Gator Gazette Copyright August 5, 2008, Karen Redding, All Rights Reserved

Here's this week's Gazette:

This week at the Golden Sails
Thank You OC Fair Dancers!
This Week / Weekend:
    Friday Night, August 8: T-Lou at the Los Angeles Music Center
    Sunday,  August 10: All Day Zydeco Blowout in Gardena!
    Sunday, August 10: Bennie and Swamp Gators at San Clemente Street Fest
    Lisa Haley This Week
Pics from OC Fair Zydeco Dance Demo!
Video of the Week: The Curley Shuffle, others
Ardenwood / Cotati Weekend
14th Annual Cascade Zydeco Dance Camp
Zydeco Dance Instruction Available
Upcoming California Festivals
Upcoming Dances / Events 2008 - More New Listings!
Bands / Other Zydeco Links
Weekly Thursday Night Info

____________________________________________

This Week at the Golden Sails
Come on out this Thursday night! The "regulars" will be there welcoming you. We're going to have a good time!

Gentlemen: Come on out! Lots of ladies to dance with you! Ladies: Keep coming, the gentlemen are coming out just for YOU!

Let's get attendance up to 40 people a week, then we can start bringing in LIVE BANDS.

Dance Moves: Review of the Back-to-Back, and the bump moves. If you missed 'em two weeks ago, come find out what they are.

Music: Since Curley Taylor was such a big hit a couple of weeks ago, I'll be playing more of his stuff, plus requests. I'm also going to play the CD I've mixed for the Music Center. It's got lotsa good stuff in it. U'll like it!

Here's the info:
Zydeco Dancing EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!
Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club
6285 E. PCH, Long Beach, CA
Hotel Phone: (562) 596-1631
Cover: $7 (Pay Karen, get your name tag)
Basic Zydeco Lesson: 7:00 PM -7:30 PM
Intermediate / Advanced Moves: 7:30-8:00 PM
CD Dancing 8:00-9 PM or so
Bar Happy Hour with free food! 4-7 PM
Beginners, singles, all over 21 welcome!
Group Discounts Available!
Information: Karen Redding (562) 438-1255, (562) 708-8946 or karinovations@verizon.net

Thank You OC Fair Dancers!
I want to thank all you who came to dance at the Orange County Fair. You guys were great! Folks came from San Diego (Greg Benusa), Riverside (Otis), Richard drove from San Bernardino, Marta came from Claremont, Margarita from Arcadia, and others came from far and wide.

You helped spread the gospel of zydeco!

Video of the Week: The Curley Shuffle, others
Check this out! Think what could have happened if they'd set it to zydeco!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbv2yYc1SjU&feature=related

Ok, here's a for real zydeco related clip. This one's of J Paul at Jones Plaza in Houston. He's a great young performer, not well enough known here on the west coast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEZXzHcGrR4

Friday Night, August 8: T-Lou at the Los Angeles Music Center
August 8, Friday
T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band
6:30 - 10:00 PM
Basic Zydeco Dance Lesson at 6:30 PM
Los Angeles Music Center
135 North Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
FREE!

Zydeco returns to the Los Angeles Music Center's Dance Downtown FREE dance concert series. T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band will be the featured band again this year. As always, there is a basic zydeco dance lesson included, and it's all FREE! I'll be the dance instructor that evening. This is the first time the zydeco slot has been prior to Labor Day, and we should have a great turnout, so come have a great time with us.

Come on out to the Los Angeles Music Center's FREE Dance Downtown Zydeco dance evening on Friday night, August 8! Help grow attendance in our Zydeco dance community. Here's the link to the website:
http://www.musiccenter.org/events/aa_dancedowntown.html

August 10, Sunday
Zydeco Dance and BBQ Extravaganza!
Featuring Andre Thierry, Dexter Ardoin, and Darius Jacobs!
Special Guest: Ms. Charlie Jené (Ray Charles' daughter!)
1-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20

B.B.Q. by Santa Maria
2-5 PM
$23
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

Bennie and the Swamp Gators
August 10, Sunday
54th Annual San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival
Cash'd Out - A Tribute to Johnny Cash
More!
Avenida Del Mar, at the two main blocks of downtown San Clemente
8 AM - 9 PM
Info: (949) 492-1131
www.scchamber.com
http://www.scchamber.com/HTML/calendar/08-aug.htm
FREE!

Check out Lisa Haley This Week
Grammy nominee Lisa Haley is playing all over the place this week. Check it out:
Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
August 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2008
9 AM- Noon
Hollywood Bowl Summersounds
www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/summersounds.cfm
Tickets go on sale April 26!

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
5 PM
Sawdust Festival
Laguna Beach, CA
www.sawdustartfestival.org/summer_shows/summershow.htm

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Thursday, August 7, 2008
7:30 PM
Leavitt Pavilion
Pasadena, CA
www.leavittpavilionpasadena.org

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Sunday, August 10, 2008
5 PM
Polliwog Park
Manhattan Beach, CA

Pics from OC Fair Zydeco Dance Demo!
Hey! We had a great group of dancers come out to the Orange County Fair for the dance demo on July 26 and everyone said they had a great time. For the first time ever, I've got some photos for you! These were taken by Sue, a friend of Joanie Malis and Anita Gallup, who immediately posted them on a photo sharing website.

Here's the link. Enjoy!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=19f7pyoe.tuaw8tq&x=0&y=s5ha6i&localeid=en_US

Ardenwood / Cotati Weekend
I know a lot of folks are planning on going up to Ardenwood and/or Cotati for the weekend of August 22-24. If you haven't already made your plans, here's a sample itinerary. Of course, you can make your own!

Friday Night, August 22: Brian Jack in Oakland (Note venue change)
Saturday, August 23: Either Cotati or Ardenwood Festivals
Sunday, Aug 24: Roy Carrier and Guyland Leday at the 23 Club in Brisbane
Sunday, Aug 24: Hiking in the bay area, go into San Francisco, ride cable cars, visit the Buena Vista Cafe

Festival Hotel for Ardenwood:

FRIDAY NIGHT, AUG 22 - BRIAN JACK
Dance Lesson 8 PM, Band Plays 9 PM
Admission: $15
Just Dance Ballroom
2500 Embarcadero
Oakland, Ca.
510-436-9888
for event fliers, directions 
and a peak at the place
www.justdanceballroom.com
click on special events to see great zydeco fliers
It is air conditioned,  has a Fabulous dance floor, full bar
and plenty of parking

OPTION 1: SATURDAY, AUG 23 - ARDENWOOD FESTIVAL
Featuring Roy Carrier, Guyland Leday, Andre Thierry, Queen Ida, The Creole Belles, this festival  is an annual favorite of mine.

I absolutely LOVE the setting for this festival! It's a jewel of a venue. For those of you who are new, this festival is in the orchard at Ardenwood Farm, a Victorian farm now owned by the East Bay Parks and Recreation Department. Ardenwood Farm features a restored Victorian farmhouse which you can tour, lush lawns, a Victorian gazebo, and a covered swimming pool in it's own garden.

Docents give guided tours of the farmhouse several times that day, other docents demonstrate chores and skills commonly performed in the day of an average Victorian-era life. There are still some farm animals at the farm, you can walk through the original barn, and there's even a operating narrow-gauge railroad to take visitors to and from the festival. The rides are included in the admission price. What's not to love!

The festival also has vendors with arts and crafts and a variety of great Louisiana food, so don't worry about being well fed that day. You'll be just fine!

Last year it rained on Friday night, sending much of the southern California contingent scooting home, but those of us who stayed had a great time at the festival, as we only had a light rain for the first hour, the dance floor was covered and the cool weather kept us comfortable. It warmed up some later in the day, and I liked it! Remember this year the festival is a month earlier than usual, so rain shouldn't be a problem.

I think there's still time to buy your ticket online and have it for you at will call. Here's the info:

Ardenwood Farms Zydeco Festival
Saturday, August 23, 2008
11 AM - 7 PM
Gates Open at 10 AM
Fremont, CA
Admission: $20 at the Gate, $16 in advance for Adults
Ages 4-15: $3 at the Gate, $2 in advance
Festival Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott in Newark (510) 792-5200
Info: 888-ebparks or http://www.ebparks.org/news/04242008

DINNER FRI NIGHT
A few years ago when Anita and I went up to this festival, Anita's instinct for great barbecue led us to the most fantastic barbecue I've ever had! Ribs that were so succlent that the meat fell off the bone. When I tried to eat there after the festival last year, it was jammed and there was a 90 minute wait, so if you want to try it, hustle on over there as soon as the last note is played. It's up the road a piece, about 15 - 20 minutes, but well worth the drive. Here's the info:
Texas Roadhouse
32115 Union Landing Boulevard
Union City, CA 94587
Phone: 510-324-7623
Fax: 510-324-2023

OPTION 2: SATURDAY, AUG 23 and Aug 24 - COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL
Located in tiny Cotati, California, this is a very interesting, if small, festival. The biggest reason to go is that Brian Jack is (ONLY) playing on Saturday. Check the festival website for schedule for both days.

Cotati is located just south of Santa Rosa slightly off the 101. Quaint and cute are two adjectives that come to mind when I think of this little town. It takes about 60-90 minutes IN GOOD TRAFFIC, or 2-2-1/2 hours in bad traffic to get there from Oakland. Lucky for me, last year I hit pretty bad traffic and it took forever to get there, but I really had a great time.

One thing that sets this festival apart from the other festivals most of us zyde-holics attend is the fact that it is an ACCORDION festival, and what you see is accordions, accordions, and even more accordions. So if you like accordions, and accordion music, this is the place to be! Browse the accordion vendors, find that whacky part for your accordion, meet other accordion enthusiasts.

The venue is a small park in the center of town that you absolutely can't miss (believe me, the town's small. You can't miss the festival.) Here's the info:

Cotati Accordion Festival
Saturday and Sunday, August 23 & 24, 2008
9:45-8 PM Sat, 9:45 - 7 PM Sun
Gates Open 9:30 AM both days
Cotati, CA
Admission: $17 at the Gate, $15 in advance for Adults
Children Under 15 are FREE with adult
Websites:
http://www.cotatifest.com/2008Ev.htm#details
http://www.accordionapocalypse.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6

I didn't eat in town, so I don't have a reference for a restaurant, but there are many, and they look pretty good. I know I have some readers from this area, so if you guys want to send in recommendations for restaurants, I'll post them in the next Gazette.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 - GUYLAND LEDAY AND ROY CARRIER AT 23 CLUB IN BRISBANE
I'll say it again. I LOVE this venue! Brisbane is a tiny hamlet nestled on a steep hill in what's referred to as South San Francisco. The town is pretty buttoned up by the time this dance starts, so it's a sweet surprise when you walk in the doors of this place, pay your admission, then go down the two or three steps into the club. It's been a few years since I've been there and I sure want to go back!

Guyland Leday and Roy Carrier
Sunday, August 24, 2008
5-9 PM
Admission: $15
23 Club
23 Visitacion Ave
Brisbane, CA 94005
(415) 467-7717
 
14th Annual Cascade Zydeco Dance Camp
If you can make it, I've heard lots of great feedback about this event:

14th Annual Cascade Zydeco Dance Camp
September 12 - 14, 2008

Enjoy a whole weekend of Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers and professional dance instruction by Michael Seider and Flory Katz in the beautiful Mt Hood National Forest, only 55 miles east of Portland. This year's camp is being held at the Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp, a beautiful facility with comfortable lodges adjacent to the dining/dance hall, bathrooms in every lodge, hiking trails, ample parking, and NO clean up chores at the end of camp!

Details and registration at http://www.pattykadel.com/index_dc.html

Relevant web sites:
Cascade Zydeco at www.cascade-zydeco.com
Portland Sideways at www.portlandsideways.com

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
Karen Redding (562) 708-8946 or email: karinovations@verizon.net

UPCOMING FESTIVALS IN CALIFORNIA:

Ardenwood Farms Festival August 23, 2008: http://www.ebparks.org/news/04242008

Cotati Accordion Festival August 23, 24, 2008:
http://www.cotatifest.com
http://www.accordionapocalypse.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6

Sebastapol Sept 6, 2008:
http://www.rotarycajun.com/

Blazin' Hog Bar B-Que and Zydeco Festival, Sat. Sept. 20
www.blazinhog.com

OUT OF STATE / OTHER FESTIVALS / DANCE CAMPS:

14th Annual Cascade Zydeco Dance Camp
September 12 - 14, 2008

Enjoy a whole weekend of Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers and professional dance instruction by Michael Seider and Flory Katz in the beautiful Mt Hood National Forest, only 55 miles east of Portland. This year's camp is being held at the Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp, a beautiful facility with comfortable lodges adjacent to the dining/dance hall, bathrooms in every lodge, hiking trails, ample parking, and NO clean up chores at the end of camp!

Details and registration at http://www.pattykadel.com/index_dc.html

Relevant web sites:
Cascade Zydeco at www.cascade-zydeco.com
Portland Sideways at www.portlandsideways.com

Upcoming Dances/Events 2008:
If you have an event you would like listed, please send me the info and I'll be happy to post it here. Please include admission and contact information, as well as all the other pertinent info.

AUGUST

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
August 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2008
9 AM- Noon
Hollywood Bowl Summersounds
www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/summersounds.cfm
Tickets go on sale April 26!

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
5 PM
Sawdust Festival
Laguna Beach, CA
www.sawdustartfestival.org/summer_shows/summershow.htm

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Thursday, August 7, 2008
7:30 PM
Leavitt Pavilion
Pasadena, CA
www.leavittpavilionpasadena.org

August 8, Friday
T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band
6:30 - 10:00 PM
Los Angeles Music Center
135 North Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
FREE!

August 10, Sunday
Zydeco Dance and BBQ Extravaganza!
Featuring Andre Thierry, Dexter Ardoin, and Darius Jacobs
and Special Guest Ms. Charlie Jené!
1-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20

B.B.Q. by Santa Maria
2-5 PM
$23
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

August 10, Sunday
54th Annual San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival
Bennie and the Swamp Gators
Cash'd Out - A Tribute to Johnny Cash
More!
Avenida Del Mar, at the two main blocks of downtown San Clemente
8 AM - 9 PM
Info: (949) 492-1131
www.scchamber.com
http://www.scchamber.com/HTML/calendar/08-aug.htm
FREE!

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Sunday, August 10, 2008
5 PM
Polliwog Park
Manhattan Beach, CA

August 23, Saturday
T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band
St. Agatha Catholic Church
7-11 PM
2610 S Mansfield Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90016
$15 at the door

Ardenwood Farms Zydeco Festival
Saturday, August 23, 2008
11 AM - 7 PM
Gates Open at 10 AM
Fremont, CA
Admission: $20 at the Gate, $16 in advance for Adults
Ages 4-15: $3 at the Gate, $2 in advance
Festival Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott in Newark (510) 792-5200
Info: 888-ebparks or http://www.ebparks.org/news/04242008

Cotati Accordion Festival
Saturday and Sunday, August 23 & 24, 2008
9:45-8 PM Sat, 9:45 - 7 PM Sun
Gates Open 9:30 AM both days
Cotati, CA
Admission: $17 at the Gate, $15 in advance for Adults
Children Under 15 are FREE with adult
Websites:
http://www.cotatifest.com/2008Ev.htm#details
http://www.accordionapocalypse.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6

SEPTEMBER

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
Saturday, September 6, 2008
7:30 PM
Olivas Adobe
Ventura, CA
www.olivasadobe.org/calendar-of-events.html

September 13, Saturday
T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band
Party for Iris Vineyard Birthday Party
12 noon to 4:30 pm
1562 Alamo Pintado Road
 Salvang,ca
INFO: marlen.marketing@rideauvineyard.com

September 14, Sunday
Kevin Naquin
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

September 20, Saturday
Blazin' Hog Bar B-Que and Zydeco Festival!
12:00 Noon - 8 PM
Benefit for John C. Fremont Hospital Foundation

Lineup:
Tom Rigney & Flambeau
Mark St. Mary and His Louisiana Band
The BluesBox Bayou Band

Here are some clips from last year's festival:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aTqG0YbQUuM
http://www.goldrushcam.com/2007/Mariposa%20News/mariposa_news%20217.htm

Mariposa County Fairgrounds
Hwy 49 South at Farigrounds Road
Admission: $10, Seniors: $7.50, Ages 5-17: $5.00, Under 5: Free!
Info: www.blazinhog.com


OCTOBER

October 12, Sunday
Mark St. Mary
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

NOVEMBER

November 9, Sunday
Dexter Adoin
5-9 PM
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

DECEMBER

December 27, Saturday NIght
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS DANCE
Andre Thierry
8 PM - Midnight
Gardena Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd
Gardena, CA 90247
Dance: $20
Info: Sidney at (323) 401-8859

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

LouisianaDanceLA - Karen Redding's new website for Zydeco and Cajun events in Southern California: www.LouisianaDanceLA.com

Doug Legacy and the Zydeco Party Band:  http://www.myspace.com/douglegacyandthezydecopartyband

Lisa Haley: fanclub@bluefiddle.com  www.lisahaley.com

Zydeco Brad's website with all Cajun and Zydeco events in southern California: www.zydecobrad.com

San Diego Zydeco: www.icajunzydeco.com or  www.zydecoach.com

San Francisco Zydeco Schedules: www.sfbayou.com or http://calendar10.tripod.com

Floyd's Record Shop can be found online at: www.floydsrecordsop.com

Zydeco Radio in LA and Orange County: Buffalo Bayou with Jake Bacon on KUCI: 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 (Pay Karen, Get Yer Name Tag!) Bottled Water, juices available
Basic Zydeco Lesson: 7:00 PM -7:30 PM
Intermediate / Advanced Moves: 7:30-8:00 PM
CD Dancing 8:00-9 PM or so
Bar Happy Hour with free food! 4-7 PM
Beginners, singles, all ages welcome!
Group Discounts Available!
Information: Karen Redding (562) 438-1255, (562) 708-8946 or karinovations@verizon.net

NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES, PLEASE.
Pay Karen, Get Your Name Tag!
Whether you come for the lesson or come later just to dance, see Karen for your name tag.

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

________________________________________________________
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!