Upcoming Cajun & Zydeco
**= bands from Louisiana
Chicago Area Upcoming Cajun & Zydeco
**= musicians from Louisiana
FOR ALL THAT ARE NEW TO MY LIST – WELCOME- AND I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT WE HAVE AN ASSOCIATE CHAPTER OF THE CFMA (CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC ASSOCIATION) THAT YOU CAN JOIN. SEE OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CHICAGOCAJUNS.ORG FOR DETAILS.
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
**BeauSoleil playing at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL. Will post details at a later time. 847-895-3600
Saturday, April 19th
CFMA dance with the Cajun Strangers from Madison, Wisconsin helping us to celebrate our first anniversary as a CFMA associate chapter! Come out to join us in the festivities for this milestone. The Cajun Strangers won for the best CD made outside of Louisiana in 2007 at the annual CFMA Awards. Dance from 8 – 11 p.m. Dance lesson during the evening when band takes a break. Held in the auditorium room at the Portage Park Center for the Arts, 5801 W. Dakin, Chicago, (corner of Dakin and Menard) in the former Nebo Lutheran Church building. Enter via the glass door on the Menard side of the building…ring the buzzer for entry. Menard is just west of Central and Dakin is just south of Irving Park Avenue. $10 for non-CFMA members (GENERAL PUBLIC IS WELCOME!!), $5 for CFMA members. Non-members can join on-the-spot for the $15 annual fee plus the $5 entry. Door prizes and a bake sale so bring some pocket change for some goodies.
Come out for an evening of great music, dance and friendship.
http://www.portageparkcenterforthearts.org
Sunday, April 20th
**BeauSoleil playing at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL. Will post details at a later time.
Friday, May 2nd
The Midway Ramblers playing the final monthly dance of the season at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox (at Wilson), Chicago. 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. $8 per person. Basic Cajun dance instruction around 8:45 or 9:00. Held in the Ceili Room on the first floor. Parking lots, wooden floor, non-smoking room, Irish pub down the hall. Come out and dance and make some new friends.
Saturday, May 10th
All you fiddlers out there….Will & Holly Whedbee will play Cajun two steps, waltzes and more as part of the Fiddle Club of the World, Chicago Branch. This is the final in a three part series of different music styles and consists of a monthly meeting and an unplugged concert which is then followed by a fiddle jam. Tunes are posted a month ahead of the meeting. If you are a fiddler and want to join this club there is a bunch of info on the Old Town School website (http://www.oldtownschool.org). Go to the ‘workshop’ link and scroll down to the May 10th entry w/Will & Holly. You can then access even more detailed info about the Fiddle Club.
Saturday, May 17th
The Chicago Cajun Aces will play the Cajun French Music Association (CFMA) dance. Held in the auditorium room at the Portage Park Center for the Arts, 5801 W. Dakin, Chicago, (corner of Dakin and Menard) in the former Nebo Lutheran Church building. Enter via the glass door on the Menard side of the building…ring the buzzer for entry. Menard is just west of Central and Dakin is just south of Irving Park Avenue. Band will play from 8 – 11 p.m. Dance lesson during the evening when band takes a break. $10 for non-CFMA members (GENERAL PUBLIC IS WELCOME!!), $5 for CFMA members. Non-members can join on-the-spot for the $15 annual fee plus the $5 entry. There will also be a bake sale so bring some pocket change for some goodies.
Come out for an evening of great music, dance and friendship.
http://www.portageparkcenterforthearts.org
Saturday, June 7th
**Buckwheat Zydeco playing at the annual BluesFest in Grant Park, downtown Chicago. Will post details when available.
Sunday, June 8th
The Midway Ramblers playing at Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows, IL. 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. 847-259-6050.
Thursday, June 12th
The Midway Ramblers playing at the Summit Public Library, 6233 Archer Road, Summit, IL. 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. 708-458-1545
Thursday, June 26th
**Jesse Lége, **Joel Savoy and Charlie Terr will bring the taste of traditional southwest Louisiana Cajun music to the Chicago Botanic Garden’s ‘Hot Summer Nights’ series which features music and dance on the Esplanade. Dance lesson prior to the dance. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. Event is free, parking is $15 per car (think car pool!). You can picnic on the lawn and also purchase light fare and beverages (including beer, wine and margaritas). 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is a great chance for those who live in the northern suburbs and have a harder time getting downtown to hear Jesse, Joel and Charlie play – come on out for an evening of fantastic music in a beautiful setting.
Friday, June 27th
**Jesse Lége and **Joel Savoy will bring their most wonderful, traditional Cajun music and joie de vivre to SummerDance!! SummerDance is a FREE music and dance series held in the beautiful Spirit of Music Garden on Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison in downtown Chicago. There is a free Cajun dance lesson w/moi (Monica) and Louie Stallone from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Jesse & Joel playing at 7:30 p.m. Great dance floor area, concessions near by, gorgeous downtown setting, lots of happy people. Best to take public transportation but parking garages all around as well. Come on out and enjoy a wonderful evening of dancing to these well regarded, highly talented musicians who also happen to be able to kick it hard! See you there! SummerDance Hotline is 312-742-4007 – good to call if rain storm impending as event might get cancelled.
http://www.chicagosummerdance.org
Wednesday, July 2nd thru Saturday, July 5th
The annual American Music Festival at Fitzgerald’s Night Club. Stay tuned for posting of any Cajun/Zydeco they make book.
http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
Friday, July 4th
The Midway Ramblers playing after the parade at the Elgin Downtown Celebration. Between 1:00 and 4:00. 847-488-1456
Friday, July 11th
**Lafayette Rhythm Devils playing high energy Cajun music at SummerDance!! SummerDance is a FREE music and dance series held in the beautiful Spirit of Music Garden on Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison in downtown Chicago. There is a free Cajun dance lesson with Stacey Huval Morrow & Robert Morrow from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by the Devils playing 7:30 p.m. Great dance floor area, concessions near by, gorgeous downtown setting, lots of happy people. Best to take public transportation but parking garages all around as well. A lot of you enjoyed this band in February at the U of C Folk Festival Cajun dance. Here’s a second chance to have a fantastic time dancing to this wonderful Louisiana band! SummerDance Hotline is 312-742-4007 – good to call if rain storm impending as event might get cancelled.
http://www.lafayetterhythmdevils.com
http://www.chicagosummerdance.org
Saturday, July 12th
**Rosie Ledet, Zydeco’s Sweetheart, playing some kickin’ Zydeco at SummerDance!! SummerDance is a FREE music and dance series held in the beautiful Spirit of Music Garden on Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison in downtown Chicago. There is a free Zydeco dance lesson with Buddy Bates & Rebecca Unger from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Rosie playing 7:30 p.m. Great dance floor area, concessions near by, gorgeous downtown setting, lots of happy people. Best to take public transportation but parking garages all around as well. Come on out and dance your socks off to some high energy Zydeco! SummerDance Hotline is 312-742-4007 – good to call if rain storm impending as event might get cancelled.
http://www.chicagosummerdance.org
Saturday, July 12th & Sunday, July 13th
The wonderful annual Folk & Roots Festival sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music. Held in Welles Park, north side of Chicago. Will post any Cajun/Zydeco band information when it is available.
Thursday, July 24th
The Chicago Cajun Aces playing at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s ‘Hot Summer Nights’ series which features music and dance on the Esplanade. Dance lesson prior to the dance. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. Event is free, parking is $15 per car (think car pool!). You can picnic on the lawn and also purchase light fare and beverages (including beer, wine and margaritas). 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29th
The Midway Ramblers playing the Elmhurst Concert in the Park in Wilder Park, 175 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. 630-993-8900
July 31st through August 2nd
2008 Creole Heritage Conference (‘Sharing, building and Growing our Creole Cultural Connections) at Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL. See website for details on the conference/lecture schedule. This event is hosted by the Creole Heritage Center from Natchitoches, Louisiana.
http://www.nsula.edu/creole/chicago
Sunday, August 3rd
The Midway Ramblers playing at the Taste of Orland Park on the Main Stage, 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, IL 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. 708-403-6277
Friday, August 15th
The Midway Ramblers playing Sunshine Serenades, Founders Gazebo, 101 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale, IL 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. 630-529-3120
Thursday, August 28th
The Chicago Cajun Aces playing at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s ‘Hot Summer Nights’ series which features music and dance on the Esplanade. Dance lesson prior to the dance. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. Event is free, parking is $15 per car (think car pool!). You can picnic on the lawn and also purchase light fare and beverages (including beer, wine and margaritas). 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Did you know?
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 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. from KFAI.org in Minneapolis. Three 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 WMNC.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.
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 :
The Cajun Strangers play lots of gigs in Madison and around Wisconsin. Check their website regularly to see what’s up!
Friday, April 18th through Friday, April 25th
Annual Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. Intensive instruction and a variety of workshops on Cajun and Creole fiddle, accordion, guitar, etc., dance classes and nightly dances with top Louisiana bands and much more. Instructors will include renowned musicians such as Dirk Powell, Steve Riley, Ed Poullard, David Greely, Tony Balfa and others. For more information see the website:
http://www.lafolkroots.org or call 337-234-8360 or email info@lafolkroots.org
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this well-known weekend. Check it out!
Wednesday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 27th
Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Features six music stages, food court areas, street musicians, arts and crafts, cultural workshops, music store. International music but many Cajun and Zydeco bands participate. See website for list of musicians, directions, etc.
http://www.festivalinternational.com
May 2nd through May 4th
The annual Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Parc Hardy , Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Tons of great bands…check this out: Pine Leaf Boys, FeuFollet, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, Ray Abshire, Keith Frank, Horace Trahan & Huval-Doucet, and the list goes on and on. See website for full band list, general info, directions, parking, lodging, camping, etc. This festival has a reputation as being a complete blast so think about going down!
Friday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 25th
New Riverside Ramblers playing at the 20th Annual Traditional Arts Weekend in Remus, Michigan. Band will play with dance lessons in beginning and intermediate Cajun dance by Mark Stoltz. Will post info as available.
http://www.newriversideramblers.com
Friday, May 30th & Saturday, May 31st
The annual Pheasant Hollow Mardi Gras in May at the Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington, IL. w/Paul Gregoire and Roux de Bayou, Hadley Castille and the Sharecropper Cajun Band, Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp and Dancin Donna and Cha-Cha Willie teaching Cajun dance. Camping and lodging available near the festival. Rain or shine. Friday the 30th 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday the 31st, 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 6th & Saturday, 7th
**Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars and **Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe playing at the annual Gumbo Ya Ya Festival in ‘The District’ section, downtown Rock Island, IL. Great River Plaza, 2nd Avenue between 17th and 19th streets. Southern cuisine available. Friday fest is from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Saturday from noon to 12:30 a.m. Will post any additional bands and schedule when available.
http://www.gumboyayafestival.com
Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, 8th
**Feufollet will play on the 8th at the annual Marquette Waterfront Festival, Yahara Place Park, Madison, Wisconsin. Details not posted yet but keep checking their website for time this band will play.
http://www.marquette-neighborhood.org
Wednesday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 6th
The LouWISiana Hot Sauce Fest at Sawdust Days, 301 E. Irving Avenue, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. “30 hours of kick-butt dancing music” featuring **Kevin Naquin and The Ossum Playboys, **Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, **The Lafayette Rhythm Devils, **Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, **Danny Collet and Louisiana Tremor. See website for full daily time table, directions, etc. I’ve heard by many that this is a great fest and a really fun time. 920-410-1200.
Sunday, July 6th through Friday, July 11th
The amazing Cajun/Creole Week at Augusta Heritage Center on Davis Elkins campus, Elkins, West Virginia. A full immersion week of Cajun/Creole dance and music lessons, nightly dances, weekly concerts, etc. Instructors include **Jason Frey, **Ed Poullard, **Paul Daigle, **Ray Abshire, **Jane, Jo, and John Vidrine, Charlie Terr and many more. Guest musicians are **Jesse Lége and **Michael Doucet. This is a ‘must’ week to attend at least once if you are a true fan of Cajun music.
http://www.augustaheritage.com
Thursday, July 10th through Sunday, July 13th
**Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, **Rosie Ledet, **Lafayette Rhythm Devils, and Madison’s Cajun Strangers at the annual La Fete de Marquette in East Isthmus Central Park, Madison, WI. Nathan will play on the 10th . Rest of details not listed yet but keep checking their website for schedule/dates these bands are playing as well as other information. I’ve heard really positive things about this festival so go check it out! 608-267-0842
http://www.marquette-neighborhood.org
September 5th & 6th
Pine Leaf Boys playing at the 35th Annual Wheatland Festival, Michigan. Will post times, etc. when info available.
September 19th
BeauSoleil playing at Beloit College, 700 College Street, Beloit, Wisconsin. 608-363-2000
October 10th, 11th, 12th
The always memorable annual Festivals Acadiens held in Girard Park, Lafayette, Louisiana. Free admission. Two stages of the best Cajun and Zydeco can offer. Will post bands when schedule is out in September.
October 24th and 25th
The annual South Louisiana Blackpot Festival & Cookoff, Lafayette, Louisiana. Will post info as available. This new festival has been growing in momentum and popularity. I’ve heard it’s pretty great!
http://www.blackpotfestival.com