Summer Festivals and Special Events
Here is a list of major Cajun and zydeco dance events around the country this summer.
July 4, 2017 — Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie (Port Allen, LA) 4:00 p.m. Old Ferry Landing Park (Downtown Port Allen) "4th of July Fest", 375 Court St and South River Rd, Port Allen, LA 70767
July 4, 2017 — Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners
(Erath, LA)
8:00 p.m. Erath 4th of July Celebration "81st Annual Festival", 203 S Broadway St, Erath, LA 70533
July 4, 2017 — Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers (Houston, TX)
5:45 p.m. Eleanor Tinsley Park 2017 Freedom Over Texas (Wells Fargo Stage in Liberty Park), (500 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
July 6, 2017 — Lisa Haley Idyllwild Community Concert (Idyllwild, CA)
26150 Hwy 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549 - Info: 951-659-2229. Website: LisaHaley.com
July 7-16, 2017 — Festival International du Blues de Tremblant (Quebec)
1000, chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant, Québec J8E 1T1) Sunday, July 9: CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Website: https://blues.tremblant.ca/en/
July 8, 2017 — Swamp Stomp 2017 (Tallahassee, FL)
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32310. Cost: $8.50 to $11.50. http://tallahasseemuseum.org/event/swampstomp2017/
July 8, 2017 — Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Krush (San Diego, CA)
7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. at War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Website: www.icajunzydeco.com
July 9, 2017 — Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Krush (Long Beach, CA)
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at PCH Club (Golden Sails), 6285 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90803. Cost $15. More Info: David Souza (909) 527-0926 davidsousa@verizon.net, or Dempsey (562) 396-1132 bontemppappion@aol.com
July 9-14, 2017 --- Cajun-Creole Week at Augusta Heritage Center (West Virginia)
This year features Courtney Granger, Jesse Lege, David Greeley, Yvette Landry, Walter Mouton and others. "It's a great way to get out of the heat and head for some of the most scenic mountains in the East. Over the years a lot of Floridians have attended." Music and cooking workshops and dancing. See American Heritage Center YouTube Channel. https://augustaheritagecenter.org/augusta-schedule/cajuncreole/
Fri. July 14, 2017 — Dwight "Black Cat" Carrier (Cerritos, CA)
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703. Cost: $15. Info: Gale Trahan, 323-243-9097.
July 14 & 15, 2017 — Cajun Music and Food Festival (Lake Charles, LA)
Celebrating 30 years of preserving and promoting Cajun music and heritage with continuous live Cajun music, traditional Cajun foods, arts and crafts, Cajun waltz and two-step dance contests, and children's activities all at Burton Coliseum starting at 4:00 to 11:00 PM, Friday, July 14th and again 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. In addition, we have a Cajun French mass and donut social on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM at the CFMA Building and Museum located at 3481 E, Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles. 7001 Gulf Hwy, Lake Charles, LA 70607) 8:00 PM - Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie. Website: https://www.visitlakecharles.org
Sat. July 15, 2017 — OC Cajun Food & Music Celebration (benefit for Orange County Food Bank)
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live Cajun/Zydeco Music featuring Lisa Haley and The Zydekats and Dennis G & The Zydeco Trail Riderz. www.ocfoodbank.org/cajun
Sat., July 15, 2017 — Coushatta Crossroads Festival (Kinder, LA)
The Pavilion @ Coushatta Casino - 777 Coushatta Dr, Kinder, LA 70648) Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Travis Matte, Pine Leaf Boys, Leroy Thomas, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Jamie Bergeron, Richard LeBouef & Two Step. Website: http://www.coushattacasinoresort.com/entertainment/pavilion/id/1520/
Mon., July 17, 2017 --- Third Monday Zydeco Dance at Tio Leos (San Diego)
6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Zydeco basics lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zydeco intermediate and advanced lesson
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cajun/zydeco DJ dance. $5 donation requested. CD Dance is free! Instructor/DJ Greg Benusa and friends
Location: Tio Leo's, 5302 Napa Street, San Diego, CA 92110. Questions: Greg, 619-857-8409, email: greg@zydecoach.com
July 28-30, 2017 --- Long Beach Crawfish Festival (Long Beach, CA)
Long Beach Crawfish Festival at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. Step Rideau, Mudbug Brass Band, AJ Gibbs, David Sousa and the Zydeco Mudbugs, Bonne Musique Zydeco, Bill Magee Blues Band. http://www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com
July 28-29, 2017 — Marshland Festival (Lake Charles, LA)
Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie. Website: http://www.marshlandfestival.com
July 28-30, 2017 — Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell, MA)
Downtown Lowell, Lowell, MA 01851. Fred. 2:00 p.m.: CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Website: http://lowellfolkfestival.org
Sat., August 12, 2017 --- BTSC Presents Mark St. Mary Band (San Diego)
War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
6:20 p.m. Zydeco basics lesson, 7:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. open dancing to Mark St. Mary. Website: www.icajunzydeco.com
Sun. Aug 13, 2017 —Mark St. Mary Band (Long Beach, CA)
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at PCH Club (Golden Sails), 6285 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90803. Cost $15. More Info: David Souza (909) 527-0926 davidsousa@verizon.net, or Dempsey (562) 396-1132 bontemppappion@aol.com
Aug. 13, 2017 — Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival (Bloomington, Indiana)
The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival is an annual festival featuring acclaimed piano players, dancers, food and beverages. With free and ticketed performances at multiple venues and free educational components, the 2016 festival was voted one of the top 10 festivals in Indiana! The next festival is August 13, 2017, with school concerts and piano workshops on Aug. 14. Artists include Liz Pinnock and Dr. Blues (from Tampa Bay), CJ Chenier, Bob Seeley (perhaps you saw him sit in with Marcia Ball at Ace's). Website: https://bloomingtonboogies.com/artists-booking
Aug. 17-19, 2017 — 28th Annual Le Cajun French Music Association Awards (Rayne, LA)
The winners of the French Speaking contest and New Dawn recipients will be announced on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at La Poussiere in Breaux Bridge. Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Rayne Civic Center the Music Awards, Plaque Awards and Hall of Fame recipients will be announced and the Miss Le Cajun 2017 will be crowned. Saturday, August 19, 2017 is all-out-fun for music, dancing, and celebrating. Website: http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/
August 19-20, 2017 --- Cotati Accordion Festival (Cotati, CA)
Cotati Accordion Festival in Cotati, California. Festival location is north of San Francisco. Zydeco bands include Mark St. Mary, MotorDude Zydeco. http://www.cotatifest.com
August 20, 2017 --- The Revelers (Chicago, IL)
The Revelers playing at SummerDance, downtown Chicago in the Spirit of Music Garden on Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison. FREE EVENT! Basic dance lesson from 4 to 5 pm with band playing from 5:30 to 7:30. The Revelers are the bomb…some Cajun, some swamp pop, everything super danceable and fun.
www.chicagosummerdance.org
Mon., August 21, 2017 --- Third Monday Zydeco Dance at Tio Leo's (San Diego)
6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Zydeco basics lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zydeco intermediate and advanced lesson
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cajun/zydeco DJ dance, $5 donation requested. CD Dance is free! Instructor/DJ Greg Benusa and friends
Location: Tio Leo's, 5302 Napa Street, San Diego, CA 92110. Questions: Greg, 619-857-8409, email: greg@zydecoach.com
Tues., August 22, 2017 — Lisa Haley at Memorial Park Concert (Pasadena, CA)
85 E. Holly St, Pasadena, CA 91103. Website: http://www.seecalifornia.com/entertainment/concerts/pasadena-summer-concerts.html
August 24-27, 2017 — Gueydan Duck Festival (Gueydan, LA)
404 Dallas Guidry Rd, Gueydan, LA 70542. Friday, 10 p.m. to midnight: Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie. Website: http://www.duckfestival.org
August 25, 2017 — Lisa Haley at Sawdust Festival (Laguna Beach, CA)
935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Website: http://sawdustartfestival.org/festivals/
Sept. 1-3, 2017 --- Ninigret Rhythm & Roots Festival (Rhode Island)
Rhythm & Roots Festival at Ninigret Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island. Bands include: The Mavericks, Rosanne Cash, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy,
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, MarchFourth!, The Squirrel Nut Zippers , The Knickerbocker All Stars w/ Special Guests TBA, The New Orleans Suspects w/ Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Marcia Ball, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Shinyribs, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, The Pine Leaf Boys, 10 Strings and A Goatskin, Big Sandy & the Fly Rite Boys, Sarah Potenza & Ian Crossman, The Turtle Duhks, Los Texmaniacs, Courtney Granger & the Bad Hombres, Lilly Hiatt, Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express, Say Darling, Sunday Gospel w/ Sarah Potenza & Christine Ohlman, The Revelers, The Alex Meixner Band, David Greely, Johnny Nicholas, Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne, Magnolia Cajun Band and Ed Poullard & Preston Frank.http://www.rhythmandroots.com
Sat., Sept. 2, 2017 --- 35th Zydeco Music Festival (Opelousas, LA)
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Jamie Bergeron and the Kicking Cajuns, Travis Matte & the Kingpins, Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers. Website is https://www.zydeco.org
Sept. 2-3, 2017 --- Sonoma County Cajun, Zydeco and Delta R&B Festival in Sebastopol, CA
Sept. 2 and 3, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Ives Park in Sebastopol. Saturday is zydeco, Sunday is rockabilly. Band include Geno Delafose, Mark St. Mary and HIs Blues and Zydeco Band, The BluesBox Bayou Band, CZ and the Bon Vivants. http://winecountrycajun.com/
Sat. , Sept. 9, 2017 — St. Tammany Crab Festival (Slidell, LA)
Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Ln, Slidell, LA 70458. Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters, Leo Nocentelli from The Meters. Festival continues on Sunday, Sept. 10. Website: https://www.sttammanycrabfestival.com
Sat., Sept. 9, 2017 --- BTSC Presents Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic (San Diego)
War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
6:20 p.m. Zydeco basics lesson, 7:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. open dancing to Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic. Website: www.icajunzydeco.com
Sat. , Sept. 9, 2017 — Lisa Haley and the Zydekats Olives Adobe Concert (Ventura, CA)
7:30 p.m. 4200 Olivas Park Dr, Ventura, CA 92002. Website: http://www.cityofventura.net/mus
Sept. 9-10, 2017 —- Crawfish and Catfish Festival (Woodland, CA)
Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 East Gum Ave, Woodland, CA 95776. Website does not show bands, but one source says Mark St. Mary Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, Motordude Zydeco, Zydeco Flames will perform. Confirm before going. Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crawfish-catfish-festival-tickets-32193421390
Sun., Sept. 10, 2017 —Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic (Long Beach, CA)
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at PCH Club (Golden Sails), 6285 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90803. Cost $15. More Info: David Souza (909) 527-0926 davidsousa@verizon.net, or Dempsey (562) 396-1132 bontemppappion@aol.com
Sept. 10, 2017 --- Feufollet (Chicago, IL)
Feufollet playing the season finale of SummerDance, downtown Chicago in the Spirit of Music Garden on Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Harrison. FREE EVENT! Basic dance lesson from 4 to 5 pmwith band playing from 5:30 to 7:30. Come by to celebrate another great year of music and dance from SummerDance.
www.chicagosummerdance.org
Mon., Sept. 18, 2017 --- Third Monday Zydeco Dance at Tio Leo's (San Diego)
6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Zydeco basics lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zydeco intermediate and advanced lesson
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cajun/zydeco DJ dance, $5 donation requested. CD Dance is free! Instructor/DJ Greg Benusa and friends
Location: Tio Leo's, 5302 Napa Street, San Diego, CA 92110. Questions: Greg, 619-857-8409, email: greg@zydecoach.com
October 12-15, 2017 --- Swannee Roots Revival (Live Oak, FL)
Lineup will include Donna the Buffalo, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jim lauderdale, Verlon Thompson and dozens more. Website: http://www.suwanneerootsrevival.com
October 12-15, 2017 --- Festivals Acadiens et Creoles (Lafayette)
Festival de Musique will showcase the best of Cajun and Zydeco music at the annual Fetivals Acadiens beneath the spreading oaks of Girard Park in Lafayette, LA. Festival de Musique Acadienne, celebrating 36 years of entertainment, originated as the Tribute to Cajun Music Festival, an event that was designed to attract and educate the younger generation to the traditional values of the Cajun culture. Festival de Musique Acadienne now attracts Louisiana's best Cajun and Zydeco bands and draws thousands of people from across the country and around the world.
http://www.festivalsacadiensetcreoles.com/
Oct. 13-15, 2017 — Richmond Folk Festival (Richmond, VA)
CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Website: http://www.richmondfolkfestival.org
Oct. 20-21, 2017 — St Francis Xavier Catholic Church Annual Fall Bazaar (Houston, TX)
Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, Jerome Batiste & the Zydeco Players, DJ Mike T. St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4600 Reed Rd, Houston, TX 77051. Website: http://www.josephites.org/parish/tx/sfx/
Sat. Oct. 21, 2017 — Attalla Heritage Day Festival (Attalla, Alabama)
Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble. Website: http://www.attallacity.com/attalla-heritage-day
Oct. 21-28, 2017 — Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Departs Ft. Lauderdale to Aruba, Curacao, Bahamas. Bands include Chubby Carrier, Cyril Neville's Swamp Funk, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Victor Wainwright and the Wildroots Revue, Samantha Fish, California Honeydrops, TajMo, Tommy Castro, Buddy Guy. Info: http://bluescruise.com/lrbc-29-oct-2017-southern-caribbean/
October 28-29, 2017 --- South Louisiana Blackpot Festival and Cookoff (Lafayette, LA)
South Louisiana Blackpot Festival and Cookoff in Acadian Village, 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 & RV’s. Artists this year will include
Lil Buck Senegal, Pine Leaf Boys, Freetown Aces, Courtney Granger, Ed Pollard and Preston Frank, Feufollet, The Revelers and Los Texmaniacs. http://blackpotfestival.com
Nov. 2-4, 2017 — Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival (Urbana, IL)
Cajun, Old Time/Contra Dance, Swing, Country, Folk, Hispanic, Celtic, Blues. Website: http://folkandroots.org/
November 4-5, 2017 --- Halifax Art Festival (Daytona Beach)
2nd oldest continual art festival in the state of Florida and attracts well over 30,000 visitors annually. This free Festival, open to the public, will take place on November 2 & 3, 2013 on historic downtown Beach Street, from Orange Avenue to Bay Street, in front of the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach. The Festival will have over 200 juried artists and artisans exhibiting original two-dimensional art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, wood, metal, and glass pieces for purchase. The Festival has expanded to celebrate seasoned as well as emerging artists and craftsmen. There will be two distinct exhibit areas. International street cuisine and good old-fashioned festival food will be featured for the hungry festival attendees. Beach Street cafes and restaurants will be open and featuring festival specials. There will, also, be live entertainment with musicians
playing a variety of popular music. Website: http://halifaxartfestival.com/
Nov. 9-12, 2017 --- Riverhawk Music Festival (Brooksville, FL)
Bands include the Sauce Boss Bill Wharton, Black Lillies, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ana Egge and the Sentimentals, Dust Bowl Revival, Fly By Nite Rounders.
Website: http://www.riverhawkmusic.com/
November 10-12, 2017 --- Cracklin Festival (Port Barre, LA) Bands include Geno Delafose, Kevin Naquin, Wallace Trahan, Wayne Toups.
Website: https://louisiana.kitchenandculture.com/event/port-barre-cracklin-festival
Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, 2017 --- KBON Louisiana Proud Dance Cruise (New Orleans)
Website: https://www.travelmachine.net/Featured-Cruises/65
December 1-2, 2017 --- Balboa Park December Nights (San Diego)
Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 39th consecutive year on Friday, December 2 from 3-11pm and Saturday, December, 3 from noon-11pm. Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9pm. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 350,000 visitors to the park over two days to revel and enjoy the season. Each year Bon Temps Social Club and Gator By The Bay host bands at the BTSC dance stage featuring danceable music by Cajun, zydeco, blues, and country bands. A different band takes the stage every hour, and free dance lessons are taught at the band breaks. Website: https://www.balboapark.org/decembernights
Dec. 1-3, 2017 --- Bradenton Blues Festival (Bradenton, FL)
Bands include Chubby Carrier, Damon Fowler, Joe Louis Walker, Curtis Salgado, Sugar Blue, Vanessa Collier, Sean Chambers Band.
Website: www.bradentonbluesfestival.org/