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In 1995 when Colorado Cajun Dance
Band's Hugh Robertson booked two of Louisiana's Cajun dance bands,
Balfa Toujours and the Savoy-Smith Band featuring Marc and Ann Savoy
with world-class fiddler Ken Smith. The two bands played the Swallow
Hill Fais-Do-Do of October and November that year as well as other
area gigs like the Gold Hill Inn, outside of Boulder. Those that
attended both gigs remember that this was perhaps the best dancing of
1995. Best of all, both Balfa Toujours and the Savoy-Smith bands saw
there was legitimate, homegrown Cajun music in Colorado and a dance
scene comparable to any in the country.
What looked like a huge risk for
promoter Hugh Robertson turned out to be a break-even venture. But it
was these two gigs that proved the concept could work. Louisiana bands
could travel to Colorado, play dances, enthrall their crowds and a 2nd
mortgage isn't necessary to pay the costs.
In '96, Colorado was treated to one
of the best non-Louisiana Cajun bands, the fabulous Bone Tones from
Minneapolis. Doug Lohman, the band's manager, told me that the guys
had never been to Colorado and heard good things about its natural
beauty and enthusiastic dance scene. That was also a night to remember
- if you weren't there, oh well!
Last year, '97, Steve Burnside of
the Zukes of Zydeco jumped into the booking game. Through his keen
business acumen, we were able to dance to multiple nights of Steve
Riley & Mamou Playboys as well as Geno Delafose & French
Rockin' Boogie.
Now the time has come. The Colorado
Friends of Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance has come out of the closet as
a non-profit organization designed to bring Louisiana touring acts to
the best state in the nation as well as create and expand a greater
awareness of the music we all love.
To make it happen, we need you! We
need your input, your enthusiasm, and your dancing shoes. It's a great
way to make new friends and meet new dance partners while passing a
good time.
A regular membership is only $20; a
sustaining membership is $30. Contributing memberships are $100. You
get a newsletter informing you of what's happening; cool events and
excellent music; discounts; and at the $100 level, two tickets to
sponsored shows.
Please consider joining this worthwhile
cause. Email us at: cfczorg@gmail.com
Colorado Friends of Cajun/Zydeco
Music & Dance
3331 S. Dayton Street
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 870-1156
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