Zydeco Is Not Cajun Music

Check out the great little video clip I recently came across with Chubby Carrier explaining the difference between Zydeco and Cajun music.  

Upcoming Festivals

Here is a list of upcoming 2013 Zydeco Festivals to check out.  Thanks to Dick Brainard for sharing the list with a few additions by myself.

Festival International Breaux Bridge Crawfish Fest: Lafayette, LA, April 24th weekend.
For those of you asking--I do not reserve a block of rooms for these festivals as the hotels in the Lafayette area ask premium rates for rooms during this time. Sorry--you are on your own.

Gator By The Bay: San Diego--May 10-11-12.

Zydeco Line up includes Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Lil’ Wayne & Same Ol’ 2-Step, & Lafayette Rhythm Devils. Be sure to book your room soon at the Sheraton next to the festival to get the $109 + tax/night rate. Go to www.sandiegofestival.com for all details.

Long Beach Bayou Festival, June 22-23rd
Line up includes Pine Leaf Boys, Brian Jack, Jo Jo Reed, Sunpie
Web Site www.LongBeachFestival.com

Simi Valley Cajun Blues Festival, May 25th, 26thJPaul & Zydeco Newbreeds, Steve Riley, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners
Web Site www.simicajun.org

Strawberry Park Cajun Zydeco Festival: Preston, CT--June 6-7-8-9.
Line up includes Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, The Pine Leaf Boys, Lil’ Wayne & Same Ol’ 2-Step, Savoy Family Band, Jesse Lege, Jimmy Jo, & Planet Zydeco. Go to www.strawberrypark.net/festivals/cajun-zydecofestival for details.

Waterfront Blues Fest: Portland, OR--July 4-5-6-7.

Major Blues Acts include Robert Plant & Sensational Space Shifters, John Hiatt, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Robert Randolph, plus fifty more blues bands on three stages! Go to www.waterfrontbluesfest.com for details.

Zydeco Stage (w/ dance floor): Friday 6:45-11:00 PM--Lil' Wayne & Same Ol' 2-Step, TooLoose Cajun Band, Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band; Saturday Noon-11:00 PM--Pineleaf Boys, Lil' Wayne & Same Ol' 2-Step, Chubby Carrier, Horace Trahan & Ossun Express; Sunday 11:30-4:30 PM--Atomic Gumbo, Horace Trahan, Pineleaf Boys. Plus swing blues dancing other times.

The fest is in Waterfront Park in downtown Portland--over 20,000 attendees each day. If flying in, best to avoid a rental car & parking fees in downtown. Light rail from PDX to downtown every 15 minutes. Options for rooms include;

www.hotwire.com for a 3-star hotel ($68) at the airport (with shuttle from terminal) & within walking distance to Cascade light rail station & drops you 4 short blocks from the fest.

www.uplacehotel.com University Place Hotel ($113/night including tax & breakfast) ten blocks from the fest.

www.pdx.edu/conferences/stay-us (then click on “individual stay contract” for details) in PSU campus dorm rooms w/ bath & amenities; 12 blocks from the fest. $56 to $66/night for two.

Hotels across the street from the fest include the Marriott and Hotel 50. Both are over $150/night. The Hilton Hotel (6 blocks) may be willing to bargain if you arrive without reservations & they have empty rooms.

Rhythm & Roots Fest: Ninigret State Park, RI--Aug. 30,31, Sep. 1.

Go to www.rhythmandroots.com for information.

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