School is getting back into swing – can you believe it? Classes start in Jefferson Parish on August 9 and some Orleans Parish schools begin the next week. Well, that’s a sign that Fall is approaching and for Cajun and Zydeco music fans, there are some good festivals and music coming up in September. You may want to get these on your calendar now.
The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City is over Labor Day weekend. They have all sorts of music, and the final list has not been published as of this writing, but there will be Cajun music there.
The next weekend, September 8-9, the Cajun Food Fest is in Lydia, just south of New Iberia. Performers have included 2008 Grammy Nominee Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, as well as Highway 329, billed as Acadiana’s Classic Country Music Band, Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys and No Left Turn, to name a few. Of course, who can resist the cooking, too?
Follow that with the Cajun French Music Association Cajun Music Festival in St. Martinsville, Sept. 16-18. This is a grand event when the annual music awards are given out. Best female and male vocalist, best first album, as well as many other awards. The nominees have not been announced for the Hall of Fame, but you can bet it will be someone great. Paul Daigle, The Young Generation, Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys, and Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys are all scheduled to play on Saturday. Check the webpage for the event at http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/lecajun.html.
The Alligator Fest in Luling is the weekend of September 27-30. The local Rotary Club sponsors the annual event and the proceeds go to college scholarships for local students. Once again the musical list is no available at this writing, but this is always a great festival of food and music. Alligator comes in almost any dish and the music is always great.
Of course, every Sunday at Tipitina’s Bruce Daigrepont hosts a Fais-do-do at 5:30 p.m. Every Thursday at Mid-City Rock n’ Bowl is Zydeco night and John Blanchar has Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas on September 6. Nathan was the first Zydeco artist to play Rock n’ Bowl about 20 years ago. Also check the Mid-City webpage because Blanchar often schedules extra Zydeco on Saturdays. Mulatte’s in the CBD has Cajun music and dancing every night. There’s plenty of local Cajun and Zydeco available in New Orleans.
The Rumor Mill: I have heard of a new Swamp band forming. Seems some local musicians who have hung around with each other for years are putting together something new (at least for them). Look for the Humidifiers to show up on the local scene this Fall.
Anniversaries: They don’t play Cajun or Zydeco, but they do play great music and for the last 20 years the Bucktown Allstars have been bringing joy to lots of folks. In July they celebrated their 20th anniversary at Rock n’ Bowl. It was a great night that brought back many of those who have been with the 9 piece show band over the years. Even if you missed this, don’t miss them the next time you get the chance – it’s just one great time.
