This is another edition of "Update!" for FloridaCajunZydeco.com, a Website dedicated to people who love to dance to Louisiana-style music. This site features calendar pages of Cajun and Zydeco dance bands and events in the state of Florida, but is also intended to include information on major Cajun and Zydeco events anywhere in the United States --- even Louisiana!  Check out our Dance Calendar where listings are divided into five Florida regions. Dance events listed in your region are likely to be within an hour's drive.

As they say in French-speaking Louisiana, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" ("Let the good times roll!") And in the spirit of the dance community that embraces this joyful music, "If you're smilin', you're doing it right!"

            --- James Hance, St. Petersburg, FL

 

Photo Credit: Marco Van Rooijen, Blues Magazine.NL

September 14, 15, 16, 2012
DWAYNE DOPSIE & ZYDECO HELLRAISERS
9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (6-10 p.m. on Sunday)
Cuso's Club & Cantina
2405 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Phone 727-596-5640.

If you like your zydeco "hard-driven" with a fast tempo, you are going to be in heaven this weekend with Dwayne "Dopsie" and the Zydeco Hellraisers play at Cuso's in Indian Rocks Beach. Cuso's has a generous dance floor which is sure to be filled once this rockin' band gets going.
Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin plays a unique, high energy style of zydeco, and hails from one of the most influential zydeco families in the world. Dwayne attributes his musical abilities to his father, Rockin' Dopsie. He has played the accordion since age seven and states, "This is my calling. zydeco music is in my blood and it is my heart and soul." Although inspired by tradition, he has developed his own high energy style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path. This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed all over the world since debuting his band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, and they are playing three nights at Cuso's before departing for the Tangier Jazz Festival in Morocco.

According to the Toledo City Paper, "Dwayne takes the instruments and traditions of zydeco to new levels infusing blues, soul and funk with a driving rubboard rhythm. The Zydeco Hellraisers’ sound is relentless, pulsating and funky, easily appealing to fans of all genres.”

Sample some of Dwayne Dopsie's music at http://dwaynedopsie.com/fr_home.cfm.

 

Traveling to see Dwayne Dopsie this weekend from Miami Area?
Jerene is looking to share a ride from Miami if possible. Give her a call as soon as possible at 305-609-8502. Jerene has been a dance instructor at Hollywood and Virginia Key Beach festivals. We welcome our friends from the southern part of the state to Pinellas County!

 

REGION 3
Sunday, September 16, 2012
GUMBO BOOGIE 
5-9 p.m. at Ace's Lounge
4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton, FL (941) 795-3886.

No Cover! Great Italian food! Enjoy Chef Ron's all-you-can-eat buffet at 6 p.m.
Sample Gumbo Boogie at http://www.myspace.com/gumboboogie.

 

Photo: Gulfport Ramblers joined by Al Berard at recent dance in Pinellas Park. Photo by Jim Hance.

REGION 3
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Gulfport Ramblers 
Ricky P's Bistro
1113 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg. FL
9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

With the later start time of 9:30 p.m., Gulfport Ramblers will be playing indoors at Ricky P's.  No cover, but tips appreciated. Enjoy some of Ricky P's tempting food and beverages so they'll ask us back! Sample Gulfport Ramblers at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykzkgENW3-Q.

 

Photo: Grammy-Nominated Lisa Haley & The Zydekats are in the lineup at November's Florida Cajun Zydeco Festival.

REGION 5

November 9, 10 & 11, 2012
FLORIDA CAJUN ZYDECO FESTIVAL

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way
Hollywood, FL 33314
Friday 5 p.m. to midnight 
Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight
Sunday 11 a.m. to  7 p.m. 

The following band lineup is confirmed! Savoy Family Cajun Band, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, C'est Bon Cajun Dance Band, Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley and The Zydekats, Feufollet, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, and Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Louisiana is sponsoring Louisiana cooking demonstrations by chef Patrick Mould, and he will also conduct a Cajun cooking contest. Venue is outdoors at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314. Hours are Friday 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday 11 a.m. to  7 p.m.  Produced by Bobby Rodriguez Productions, Email: info@cajun-fest.com  Check out the Website: http://www.cajun-fest.com/site/

 

OUTSIDE FLORIDA
October 26-27, 2012
SOUTH LOUISIANA BLACKPOT FESTIVAL  (Lafayette, LA)

The South Louisiana Black Pot Festival & Cookoff is one of the most unique festivals in Louisiana. Held annually at Lafayette's Acadian Village, the festival celebrates its 5th year this October with two days of great music, dancing, food, camping & jamming. The festival is a cooperative of south Louisiana musicians, artists and southern culture enthusiasts, creating an unprecedented gathering of south Louisiana's hottest roots bands, as well as a number of groups from all over the country. Live performances range from Cajun & Zydeco, to Creole, Swing, Hot Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Irish & Old-Time. Plus, an old-fashioned black pot cook-off, accordion contest, called square dancing, and ample camping space for tents & RVs.

Website: http://blackpotfestival.com/website/live-music/2012-music-schedule.html.

 

2-Hour Country Two-Step Classes at Bayou Dance Club taught by Jane Hance
Sundays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(Some students go out to dinner as a group after class.)
Drop-in $15 per class. Bayou Dance Club, 6541 102nd Avenue North, Pinellas Park, FL. 33782.
Contact Jane Hance at 619-203-1922 or email at eastwestswinger@yahoo.com. Website: http://www.janehance.com

 

Lisa Haley & The Zydekats are planning a Florida tour on their way to the Florida Cajun Zydeco Festival in Hollywood, FL in November. Stay tuned for more info.

A new "Cajun and blues" club will open in St. Petersburg in the near future. It may host some of our local Cajun and zydeco bands, hopefully with some room to dance. More info to come.

Thanks for reading. I hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

 

Jim Hance   |   j-hance@wowpromotions.com