Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #85 (Feb. 2020)

Florida

CajunZydeco.com

Kevin Wimmer

as h ic s u m n u j a C s ’ er imm W in v e K He even lived nt o m w fe a r fo al C e h t f o er b m me o c e b o t a n ia is u o L , e t et y a f a L relocated to , er t h g u a d s ’ y e w e D h it w s ur o j Balfa Tou r o b as w er imm W in v e K “ , nt accou g in d n e att er t f a t u b , t s ini l io a classical v it er H a t s u g u A e h t at a f al B Dewey ar e l o t me o h s ’ er h c a e t e h t o t he traveled pson Photo by David Sim

f o s u c o f e h t n as bee . a f al B y e w e D g in et me e c in s career y l mi a f s ’ a f al B y e w e D h it w d a as g in y a l p er t f A . s 0 8 9 1 e h t nths in er imm W , a r t es h c r O n u j a C alifornia d n a b e h t f o er b m me g in d n u o f ome a e n o o t g in d r o c c A . a f al B e in t Chris as d e n ai r t d a h d n a y it C k r o rn in New ll y b d e t c e ir d p o h ks r o w e l d d fi a , e g e ll o C ns ki l E d n a is v a D at er nt e C e g a t � . d n a h t rs fi e l d d fi n u j a C arn

Story on page 16

4

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Feb. 2020

#85 |

Contents

WHAT’S HAPPENING

6 Feb. 7 — Cajun Zydeco Dances at Sauced Bar & Pizzeria (Largo) 7 to 9:30 p.m. | 1250 Seminole Blvd., Largo, FL 33770

8 Feb. 9 — Mardi Gras Dance w/Gumbo Limbo (Gainesville) 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Ave.

9 Feb. 9 — Southernmost Mardi Gras Fest (Key West) 4 p.m. | Key West Amphitheater

10 Feb. 13 — Cadillac Cowboys at Brady’s BBQ (Safety Harbor) 7 p.m. | Brady’s BBQ, 340 Main St., Safety Harbor, FL 34695

11 Feb. 18 — Cajun Zydeco Dance at Skipper’s (Tampa, FL) 7 to 9:30 p.m. | 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa, FL

5

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

7

8

12

FEATURE STORIES 12 Terry Domingue of Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys

The band will be headlining Gator By The Bay this year.

16 Kevin Wimmer: Lost in a Cajun Reverie

Kevin Wimmer has been making Cajun music since he met Dewey.

CAJUN ZYDECO COMMUNITY 30 Louisiana Dance Clubs

Where to go for the best Cajun and zydeco bands.

34 Festival-O-Rama

From 2020 listings at floridacajunzydeco.com/festivals.html

38 Dance Communities Outside of Florida

CZ dance opportunities outside Florida and Louisiana Cover Photo of Kevin Wimmer by David Simpson

6

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com ______________________________ | L A R G O , F L |______________________________

Fri. Feb. 7, 2O2O

at SAUCED BAR & PIZZERIA 125O Seminole Blvd., Largo

7 p.m. Zydeco dance lesson with Sharon Stern 7:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Open dancing to DJ Jim NO COVER CHARGE to dance to great current and classic Cajun and zydeco tunes from Louisiana, Texas and elsewhere. I may throw on some ’unicorn’ tunes (tunes that always fill the dance floor) from outside the genre too. Sauced has some great tasting pizzas, burgers, and stromboli sandwiches.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

JOIN US

Fri. Feb. 7, 2O2O at SAUCED BAR

& PIZZERIA

7

8

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Sun. Feb. 9 @ 4 p.m.

Gumbo Limbo Band @ Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Ave., Gainesville

3:30 p.m. Cajun dance lesson 4 – 6:30 p.m. Open dancing to Gumbo Limbo Cajun Band ADMISSION $10. Gumbo Limbo Band is setting the stage for a Mardi Gras celebration in Gainesville! Come join us for some great swamp pop music and dance the afternoon away.

Any questions, please email GumboLimboDance@gmail.com

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Sun. Feb. 9 @ 4 p.m.

Southernmost Mardi Gras Fest (Key West) Concert featuring Trombone Shorty, Tank & the Bangas, Rebirth Brass, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation at Key West Amphitheater Website: keywestconcertseries.com

9

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com cadillaccowboys.com

10

Thurs. Feb. 13 @ 7 p.m.

CADILLAC COWBOYS Brady’s BBQ, 340 Main St, Safety Harbor, FL 34695

SOMEWHERE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF “BONS TEMPS ROULER” AND THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BACKSTEP, YOU WILL FIND THE CADILLAC COWBOYS SERVING UP THEIR MUSICAL GUMBO. BLAZING FIDDLE, MOURNFUL STEEL GUITAR AND ROLLICKING ACCORDION ARE SERVED UP ALONGSIDE HOT GUITAR LICKS AND A KICKING RHYTHM SECTION.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! ______________________________ | TA M PA , F L |______________________________

Tues. Feb. 18, 2O2O AT SKIPPER’S SMOKEHOUSE 91O Skipper Rd., Tampa 33613 7 p.m. Cajun or zydeco dance lesson with Jerry Carrier 7:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Open dancing to DJ Jim NO COVER CHARGE to dance to great current and classic Cajun and zydeco tunes from Louisiana, Texas and elsewhere. Every tenth tune is a waltz. Skippers is offering $1 margaritas, and it’s Taco Tuesday (fresh fish tacos!). This is the right combination for a good time.

11

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

12

TERRY DOMINGUE

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Y

ou could call Terry Domingue a self-made accordionist. “I never had a formal lesson in my life,” he says while explaining his passion for the music he has made his own. “Growing up in southwest Louisiana, I’d go to those trail rides with my dad when I was a little kid, and there was always zydeco and Creole music playing, and I’d stand by the stage and watch those guys, and I knew that was Terry’s 2017 release. Allons Zydeco what I wanted to do. I loved that zydeco music from the first time I heard it, and that has never changed.”

When he was around 10 years old, his dad bought him his very own accordion, and Terry taught himself to play it. In 2001 he formed his own band, The Zydeco Bad Boys and they released their fourth album in 2017, Allons Zydeco.

“I’m in a minority of the younger Creole musicians because I speak and sing in French,” Terry notes. “My grandparents spoke it and taught me when I was young and I continued speaking it around them. I think that 75% of my songs are in French, and it feels authentic and old school to me to play that way, although our sound is also

13

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

14

For those lucky enough to be in San Diego over Mother’s Day weekend, Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys will be headlining Gator By The Bay Festival.

15 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Mac Roberts with Terry Domingue of Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys on stage at Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA.

very contemporary.�

Along with Terry on accordion and vocals, the band includes Chuck Bush on bass guitar, Kent August on guitar, Erick Minix on drums, and Kendrick Domingue on frottoir. Bush and Minix were both members of the late legendary Beau Jocque’s High Rollers, and Bush has also played with Andre Thierry and Rosie Ledet. August also leads his own jazz band, and Kendrick Domingue is a true cowboy who has been known to spend his days roping and riding.

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

16

Kevin Wimmer LOST IN A CAJUN REVERIE

Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

KEVIN WIMMER, one of Louisiana’s foremost Cajun-style fiddlers and member of several top Cajun bands including Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, is originally from New York City.

He started his music studies at age of four with his mother, Shirley Givens (1930-2018), who was a violinist, teacher of children at The Julliard School in NYC, and developer of the Givens Method for Teaching. Kevin was her one of her first pupils, but Givens taught the children of many celebrities including Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Robert Mann, Claude Frank, Lilian Kallir, Rudolf Firkusny, Jerome Lowenthal, Peter Max, and Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

Shirley Givens was author of a series of influential books on playing the violin: Adventures in Violinland. Kevin Wimmer’s father, Harry Wimmer, a noted cellist, co-produced the books.

Cajun music has been the focus of Kevin Wimmer’s career

17

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

18

Joel Savoy and Kevin Wimmer

since meeting Dewey Balfa. He even lived with the Dewey Balfa’s family for a few months in the 1980s. After playing as a member of the California Cajun Orchestra, Wimmer relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana to become a founding member of the band, Balfa Toujours, with Balfa’s daughter, Christine Balfa. According to one account, “Kevin Wimmer was born in New York City and had trained as a classical violinist, but after attending a fiddle workshop directed by Dewey Balfa

19 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Kevin Wimmer and Christine Balfa in Balfa Toujours

at the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis and Elkins College, he traveled to the teacher’s home to learn Cajun fiddle firsthand.”

Another account from the Balfa Toujours website describes Kevin Wimmer succumbing to the Cajun music lure: “Another adopted son of the Cajun culture, Kevin Wimmer, was also a student of Dewey Balfa. Kevin learned Cajun style playing second fiddle with Dewey and stayed at his home for a period

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

20

David Greely and Kevin Wimmer

of time. Kevin suddenly headed south one day in search of Dewey and was taken in. Cajun music has the ability to touch the soul and kidnap its audience. It expresses a sense of the community and carries the warm traditions of the Cajun people, lost to our modern society.”

Playing with the band Good Ol’ Persons, the band describes Wimmer: “We also had fiddler Kevin Wimmer play with us for the last five years of the band (1990-95); he came to Europe

21 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Kevin Wimmer and Ed Poullard at 2009 Black Pot Festival

with us twice, and played on the last Kaleidoscope record, Anywhere The Wind Blows. Kevin is a wonderful musician and he brought such cool elements to the band, including his wide vocabulary of old time, swing and Cajun styles.�

Wimmer continues to play with Balfa Toujours, but has become a fixture in the Cajun music community and member or collaborator with a number of top bands and artists: Red Stick Ramblers, Ray Abshire, Racines, Preston Frank, Ann

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

22

Kevin Wimmer and Preston Frank

Savoy and Her Sleepless Knights, and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys (since 2011), to name a few. Wimmer’s relationships with the members of those bands have led to a multitude of performances with virtually every Cajun artist in the Lafayette area.

When Kevin Wimmer joined Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys in 2011, Riley published this introduction to the artist who would be replacing his longtime friend and founding

23 Photo by David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Kevin Wimmer and Brandon Moreau at 2010 Beaux Bridge Crawfish Fest

band member, David Greely: “Kevin is originally from New York City and comes from a great musical family. He began his musical training at age four with his mother, a respected violinist who is on the Juilliard School of Music faculty. Ever since meeting Dewey Balfa 26 years ago, Cajun fiddle has been the focus of his career, though he also enjoys playing jazz, western swing, and old-time.”

On another occasion, Riley said this: “Kevin is one of the

Photo by David Simpson

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Photo by David Simpson

24

Kevin Wimmer and Linzay Young in Red Stick Ramblers, 2007

finest fiddlers around. Period.”

Both Wimmer and Riley are disciples of Dewey Balfa. Steve Riley commented, “I had the opportunity to play with him from age 15 until his death in the early ’90s,” says Riley. “I learned so much from him, musically and how to present myself and our music and the history behind it all.”

When recording My Suitcase Is Always Packed, Chaz Justus of the Red Stick Ramblers had a perfect song for Kevin

Wimmer to sing: “Morning Blues.”

Justus explained, “He’s a great singer,” Justus says, “and we wanted to get the different personalities of the band on the record.

Kevin Wimmer with his mother, Shirley Givens, It was written for in 2012 him to sing — he’s not really a morning person!”

With Racines, which means “roots” in French, Steve Riley of Mamou Playboys fame has assembled a band of young, supremely talented practitioners of the Louisiana-born folk music rooted in the French-speaking Acadian culture of Canada. In addition to Riley (accordion, fiddle, guitar and vocals), the quartet includes Kevin Wimmer of Balfa Toujours and The Red Stick Ramblers (fiddle, vocals), Mitch Reed from

25 youtube.com

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Photo by David Simpson

26

Kevin Wimmer and Steve Riley in Racines, 2008

BeauSoleil and Charivari (bass, fiddle) and Chris Stafford who plays with Feufollet and Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole (electric and acoustic guitar, lap steel). “Attending a Steve Riley & Racines concert is like going on a mini-tour of southwest Louisiana musical styles with stops at Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and blues,” according to one reviewer.

“Festivals Acadiens has always been very special for us because Dewey’s presence is so strong there,” Wimmer told

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Dan Willging. “At Festivals Acadiens, we have always brought out the best in audiences. There is something about the feeling we have playing there, which has to do with being Dewey’s festival and falling in that tradition.”

While Wimmer has not been a prominent solo recording artist, his violin and vocals are part of a long list of recordings which includes: Anywhere The Wind Blows with Good Ol’ Persons (bluegrass) Anywhere The Wind Blows with Good Ol’ Persons Good N’ Live (20th Anniversary Collection) with Good Ol’ Persons Not Lonesome Anymore with California Cajun Orchestra Midnight Moonlight with New Riders Of The Purple Sage North Of The Border with John Reischman Matters Of The Heart with Kathy Kallick Use A Napkin (Not Your Mom) with Kathy Kallick New Cajun Tradition with Balfa Toujours Allons Danser with Balfa Toujours Deux Voyages with Balfa Toujours À Vieille Terre Haute with Balfa Toujours Pop, Tu Me Parles Toujours with Balfa Toujours

27

Photo by David Simpson

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Photo by David Simpson

28

Kevin Wimmer and Steve Riley with Mamou Playboys, 2017

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Live at Whiskey River Landing with Balfa Toujours La Pointe with Balfa Toujours Allons Boire Un Coup with Red Stick Ramblers Made In The Shade album with Red Stick Ramblers My Suitcase Is Always Packed with Red Stick Ramblers Racines with Racines Voyageurs with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys Not On Label with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys Party At The Holiday, All Night Long! with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys 30 Years Live! with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys Adieu False Heart with Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy If Dreams Come True with Ann Savoy & Her Sleepless Knights Black Coffee with Ann Savoy & Her Sleepless Knights I Want to Dance With You with Charivari Grassroots 2012 with Preston Frank Arrête Pas La Musique with Ray Abshire Tony Furtado & Dirk Powell with Tony Furtado & Dirk Powell Evangeline Made: A Tribute To Cajun Music Doctors, Professors, Kings, & Queens: Big Ol’ Box Of New Orleans Travailler, C’est Trop Dur: The Lyrical Legacy Of Caesar Vincent

29

30

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Louisiana Dance Clubs Lafayette Area Artmosphere 902 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Ph: 337-233-3331.

Web: artmosphere.vpweb.com Bayou Teche Brewery 1094 Bushville Hwy., Arnaudville, LA 70512. Ph: 337-754-5122.

Blue Moon Saloon 215 E. Convent St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Ph: 877-766-2583.

Web: bluemoonpresents.com Buck and Johnny’s 100 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. Ph: 337-442-6630.

Web: buckandjohnnys.com Cajun Country Bar 9708 Church Point Hwy., Church Point, LA 70525. Ph: 337-684-9101.

Cowboy’s 207 N. Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Scott, Louisiana 70583. Ph: 337-232-3232.

Web: cowboyslafayettela.com Dat Dog 201 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Ph: 337-366-6794. Web: datdog.com El Sid O’s Zydeco & Blues Club 1523 N. Saint Antoine St., Lafayette, Louisiana 70501. Ph: 337-237-1959.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Feed & Seed 106 N. Grant St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Ph: 337-330-4860.

Web: feednseedlafayette.com Fred’s Lounge 420 6th St., Mamou, Louisiana 70554. Ph: 337-468-5411.

Web: facebook.com/Freds-Lounge-111528505553446/ Holiday Lounge 1212 Brud Ln., Mamou, LA 70554. Ph: 337-468-7177. Web: facebook.com/ pages/Holiday-Lounge/1679752672260354 La Poussiere 1301 Grand Point Ave., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. Ph: 337-332-1721.

Web: lapoussiere.com Liberty Theatre — Rendez-Vous Des Cajuns 200 W. Park Ave., Eunice, LA 70535. Ph: 337-457-7389; Web: eunice-la.com/liberty-theater My Place Bar & Grill 811 Foreman Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506. Ph: 337-484-1182.

O’Darby’s 827 Hector Connoly Rd., Carencro, LA 70520. Ph: 337-896-0166.

Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant 1008 Henderson Levee Rd., Henderson, LA 70517. Ph: 337-228-7512.

Web: patsfishermanswharf.com Pont Breaux Cajun Restaurant 325 W. Mills Ave., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. Ph: 337-332-4648.

31

32

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Poppa Joe’s Hole in the Wall 503-L Provost Rd., Scott, LA 70583. Ph: 337-408-8040.

Randol’s 2320 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508. Ph: 337-981-7080 Web: randols.com Rock’n Bowl de Lafayette 905 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Ph: 337-534-8880. Web: rocknbowl. com Route 92 2600 E. Milton, Youngsville, LA 70592. Ph: 337-857-5025.

Web: route92livemusic.com Smiley’s Bayou Club 2206 Veterans Memorial Dr., Erath, LA 70533. Ph: 337-937-4591.

Web: facebook.com/Smileys-Bayou-Club-882989335049200/ Tante Marie’s (formerly Joie de Vivre) 107 N. Main St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. Ph: 337-442-6354.

Web: jamsandbiscuits.com Toby’s Lounge 132 Tobys Ln., Opelousas, Louisiana 70570. Ph: 337-948-3800.

Vermilionville 300 Fisher Rd., Lafayette, Louisiana 70508. Ph: 337-233-4077.

Web: vermilionville.org

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Need a place to stay in the Lafayette area?

Former Floridia dancer Trish Gowl provides modestly priced “AirBnB” accommodations for visitors to Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole communities.

She can advise you on who is playing where. You can view her accommodations at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21433064, or shoot her an email at pgowl92@gmail.com.

New Orleans Area Maple Leaf Bar 8316 Oak St., New Orleans, LA 70118. Ph: 504-866-9359 Mulate’s 201 Julia St., New Orleans LA 70130. Ph: 504-522-1492. Website: mulates.com Rock’n Bowl 3016 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118. Ph: 504-861-1700.

Website: rocknbowl.com Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115. Ph: 504-895-8477.

Website: tipitinas.com

33

34

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Festival-O-Rama February 2020 February 6-9, 2020 — Sounds of Mardi Gras 2018 (Fresno, CA) Bands include Gator Nation (formerly Gator Beat), Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Gino and the Lone Gunmen. http://www.fresnodixie.com

Feb. 14-15, 2020 — Sandestin Gumbo Festival Baytowne Wharf, 9100 Baytowne Avenue, Destin. Seafood boil on Friday. On Saturday, sample a variety of gumbo and vote for your favorite; Live music on Sunday by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. http://www.sandestingumbofestival.com/

Feb. 22-23, 2020 — Clearwater Sea Blues Festival (Clearwater) Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22: Allen Stone, Doyle Bramhall II, Southern Avenue, Brandon Santini, Rev. Barry & The Funk, Someday Honey. Sunday, Feb. 23: Tab Benoit, Victor Wainwright & The Train, Heather Gillis, Betty Fox Horn

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Band, The Broadcast. General information: https://www. myclearwaterevents.com/featured-events/sea-blues-festival

Feb. 22-23, 2020 — Street Painting Fest (Lake Worth, FL) More than 100,000 art lovers attend this annual festival over the weekend. With more than 600 artists on the pavement, music on the main stage, restaurants, shops, festival food court and bistro, you’re sure to get caught up with the excitement. Website: http:// www.streetpaintingfestivalinc.org

Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, 2020 — St. Petersburg Seafood Festival Vinoy Park, downtown St. Pete. A variety of seafood entrees and vegetarian dishes will be available, along with a diversity of side dishes and desserts, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

General admission: $5. Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. ; Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Feb. 28 through Mar. 8, 2020 — Festival of the Arts (Boca Raton, FL) Established in 2007, Festival of the Arts BOCA was designed to promote the cultural arts and to enrich the quality of life of the residents of Boca Raton, North Broward and Palm Beach County.

Artists and speakers this year include T-Bone Burnett and comedian Bill Murray. Website: www.festivaloftheartsboca.org

35

36

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

March 2020 Mar. 7-8, 2020 — Spring Frisco Festival (Garyville, LA) “San Francisco Plantation House — The Most Opulent Plantation in the South.” The Frisco Spring Crafters & Artists Garden Show will be held Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am til 5:00 pm daily at beautiful San Francisco Plantation. The festival will feature over 100 crafters, artist, and chefs. Open Car Show 25 & 40-Mile Bike Tours.

5k & 1 Mile Fun Run. Website: http://www.sanfranciscoplantation. org/frisco-fest/

Mar. 7-8, 2020 — Gasparilla Music Festival (Tampa, FL) Bands include Brandi Carlisle, De La Soul, Rival Sons, St. Lucia, Portugal, The Man, The Word, Anderson East, and others. Two stages at Curtis Hixon Park, downtown Tampa. Info at https:// gasparillamusic.com

Mar. 13-14, 2020 — Bonita Blues Fest (Bonita Springs, FL) Bands include: DamonFowler, Little Freddie King, JP Soars, Hurricane Ruth. Venue is Riverside Park on Old US 41 in Bonita Springs, FL. Website: http://www.bonitablues.com

Mar. 19-22, 2020 — Suwannee Spring Reunion (Live Oak) Donna The Buffalo, Greensky Bluegrass, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airford featuring Los Texmaniacs, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, The Duhks, many more. Four days of music (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Sunday) on 3 stages; 4 nights of camping; workshops; kids tent; yoga; Eclectic Vending Village; Campground stages at Slopryland and Bill Monroe Shrine; and campground jamming. https:// suwanneespringreunion.com

Mar. 26 through Apr. 11, 2020 — Savannah Music Festival Concerts in various locations in Savannah, GA. Artists include: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, True Blues (Corey Harris, Cedric Watson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Amythyst Kiah), Marcia Ball and Ruthie Foster on Mar. 28; Cajun Dance Party with Steve Riley and Racines, and The Revelers on Apr. 4, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Zydeco Dance Party with Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys on Apr. 11, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Website: https://www. savannahmusicfestival.org

April 2020 Apr. 3-5, 2020 — Tampa Bay Blues Festival (St. Pete) At Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg. Aaron Neville, JJ Grey & Mofro, Larkin Poe, Jimmie Vaughan, Danielle Nicole, Ronnie Earl, Rod Piazza, Mindi Abair, The Proven Ones, and others. After party on Saturday at the Ringside Cafe features The Proven Ones and Dawn Tyler Watson. http://tampabaybluesfest.com/

Yes! You want to plan your trips to out-of-state festivals farther in advance. 2020 festival listings are online now! Look to FloridaCajunZydeco.com/festivals.html for festival info.

37

38

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com ______________ | O U TS I D E F LO R I DA A N D LO U I S I A N A | _______________

Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association Dances Sat., Feb. 8 - Valentine’s Dance with Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp Dorothy Benson Center

Sat., Mar. 7 - "Tardi Gras" Party with Hair of the Dog Garden Hills Recreation Center NOTE: ACZA uses for than one venue for their dances. Confirm location and time. https://aczadance.org/

Philadelphia Cajun Zydeco Dances Sat., Feb. 29 — Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band Sat., Mar. 28 — Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe Fri., Apr. 10 — Andre Thierry Accordion Soul Music Sat., Apr. 25 — Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp Fri., May 15 — Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys $20 admission, $10 for students. Website for additional information: allonsdanser.org

San Diego Cajun Zydeco Dances Sat., Feb. 8 — David Sousa and Zydeco Mudbugs (Balboa Park Club) Sat., Mar. 14 — Bruce Daigrepont (War Memorial Hall) May 7–10 — Gator By The Bay Festival at gatorbythebay.com (Spanish Landing Park) Website: icajunzydeco.com

NYC Cajun Zydeco Events Sun., Feb. 23 — CJ Chenier & His Hot Louisiana Band Fri., Mar. 27 — Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe Fri., Apr. 3 — The Lustre Kings Sun., Apr. 26 — Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp letszydeco.com

Houston Cajun Zydeco Events zydecoevents.com/texaszydecoevents.html