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 New Orleans, Breaux Bridge, or Baton Rouge.

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!

===== Vestavia Hills Dance Classes =====

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: Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Rd., Dogwood Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. each night. Instructors: Dolores Hydock and David Doggett. Register with or without a partner by simply arriving 10-15 minutes early before the initial class of each session. Check web site www.acmedance.org for full class descriptions. Call if you have questions (David Doggett, 951-3463).

===== 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: Zamora Shrine Temple), $20 includes buffet.

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, 3400 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, from 8-11 p.m., www.acmedance.org.

===== Speaking of "On the Road" =====

Two road trip events coming up soon you will want to know about:

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
Birmingham, Ala.
www.acmedance.org

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Directions to the Concordia Club, 3400 1st Ave. North, downtown Birmingham, (205) 252-3570.

From the Red Mt. Expressway coming into downtown, take the 1st Ave. North exit, bear right, cross over Sloss Furnaces, and the club is at the first traffic light (34th Street) on the left.

From I-59/I-20 take the 31st Street exit (exit # 126-B) and at the traffic light turn south (toward downtown) onto 31st Street. (Note: Don't be confused by the Highway 31 exit, look for the 31st Street exit.). On 31st Street you will cross 10th, 8th, 7th, and 6th Avenue, then turn left onto the Messer Airport Highway. Go one block (you will drive under two railroad trestles) and take the next right onto 33rd Street. Drive to the light and turn left onto 2nd Avenue North. Go one block then turn right onto 34th Street. Go 1/2 block and turn left into the Concordia Club driveway.

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 34th Street or 2nd Avenue North.

One additional area for parking is a portion of the lot across 1st Avenue North, but NOT the lot directly across from the club. You may enter the warehouse lot from 1st Avenue North at the light and turn RIGHT and park only in the FIRST ROW of spaces nearest 1st Avenue North. This space is owned by the Birmingham News which has granted permission to the Concordia Club for us to park there. This permission is conditional on us not littering the lot or parking anywhere but this limited designated area.