February 26, 2008
Hi All,
I write this today in awe of all of you, filled with thoughts of how blessed I am to have all of you guys in my life.
Dikki Du played a great dance Sunday night at the Golden Sails and it was a wonderful evening. People drove from Palmdale, Simi Valley, Banning, San Bernardino, and Riverside to dance. Amazing! Thanks to everyone who came out to see the band, whether you came from near or far.
The evening was miraculous. Volunteers pitched in with extra donations, people walked up to me and handed me money just to help pay the band, and a local zydeco benefactor ended up giving me a generous donation that allowed me to cover all my other expenses with a little left to spare. WOW! I'm in awe of all of you!
Many thanks to Richard Allen, who spent his time preparing his excellent gumbo for the dance, as well as to all the volunteers who helped with the door and those who brought pot luck dishes to share. Thanks to Rhonda for preparing the special name tags, and to Anita for running to the store to get the cake. You are all much appreciated!
Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity has done much more for me than just cover the expenses of hosting that dance. It has given me great joy and light that I'm going to savor for a long time. I hope I can now give that light back to all of you. All of our lives are better for your giving of yourselves.
I thought this week's Gazette was going to be abbreviated, as I have to spend my time preparing for being audited by the IRS. Once again, I got carried away and it's almost 1 AM and I'm still not done! Sheesh.
OK, now on to this week's Gator Gazette!
This Week's Gator Gazette:
7 NEW LADIES LAST WEEK - WHERE WERE YOU, GENTLEMEN?
Come 4 Weeks, 5th Week Free Promo
Gator Host (est)
Intermediate / Advanced Moves this Week
Dikki Du Review
Minty Fresh for the Grammys
Anyone Have Extra Tickets to Savoy Family Band?
Video Clip 'O the Week
Out of State Festivals and Dances
James Zentz Zydeco Road Videos
Dance Instruction Available
LA / Orange County Zydeco Schedule
Bands / Other Zydeco Links
Weekly Dance Info
This Week at the Golden Sails:
7 NEW LADIES LAST WEEK - WHERE WERE YOU, GENTLEMEN?
That's right! Last Thursday night there were SEVEN NEW LADIES who came to the lesson. Guys, these women are gorgeous. If you're lonely, sitting in front of that TV on Thursday nights instead of coming down to the Golden Sails, you are missing out! Therefore, I suggest you come this week and see what I'm talkin' about.
Come 4 Weeks, 5th Week Free Promo
Sign in when you come this week. Come four consecutive weeks, get the fourth week free!
By the way, the Gentlemen Get in Free Promo has not been in effect for months now, so gentlemen, please feed the gator.
Gator Host (est)
I've asked someone each week to take care of making sure the 'Gator is fed, so if you're asked if you fed the gator, please help out and put your $ in the Gator cookie jar. Please take a name tag, as that's how we know you fed the gator.
Intermediate / Advanced Moves this Week:
I'll be adding more to the Willie Bushnell lunges we worked on last week, as well as showing how to alternate leads and follows. Will also be combining this with crossover kicks, turns in open position. 5:30-6 PM
Here's the basic lesson info:
Zydeco Dancing EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!
Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club
6285 E. PCH, Long Beach, CA
Hotel Phone: (562) 596-1631
Cover: $7 (Feed the Gator!) plus two drink minimum-Bottled Water, juices available
Basic Zydeco Lesson: 7:00 PM -7:30 PM
Intermediate / Advanced Moves: 7:30-8:00 PM
WEEKLY RAFFLE AT 8 PM!
CD Dancing 8:15-10 PM or so
Bar Happy Hour with free food! 5-7 PM
Beginners, singles, all ages welcome!
Group Discounts Available!
Information: Karen Redding (562) 438-1255, (562) 708-8946 or karinovations@verizon.net
Dikki Du Review
Dikki and the band put on a great show. I had people call me and tell me they kept thinking all evening, "This is a great band!" I had lots of fun dancing to them, and every time I looked up, Dikki and his Krewe were smiling and seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. That makes for a very enjoyable experience for the dancers. Thank you Dikki Du for your high-energy performance. I would say you left L.A. with a very positive first impression. You're welcome back here next time you're out this way.
Minty Fresh for the Grammys
On Saturday night February 9, 2008, three of the six Grammy nominees showcased their enormous talents to a very lucky group of folks at The Mint in L.A. It was easy to see why The Lost Bayou Ramblers were nominees for the first Cajun / Zydeco Grammy, as they have definitely found their way into the spotlight with their "Cajun on Steroids," pedal-to-the-metal style. I loved it when bass player Alan LaFleur laid his white bass down on the floor sideways, then stood on it barefooted, bent over, feverishly plucking and banging on the strings getting sounds out of that instrument I never knew existed.
I'm usually much more of a Zydeco enthusiast than a Cajun fan, but these guys converted me a few bars through their first song. The old saying that "youth has it's advantages" is proven by this band's high-octane, innovative Cajun sound that only the young and cheeky could put together. Check out the Bio pages on their nicely done website and read what others who are far more capable with words than lil' ol' me have to say about them. Be sure to click the little "next" buttons so you don't miss anything. Lots of great info there! Here's the link: http://www.lostbayouramblers.com/bio.asp
I had a hard time finding a clip of the guys that did them justice, but here are a couple clips for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQf-REFDIg&feature=related <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQf-REFDIg&feature=related>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uW89ILfR8
Glowing from the inside out, Grammy winner Terrance Simien was on fire when he took the stage. It's been a long time since I've seen anyone that happy. With wife Cynthia nearby, he whipped the audience into a frenzy. Belting out his signature tunes one after another, Terrance all but blew the roof off the house with his 1,000 megawat smile and giant voice. Singing soulful ballads and smooth, joyous zydeco carried along on by a lilting caribbean rhythm, while artfully blending rock, R & B, and every other influence that comprises Zydeco is Terrance and The Zydeco Experience's forté.
I was lucky enough to be standing in the very front of the audience and managed to catch some of the beads he tosses out at every show. They're hanging now in a special place of honor, a reminder of a night I'll always remember. Congratulations Terrance! Thank you Cynthia for your years of work getting this music to the awards!
Watch Terrance go! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YZRehrfNJI
Other highlights of the evening included Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu playing rubboard with Terrance and a brief congratulations to the nominees by Baton Rouge Mayor Meivin Holden. Many other Louisiana luminaries were present, along with friends and family of the nominees. Terrance was still playing at 12:30 AM and I needed to get home, so I missed Roddie Romero's set, but i'm sure it was as great as the other two.
I am so grateful to have been able to attend this event. Thank you, Johnny Palazzotto for being so kind as to invite me. That evening will be one of my most treasured memories for many years to come.
Anyone Have Extra Tickets to Savoy Family Band?
Oops. I got so busy this past Thursday that I completely forgot to call the Getty for tickets to the Savoy Family Band show on March 14. If anyone has a couple of tickets they're not going to use, please get in touch with me, as I'd sure like to go! Call me on my cell at 562-708-8946. Thank you!
Video Clips 'O the Week
This is the part of the Gazette where I can spend hours choosing what to share with you guys. Here's an interesting video with vintage footage of Clifton Chenier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_zCRWQ3VOY
Here are a couple of clips with some information about how diatonic accordions work and what to look for when buying an accordion. Check 'em out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg7X3ECfpjQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHfk0q2us_g&NR=1 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHfk0q2us_g&NR=1>
I know there are Cajun fans on my list, and seems it's the Cajun bands that are coming up lately when I do my YouTube search for the latest videos posted. Here's a clip of a great sounding young Cajun band at The Blue Moon, one of my favorite venues in Lafayette. I hope you like it! Here it comes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19L36mGXLtI
Neither Cajun nor Zydeco, this clip had me mesmerized! Fiddle and accordion duet of gypsy standard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWSRZhyhcMk
James Zentz new Zydeco Road videos up on YouTube
As most of you know by now, James Zentz is one of our long-time Zydeco and Cajun music supporters here in the southern California area and James has been making a documentary on zydeco in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. We keep getting glimpses of that project when James and collaborator James Fields post snippets of their work on YouTube for all to see. The latest is a great segment featuring Geno in Culver City about four years ago. I've also listed the other two clips he's got up. Check 'em out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP1h1FfO4Y8 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP1h1FfO4Y8>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qn_0BeL_8k <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qn_0BeL_8k>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft-KPYTmlzc <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft-KPYTmlzc>
Zydeco Dance Instruction Available!
If you or anyone else you know is interested in learning to dance the Zydeco, I teach at corporate events, private parties, and also give personalized private lessons, focusing in on the individual needs of each student. I teach much more than just the moves, assisting my students in learning how to identify which muscles are used to make each move and work on honing styling, building strength and increasing flexibility. I will travel to spread the Gospel of Zydeco! Please contact me for more information: www.LouisianaDanceLA.com <http://www.LouisianaDanceLA.com/>
Karen Redding (562) 708-8946 or email: karinovations@verizon.net <mailto:karinovations@verizon.net>
Upcoming Dances/Events 2008
MARCH
Andre Thierry
March 9
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
$20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859
Savoy Family Band
Friday, March 14, 2008
7:30 PM
FREE!!!
Getty Museum
Harold M. Williams Auditorium
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA
Reservations Required! Call 310-440-7300
Reservations taken Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Parking in Getty garage: $8 per vehicle. Parking reservations no longer accepted.
Curley Taylor
March 24 (Easter Sunday)
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
$20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859
APRIL
T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band
Come Celebrate T-Lou's Birthday!
April 5, Saturday night
8 PM - Midnight
Knights of Columbus Hall
130 West Pomona Avenue
$13
Great Gumbo available for $5!
Info: (626)484-1823 or (626) 358-1718
Leroy Thomas
April 13
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
$20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859
Magnolia Sisters
April 19-20, 2008
Lancaster Poppy Festival!
Festival Hours: 10 AM- 6 PM Daily
Lancaster City Park
43011 N. 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 92534
Adults (13-61) $8.00
Children (6-12): $5.00
Children under 5: Free
Seniors (62+): $5.00
http://www.poppyfestival.com/info.htm <http://www.poppyfestival.com/info.htm>
Bands / Other Zydeco Links
For more information on what's happening in our world of Zydeco, here are links to local and even international Zydeco websites. Want to know where our local bands are playing or what's going on elsewhere? Here are some links to help you find out:
BJ Deculus' newsletter for the Bonne Musique Zydeco Band's schedule at: www.bonnemusiquezydeco.com <http://www.bonnemusiquezydeco.com/>
LouisianaDanceLA - Karen Redding's new website for Zydeco and Cajun events in Southern California: www.LouisianaDanceLA.com <http://www.LouisianaDanceLA.com/>
Doug Legacy and the Zydeco Party Band: http://www.myspace.com/douglegacyandthezydecopartyband <http://www.myspace.com/douglegacyandthezydecopartyband>
Lisa Haley: fanclub@bluefiddle.com <mailto:fanclub@bluefiddle.com>
Zydeco Brad's website with all Cajun and Zydeco events in southern California: www.zydecobrad.com <http://www.zydecobrad.com/>
San Diego Zydeco: www.zydecoach.com <http://www.zydecoach.com/> or http://dances.com/casd/bonstemps/index1.htm <http://dances.com/casd/bonstemps/index1.htm>
San Francisco Zydeco Schedules: www.sfbayou.com <http://www.sfbayou.com/> or http://calendar10.tripod.com <http://calendar10.tripod.com/>
Gary Hayman's NEW ZydE-Magic website: http://snipurl.com/zydemagic <http://snipurl.com/zydemagic> and his new email address: ghayman3@comcast.net <mailto:ghayman3@comcast.net>
Floyd's Record Shop can be found online at: www.floydsrecordsop.com <http://www.floydsrecordsop.com/>
Zydeco Radio in LA and Orange County: Buffalo Bayou with Jake Bacon on KUCI: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/buffalobayou <http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/buffalobayou>
Weekly Thursday Night Zydeco Info
Come Dance to The Happiest Music on Earth!
Every Thursday Night!
Bring: You, your friends, co-workers, family, !
Why? Because it's Soooo Much Fun! (Great exercise, too!)
Zydeco Dancing EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!
Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club
6285 E. PCH, Long Beach, CA
Hotel Phone: (562) 596-1631
Cover: $7 (Feed the Gator!) plus two drink minimum-Bottled Water, juices available
Basic Zydeco Lesson: 7:00 PM -7:30 PM
Intermediate / Advanced Moves: 7:30-8:00 PM
CD Dancing 8:15-10 PM or so
Bar Happy Hour with free food! 5-7 PM
Beginners, singles, all ages welcome!
Group Discounts Available!
Information: Karen Redding (562) 438-1255, (562) 708-8946 or karinovations@verizon.net <mailto:karinovations@verizon.net>
Come for just the lesson, come just to dance, come just to hang out with your friends, Come for all the above! Cost is $7 for any or all of the above.
NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES, PLEASE.
Total cost for the evening is only $12 if you buy two bottled waters.
FEED THE GATOR
Whether you come for the lesson or come later just to dance, please FEED THE GATOR! (The one that looks like an Alligator Cookie Jar)
That means put yer $ in the Green Alligator Cookie jar on the table. Thanks for keeping 'dat Gator fed!
That's it for this edition of the Gazette! See you on the dance floor!
Karen
Karen Redding
Gator Graphics Print Solutions
www.LouisianaDanceLA.com
Quantum Biofeedback Practitioner
562-438-1255 Office
562-708-8946 Cell
562-439-9018 FAX
karinovations@verizon.net <mailto:karinovations@verizon.net>
________________________________________________________
Gator Gazette Copyright 2008 Karen Redding All Rights Reserved
If you or anyone you know would like to be pulled from this list, please email me and I will take care of your request immediately. If you know anyone who would like to be added, please send them the Gazette and tell them to contact me and I will have them added to the distribution list.
SPECIAL NOTE: Please remember that announcements for dances and other events are sent to me by many sources. All I do is copy the information sent to me. There may be errors in this information, so please double-check the information in advance of the event!