I was excited to post five concert dates for the hottest zydeco band to be touring the state this summer, Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys. The band is currently playing a festival in Cognac, France, and now I see Ace's Lounge in Bradenton shows her concert there has been "postponed." Regrettably, I will be removing these five events from the calendar unless I learn differently:

Cancelled: Wednesday, July 18 -- Fort Myers, Florida (Region 5)
Cancelled: Thursday, July 19 -- Englewood, Florida (Region 3)
Cancelled: Friday, July 20 -- Bradenton, Florida (Region 3)
Cancelled: Saturday, July 21 -- Boca Raton, FL (Region 5)
Cancelled: Sunday, July 22 -- Sebastian, Florida (Region 4)

We will miss her this time around, but look forward to dancing to her great band next time around.

Tab Benoit is a Cajun man who's definitely got the blues. Born November 17, 1967, he grew up in Houma, Louisiana. A guitar player since his teenage years, he hung out at the Blues Box, a ramshackle music club and cultural center in nearby Baton Rouge run by guitarist Tabby Thomas. Playing guitar alongside Thomas, Raful Neal, Henry Gray and other high-profile regulars at the club, Benoit learned the blues first-hand from a faculty of living blues legends. The nightly impromptu gigs were enough to inspire Benoit to assemble his own band --- a stripped down bass-and-drums unit propelled by his solid guitar skills and leathery, Cajun-spiced vocal attack. He took his show on the road in the early '90s and hasn't stopped since. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL. (813) 971-0666. Skipper's Website.

The Ramblers had several performances planned in May until guitarist Maureen Kilroy suffered a broken wrist while on vacation in New Orleans. Everything was cancelled, including an appearance at Ricky P's in St. Pete. Maureen's wrist is healed, and they are returning to Ricky P's this Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. to play their fine brand of Cajun and Creole favorites.  They will be playing in the patio area outdoors, to wear comfortable street shoes. Ricky P's Bistro at 1113 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. There's an outdoor patio where the bands set up. There is no cover, but tips are appreciated. Enjoy some of Ricky P's tempting food and beverages so they'll ask us back! Ricky P's Website.

This is the annual Cajun-Creole cultural immersion with classes, presentations and jam sessions featuring music, dancing, and Cajun food preparation. Workshops include accordion, bass guitar, fiddle, vocals, song writing, and cooking. Coordinator Lynne Terr has lined up a wonderful staff of the most respected Cajun and Creole musicians to teach inspiring classes and keep the dance pavilion throbbing. Informal jam sessions, a mid-week party with Cajun cuisine, concerts, sessions in the Icehouse and on the 'porch,' and music in the dancers ears will create a sea of smiling faces for the whole week. Teaching accordion this summer are Wilson Savoy, Walter Mouton, Jason Frey, and Edward Poullard. David Greely, Joel Savoy, Al Berard, and Michelle Kaminsky are teaching fiddle. Yvette Landry teaches bass. Guitar and Vocals is taught by Christine Balfa. Optional one-on-one music instruction with Tracy Schwarz will be available in the afternoon. Back by popular demand is Jackie Miller, who is teaching Cajun Cooking assisted by Judie Smith. Charlie Terr is on hand as Staff Musician. Website.

Trish Wurts makes it to this event each year and tells us all about how much fun she has had. Maybe it's time for a pilgrimage. It features 4 stages of music, family tent for kids, dance lessons, all day and evening dancing on two dance floors, gourmet food and drink, and the best that roots music has to offer. Weekend camping is available and parking is free. The host band will be the Pine Leaf Boys. Other bands will include Hugh Laurie & the Copper Bottom Band, David Bromberg Big Band, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Duhks, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Donna the Buffalo, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, The Gourds, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars, Johnny Nicholas & Hellbent, Sarah & the Tall Boys, Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, and Golden Triangle (featuring David Greely & Sam Broussard of the Mamou Playboys with Johnny Nicholas). Hours are Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday and Sunday noon to midnight. Ninigret Park, 4890A Old Post Rd, Rt 1, Charlestown, RI  02813. Tickets $25-$175. Kids 12 and under free.  Website.

I've added a new page to the site for Cajun and zydeco dance instructors, and I am inviting everyone to help contribute to this. I think good bands are good entertainers and visually interesting. I strive to show lots of pictures of bands on the site. Dance instructors are in that category too. We're a bit more likely to show up for a dance lesson when we can see a picture of the instructor. So far I have posted mostly west coast instructors, but I am looking to flood the page with Florida-area instructors. If you have contact information for a favorite instructor, and perhaps some photos of them teaching, please forward them to me. Cajun and zydeco instructors from anywhere are welcome to submit their own information and photo as well, though I would like full participation from our Florida folks. Thanks!

Jane Hance is teaching 2-hour classes on country western two-step at Dance America Dance Studio (also known as "Dads"), 4445 E. Bay Dr., Clearwater, FL 33764, on Sundays in July from 5 to 7 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome, and the cost is $15. You can get more information on Jane's Website, or you can call her at 619-203-1922.

I hear the class is shy on leaders, so I will be there on Sunday. Come on out, guys! 

Publisher  |  Jim Hance
Phone  619.203.0522
Email  j-hance@wowpromotions.com