March 10, 2008
Hi All,
OOPS! Some of you are going to get the newsletter twice this week, as I put the wrong date on the first three batches I sent out. My apologies! The correct date is March 10! Sorry about missing getting the Gazette out last week. I've had the flu and it's been a whopper!
Sunday's Gardena dance with Andre Thierry was a great time. We had visitors from San Diego and Santa Barbara, which were a wlecome addition. It was great having Andre's cousin Jason on rubboard again. Jason adds a lot to the band, and hasn't been able to make it down here for a long time.
We're coming up on festival season, and this edition of the Gazette includes some info on the three southern Cal Zydeco festivals, as well as a few other fun festivals and events. The information is going to be abbreviated, with more to come in future editions of the Gazette. Hope you enjoy it. Here's this week's Gazette!
This Week at the Golden Sails
Come 4 Weeks, 5th Week FREE Promo
Intermediate/ Advanced Moves
Gator By The Bay Festival
Simi Cajun/Creole Festival
Long Beach Bayou Festival
Savoy Family Band at Getty
Lost a Shawl at the Golden Sails? I have it!
Zydeco in Corona Every Tuesday Night!
Video Clips 'O the Week
Dance Instruction Available
LA / Orange County Zydeco Schedule
Bands / Other Zydeco Links
Weekly Dance Info
This Week at the Golden Sails:
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.
Intermediate / Advanced Moves this Week:
NEW stuff this week! Moves from Greg Benusa's workshop a few months ago! Lifts with turns in open position, as well as lifts with lunges. Lots of cool stuff!
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 <mailto:karinovations@verizon.net>
Gator By The Bay Festival - Mother's Day Weekend, May 9, 10, 11, 2008!
This year's Gator by the Bay has an incredible lineup, with BOTH Brian Jack and Keith Frank! For the Cajun fans, Grammy Nominees The Lost Bayou Ramblers round out the lineup. I saw these guys last month and they're going to make everyone happy with their "Cajun on Steroids"2 sound!
Also included at this festival are Blues, Swing, Country and lots more! As always, this festival pulls out all the stops for the dancers, with excellent dance instruction that starts with Cajun and Zydeco, and includes swing, salsa, country, line dances and more! Breakout sessions with the artists in intimate settings are strategically placed through the festival grounds, for the enhanced enjoyment of festival attendees.
Located across from the San Diego International Airport at Spanish Landing Park, this festival is right on the water, with views of the marina and the ability to walk along the waterfront. If great food and a wide array of arts and crafts are what you're looking for, this is definitely the place for you!
The host hotel for the festival is the San Diego Sheraton. Ask for the festival rate of $109. I notice that the festival website says the $109 Lanai rooms are sold out, but I've heard that sometimes at the last minute rooms do open up. If you're willing, make a reservation where you can, then keep checking back to see if you've been able to snag one of these in-demand rooms.
This hotel has two towers, and one is about 1/4 mile from the festival, so if you choose to stay here, ask for a room in the tower closest to the festival grounds. If you can manage it, try to book your room in the section of the hotel known as the Lanai. This section is closest to the festival, with the best access to the festival grounds. Contact the Shearaton at: (619) 692-2324
Thanks to Greg Benusa from San Diego, here are listings for other hotel options:
- LaPension Hotel a mile away in beautiful "Little Italy" neighborhood next to downtown. If you have a car I would stay here since it gives you a nice feeling of staying in the city in a great neighborhood and your very close to the festival.
http://www.lapensionehotel.com <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9158353&msgid=108311&act=1UNE&c=219897&admin=0&
destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lapensionehotel.com%2F>
- Motel 6 - Cheap Motel near festival... only $65.95 for a nice motel right in downtown San Diego. Safe area about two miles from the festival.
http://www.motel6.com <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9158353&msgid=108311&act=1UNE&c=219897&admin=0&
destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motel6.com%2F>
- Hostel - Very Cheap Lodging ... if you really want to save money just stay at the Hostel in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. Great location right in the heart of the action. Take the buss or taxi to the festival only a couple miles away...
http <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9158353&msgid=108311&act=1UNE&c=219897&admin=0&
destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sandiegohostels.org%2F> ://www.sandiegohostels.org/ <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9158353&msgid=108311&act=1UNE&c=219897&admin=0&
destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sandiegohostels.org%2F>
For more information about the festival, visit the website here: http://www.sandiegofestival.com/
Simi Sunrise Festival - Memorial Weekend, May 24, 25, 2008!
This year's Simi Sunrise Cajun / Zydeco festival features the hard-driving, vibrant, authentic Zydeco of Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, paired with Zydeco Sweetheart Rosie Ledet. Broussard is one of the few Zydeco artists today who includes fiddle in his repertoire, honoring the traditions taught him by his beloved father, the late Delson Broussard. After 18 years with Zydeco Force, Broussard started the Creole Cowboys about three years ago, with critical acclaim and much success. I highly recommend this band! Guaranteed to satisfy both the Zydeco and Cajun enthusiasts out there, Broussard and his band will make everyone very happy!
As one of the few women in the professional Zydeco circuit, Rosie Ledet packs a real punch on accordion, and gets you into the groove with her deep, sexy voice. She's tiny, but what a powerhouse! Backed by a great group of musicians, Rosie was such a hit last year that they invited her back this year by popular demand.
The lineup is rounded out with Grammy Nominee Lisa Haley and her band, as well as BJ Deculus' Bonne Musique Zydeco, the Bay Area's Mark St. Mary, and San Diego's premiere Cajun band, The San Diego Cajun Playboys.
There's a great lineup of dance instruction at this year's festival. Willie Bushnell is coming out from Houston again. This year, we're also very fortunate to have Seattle instructor Lora DeMars joining the dance instruction team. Willie and Lora have both taught on the annual Zydeco Cruise, and have extensive and very impressive resumes, which I'll write about more in future editions of the Gazette.
Rounding out the dance instruction lineup are myself, Greg Benusa, AJ Gibbs, and Sandy Baker, teaching Basic and Intermediate Zydeco, MyDeco, Cajun Jig, Waltz, Line Dances and more! While he isn't slotted to teach at this year's festival, Adrian Houser will also be joining us! Adrian is one of the hottest dancers I've ever seen and is always happy to dance with you, so be sure to look for him!
This festival is a fundraiser for the Simi Sunrise Rotary Club. All proceeds go to their selected charities. The Rotary does a lot of good for a lot of folks, so be sure to put this festival on your calendar!
For more information on this festival, check it out at: http://simicajun.org/
Long Beach Bayou Festival - June 21, 22, 2008!
Be sure to reserve the date! More information to come!
www.longbeachfestival.com
Savoy Family Band at Getty This Friday Night! March 14, 2008, 7:30 PM
While the tickets are all reserved for this free event, you might try checking back with the Getty to see if anyone cancels their reservation. The official Getty writeup on this event has this to say about this band:
"The Savoy Family Band plays honed-down, hard-core Cajun music laced with an earthy sensuality. The band brings the raw energy of the dancehalls of southwest Louisiana to the stage, peppered with humorous and informative anecdotes about life on the Louisiana prairies. This is their first return engagement at the Getty Center since their acclaimed 2001 appearance."
If you're new to this music, this is one of the premiere Cajun bands in the country, so if you have the opportunity to attend, be sure to make room for it in your schedule!
Getty Center
Harold M. Williams Auditorium
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA
310-440-7300
Take Getty Center Drive exit from 405, follow signs.
Parking:
Based on availability. $8 per vehicle. Get there early, to allow time for parking and taking the tram. No street parking in surrounding neighborhoods allowed. Parking reservations no longer required or accepted.
I have someone's brown shawl left at GS on Feb 7th!
I keep forgetting to put this in the Gazette. I've got a beautiful shawl in my box of goodies that someone left at the Golden Sails a month ago. If it's yours, please contact me asap!
Zydeco in Corona Every Tuesday Night!
Check out Zydeco Bleu every Tuesday night in the Riverside area! The contract is up for renewal in the next week or so, so if you want to see Zydeco flourish in the Riverside area, get over to Taps Fish House and support this band! Here's the info:
The Zydeco Bleu Band
Tuesday Nights (for a while, at least!)
7 PM
Taps Fish House & Brewery
2745 Lakeshore Drive
Corona, CA
Off the 15 Freeway South in Dos Lagos Plaza.
No Cover just great tunes and food.
www.tapsfishouse.com <http://www.tapsfishouse.com/> www.myspace.com/zydecobleuband <http://www.myspace.com/zydecobleuband>
Info 951-277-5800 626-497-5164
Video Clips 'O the Week
Here's a nice one of Rosie Ledet at Rock 'N Bowl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reaNb9wvX14&feature=related <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reaNb9wvX14&feature=related>
Jeffery Broussard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmZ5PJXhRs&feature=related <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmZ5PJXhRs&feature=related>
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
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
Check back for even more listings next week!
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>
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Gator Gazette Copyright 2008 Karen Redding All Rights Reserved