMBER

76

May 2019

2

Photo by Jim Hance

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Mystery dance venue, see page 24

MAY 2O19 4 Cajun Zydeco Dances in St. Pete

In May: live music with Steven Fernand May 7 & 21 @ Caddy’s on Central

6 Backyard Cajun Concert in Gulfport, FL

Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m.

7 Dikki Du Returns to the Blue Rooster

Saturday, June 1, 8 p.m. at The Blue Rooster in Sarasota

FEATURE STORY 8 Lee Benoit: A Music Career Well Rewarded “I’m my own producer, so I can do whatever I want. Exactly what I want.”

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Cover photo of Lee Benoit by David Simpson of Eunice, Louisiana Photoshop editing by Jim Hance

CAJUN ZYDECO COMMUNITY 24 Mystery Dance Venue

Our mystery dance venue for May, and the identity of the April venue

26 Creole Bred?

An album recommendation for your Cajun zydeco music library

28 How to Speak Cajun

Louisiana Travel clues us in on Cajun terminology.

31 Porchdogs in Ormond Beach

Performing at Cajunfest on June 15

32 Remembering Roy Carrier

A 2010 obituary in Miami New Times

34 Festival-O-Rama

Some listings from the FloridaCajunZydeco.com/festivals page.

42 Outside Florida

Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Assn. presents a CD Dance & Potluck in May.

3

4

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com | S T. P E T E R S B U R G |

Cajun Zydeco

Dance at Caddy’s on Central 217 Central Ave., 33701 Tuesdays May 7 + May 21 6 p.m. Cajun or zydeco dance lesson 6:30 p.m. Open dancing to DJ Jim 8 p.m. Live music w/Steven Fernand 6 P. M . TO 9:30 P.M. Twice monthly Cajun and zydeco dance at Caddy’s on Central in downtown St. Pete. Good mix of danceable music by Cajun and zydeco artists singing about death, divorce, drinking and dancing.

No cover charge. Caddy’s is at 217 Central Ave., St. Pete 33701.

THIS MONTH STeven Fernand

AT 8 P.M.

5 Photo by Jim Hance

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Tuesday, May 7 + Tuesday, May 21

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com | G U L F P O R T, F L |

Backyard Cajun Concert

Saturday, May 4 | Snacks & chat 6:30 p.m. | Music at 7 p.m.

Photo by Jim Hance

6

Larry Enlow and Maureen Kilroy present an evening of Cajun and other roots music with Gulfport Swamp Opera with special guest Ann Whitley Singleton. Address: 5814 23rd Ave. S, Gulfport.

(Please park at Regions Bank, Gulfport Blvd. S. at 58th St. S. or at Hoyt Field, 23rd Ave. S. at 57th St. S.) Entire property is non-smoking. This is a “backyard concert,� so dress comfortably.

Suggested donation: $10-$20. Proceeds go to artists or to nonprofit Enroy Foundation for the Visual & Performing Arts.

Questions? Contact enroy@yahoo.com or call 727-290-6445 (landline, no texts.)

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

7

| S A R A S O TA , F L |

Dikki Du

& The Zydeco Krewe Photo at Ace's in 2017 by Linda Hoffman

Saturday, June 1 at The Blue Rooster (Sarasota)

8:00 p.m. at Blue Rooster Restaurant, 1525 Fourth Street, Sarasota, FL. Phone 941-388-7539.

Website: www.blueroostersrq.com/ Last time we saw Dikki Du at Blue Rooster: Tickets were available in advance for $15 near the band, $12 at the rear of the restaurant. Space on floor for dancing near the stage. We had a great turnout in December, and lots of dancing.

8

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Lee

L

Benoit

ee Benoit has one of the most active Cajun dance bands in South Louisiana performing five nights a week at the most popular Cajun venues from Breaux Bridge to New Orleans, and only occasionally performing at festivals outside the state. He is proud of his Cajun heritage and is truly devoted to performing traditional and contemporary Cajun music with dignity and professionalism. His group is one of the smoothest sounding Cajun dance bands around. Lee is very proud of his Cajun heritage and spends a great deal of his time promoting his culture and performing traditional and contemporary Cajun music.

9 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Lee Benoit, 2015

10

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Benoit Family Band in October 2017

11 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Left to right: Valerie Benoit, Lee Benoit, Kevin Stelly, and Gina Forsyth

12

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Since breaking into Cajun music in the early 90s, Lee Benoit has won numerous awards from the Cajun French Music Association. He was Inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and has racked up a mantle full of awards for his fresh approach to the music he grew up on and the Cajun culture he proudly presents. He is part of a generation of Cajun musicians who were influenced not so much by Joe and Cleoma Falcon or the Balfa Brothers, but more by Wayne Toups, Steve Riley, Beausoleil and rocker John Fogerty. The result is high-spirited dance music sung in French and English that mixes Benoit’s original tunes with traditional favorites.

A

ll six of Benoit’s award-winning albums have been solo artist projects, but when he performs in mostly Louisiana clubs and festivals his band is the “Lee Benoit Family Band,” a band established about ten years ago. In addition to Lee Benoit on accordion and vocals, his band features his wife Valerie Benoit on bass guitar and vocals, daughter Maegen Benoit on both lead and harmony vocals and drums, and daughter Rosemary Benoit on fiddle. Often family members in the lineup are replaced or joined on stage by Gina Forsyth, Mark Hebert, or Mary Tweedel on fiddle, Kevin Stelly on drums, and other members of the Cajun community.

In the years prior to the Lee Benoit Family Band, a similar amalgamation of personnel were booked for live engagements as Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers.

Photographer David Simpson has had numerous opportunities to

13 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Lee Benoit, 2014

14

Photo by David Simpson

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Lee Benoit, 2013

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! document the band when performing in the Lafayette area. He says Lee is not only an excellent accordionist and vocalist, but his French enunciation is exceptionally clear.

Discovered His gift for Music early Lee Benoit got his start in music at age five when Lee Benoit was given an electric organ by his grandmother, Cidalise, who raised him. He started to play gospel music on it — by ear.

At the age of twelve, he started to play the electric guitar and formed a band. They played rock n’ roll and were influenced by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Hank Williams and others. Lee also learned to play the bass guitar during his teenage years.

In 1976, he joined the Marines and was trained to be an automated data processor. After leaving the Marines in 1979, he returned to his education. In 1985, he became a nationally registered paramedic. He worked as a paramedic on an ambulance for seven years, and then for another seven years on an oil platform. He continued to play rock and country music in his spare time.

Inspired by Wayne Toups At the age of 29, he was inspired to take up the accordion by hearing the Cajun performer Wayne Toups (about 1989). Lee fell in love with the instrument and playing Cajun music. He soon added Cajun songs to his set lists.

In 1993, he signed to the Master-Trak label, and in 1994 recorded his first

15

16

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com CD, Avec Amis. The album was nominated for Best First Album and the song “Valerie” (dedicated to his wife) was nominated for Song of the Year by the Cajun French Music Association. Floyd’s Record Shop described Benoit as “the cream of the crop” of the new generation of musicians coming out of South Louisiana.

A Musical career well rewarded After the success of his first album, Benoit contributed his skills to album projects of other Cajun artists. He has contributed to two of Hadley J. Castille’s albums, La Musique De Les Castilles and Forty Acres and Two Mules.

He played accordion and guitar on Doug Kershaw’s Two Step Fever CD in 1999. And Benoit co-produced and played guitar on Hunter Hayes' first two albums.

In 1998, he released his second album, Live at Vermilionville, which was nominated in five categories by the Cajun French Music Association: Male Vocalist of The Year, Accordionist of The Year, Album Of The Year, Band Of The Year and Song Of The Year. He won the latter award for “The Visit.” In September 2000, Lee released his third CD, Dis N Dat. In 2001, he was awarded Accordionist Of The Year, and in 2002 earned the Presidents Award from the Cajun French Music Association.

Lee recorded and mixed his fourth CD, Ma Petite Femme, at his home studio and it was released in 2005. This album cemented his reputation, with Lee winning Male Vocalist Of The Year, Accordionist Of The Year and

17 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Lee Benoit, 2015

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

18

Lee and Rosemary Benoit and Bayou Stompers at 2003 Cajun French Music Association Festival Song Of The Year for the title song, “Ma Petite Femme� from the Cajun French Music Association. Lee also received nominations for Best Recording Of The Year and Peoples Choice 2006. On August 19, 2011, Lee was the recipient of the Heritage Award at the Le Cajun Awards Show by the Cajun French Music Association for outstanding contributions and dedication to the preservation of the Cajun culture.

On August 16, 2013, Lee was the recipient of the Award Of Excellence

19 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Bayou Stompers at the 2006 Crowley International Rice Festival at the Le Cajun Awards Show by the Cajun French Music Association for being a musician's musician — a musician that other musicians try to emulate.

On April 30, 2014, Lee released his all-original Cajun album titled Pour

20

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Photo by David Simpson

Les Générations À Venir (For The Generations To Come).

This album was nominated in five categories with the Cajun French Music Association for 2015. Best Album Of The Year, the song “Le Garsoleil” was nominated for Song of The Year, The People’s Choice Award, and the band was nominated for Band of The Year. Benoit also won the Male Vocalist Of The Year award at The Le Cajun Award Show on August 21, 2015.

Lee Benoit was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall Of Fame on August 15, 2014.

In 2016, Lee released his 6th CD titled Louisiana Cajun Style.

It contains covers of country songs about Louisiana that he recorded in a Cajun style.

Lee Benoit, 2015

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Memories as a Boy Are in His Music Lee Benoit was interviewed by Herman Fuselier for the Times of Acadiana in 2014 upon the release of Pour Les Générations à Venir (For the Generations to Come). Since his fourth album in 2005, Benoit recorded his own music in his home studio for his own label, Bradley Records. The 12-song disc contains all-original Cajun songs including five written by Benoit and four from songwriter Maurice Lasserre of Baton Rouge. There’s also a remake of the hit ballad and tribute to his wife, “Valerie,” which now includes a final verse in English.

According to Fuselier, the songs have plenty of Cajun accordion and fiddle.

But many are refreshingly peppered with mandolin, bongos, harmonica, tambourine and other elements not found on the typical Cajun CD. “I’m normally not a writer but I just got some inspiration to do some new stuff,” said Benoit. “I’ve been noticing the younger Cajun kids. They’re not much up on the culture now.

“I just want to do my small part in passing something down. I know (this CD) is not traditional now, but it may be traditional in years to come.

Everything goes around, just like bell bottoms. In 100 years, maybe there’ll be a smaller group but hopefully we’ll still have people into the culture and remembering it.”

Traditional and contemporary fans can feel the sentiment behind “Le Garsoleil” (Sun Bonnet) written by Mary Brown. Benoit was raised by his

21

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com grandmother and has fond memories of her wearing her sun bonnet when she worked in the yard.

“There’s a line in there that says she hung it on a nail on the back porch. As she went out the door, it was right there. I was really young, but I remember she found an old nail. But she needed to hang her garsoleil and the bag with the clothes pin.

She couldn’t find a hammer, but she had big soles on her shoes.

But I can remember she pulled off one of her shoes and banged that nail into the wall by the back door. Every time she’d go Lee Benoit, 2003 outside to work in her garden or hang clothes, she’d put that garsoleil on. I remember her starching and spraying it and making sure it was stiff.”

Photo by David Simpson

22

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Making Music His Way Benoit’s 2014 CD marked 25 years as a Cajun musician, winner of numerous awards from the Cajun French Music Association. According to Fuselier, Benoit is a rarity among local artists — one who can play full time without touring out of state. Benoit and band, which include his wife Valerie and daughter Maegen, play five nights a week at restaurants in Breaux Bridge, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Benoit is enjoying his life in music, Fuselier wrote.

“I’m not under contracts and I have my own studio at my house. I’m my own producer, so I can do whatever I want. Exactly what I want. The graphics, everything on the CD, I did it. It’s all mine, front to back.”

Discography • Avec Amis (1994) • Live At Vermilionville (1998) • Dis 'N' Dat (2000) • Ma Petite Femme (2005) • Pour Les Générations À Venir (2014) • Louisiana Cajun Style (2016)

23

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photos by Jim Hance

24

mystery dance venue There is a Cajun-zydeco dance festival in May that draws more than 20,000 folks each year. This month’s mystery dance venue is in that city, and caters to tango and swing dancers. Built by an eccentric supporter of the arts, the architectural ornamentation includes threedimensional reliefs of Don Quixote and celebrated Spanish bullfighter Carlos Arruza. According to the website, “when you visit the venue you feel as if you are taking a trip to another country or planet. Beyond these doors lies a fairy tale land of castles, sultan palaces and other magical places.” I will share this dance location with you in the next issue. (If you want to visit this unique venue while in that festival town Mother’s Day weekend, contact me. )

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

25

Photo credit to be revealed next issue

April’s mystery dance venue revealed!

Thelma A. Boltin Community Center is a swing-era dance ballroom built in 1942 by the USO for service men & women from bases around Gainesville. It is now the home of the Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society. The ante room and restrooms might be mistaken for a thoughtfully appointed bed and breakfast. Today its name commemorates a community theater leader who was also a founder of the Florida Folk Festival. You can get more information at https:// www.facebook.com/pages/Thelma-A-Boltin/170734446291329

26

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com | R ECOMMENDED |

Creole Bred?

You might think that an album titled Creole Bred would indicate that the artists are Creole. For the most part, the title refers to the legacy of music from Southwest Louisiana.

On this collection of music featuring the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Taj Mahal, David Hidalgo, and Michelle Shocked, the lead singer may not be Creole at all. However, there are plenty of very talented Creoles playing the music.

One tune I play often at our Cajun Zydeco Dance in St. Pete is Boozoo Chavis’ tune “Paper in My Shoe” covered by Michelle Shocked. iTunes tells me this tune has been played 57 times. Michelle is an eclectic indy artist who got her start in the late 80s with highly charged social commentary and the album Short Sharp Shocked. In fact, her stage name came from the San Francisco police report where she was arrested demonstrating near the 1984 Democratic convention. The police officer asked for her name, and she muttered “I’m shell-shocked.” Album producer Ann Savoy paired Michelle’s piercing vocals with Andre Thierry’s superb blues accordion.

Andre’s intricate button work here sounds like the original King of Zydeco.

Creole artists Curley Taylor, Nathan Williams, Geno Delafose, Keith Frank, Rosie Ledet and Sean Ardoin appear on this album too.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Creole Bred, released in 2004

27

28

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

How to Speak Cajun From Louisiana Travel Louisiana’s Cajun culture runs deep. The word Cajun popped up in the 19th century to describe the Acadian people of Louisiana. The Acadians were descendants of the French Canadians who were settling in southern Louisiana and the Lafayette region of the state. They spoke a form of the French language, and today the Cajun language is still prevalent. The Cajuns had a large impact on Louisiana’s culture bringing diverse cuisine, music styles and dialects to the region.

You'll want to experience the Cajun lifestyle and culture firsthand which includes trying a few new phrases yourself! Come on down to Louisiana and spend some time enjoying the diversity of Louisiana’s Cajun Country and maybe even try out a Cajun word or two. Check out the quick guide to Cajun sayings below and learn how to speak Cajun French.

When using the pronunciation guide, the (n) represents nasalized vowels.

Here are a few Cajun words and sayings you may hear when visiting Louisiana.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Allons [Ah-loh(n)]: Let’s go. Ça c’est bon [Sa say boh(n)]: That’s good. Ça va [Sa va]: How are you? And it’s also the response “I’m well.”

C’est tout [Say too]: That’s all.

Cher [sha]: A term of endearment usually used with women, similar to ‘dear’ or ‘sweetheart.’ “Would you like another cup of coffee, cher?”

Chevrette [she-vret]: Shrimp Cocodril [ko-ko-dree]: Alligator Courtbouillon [coo-boo-yon]: A rich, spicy tomato-based soup or stew made with fish fillets, onions, and sometimes mixed vegetables.

Envie [ah(n)-vee] A longing or hunger to do or eat something. Other Southerners might use the word ‘hankering’ where a Cajun would use ‘envie.’ “I’ve got an envie for some boudin.”

Fais do-do [fay doe-doe]: A Cajun dance party. (Also, an expression adults use when they want children to go to sleep.) “Will we see you at the fais do-do?”

Filé [fee-lay]: Ground sassafras leaves used to season, among other things, gumbo.

Frottior [froh-twahr]: A washboard or rubboard used as a musical instrument in zydeco and Cajun music.

Gris-gris [gree-gree] To put a curse on someone. Frequently used in jest, not in reference to actual black magic. “Grandma got so mad when I ate her pie, she put a gris gris on me.”

29

30

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Honte [hont]: Embarrassed or ashamed. “I drank too much and fell into the bayou. Boy, was I honte!”

Joie de vivre [ Jhwa da veev]: Joy of living.

Lagniappe [Lahn-yop]: Something extra.

Laissez les bons temps rouler [Lay say lay boh(n) toh(n) roo lay]: Let the good times roll. With more than 400 festivals each year, this saying embraces the fun-loving nature of Louisiana.

Minou [mee-noo]: Cat. “Get that minou off the table! It’s time for dinner.”

Pauvre ti bête [Pove tee bet]: Poor little thing.

Pirogue [pee-row]: A Cajun canoe.

Ti (masculine) or 'tite (feminine) [tee or teet]: The Cajun equivalent of ‘junior,’ but placed before the name rather than after. “I had dinner with John and his son Ti-Jean.”

Veiller [vay-yay]: To spend the evening talking with friends. Cajun equivalent of “to shoot the breeze.” “She was veiller with all her friends on the porch” Not so difficult now that you know, right? Also, check out our guide to Louisiana’s culinary lingo. Or dive into the enticing beat of Cajun music.

Now, when you head to a fais do-do, you’ll feel right at home!

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

31

| N O RT H E A S T F LO RI DA |

Photo by Naples Daily News: David Albers

Porchdogs in Ormond Beach

Saturday, June 15, the Porchdogs Trio perform at Cajunfest for the Ormond Beach Historical Society. Hours are 5-9 p.m. at the AndersonPrice Memorial Bldg., 42 N. Beach Street in Ormond Beach. There’s a small wooden dance floor. Traditional New Orleans food and drink are available for purchase. For more information, 386-677-7005 or for tickets ($10). https://ormondhistory.org/calendar-events/.

32

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com | TRIBUTE |

Remembering Roy R.I.P. Joseph Roy Carrier, Zydeco Legend

BY ABEL FOLGAR, MIAMI NEW TIMES | MAY 5, 2010 The jolly man of the accordion is with us no longer. Sometimes known as Zydeco Roy, Roy Carrier is the last of the original zydeco players that came up in the 50s and 60s who put Louisiana’s sexy blend of Cajun and LaLa music on the American roots map.

A contemporary and devotee of Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis and Delton Broussard, Roy’s attitude towards basing zydeco music on the blues ensured his longevity and the affectionate nickname of “Living Legend.” His was a hard life begun February 11th, 1947 on the fields of Louisiana with his sharecropping family, and joining the live music circuit alongside his father at the age of ten honed his craft. Usually backed by one of the many incarnations of his Night Rockers band, Roy

33 Photos by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Roy Carrier and Chubby Carrier at a Thanksgiving benefit, 2005 Carrier was a stalwart persona of the genre that can be compared to what Junior Kimbrough did for Delta blues.

There’s something endemically fun in zydeco music and it is best portrayed in the ease and skill with which he created sound on the accordion, a beast of an instrument that is often forgotten or relegated to “mariachi” music, which is cool because the genres share a similar ancestry.

Though he did not record until the 1980s, there are plenty of compact disc compilations of his studio and live work available through his website.

Make a racket in heaven baby, get them angels dancing!

34

Photo by Jim Hance

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Gator by the Bay food court stage

May 2019 May 1-4, 2019 — Suwannee River Jam (Live Oak, FL) Artists include Trace Adkins, Clint Black, Chase Rice, Gretchen Wilson, and Hank Williams Jr. At The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, FL. Website: http://suwanneeriverjam.com/

May 2-5, 2019 — Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival (North Carolina) Bands include Preston Frank and 50 other bands. 4 days, 4 stages in beautiful, green Chatham County, North Carolina. http://shakorihillsgrassroots.org/

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival crowd

May 3-5, 2019 — Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Breaux Bridge, LA) Bands include Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Lil Nate the Zydeco Big Timers, Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, Nathan Williams and the Zydeco ChaChas, Geno Delafose and French Rockin Boogie and many more. The Crawfish Festival has also become one of the largest gatherings of world famous Cajun musicians. All weekend long you can hear the sound of authentic Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop music rising from the festival. Whether your musical taste is Cajun or Creole, you can witness over 30 bands perform over the three day event if you think you have the stamina. It’s a perfect opportunity to see our musical tradition passed from generation to generation. Watch the Cajun dance contests, and if you’re brave, join in. There’s no better way to learn.

There are even Cajun music workshops held in the heritage tent.

Website: http://bbcrawfest.com/

35

36

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com May 5–10, 2019 — Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week (Lafayette, LA) Instructors include Brazos Huval, Cedric Watson, Corey Ledet, David Greely, Drew Simon, Forest Huval, Kelli Jones, Kevin Wimmer, Sam Brousard, Wilson Savoy and others. Balfa Week features: Five days of intensive classes on fiddle, guitar and accordion; Twice-daily participatory teaching sessions on Cajun & Creole Vocals; Five days of instructor-coached Band Labs; Nightly Dances with fantastic Cajun and Creole artists; Five or more artist-led Jam des Amis sessions; Intimate afternoon words-and-music sessions with accomplished and legendary Featured Artists; Afternoon Lagniappe Sessions on a variety of topics; and more. All meals are included starting Sunday with FullTime Registration. Lodging options on site are Campsites (available by contacting Chicot State Park) with water and electricity as well as a group dorm.

If you would like to stay off-site in other accommodations there are options available in and around the surrounding area.

Website: https://www.lafolkroots.org/balfa-week

May 9-12, 2019 — Gator By The Bay Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival (San Diego) 2019 bands include Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, and Aki Kumar Bollywood Blues. The total number of artists at the event will be over 60. The event draws 20,000 each year, and offers the dancer seven music stages from which to choose, with two main stages offering 3,000 sq. ft. tented dance floors at each. The event is situated on mile-long Spanish Landing Park on San Diego Bay directly across the street from San Diego Lindbergh International Airport. The weather in San Diego is particularly nice in May with temps at

37 Photo by Peter Oliver

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Dancers under a main stage tent at Gator By the Bay in San Diego the bay around 75 degrees, but bring a jacket because when the sun goes down it gets a bit chilly. Website: www.gatorbythebay.com.

May 23-26, 2019 — Jacksonville Jazz Fest (Jacksonville, FL) Gladys Knight, Brian Culbertson, Monty Alexander, LPT, Brass-a-Holics, Amina Scott, Avery's Sunshine, Moonchild, Greg Adams and East Bay Soul, Ledisi, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio. Experience all Downtown Jacksonville has to offer as it comes alive with the sounds of jazz greats and modern favorites at the 2018 Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Memorial Day weekend. Join the City of Jacksonville and experience three stages of live jazz, local food, drinks, shopping and entertainment. Since first taking place in 1981, the Jazz Fest has become one of the largest jazz festivals in the country, offering a fun and vibrant street festival atmosphere, and in 2018 you can experience it on an even larger scale throughout 15 blocks of downtown.

Website: http://jacksonvillejazzfest.com/

38

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com May 24-26, 2019 — “Zydeco Zity” Intern’l.

Cajun Zydeco Festival (Netherlands) Bands include Zydeco Playboys, River Zydeco Band, Zydeco Prophecies, Cajun Bouexi Band, Evil Emil and King Kong Cobras, John Qui Saute. After party: Allez Mama. Festival location: Corner Kloosterweg and Wilhelminalaan, next to the soccer fields, Raamsdonksveer. Website: http://www.zydecozity.nl/en

May 24-26, 2019 — Florida Folk Festival (White Springs, FL)

Allez Mama

Artists include Billy Dean, Brother Brother, Tom Shed, Frank Thomas, John Anderson, Wild Shiners, Mindy Simmons, Ben Prestage, Toney Rocks, Rod MacDonald, John McEuen and the Stringwizards. A three-day celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida unique. From Irish fiddle tunes and kumquat pie, to the wide varieties of music brought by immigrants, the state's cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of Florida families and communities. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend more than 300 performances give voice and meaning to Florida's heritage. Every year the Department of State's Florida Folklife Program researches a special topic on Florida's traditional heritage. The Festival's 2016 Folklife Area will feature performances and demonstrations celebrating the diverse living traditions of Miami-Dade County. Be sure to visit the Folklife Area to experience the compelling traditions and savor the flavors, sights, and sounds, of some of Florida's oldest and newest cultural communities. At the Florida Folk Festival you can sit with the masters who keep cultural traditions alive. In jam sessions, demonstrations and workshops, try your own hand at playing mandolin, telling stories, or making a pine needle basket. Learn how to collect your family's

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! history, call a square dance, or the importance of native plant and animal species. Take a shopping excursion and visit with Florida's traditional and contemporary craftsmen. Then dine on collard greens and cornbread, chicken pilau and hoppin' john, shrimp gumbo, barbecue, curries, gyros and lime fizzes. As the sun sets, settle in for concerts by moonlight or dance the night away at the Heritage Stage. At the end of the day you'll have discovered new corners of the state from the people who call Florida home.This weekend, Gumbo Limbo performing at Florida Folk Festival. Starts off Friday with two performances Corey Ledet including Cajun lesson and dance at Heritage Stage. Florida Folk Festival is near intersection of I-10 and I-75 in northern part of Florida. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is a Florida State Park located in White Springs off U.S. 41, along the Suwannee River in north Florida, 11016 Lillian Sanders Dr, White Springs, FL 32096 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/stephen-foster-folk-culturecenter-state-park/florida-folk-festival-schedule-highlights

May 25-26, 2019 — Simi Valley Cajun, Blues Music Festival (CA) Bands include Corey Ledet, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, Bayou Brothers, David Sousa and Zydeco Mudbugs, Lisa Haley & The Zydekats, Mark St. Mary Zydeco and Blues Band, Spin Doctors, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, Lightnin' Willie, Pete Anderson, Queen Nation.

Website: http://www.simicajun.org

39

40

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com May 30 through June 2, 2019 — Orange Blossom Country Dance Festival (Orlando, FL) Voted favorite North American UCWDC event! Swing and country dance competitions, Lots of social dancing. They are to their credit UCWDC Classic Masters World Champions, World Professional Smooth Finalists, Classic and Showcase Swing Champions, and U.S. Open Swing Cabaret Champions.

There will be country, swing, hustle, and cabaret division competitions as well as dedicated ballrooms for just social dancing throughout the event. Event will be held at Orlando Airport Marriott.

Website: http://www.orangeblossomdance.net/

May 31-June 2, 2019 — Michael Arnone's Crawfish Festival (Augusta, NJ) Aaron Neville(Saturday), The Marcus King Band(Sunday), Neville Jacobs (Friday), Rebirth Brass Band, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Cowboy Mouth, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Walter Wolfman Washington and The Roadmasters, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Bishop Gunn, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, John "Papa" Gros, Jonathon Long, Flow Tribe, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, Darcy Malone & The Tangle, Amanda Fish, The Iceman Special, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Tony Smith & The You Know How We do Crew and Big Mamou.

Website: http://www.crawfishfest.com Nathan Williams

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Blast from The Bayou Festival at Strawberry Park

June 6-9, 2019 — Blast From The Bayou Cajun-Zydeco Festival (Preston, CT) Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Pine Leaf Boys, The Revelers, Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, Dennis Stroughmatt , Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Yvette Landry & Friends. https://www.facebook.com/Strawberry-Park-Blast-from-the-Bayou-CajunZydeco-Festival-205474722813332/

June 22-23, 2019 — Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival (New Orleans, LA) https://www.jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco

July 4-7, 2019 — Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland) Artists include The Maverick, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Marc Broussard, The Revivalists. Website: http://www.waterfrontbluesfest.com

Yes! You want to plan your trips to out-of-state festivals farther in advance. This is just a sampling. Many more festivals listed through end of 2019 at FloridaCajunZydeco.com/festivals.html

41

42

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Outside Florida Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association Dance Sunday, May 19, 2019

DJ Dance Party and Potluck 4 to 7 p.m. (45 minute dance lesson at 4 p.m.)

Garden Hills Community Center, 337 Pine Tree Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Website: aczadance.org Editor’s note: Members of ACZA make a tremendous financial commitment to get great bands to Atlanta, so if you’re in the area please support the cause.

NYC Cajun Zydeco Events letszydeco.com

Philadelphia Cajun Zydeco Events allonsdanser.org

Houston Cajun Zydeco Events zydecoevents.com/texaszydecoevents.html

Southern California Events icajunzydeco.com

Need a place to stay in the Lafayette area?

Former Floridian Trish Gowl provides modestly priced “AirBnB” accommodations for visitors to Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole communities. Her place is in Breaux Bridge, walking distance to La Poussiere and Buck and Johnny’s, and about a 15-minute drive to any of the clubs in Lafayette. You can view her accommodations at https://www.airbnb. com/rooms/21433064, or shoot her an email at pgowl92@gmail.com.