|
|
What is Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing?
The Cajuns were originally French settlers who were driven out of Nova Scotia in
1755 and ended up settling in the swamps and prairies of the American South.
Cajun music, know for it's lively, festive beat, was born out of the bayous and
prairies of Southwest Louisiana. Cajun bands usually include accordions, fiddles,
guitars and drums. Cajun couple dancing includes festive two-steps, lilting waltzes,
and sizzling jitterbugs.
Zydeco music, known for it's hot tempos and driving rhythms, is the music of the
Creoles, whose origins lie with the black French-speaking population of Louisiana.
It includes influences from many cultures, including N. American, African and the
Caribbean. Zydeco bands usually feature a frottoir (rubboard) in place of the fiddle
that is used in the Cajun band. Zydeco dancing has a hot, exciting, unique 8-beat
rhythm all its own. It is danced in both the closed (couple) and open positions,
giving you the option of groovin' together or doin' your own thing.
Do I need to bring a dance partner in order to dance?
No, in the dance classes we have students switch partners frequently, since we've
found that they learn faster that way. We try to maintain gender parity and will ask
experienced dancers to help out with the classes in order to balance out the
genders. At our dances, everyone dances with everyone, and it's perfectly
acceptable for women to ask men to dance (if they're too shy!)! In fact, we probably
end up dancing least with the person that we came with! Be sure to look for our
"Dance Ambassadors", they'll be wearing "Ask Me To Dance" buttons. These are
experienced dancers that will be happy to dance with you and help you get
comfortable out on the dance floor.
How can I learn the dances?
Before every dance, we offer a free 45-minute group dance lesson that teaches you
the "survival basics" and gives you a chance to have your first exciting experience
on the dance floor. To go beyond the basics, Rebecca Zurn, Huntsville's premier
CZ danseuse, teaches Cajun and Zydeco dance classes at a variety of levels,
letting you progress from beginner to advanced levels. Rebecca also organizes
workshops several times a year that feature the hottest instructors nationwide
(including Acadiana of course), letting you learn all the latest moves. Even better,
join us on a trip down to one of the many music and dance festivals in Louisiana!
You'll come back an expert!
But aren't dance lessons expensive?
No, most of the dance classes are $25 for three 1-1/2 hour classes.
But I don't have natural rhythm!
Ask just about any experienced dancer and they'll tell you that they felt the same
way when they first tried dancing. Anything that you are unfamiliar with will feel
awkward when you first try it. (If we were as image conscious when we were infants
as we are as adults, we'd all still be crawling)! Some of our dancers didn't start until
they were in the 40's, 50's and even 60's. And all of us wish that we had started
sooner. Just relax and go with the rhythm, it will come!
I'm really self-conscious about dancing!
The first few times you dance, you think "Oh God, everyone is watching me"! After
you've gotten comfortable with it, you get to feeling smooth and you think "Hey, all
right! Everyone is watching me"! Let me assure you, in neither case is this true!
Others are usually having way too good a time dancing themselves to watch you.
Cajun & Zydeco are danced just for fun - they aren't performance dances. We really
want to encourage newcomers to give it a try, after all the beginner that you're
dancing with today might become your favorite dance partner in a couple of
months!
How often can I really dance to Cajun and Zydeco music in this area?
We have major dances about every 3 or 4 weeks. In addition to those, we dance to
CD music the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Benchwarmer Too.
Throw in member parties, road trips to Birmingham and Nashville (which also have
CZ dance groups) and festival trips to Louisiana and you'll have plenty of dance
opportunities coming your way.
What kind of attire do I wear to the dances?
Dress for our dances is very casual. Most folks wear jeans and t-shirts (you can get
pretty hot dancing to fast zydeco music)! Shoes with good leather soles or cowboy
boots are best for your feet.
Where are your dances held?
Most of our dances are held at the Knights of Columbus hall on Leeman Ferry Road
in a smoke-free environment. A bar is also located in the building for those who
wish to purchase alcoholic beverages.
What do you do besides dance?
The Krewe des Fous Dansants (Krewe of Dancing Fools), the social arm of CZC,
facilitates member parties, birthday lunches, our annual Krewe Kruise on Lake
Guntersville and any other fous-lishness our members desire.
|
|
Pssst!
Don't miss
anything!!
Sign up
for the
FREE
CZC
Newsletter
|
