This Friday (Feb. 3) is our next ACME dance featuring the Creole music of Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp at the Concordia Club, 8-11 pm. Admission is $15/person and BYOB is permitted at Concordia. What is Creole music? See below for a description of this "blend" of Cajun with zydeco-like bluesy fiddle. Better yet, check it out in person this Friday night.

Rinsel McIntosh has an important message below about his efforts to start up the Birmingham Cajun-Zydeco Association. BCZA is the new group Rinsel proposes organizing to take the place of ACME after ACME has its final dance in May. Rinsel is trying to gauge the level of interest in keeping Cajun/zydeco bands coming to play here. It's reasonable to set a goal of 300 committed members in order to feel reasonably confident of having the 175-200 dance attendance needed to support bringing bands to town. Please read Rinsel's message below and let him know soon of your interest in continuing Cajun-zydeco dances. Rinsel has expressed an interest in keeping the dances at the Concordia Club, if that is practical, and of working with the Atlanta dance group to continue putting on monthly dances of the same caliber of bands we are accustomed to seeing. Rinsel has experience booking bands, promoting and organizing dances, and teaching lessons -- all the skill set needed to see this succeed.

Also below are details about Cajun/zydeco Mardi Gras dances in Birmingham and Huntsville, plus a storytelling performance at Terrific New Theatre and more.

-David Doggett for ACME
Association of Cajun Music Enthusiasts
Birmingham, Ala.
www.acmedance.org

===== Birmingham Cajun-Zydeco Association =====
At the January 6 ACME dance, Rinsel McIntosh brought a flier describing a new dance organization - the Birmingham Cajun-Zydeco Association - that he proposes to organize that will continue bringing Louisiana Cajun-zydeco bands to play Birmingham after ACME has its final dance in May.

Your membership in this new organization is critical at this time to get BCZA off the ground. Rinsel needs 300 charter members by March 15, 2012 to have the financial base to continue bringing bands from Louisiana and continuing the tradition of a strong music and dance presence in Birmingham. To date only 47 members are signed up with 253 more still needed over the next 6 weeks.

Annual membership is $25/person.Your membership will save you $3 off the cover charge at each dance. That’s a $36 savings over the course of your membership year. Without the initial financial base, the new organization will have difficulty getting off the ground. Rinsel needs to be working with the Cajun/Zydeco groups in Atlanta and Asheville now, and in the next month, to schedule bands and dances or lose the window of opportunity to coordinate with these other dance groups who are now booking their 2012 schedule. If you want to continue to see live Cajun music and zydeco come to Birmingham, NOW is the time to take action.

I've sent my membership in. Please send checks to:

Birmingham Cajun-Zydeco Association

216 Greenfield Lane

Alabaster, AL 35007

You might also e-mail Rinsel at Rmcintosh@mailsouth.com to ask to be added to his BCZA e-mail list.

===== ACME Dance Friday: Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp =====

Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp travels the country playing what Dennis calls simply French Creole Music. This is terrific stuff that combines Cajun music with the blues influence of zydeco. The music is sung in Creole French (Dennis is a superior vocalist) and in addition to featuring the accordion, the fiddle plays in a very bluesy zydeco style. To me, Creole music combines the best elements of both Cajun music and zydeco. The band's publicity information describes their music as "French Creole and Louisiana Zydeco Music." To hear a sample of what I mean, just click on their web page at: www.creolestomp.com.

The predominant fiddle style Dennis plays on his great-grandfather's fiddle is referred to as "Creole fiddle." A feature article on Dennis in Dirty Linen magazine describes Creole fiddle style this way: "Although Creole and Cajun fiddling are birds of the same feather, Creole fiddling distinguishes itself from its Cajun counterpart in that it's blusier; the strings are tuned down, and there are a lot more slides and harmonies. Although many Cajun stylists have adopted the style, its roots are in the Creole community."

This will mark the fifth time this band has played for ACME. "The music was kind of dying out, so I learned it before it did," Dennis said. "The fiddle players I learned from all have passed away. We all enjoy the fact that we are a band that carries culture, not a band up there just playing music." Come hear this excellent band Friday, February 3 at the Concordia Club from 8-11 pm.

===== 2012 Dance Classes at Vestavia Hills Civic Center =====
We had a large beginning class of Mamou I students last week. Next week we'll continue with a 3-night Mamou II class in which we'll add lots of jitterbug turns. Come review or continue your intermediate-level "Swing Style" Cajun dancing steps starting Monday, Feb. 6.

Mamou II - Feb. 6, 8, 13 (Prerequisite: Mamou I; $15/$10 to repeat)

Intro to Zydeco - Feb. 20, 22 (Beginners welcome; $10/$7 to repeat)
Zydeco II - Feb. 27, 29 (Prerequisite: Intro to Zydeco; $10/$7 to repeat)
Whiskey River Jitterbug - Mar. 12, 14, 19 (Prerequisite: Mamou I and II; $15/$10 to repeat)
Intermediate Waltz - Mar. 26, 28 (Prerequisite: knowledge of basic Cajun waltz; $10/$7 to repeat)

Beginning Bop - Apr. 16, 18, 23 (Prerequisite: some couple dance experience; $15/$10 to repeat)

Bop II - Apr. 30, May 2, 7 (Prerequisite: Beginning Bop; $15/$10 to repeat)

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. Simply arrive 10-15 minutes early to register before the initial session. Please try to attend all sessions of a two or three night class. You may attend classes with or without a dance partner. "Beginner-level" classes are noted. Check web site www.acmedance.org for full class descriptions. Call if you have questions (David Doggett, 951-3463).

===== ACME Dance Schedule at the Concordia Club =====

Friday, Feb. 3 - Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp (Cajun/Creole)
Friday, Mar. 2 - Lil' Wayne & Same Ol' 2 Step (zydeco)
Friday, Apr. 6 - Ryan Brunet et Les Malfecteurs (Cajun-ACME 20th anniversary)
Friday, May 11 - Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
All dances are at the Concordia Club (3400 1st Ave. N., downtown Birmingham). BYOB is permitted. Soft drinks, ice water, and animal crackers provided free. Dances run from 8-11 p.m. Admission is $15/person.

===== Dolores Hydock at Terrific New Theatre =====

Dance instructor Dolores Hydock's newest one-woman show at Terrific New Theatre (2821 2nd Ave. S., B'ham) received a 5-Star review in last Thursday's Birmingham News.

The title of the new show is "Take a Ride on the Reading" (the title rhymes with "wedding" and refers to Reading, PA where Dolores grew up). The show, written and performed by Dolores, runs through February 11th. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 (except on Thursday nights when it's "Pay what you can afford night"), and you can make reservations by calling TNT at 328-0868.

===== Mardi Gras Dance with the Swamp Poppas =====
Birmingham's Swamp Poppas will play a Mardi Gras dance on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 8-11 pm at the FDSK German Club, 2318 2nd Ave. North in downtown B'ham. Admission is just $10. Cash bar and food will be available. The Swamp Poppas play a mix of Cajun, zydeco, and Louisiana swamp pop music for dancing. The FDSK Club has an excellent dance floor and tables for seating. Come bring your beads and celebrate this very Louisiana holiday with your dance friends on a Saturday night.

===== Archer Dance Band Plays Saturdays =====

The 7-member Archer Dance Band (led by ACME member Jan Shackelford) plays the Kelly Ingram VFW every Saturday night from 8-11 pm. Over the years they have built quite a following playing their mix of ballroom, swing, waltz, twist, tango, polka, cha cha, jitterbug, oldies, rock 'n roll, and Motown. Admission is $7 and the Kelly Ingram VFW is a non-smoking venue at 1801 11th Ave. North, Birmingham.

Jan does a wonderful job decorating the hall to make holiday dances special. For example, for the February 11 Valentine's Dance, tables will be decorated with table cloths and vintage Valentine centerpieces, candles, and balloons. The band will be dressed in red and white. Bring your Valentine or come as a single – you'll be in good company either way.

===== Montgomery Cajun Dance Opportunity =====

Thanks to the efforts of Sonny Barksdale, the Montgomery-area Cajun dancers are in their 12th year of CD dances and dance lessons. The group meets starting at 7 pm on a weeknight at Key Largo Bar & Grill, 1343 Dalraida Road, Montgomery (334) 272-1401. Contact Sonny at cajunb@knology.net to get on their e-mail list and to find out their meeting schedule. Everyone is welcome to this free monthly event where Sonny spins his favorite Cajun/zydeco dance tunes and offers free lessons to new students.

===== Huntsville Tardi Gras Dance March 3 =====

Huntsville's Cajun/Zydeco Connection's (CZC) annual Tardi Gras Dance will be on Saturday, March 3 at the Flying Monkey. Atlanta's Zydeco T band will be back by popular demand to provide the music. Huntsville has a long history of these very fun "Tardi Gras" dances and I encourage you to make the road trip to hear Zydeco T play. You may remember seeing them when they last played in Birmingham at the Trussville Headwaters Festival last June. Talk it up, invite your friends, and work out some carpooling. Festive Mardi Gras attire encouraged. Location: Flying Monkey Arts (2nd floor theater), Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr., Huntsville.

===== Concordia Club Directions and Info =====

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.

Parking: Please park only in marked parking spaces on the Concordia Club property or along 34th Street or 2nd Avenue North. Take special care NOT to block the fire lane behind the club.

One additional area for parking is in the Water Works lot across 35th Street.

There is no bar in operation at the Concordia Club, but you may BYOB. Feel free to bring in a cooler with your beverage. Ice water, cups, ice, and soft drinks will be provided free. Our guard will be on duty starting at 7:00 to watch over the parking lot.