Saturday, June 20, 2009

Dancin' on the Bayou




Of all the things that a Cajun loves to do, dancing is perhaps at the top of the list. "There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good", to quote the famous dance critic, Edwin Denby. Here in Cajun Country, dancing is taught from birth, when your parents took you along, as a baby, to the weekly dance. Back then, it was usually a feast, with live music at a friend's or relative's home. My dear mother used to dance around the kitchen ,while she was cooking, when she was expecting me! So you might say that I've been dancing since before I was even born!

To a Cajun, to dance is to release such inner joy, that nothing else quite compares to it. Whether it be Cajun, Zydeco, Rock and Roll, Jitterbug, Swing, or Swamp Pop music doesn't matter, nor does where you dance.. The dance partner is very important because there is nothing quite as fun as dancing with a partner that really knows how to boogie. No shortage of great men or women dancers here in Cajun Country.


And if you should happen to go to any dance hall in Acadiana, you will see people in their eighties who are really cutting the rug, right alongside, and with, the younger generation. I dance with a 75 year old friend who can dance better that most forty year olds I know! In my dancing travels, I see lots of " hot as Tabasco" dancers who take the fine art of Cajun or Zydeco dancing to a new level. Here are a few examples. Enjoy! 

Have you been dancing lately? And what is your favorite kind of dance music? Let the good times roll, cher and hope all of my bloggie buds have a very Happy Father's Day!








14 comments:

Vancouver, Canada said...

Dancing is great for the Soul! loveee to dance!

Thanks so much for sharing such a lovely post hun!

Sandy xx

Angie Ledbetter said...

We really do have the life here, huh? :)

Thanks again for the nifty award!

Angie Ledbetter said...

PS I just noticed you're also a NAWW member! Do you belong to the Acadiana Writers Guild? (And if so, do ya know my friend Deb LeBlanc?) :)

Kat said...

You have so much fun! I love to dance to just about anything. I grew up where the polka was learned at an early age, and still love it. My dad used to play the accordian and we would all dance. I agree with Sandy and have always said that dancing is good for the soul!

California Girl said...

That couple in Video #2 are fun to watch and smooootthhhh. I used to go to the San Diego Street Scene and Zydeco was a big part of the street bands. My favorite at that event. I don't dance like that but my husband and I do dance together to anything that's danceable. fun post!

Jo said...

Oh, gosh, that looks like fun. And what great exercise! You folks in Cajun country sure know how to live.

I see you have two(!!!) people here from Vancouver, Canada.

Amazing!

Marguerite said...

Sandy- so nice to hear from you. I agree, dancing is good for the body, mind, and soul. If you haven't already, check out my friend, Jo's blog, also in Vancouver! Link is down a bit on the comment page.

Marguerite said...

Hey Angie, Loved your Boo-Tib joke, this morning. Yes, we really do! You're most welcome!

Oh Kat, I love the polka, too! Just about every good Cajun band plays a few good polkas during a dance. Such a fun, fast dance!

Cal. Girl- It's so wonderful that your husband likes to dance. So many, don't. The couple in clip #2 are friends of mine. They definitely can boogie down!

Marguerite said...

Jo- Yes, it is such a fun way to exercise. Hope you saw my comment, on your post about the festival. And yes, my friend, Sandy is from Vancouver and has two great blogs. One is a photo blog about Vancouver and the other is a natural healing remedy site. Check them out!

Nancy said...

I love it!!! You really know how to live.

I has been far too long!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Wow, sounds like so much fun! I have never heard of swamp pop. My mother loved to dance, but she joined a super strict religion and stopped dancing. Which was kind of sad. As usual, your blog makes puts a big old smile on my face.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Oh cher you have that right. I miss zydeco nights at Mid City Rock-n-Bowl in N.O. All that dancing kept the weight off.

Marguerite said...

Lover of Life- Have you ever considered signing up for a dance class? Ballroom, jazz, etc. or whatever your favorite is. They usually provide a staff partner and they are so much fun!!

Marguerite said...

Thanks so much, Elizabeth! It always makes me happy to make someone smile or laugh.:) Swamp Pop was the music that we danced to, in the sixties, down here. Lots of slow numbers and jitterbug. It's still very popular.

Hey Katherine- You got "dat" right, cher! I LOVED Mid City Rock n' Bowl, in pre-Katrina, New Orleans, too!! Oh the memories of dancing there! We were probably there at the same time!!!! lol