Funky Gators
Cajun/Zydeco dance lesson with Diana Castillo
Cajun/Zydeco
Doors at 7:30 pm
Lesson at 8:00 pm
Show at 8:30 pm
$12
Funky Gators
The Funky Gators is a band of Cajun, zydeco, and R&B veterans whose credits include many of the most popular local bands of the past couple of decades. They take zydeco and mix in some R&B and funk flavor while still keeping the zydeco tempos that dancers love. The Funky Gators play zydeco hits by Boozoo Chavis, Rosie Ledet, and others, plus Motown classics such as “Heatwave” and “Walking the Dog.”
Along with rubboard player and lead singer Myrna, the band is accordion player Dana Mandell, guitarist Ian Lamson, bassist Marty Holland, and drummer Rasheed Wedlow. Myrna was a star in Gator Beat, and after that band’s leader Richie Domingue died several years ago, she retired from the zydeco scene. But after much coaxing from fans, she and Mandell put together the Funky Gators. Myrna’s many years of R&B experience combines with Mandell’s zydeco dance knowledge to create a sound that R&B listeners enjoy and that also keeps zydeco dancers out on the floor.
