Gator By The Bay 2012 Lineup Announced...

The big head liners to keep your Cajun/Zydeco feet stomping has been announced for this years 2012 Gator By The Bay festival in San Diego.

Keith Frank
Steve Riley
Chubby Carrier
Bonsoir Catin

Of course there a many other bands that always make the party great but I just wanted to share the information on the big names coming out this year.

Rooms are booking up a little faster than in previous years so make sure and visit the web site for all the travel plans.

Gator By The Bay Web Site:
www.gatorbythebay.com

What does it take to make Zydeco mainstream?

Check out this quite an amazing and very professional music video from Cupid of the "Cupid Shuffle"... music is from Lil Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers.

You can hear a faint accordion in the background and there are short clips inside the video of a couple zydeco dancing...   

Quite an amazing video that not only shows line dancers dancing... but couple dancing...    

It is music like this that will help Zydeco become more mainstream and while some more traditionalists may say it's not "Zydeco"...  it's got Zydeco in there for sure...

Cajun OnStar - YouTube

If you have ever been around a few Cajun's or tried to get some directions when in Louisiana you will probably appreciate this YouTube video clip of a few kids in a car using OnStar to try and get some directions. Yea... they are messing with the OnStar guy really badly ... but as they say in Louisiana... "It's All Good"...

Great Melody... No Matter How You Play It !!!

New Article on Music and Dancing in Louisiana...

I came across this great little article on music and dance around "Zydeco & Cajun" country..

http://www.dailyyonder.com/36-hours-eunice-louisiana/2011/10/26/3574

Zydeco Line Dance

There is a growing amount of line dances you will see at any given dance or festival and thanks to the local dancers and folks sharing their video's it helps to spread the dances around the Zydeco dance community!  Here is a easy little line dance that you can do to any medium tempo Zydeco tune...

Video Clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHeacY7UOvo

New Festvials - Cajun/Zydeco

Many of the hard core Zydeco dancers head to Louisiana, East Coast or West Coast festivals to feed their Zydeco addictions but there are always new festivals that are well worth the trip to check out.  Here are a couple that are on my radar to check out...

Washington, DC - Dancing By The Bayou Fall Dance Festival - October 23rd Weekend
They have a hell of a good line up with Andre Thierry, Curley Taylor and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Cha's as well as Bruce Daigrepont and Dennis Stroughmatt..
What I also love about this festival is you can spend a day or two in addition to go check out tourist stuff around Washington during a "nice" time of the year...
Here is their web site link for more details and hope to see you on the dance floor!http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev7054/dancingbythebayoufalldancefestival/index.html

Hollywood, FL - Florida Cajun Zydeco Festival - November 12th Weekend
If dancers remember the famous Ft. Lauderdale Crawfish festival that is no more, here is a festival in the next community of Hollywood Florida.  Their lineup is good with Geno as one of their main headliners.  Close by is Miami and Key West if you want to take a day or two more to do a little tourist stuff..
Festival Web Site:http://www.cajun-fest.com/site/

ZydecoOnline.com - Zydeco Resources on the Web

There are many resources on the web for Zydeco music and dance related informtion and I just wanted to share ZydecoOnline.com as it is a great resource for Zydeco related happenings, music and history...  

A big thanks to those who keep it live and interesting to us Zydeco fans...
http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php

Portland Zydeco & Blues Fesitval

Here is one image from last weekends Portland festival that happens each July 4th weekend. It's always a fun festival and one of the best aspects is the location which is right on the river and right downtown which makes it quite beautiful.

A good group of dancers made it from Seattle, Canada, San Francisco, Los Angeles and a few from San Diego including myself.
Corey Ledit canceled for the 2nd time in two years... amazing.. but Curley Taylor, Rosie Ledet, Steve Riley and Chubby Carrier did a great job... If your thinking of going check out the other post I did farther down on this blog from last year on details on what to do in Portland if you have some free time..
Here is a great little video clip from the festival...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2GBR5NpQdo

Simi Valley Zydeco and Blues Festival

Simi Valley Zydeco & Blues Festival Info... Festival Planner - May 28th-29th

The Simi Valley Festival this year has a good line up for Zydeco so I am planning on going and thougth others could benefit from a festival planner post..

First Step - Hotel:
Dates - Friday May 27th, Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th... (or just Saturday if you want to drive up Saturday and just spend one night)

There is another event in Simi the same weekend so book your room now if you think you maybe going and just cancel it if you change your mind. There are always rooms in the next community over in Chatsworth or San Fernando if Simi does fill up...

Cheap - Motel 6... this is right off the freeway and about 5 mintues from the festival. Very inexpensive rooms and many dancers often stay there. $70 rooms are a great price so grab them while they last !!
http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.aspx?num=170

Extended Stay America Los Angeles-Simi Valley - $90 rooms
http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/los-angeles-simi-valley.html

Holiday Inn Express - Simi Valley - $110 rooms
http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/simi-valley/laxsv/hoteldetail

Full list of Simi Valley Hotels
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g33093-Simi_Valley_California-Hotels.html

Friday Night Get Together
For those who want to connect up with other dancers and if they are coming up we can get together Friday night. The place and time will be worked out and shared but just wanted to throw out the option for those interested...

Saturday night Zydeco dance in Simi Valley
A Zydeco DJ party hosted by AJ and Greg Benusa. The party will be at the Grand Vista Hotel in Simi starting 9pm. Dinner and bar food available at the bar/club as well before 9pm. Here is a link to more information to share... the hotel asked if we could estimate the number so if you know your going it would be nice to click on the I'm going button at the web site..


Saturday night Event Web page:
http://www.meetup.com/zydecosandiego/events/17230274/

Saturday night free dance details: Lesson 9pm, Dance 9:30pm-12:30am, no cover. Dinner available before and during dance. Saturday May 28th, 2011
Location: Grand Vista Hotel / Arena Bar, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley, 93065
Questions? email Greg at gbenusa@pacbell.net or call 619-857-8409

Monday - Memorial Day Fun...
There maybe a group of dancers heading to a local tourist attraction so I will post updates to the plans in case you want to attend.  Possibly Channel Island National Park which is close or other adventures...
http://www.islandpackers.com/

There will be dance lessons as well this year at Simi...
Myself, AJ, Karen Redding and others will be making it happen :)

Zydeco Band Lineup.....
Saturday, May 28
Swamp Critters
Andre Thierry
Parade
Buckwheat Zydeco
Lil Pookie

Sunday, May 29
Bayou Brothers
Lil Pookie
Parade
Buckwheat Zydeco
Andre Thierry

Blues...
The 44's
Los Fabulocos Feat Kid Ramos
Mikey Jr. & Stone Cold Blues
Arthur Adams
Ana Popovic
Mannish Boys Revue with various special guests
John Nemeth

Sunday - May 29, 2011
Cadillac Zack with Special Guests
Mitch Kashmar Band
Kirk Fletcher Band
Big Pete tribute to Lester Butler
Shawn Pittman
Elvin Bishop "Hell Raisin Review"
Maria Muldaur

Web Site Artists:
http://simicajun.org/2010/?page_id=6Festival Web Site:

Simi Festival Web Site:
http://www.cajun-blues.com/

Grammy Awards Kill the Cajun/Zydeco Category :(

It was fun while it lasted... which was four years but the Grammy's narrowed down the field from 109 categories to 78 currently.  I guess if there is a good spin on it they didn't just let only the Cajun/Zydeco go.  In the future they will be included in the Grammy's best regional roots.  See the following link for the whole scoop...
http://www.katc.com/news/grammys-drop-more-than-30-categories-including-cajun-and-zydeco/

Gator By The Bay Festival Planner 2011

Gator By The Bay Festival Planner...

It's coming up on festival season and Gator By The Bay is the biggie and here are a few thoughts / tips for the coming festival.... www.GatorByTheBay.com

Hotel:
If you or someone you know needs a hotel book NOW :)...
1. Sheraton - Next to festival ... they have two $109 rate rooms left... !!! 619-291-2900
2. West 500 Hotel - $40/night Downtown San Diego. 1 mile from festival..http://www.500westhotelsd.com
Best deal in San Diego... right downtown close to bay.. several dancers have stayed here...
3. Motel 6 - $70/night... it's a 1/2 mile from the festival... 619-232-8931

Friday Night Party !!
Don't forget that there was a Friday night entertainment added to the festival... Here is a link to Friday's lineup so far... Along with all the bands playing Friday it looks like a tribute DJ dance and showing films according to the web site..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/friday.html

Cajun/Zydeco Entertainers:
Of corse Brian Jack will be headlining and there are many new bands of which I will just comment on a few out of town Cajun/Zydeco bands listed below. Here is a link to all the bands...
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/line_up.html

Ryan Brunet & the Malfecteurs .. Cajun high energy band that I have never seen before and looking forward to seeing them as their video clip on the Gator web site shows some great energy..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/index.html

L'Angelus - Great fun Cajun youing Cajun band from Lafayette who recently moved to Nashville to try and make it in the big leagues..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/index.html

Horace Trahan - I don't think Horace has played at Gator before that I remember .. danced to him up in LA and he will keep your feet-a-moving... the inside scoop... Horace was a very talented Zydeco artist who became famous for a song called "That Butt Thing"... he got so much attention for this song from what I have heard it really bugged him so he pulled out of Zydeco, found religion and didn't really play that much for a while. Then..thank goodness... he started playing again with more a crossover Cajun/Zydeco high energy style that we hear today..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/index.html

Parking:
Just check the web site before you go for latest info..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/map.html

Volunteer:
The festival would never happen if it wasn't for all the great volunteer's... click here for details..
http://www.gatorbythebay.com/volunteer.html

Dance Lessons:
Many of the great instructors will be back and a few new instructors as well.. I will be teaching a Intermediate/Advanced Zydeco class on Saturday as well.

Free Online Zydeco Lesson:
If you or anyone you know is new to Zydeco... here is a free online lesson www.ZydecoLesson.com

Zydeco DVD's:
If you want to learn a few moves at home check out the DVD's... DVD#4 was just released as well..
http://www.learnzydeco.com/. See the new moves covered at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axpzh5wCX_g

Food...
Of course there are a ton of places at the festival to eat at but for a little break or before the festival I have always loved walking around the marina in between the two Sheraton Hotel Towers to the little deli place on the water overlooking the boats called Papananis. Here is their web site and it's open early and late for a great little place to rest those dancing legs and enjoy the beauty of the marina.. It's a great place for a little breakfast as well...
http://www.papananis.com/

Web Site:
Gator's main web site is at www.gatorybythebay.com for reference...

Tickets:
You can get your tickets now at the link below... you can save $10 if you purchase a weekend pass. Considering how many hours of entertainment it's still a very good deal when you think of what other entertainment costs for a days activities :)
https://secure.bluehost.com/~sandiem2/tickets.html

Looking forward to another great year thanks to all those hard working Gator By The Bay folks, the Bon Temp's Social club and and volenteer's who make it happen!!!

New Zydeco Dance Instruction DVD released!

Greg Benusa has just released Zydeco Dance Instruction DVD #4 which covers mostly intermediate moves and a couple advanced.  It also does a Cajun Waltz line dance and basic review Zydeco for 10 minutes at the beginning of the DVD.  Click on the image below and the video clip shows some of the moves covered in the DVD as well as some video clip footage from festivals.  The DVD covers only dance instruction and there is not any footage of the festivals in the DVD but it's a good peek at some of the festival action...

This Intermeidate and Beginning DVD covers new moves not covered in any of the past DVD's in the series from http://www.learnzydeco.com/

Overview Video Clip


60 Minute Intermediate and Beginning DVD Includes:

Outside Turn, The Bump, She-He Turns, Gator Stomp, Lunges, Basic Zydeco Review, Lunges, Lifts, Side By Side, Hip Hold, Hip to Hip, Hip Push, Zydeco Whip, Lafayette Tap Slide By Side, Floating Slides with Lifts
Line Dance of Cajun Waltz

Features:● 60 MINUTES of dance instruction
● Practice music at slow & normal tempos
● 13 Intermediate Moves and Cajun Waltz Line Dance
● DVD Menu to go direct to any move
● Music by Nooney & the Zydeco Floaters

More Info:  http://www.zydecoach.com/ or call 619.857. 8409

Where to buy CD's??

You can find CD's through Ebay or other online options but for a concentrated store where there focus is on Cajun / Zydeco I normally direct people to www.FloydsRecordShop.com.  It's been around for ever and is located in Ville Platte, Louisiana...     The other option could be www.LouisianaMusicFactory.com which is in New Orleans.

The other reason why I like Floyds Record Shop as well as other sites is that you can play samples of the tunes before buying the CD.

Zydeco Tours - Magical Mystery of Zydeco tours

I wanted to put the word out to a great opportunity to do Zydeco tours.  Kay with the Magical Mystery of Zydeco will get you into those unique experiences with a group of fellow fans. Check out her web site and upcoming trips planned.  Her prices were also quite amazing considering what your getting. 

http://www.magicalmysteryofzydeco.com/

Zydeco CD Review - T-Lou "Doin' The Crabwalk"

Just got my hands on T-Lou's latest Zydeco CD called "Doin The Crabwalk". T-Lou is an inspiration since he is in his early 70's and still creating great new Zydeco tunes to keep the dancers addicted. His voice sounds like someone half his age and he really mixed up the album with a good variety of tunes and tempos. Of course my favorite tune is "Hitchhiking On The 405" as it's a story about a gal hitchhiking from Chicago to San Diego to hear some Zydeco...

In each community we are fortunate to have the local Cajun/Zydeco bands to give that live experience. My only request for all the artists is to try not make the tunes to long as at any given dance we can never dance with all the dancers and the longer the songs, the less dancers we get to dance with...
Loved the cover of the CD as well giving it a little happy California Zydeco feeling with the image of him with a beach in the background.
To listen and buy the CD just go to the following CD baby link..
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tlahshzb

Zydeco in Europe Lil' Jims Big Squeeze

I had heard there were Zydeco bands in Europe that sounded like they were from Louisiana or Texas (that good)... and while these guys from the UK play a little "fast" on one of the tunes I heard and a little rough around the edges... they certainly capture the essence of the energy which is amazing and not easy to do as there are many local bands here in the USA which can't do this...

Lil' Jims Big Squeeze. What is also funny is I can't find a place to buy their CD online.. guess they really do it for the love of it as you can't support the bands if they don't make it easy :)

Upcoming Zydeco Trips

Thanks to Dick Brainard's endless energy for coordinating Zydeco trips here are a few coming up that will be some jolly good times! I did New Years last year and had a blast... Basically when your not sleeping or eating you bounce between the different music events going on all day every day. If you have never done a Cajun/Zydeco festival in Louisiana I would pick Festival Acadiens first.

Festivals Acadiens
Web Site: www.festivalsacadiens.com
We now have a block of 15 rooms at the Holiday Inn on Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette for Festivals Acadiens for $79/night for the nights of Oct. 8-9-10. This is the least costly rate in town for this event for a 4-star hotel. Call the Holiday Inn at 337-233-6815 & ask for the Festivals Acadiens Zydeco Group Rate. Once they are gone, they are gone--I could only get 15 rooms.
The plan is to fly into New Orleans on Thursday for the Rock 'n' Bowl, then up to Lafayette for dance venues Friday night, Cafe des Amis Sat morning, the fest Saturday afternoon, dance venues that night, the fest Sunday, then Vermilionville zydeco dance, Whiskey River zydeco & Pat's Atchafalaya Club Cajun/zydeco dance. I got a room at the 4-star Sheraton in Metaire halfway between downtown & the airport (near the Rock 'n' Bowl) for $55 + tax for Thursday the 7th. on www.hotwire.com Type in MSY & click on the 4-star rate.

New Year's Zydeco Trip
We will be staying at the 4-star Holiday Inn on Evangeline Thruway just south of I-10 for New Year's weekend. The rate will be $59/night/room with continental breakfast. The Holiday Inn has an indoor heated pool, hot tub & sauna, laundry room, bar & restaurant, & free USA Today at your door. Rooms are laid out around a large central courtyard, so you can park in front of your room. A classy place! To reserve, call 337-233-6815 & ask for the New Year's Zydeco Group Rate. You can cancel up to a few weeks before--but call early to be sure to reserve at the group rate.
Many will fly into New Orleans Thusday, Dec. 30 for the Rock 'n' Bowl dance, then up to Lafayette for the New Year's Eve dance with Geno Delafose at Vermilionville. Other dance venues will be published as time draws closer. We plan to work with Troy Carrier & Wayne to have bands at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell, and with Susan at Angelle's Whiskey River Landing for Geno on Sunday. And Deb Waldman will likely have her large annual gathering on New Year's Day. Some will have to will fly home Sunday, others on Monday, Jan. 3.
For a hotel in New Orleans, I use www.hotwire.com Type in either MSY (New Orleans Airport), or New Orleans Downtown, depending on where you wish to stay. I am staying at the 4-star Sheraton in Metaire halfway between downtown and the airport for $54 + tax & fee (two beds). Parking is free. The Rock 'n' Bowl is only 3-4 miles. For dinner before the dance, try Ye Olde College Inn which John (owner of the R n B) also owns--adjacent to the R n B.
*****************************

Mardi Gras 2011
The Holiday Inn on Evangeline Thruway has given us a block of 15 rooms for March 4-5-6-7 (or longer) at $69/night. The plan for Mardi Gras is to fly into New Orleans, Thursday, Mar. 3 for the Rock 'n' Bowl dance, then up to Lafayette for the weekend and Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday, Mar. 8) in Iota, Mamou & Eunice. Again check www.hotwire.com for a good hotel in New Orleans, Thursday night, Mar. 3.

If your interested in more details just email Dick at (hisfirstnamelastname)@gmail.com

Brian Jack Latest CD - You Don't Know Jack

Thank to the endless hours of recording time Brian Jack has recently released a new CD called "You Don't Know Jack". The album has many of the tunes with tempos that dancers have come to get addicted to. My favorite tracks #7 Baby Don't Go, a snappy little upbeat tune that drives your feet to the slow quick quick zydeco montra in a wonderful way.

The CD starts with a short audio comment saying "If they going to hate on you, let them hate on you, cause really they ain't worth your time". Interesting beginning comment and while I am don't know for sure, I am guessing it has something to do with the dog eat dog environment of being a top Zydeco artist in Louisiana and Texas these days. It takes a lot of courage to keep pushing it and bringing forward the great energy in Zydeco that we all have come to love.

You can listen to samples of all the tracks at the following link and if you like the tunes, support the artist and buy the CD :)
http://www.floydsrecordshop.com/Brian-Jack-You-Dont-Know-Jack-P2302.aspx

If you don't have any of Brian's CD's I would get the Best of Brian Jack at the link below...
http://www.floydsrecordshop.com/Brian-Jack-The-Best-of-Brian-Jack-P2310.aspx

Portland Festival - Zydeco and Blues

First visit to the Portland Blues (and Zydeco) festival in downtown Portland. What a great event and place to play for a fourth of July weekend retreat!

This video clip has Curley Taylor pumping out the Zydeco tunes while Lilli Ann and her daughter dance on stage. It was very cool that Curley had many dancers up there while he was playing during his set.



There were pleanty of dancers from most of the west coast as well as some good Cajun/Zydeco bands to dance to.

Here is a little video clip of a little zydeco dance demonstration we did at the festival:



If you can go in a day or two before the festival starts I would recommend it as there is plenty of stuff to keep you busy around downtown.

Portland has a great cheap transportation system to get you to and from the airport at just about any time. It cost $3.00 each way for the 40 minute direct ride that drops you right downtown. Free trams in the downtown area can take you all over downtown for free.

THINGS TO DO:
Here are a few of the things I checked out and would recommend if you get a chance to do the festival.

Portland Walking Tours - There are many tours to choose from and the one I did was very good.

Washington Park - Great walking park with a huge garden and tons of areas to explore. Take the tram to the park and back for very cheap.
Portland Saturday and Sunday Market - Great market with tons of stalls and food vendors to keep you busy for several hours.

Powell's City of Books store - Largest book store that I have ever been in ... amazing...

Portland Food Carts - There are over 500 around the entire city and downtown has a ton as well. Don't discount food carts as bad fast food... several great restaraunts started as food carts in Portland.

Bar and Food - The Veritable Quandary was a great little bar and restaraunt right next to the festival to catch a beer or bite for a little break from the festival or after as a few of us enjoyed the place.

Hotels:
Marriot Downtown Waterfront which is where many people stayed... or you can go the el-cheapo way that I did at the Downtown Value Inn.

Downtown Value Inn - AAE
The hotel I stayed at was $55/night which is half the price of any standard hotel. The reviews were very mixed so I was a little worried. For those who need a pampered room with expectations of the Marriot or other hotels you need to not stay here, but if you compare it to any well used Motel 6 I would say it is about the same. There was free internet, a great little pizza place and bar next door and a TV, microwave and phone in each room. Yes it was older but the area of downtown was the college area which was nice and it was about 5 blocks walk to the Blues festival which was great. One block from the free downtown tram. I would stay there again.

Great festival and looking forward to possibly checking it out next year..

Here is a little video clip of the dance floor pumping...