Winter 1998 Northwest Zydeco Newsletter:

Click to see the following zydeco event articles:

• Mardi Gras (Feb. 24, 1998)
• 1998 USA Events (Cruises, Festivals, & Dance Camps)

Wondering when to visit Louisiana? Get ahold of these event guides:

1. Order Huli’s 1998 Calendar of Louisiana Festivals & Events: 400 events (statewide Mardi Gras parades, ethnic celebrations, & festivals for andouille, oyster, alligator, & crawfish). Researched by Julie Posner, coauthor of the Cajun Country Guide. Call Julie Posner (504) 733-5923, or Huli Publishing (504) 733-5923.
2. Email ghayman@erols.com to request Gary Hayman’s FREE email newsletter with the latest nationwide Cajun/zydeco news & events. Internet: www.erols.com/ghayman You can also read the latest nationwide Cajun/zydeco event calendars FREE by searching through links on Northwest Zydeco’s internet site: www.scn.org/rec/zydeco/calendus.html
3. Call for FREE general event calendars from Louisiana tourist offices:
• Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission: 1-800-346-1958.
• Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lake Charles: 1-800-456-SWLA or (318) 436-9588.
• Louisiana State Office of Tourism: 1-800-33GUMBO or 1-800-677-4082.

I carpooled with friends through a dark, snowy pass to arrive at a heart warming dance weekend in Oregon with the Zydeco Flames. The dancing was great but the gourmet food alone was incentive enough for us to drive the seven hours from Seattle. Many arrived at the cabins feeling tired from the work week, but all were soon rejuvinated by the music, food, dancing, and company. Forty Seattle area dancers joined 100 more (mostly Oregonians) at this third annual zydeco dance camp by Cascade Zydeco, (503) 452-3719. I met new & old friends and learned new dance styles at the workshops & dances. For musicians, Lloyd Meadows of the Zydeco Flames taught a rubboard workshop, and Bruce Gordon of the Zydeco Flames gave an accordion workshop.
          I highly recommend going next year. See you there!

• Cash: Support the beverage or food service to help the venue thrive.
• Fluids: Rehydrate often.
• Earplugs: Protect your future hearing. At a musical instruments shop, ask for professional earplugs with high decibel reduction and balanced acoustics. Drug stores also carry wax & foam earplugs. Use as directed.
• Shoes: Look for good support, breathability, crush protection, & optimum sliding friction. Try leather bottoms for wood floors and flat-tred tennis shoes for concrete or grass. Sticky soles can hurt your knees.
• Bring extra shirts: A loose fit and soft, absorbent natural fibers (such as cotton, silk, or rayon) are comfortable for energetic dancing.