Doors at 7:30 pm / Dance lesson with Mike Ferketich at 8:00 pm / Show at 8:30 pm
Tickets are $15 Advance / $18 Day of Show
Celebrate Fat Tuesday by dancing to Cajun and zydeco music!
Dance lesson at 8, followed by a Mardi Gras parade (everyone is welcome to join in!) at 8:30, when the Aux Cajunals take the stage for a long set of Cajun-Creole two-steps, waltzes and blues. At 10, the Tri Tip Trio plays a rocking set of zydeco and R&B. Members of the two bands will also jam together during the second set.
Costumes, masks, Mardi Gras beads encouraged, or just wear your most sparkly, brightest party clothes.
The Aux Cajunals is led by fiddler Suzy Thompson, co-founder (with the late Danny Poullard) of the California Cajun Orchestra, who apprenticed in Louisiana with Cajun fiddle legend Dewey Balfa and also was mentored by Dennis McGee and Cheese Read. Suzy learned to play accordion from Danny Poullard. Agi Ban (of the Midnite Ramblers) and Karen Celia Heil (formerly of the Creole Belles) join Suzy on fiddles. Eric Thompson, another co-founder of the California Cajun Orchestra, plays guitar. He and Suzy have performed with many Cajun greats including DL Menard, Beausoleil, Marc and Ann Savoy, Ed Poullard, Jesse Lege & Joel Savoy, and David Greely. Their daughter, Allegra (of the Midnite Ramblers) plays upright bass. For this special Mardi Gras performance, the Aux Cajunals will be joined by drummer John Hanes.
The Tri Tip Trio is Bruce Gordon, accordion and vocals and Lloyd Meadows, rubboard, harmonica and vocals; they’ll be joined by one of their regular drummers. With Lloyd's mesmerizing washboard, harmonica, and soulful vocals, Bruce's funky, bluesy accordion, Tri Tip is a fireball of hot dance hall music. Bruce Gordon has travelled extensively in Southwest Louisiana, playing with some of the best Cajun and Creole musicians. he has recorded for film, radio, and T.V. Bruce is an in demand session player on piano, B3 organ, as well as accordion. Ramblin' Jack Elliot's album, on which Bruce recorded, received a Grammy nomination. Lloyd Meadows has been a major player in the Bay Area Blues and Zydeco scene. His engaging vocals, blazing blues harp, and brilliant rubboard, have earned him a reputation as a top performer. His associations have included Zydeco Flames, Mal Sharpe, Full House, and Elvin Bishop.
