MUSIC - JANUARY 28, 2004

Night of Louisiana brings warmth and Cajun music to Mid-Michigan

By Chris Wardell

Robert Barclay, Central Michigan University’s “The Juke-Joint Blues” radio host, knew residents of Michigan could use a little warming up in the middle of winter. He had a bold idea, and it involved bringing a night of Mardi Gras to mid-Michigan. Could he get people to come out of their shells, away from the warm fires, warm blankets, hot chocolate and whiskey nips? Was it possible to bring Louisiana to the darkest, coldest part of winter?

PEGGY BRISBANE, CMU

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band at last year’s festival.

‘A Night Of Louisiana’ With Keith Frank and Soileau Zydeco Band wsg/ The Chicago Cajun Aces, Saturday, Jan. 31. General admission $20. Dinner is at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Call 888-268-0111.

“It was just the right time to make it happen. I had no idea how it would go over, but when a thousand people showed up that first year, they basically never left the dance floor,” said Barclay. “That’s when I knew we were on to something.”

The 13th annual “A Night of Louisiana” will take place Saturday, Jan. 31, at Finch Fieldhouse on Central Michigan University’s campus in Mt. Pleasant.

Barclay conceived of the idea after positive feedback from listeners of his show. The first “Night Of Louisiana” was held in 1992 with three bands that included C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Katie Webster, and Lazy Lester.

The night has been a repeat success: “This is number 13 coming up, and I’ve been the emcee for each of them. The musicians on the bill that first year totally loved the concept of the event, and were thrilled to be reunited with each other on the same bill,” said Barclay. “ I know they were shocked to find such a cool event and enthusiastic crowd in the middle of Michigan and smack dab in the middle of a sub-zero period of the winter. The colder it’s been, the bigger the crowd that we’ve drawn.”

The crowd seems to come from all over, as Barclay explained how people drive from places such as Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Sault Ste. Marie, Traverse City and Saginaw to attend. “The ticket office manager said that more than half of the tickets sales are to people outside of the county. It’s also a smoke-free venue and lots of people have told me that they really appreciate the fun time without the smoke.” Bring the kids.

Of course, no night of celebrating Louisiana would be complete without a little Creole cooking. Besides music, the event will also offer food, drinks and a Mardi Gras street atmosphere. Beer, wine coolers and something called a “Hurricane,” which Barclay describes as a Slurpee with alcohol, will all be served.

But the event’s main draw is its blend of down home, authentic Creole blues, jazz and zydeco. This year’s lineup will feature Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band (Soileau is pronounced “swallow” in Creole French), and The Chicago Cajun Aces.

“Keith is 30-ish and took over the family band from his father, Preston Frank, a few years ago. Keith plays accordion and sings,” said Barclay. “The music is all about dancing, very rhythmic. The music is both traditional and contemporary because it incorporates elements of rhythm & blues into the Creole sounds of Zydeco.”

Although the band is from Chicago, The Chicago Cajun Aces are masters of zydeco music, and have traveled extensively to Louisiana to learn from the zydeco masters. The band is known for getting people on the floor to dance, according to Barclay.

“Most of the audience does not know how to dance to true cajun and zydeco music, but they still have fun with it and try to mimic the steps of the dancers that do know how. Some people don’t dance at all, but enjoy the festive ambience of the event.”

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