PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER ACTIVITY THERE WILL BE NO CAJUN JAM IN FEBRUARY.
Friday & Saturday, February 3 & 4
**C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band playing at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, IL Both nights music starts at 9:00 p.m., $15
http://www.
Friday, February 10th thru Sunday, February 12th
**The fantastic Bonsoir Catin will be the featured Cajun band at the annual U of C Folk Festival in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL Band will play the concert on Friday (the 10th, concert starts at 8:00 p.m.) and Saturday (the 11th, concert starts at 7:30 p.m.) Concerts are in Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th Street. Order tix via U of C website listed below.
The FREE Cajun dance w/Bonsoir Catin will be Saturday the 11th at noon. There will be a dance lesson at 11:30 a.m. Dance will be in the Cloister Club (the usual large room on the main floor). This band absolutely kicked it hard this fall at Festivals Acadiens & Creoles….don’t miss them!
Saturday, February 11th
The Bucktown Aces (Heather Cole-Mullen, Dorian Gehring, Stewart Gehring, Eli Leki and Dan Massey) will play pre-Mardi Gras at Honky Tonk BBQ, 1800 S. Racine in Pilsen, Chicago. Playing from 7:30 till 10:30 p.m. Free.
http://www.
Sunday, February 12th
The Midway Ramblers presenting ‘The Cajuns: Their History, Culture, Language and Song’ at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross Street, Wheaton, IL. 2 to 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 16th SPECIAL EVENT
The Midway Ramblers will play a Memorial Dance for Mike Regan. Mike was a loyal long-time Cajun music fan and dancer who passed away in early November. His children are sponsoring this tribute dance and will be attending to say a few words and meet everyone. This is a FREE dance with a cash bar. Dance will be at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 Knox, Chicago. If you have never been to this venue, the Center is in a converted school so it’s a big building with free parking lots on either side. There is also a pub in the Center which offers hamburgers and the like. Dance will be in the Schanachie Room, which I believe is on the main level. Dance will run from 6:30 till 8 p.m. This will be a wonderful tribute to Mike and it will be meaningful to his family to have Chicago Cajun music fans and dancers attend.
Saturday, February 18
The Midway Ramblers presenting ‘The Cajuns: Their History, Culture, Language and Song’ at the Berwyn Public Library, 2701 S. Harlem Avenue, Berwyn, IL. 2 to 3 p.m.
AND LATER ON Saturday, February 18
**Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars and the BS Brass Band playing for the annual (and this is their 20th year!) Krewe de Laff Mardi Gras event, held in Preston Bradley Hall, the Cultural Center, downtown Chicago, 78 E. Washington Street. Event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Advanced tickets only (no admission at the door), $40. Costume or formal attire required. Must be 21. Light buffet, beer, wine and hurricanes included. To order tickets contact Tom Jackson at 630-661-3400 or tjaxnoladj@aol.com
AND STILL LATER THAT EVENING…
And the party continues with BS Brass Band at the Billy Goat Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Avenue from 12:30 am till 3 am. No cover…hat will be passed for the band. Cash bar.
Sunday, February 19th
The Chicago Cajun Aces will play the first ever CFMA Cajun dance at the Empty Bottle!!! This will be a Fais Do Do style dance (in the afternoon) from 2 to 5 pm. Many of us will have off on Monday as it’s President’s Day and Mardi Gras is that Tuesday so lots of great excuses to come on out and dance/celebrate!!! $5 for current CFMA members and $7 for general admission. Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western Avenue in Chicago, at corner of Cortez and Western on the east side of the street. We are really excited about the opportunity given by EB for us to have our dance at their venue. Let’s show them how great Cajun music is! Don’t dance??....come by for a brew and to listen to some great Cajun music.
also on the 19th
Midway Ramblers playing at Millennium Park from 1-2 p.m. in heated tent w/dance floor. Free event.
Monday, February 20th
**Roddy Romero & the Hub City Allstars playing for the annual Jambalaya Cookoff at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, IL. $15, 8 p.m.
http://www.
Tuesday, February 21st (Mardi Gras)
Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp playing at Metropolis Performing Arts Cener in Arlington Heights, IL at 7:30 p.m. See website for details: www.metropolisarts.com
ALSO ON THE 21st
Sweet Potato Zydeco Band playing at Chuck’s Southern Comfort Café in the VooDoo Lounge from 6 to 9 p.m. 6501 W. 79th Street in Burbank, IL. Ample parking, music and great Cajun, Creole and BBQ menu as well as a wide selection of beer and spirits.
AND ALSO ON THE 21ST
Expo ’76 (rock and Zydeco) playing the Mardi Gras dance party at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, IL, 8:00 p.m. Free!
http://www.
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
**Pine Leaf Boys at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Free dance lesson from 6:30 till 7 and show at 7:30 p.m. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THESE TALENTED GUYS…SO MUCH FUN!
Tuesday, March 13th
**Buckwheat Zydeco playing at The Montrose Room, InterContinental O’Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 8:00 p.m. $18. Can order tickets via Montrose Room website.
Friday, March 16th
The Cajun Vagabonds playing the new ‘Global Dance Party’ series at the 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago in the new building across the street from 4544. Band playing at 8:30 pm. You can get your ticket in advance on Nov 18th if a OTS member or on Dec 2nd for general public. Tix are $10. This is sure to be a super fun dance!!
Sunday, March 18th
Monthly Cajun jam at
Lizards Liquid Lounge, 3058 W. Irving Park (at Albany).
NOTE: TIMEFRAME WILL BE 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jam
starts w/slower pace for beginners and progresses to faster
tempo as more advanced musicians join in later. All
songs are Creole and Cajun (list of songs usually covered on our
website…www.chicagocajuns.org)
http://www.
Saturday, March 24th
Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp playing at Cutting Hall in Palatine, IL. See website for details: www.cuttinghall.org 847-705-5123
Sunday, April 22nd
Monthly Cajun jam at
Lizards Liquid Lounge, 3058 W. Irving Park (at Albany).
NOTE: TIMEFRAME WILL BE 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jam
starts w/slower pace for beginners and progresses to faster
tempo as more advanced musicians join in later. All
songs are Creole and Cajun (list of songs usually covered on our
website…www.chicagocajuns.org)
http://www.
Sunday, May 20th
Monthly Cajun jam at
Lizards Liquid Lounge, 3058 W. Irving Park (at Albany).
NOTE: TIMEFRAME WILL BE 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jam
starts w/slower pace for beginners and progresses to faster
tempo as more advanced musicians join in later. All
songs are Creole and Cajun (list of songs usually covered on our
website…www.chicagocajuns.org)
http://www.
Saturday, June 9th
Midway Ramblers playing the Gumbo Stomp event at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 N. Hermitage, Chicago. This event raises money to help rebuild homes in New Orleans. Dance will be in the Parish Hall. Will post details later but mark your calendar for this worth while activity.
http://www.allsaintschicago.
Did you know?
Check out KDHX out of St. Louis, MO for Mark Silverstein’s Louisiana Stomp show every Sunday from 5 to 7 a.m. Great variety of Cajun & Zydeco music featured. 88.1, KDHX
Check out website at www.kdhx.org
Can’t sleep and wanna hear some great music? J.B. Adams (who plays guitar w/Les Amis Creole) hosts Zydeco Pas Sale Sunday mornings from 4 to 6 a.m. You can stream this show on www.kpft.org
Check out the New Orleans Music Hour radio show hosted by Tom Jackson on WLUW, 88.7 fm. Some Zydeco/Cajun/Creole played from time to time as well as lots of diverse, regional New Orleans and Louisiana music.
You can also stream in ‘Louisiana Rhythms’ live on Fridays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. from KFAI.org in Minneapolis. Four Cajun/Zydeco enthusiasts take turns hosting this show which features Cajun & Zydeco music.
Mark Stoltz hosts ‘Louisiana Sound’ a radio show from Traverse City, Michigan every Saturday that you can stream in from WNMC.org It’s on the air from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern time (so that’s 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for us in Illinois). If you are in the area you can also pick it up on the radio on 90.7 fm.
Want a true slice of Southwest Louisiana without leaving your house? Listen to the fantastic ‘Rendez-Vou Des Cajuns’ music concert broadcast LIVE from the historic Liberty Theater in Eunice, Louisiana. Broadcast every Saturday night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Go to KRVS Radio Acadie at KRVS.org on your computer to stream in. You can also see who will be playing on the Liberty Theater schedule posted on http://www.eunice-la.com Enjoy this most wonderful show – broadcast in French but the music needs no translator to enjoy!
Here’s one from Port Arthur, Texas: www.klvi.com features the Dana Melancon Cajun Show every Sunday morning from 8 to 11 a.m.
Off the Beaten Path : Events further away but oh, so worthwhile!
Check out the new Michigumbo
Blog from Garry Kaluzny at http://michigumbo.com/
The Cajun Strangers play lots of gigs in Madison and around Wisconsin. Check their website regularly to see what’s up!
Check out websites for Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp and L’Espirit Creole for events around Illinois and the Midwest states.
Here are the spring dates for Madison’s Cajun Strangers playing at the Harmony Bar in Madison, WI: January 29, February 26, March 25, April 22 and May 27.
Sunday, February 26th
A great opportunity for fiddle players….Cajun Fiddle Workshop with **David Greely held at the home of Karen Holden: 219 Lathrop Street, Madison, WI Cost is $30 for a two hour workshop. Workshop will be from 2 to 4 pm. David is a fantastic fiddler and was a founding and long time member of Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. Since retiring from that band last year, David has released a wonderful Cajun fiddle CD called ‘Sud du Sud.’ Direct any questions about this workshop to Brian O’Donnell at brndnnll05@gmail.com or 608-513-9950
Friday, April 13th thru Sunday, April 15th
**Walter Mouton and **Jason Frey are the featured Louisiana musicians at the groovy Cajun Music and Dance Weekend at Folklore Village in Dodgeville, WI. Walter and Jason will join **Larry Miller and local musicians Charlie & John Terr, Eric Mohring, and Gene Losey. Dance instructor will be Maureen Mullen. Will post details of weekend classes, etc. as they unfold.
http://www.folklorevillage.org
April 20th through 27th
Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week (or Balfa Camp as those who attend regularly call it) in Chicot State Park, Louisiana. A week of music, dance, instruction, cooking, jams and fun. Instructors include: Anya Burgess, Brazos Huval, Blake Miller, Jonno Frishberg, Corey Ledet, Steve Riley, Gina Forsyth, Al Berard, Ed Poullard, David Greely. Millie Orgeto will teach dance instruction. See website for full details on registration, cost, camping, other lodging, etc. To email for questions: `info@lafolkroots.org or 337-234-8360.
Sunday, June 24th
**Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers playing at Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Sponsored by Krewe de Walleye. Check out their website for details and also for other great Cajun & Zydeco events in the Twin Cities.
July 3rd
**Jolie Blonde & Les Bassettes playing in Waupun, WI.
July 3rd through 7th
SawDust Days festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Bands this year on the Louisiana stage will be: **Horace Trahan & Ossun Express, **Jolie Blonde & Les Bassettes, **Ryan Brunet & the Malfacteurs, **Jambalaya Cajun Band, **Under 14, and the New Riverside Ramblers. Once again, a great lineup!! Will post more details as they unfold.
Saturday, July 21st
**BeauSoleil playing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts in Saugatuck, Michigan.
August 1st through 4th
Riverfolk Festival which usually features a Cajun or Zydeco band. Stay tuned. Held in Manchester, Michigan