I’m reading a good book: Accordions, Fiddles, Two Step & Swing: A Cajun Music Reader, edited by Ryan Brasseaux and Kevin Fontenot. The book is filled with articles covering Louisiana French music plus a little more. One example of the variety of subjects included is Rocky Sexton and Harry Oster’s article about the differences in Mardi Gras songs; they explore, among other things, how the songs evolved within one area and how other areas changed it up a bit. Another example is an article that discusses the admiration and disgust for Justin Wilson. In reading that article, it made me wonder how some feel about Poo Poo Broussard on YouTube. The book is filled with interesting Louisiana French history, commentary, biographies, and culture.
I enjoyed Malcom L. Comeaux’s article, “The Cajun DanceHall.” It fired up my imagination of the past and also made me think about the present. I thought about the Crawfish Barn in Vidrine and how it fits in with the past. I’ve been there and saw a band playing with people dancing in a middle area. There are tables all around the dancing and band areas for people to sit and eat. Little kids run around and act up like kids will do. To the side is the bar with a pool table. People are drinking, eating, dancing while kids with their families play. It’s a great place for families to go and also for singles and couples to pass a good time.
There was a discussion on the L’Anse Grise forum that made me ask Mom about old dance halls. The Belle Amour at the Y was a place she remembered going to as a kid. I thought there was an official parc aux petits, a place for kids to sleep while their parents partied, but Mom said Maw Maw and Paw Paw Leo knew the owners well and they did Maw Maw a favor; they let Mom, Uncle Darrell and Uncle Carlos sleep on some cots in a room while Maw Maw and Paw Paw enjoyed the night out. Paw Paw Leo was Clint (Guillory) West’s brother and