Hi ACME
dancer,
Tonight the Beginning Cajun Dance series gets underway. If
you have friends or know people who want to get started in Cajun dancing, this
is an easy class to begin with. It will be followed by classes in Cajun
Jitterbug 2 and 3. See class schedule below for details.
===== Lee Benoit This Friday at Concordia =====
This Friday (June 27),
Lee Benoit & the Bayou Stompers return to the Concordia
Club (see directions and club info below) from 8-11 p.m. Admission is
$12/person at the door and correct change, should you happen to have it, is
helpful.
Lee Benoit & the Bayou
Stompers play high energy, traditional and contemporary Cajun music.
Lee's vocals and his early CDs remind me of Wayne Toups' band. Lee Benoit
can usually be found playing 5 nights a week at one or another of the Mulate's
restaurants in
Lee's four-piece Cajun band consists of Lee (his last name is pronounced "ben-WAH") playing accordion and singing lead vocals. Wife Valerie plays guitar, and their daughter Meagan plays drums. They have two different fiddlers they travel with and Mark Hebert will come play in Birmingham this time. Mark plays one of the most beautiful version of Lover's Waltz you have ever heard. Valerie is the subject of a very sweet and beautiful waltz that Lee wrote for her. Every time I've seen him perform this, he turns, faces her, and sings it to her.
What to expect from Lee Benoit?
His 4 CDs are all very different. The first, released in 1993, features
Steve Riley on fiddle and includes traditional arrangements, original
compositions, and covers of Wayne Toups' songs. The second CD follows the
same song selection formula, but was recorded live in Lafayette at
Vermilionville where the band frequently plays. It's one of the best live
recordings I've heard -- really capturing the energy of Cajun dance music. The
third CD, called Dis 'N' Dat, is a real departure: a couple of John Fogerty
tunes, Beau Jocque's "Give Him Cornbread," Hank Williams, Lennon/McCartney's "Oh
Darlin'," and a cool version of "Boogie Shoes" sung in both English and French
that makes a great bop tune. Lee
makes it all sound great and it works together. Lee's fourth CD was recorded in
layers with Lee himself playing most of the parts and recording them in his home
studio; this is a CD we recommend for beginner Cajun dance students because the
tempos are so easy. Lee's music is very accessible -- if you have friends and
family you've wanted to introduce to Cajun music, this would be a fantastic band
to bring them to see.
[Lee
Benoit will also be playing in Atlanta on
Saturday, June 28 from 8-11 p.m. at the KoC hall. Check www.aczadance.org for
details.]
===== City Stages
Dance Depot Recap =====
Thanks to all who came out to attend the Dance Depot stage and dance to some great Cajun and zydeco music during City Stages. Rosie Ledet and Geno Delafose were just as fabulous as expected. People really liked the young band Feufollet, and Chris Miller & Bayou Roots were very talented and succeeded in playing both Cajun and zydeco tunes -- we'll try to get them back soon. The 4 siblings of L'Angelus Cajun band were just as personable and wonderful as always and made a great opening night closing set.
Many thanks to Rebecca and Tom Zurn of Huntsville for their zydeco workshop and to Jim Bird & Bonnie Lunceford of Atlanta for their two Cajun dance workshops!
=====
TONIGHT! -- Beginning Cajun
Dance: June 23, 25, and
30 (Mon / Wed / Mon) This is the place to start if you’re
new to Cajun dancing. $15 / $10 to repeat the 3-session
class.
Intermediate Jig-Step
Jitterbug: July 7 and 9
(Mon / Wed) Prerequisite:
Beginning Cajun Dance. $10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session
class.
Advanced Jig-Step
Jitterbug: July
21 and 23 (Mon / Wed) Prerequisite: Beginning Cajun Dance class and
jig-step jitterbug experience. $10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session
class.
Intro to
Zydeco: August 11
and 13 (Mon / Wed) No
prerequisites.$10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session
class.
Zydeco
II: August
18 and 19 (Mon / TUES) Prerequisite: Intro to
Zydeco. $10
/ $7 to repeat the 2-session class.
Beginning Bop: August 25, 27, and September 3 (Mon / Wed /
WED) Prerequisites: Some
couple dancing experience. $15 / $10 to repeat the 3-session
class.
Other classes beyond
August can be found on the ACME web site, www.acmedance.org .
Class location:
===== ACME Dance
Schedule =====
Friday, June 27 - Lee
Benoit & the Bayou Stompers (Cajun), Concordia
Club
Friday, July 25 - Savoir Faire
avec Paul Daigle (Cajun), Concordia Club
********** "ACME On the Road" Series **********
Friday, Aug. 22 -
Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco
Express (location: TBA)
Thursday, Aug. 28 - Lil Malcolm & the House Rockers (location: WorkPlay)
Friday, Sept. 12 -
Curley Taylor & Zydeco
Trouble (location:
Friday, Sept. 28 - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (location: Alys Stephens Center), ticket discount for ACME
Most dances are
$12/person and, except where noted, are at the Concordia Club,
The 2nd annual Magical Mysteries of Zydeco Tour is Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Bus trip from Birmingham to Lafayette to take in festivals, dance halls, restaurants, Thomas Field's Fan Appreciation Day, and a private concert with Geno Delafose. Get a flier at this Friday's ACME dance or contact Kay Wright at zydeco2008@live.com. Cost is $245 which includes transportation, 3 nights accommodations, and concert with Geno Delafose. Deposit due by July 1.
The 13th annual Dance Vortex organized by Bart Ruark is Oct. 3-5 in Mentone, Ala. The dance weekend includes contra dancing, Cajun, zydeco, swing, and waltz. Check www.dancevortex.com for the lineup of bands, costs, and registration form or pick up a form at Friday's ACME dance.
David Doggett for
ACME
Association of Cajun Music Enthusiasts
www.acmedance.org
-------------------------------
Directions to the Concordia Club,
From the Red Mt.
Expressway coming into downtown, take the
From I-59/I-20 take
the
Note: The Concordia
Club does not maintain a bar. It's OK to bring a cooler with beer, wine, or
other alcohol. Complimentary soft drinks and ice water are provided. Guards will
be patrolling in Concordia's lot starting at 7 p.m. Smoking is not
permitted anywhere in the Concordia Club.
Parking: Please park
only in marked parking spaces on the Concordia Club property or along
One additional area
for parking is a portion of the lot across