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 Dance to the rhythm of the Zydeco/Cajun Music in Southwest Louisiana

Good food, friends, family and song are mixed in the gumbo pot of Southwest Louisiana. If it’s the weekend, the sounds of song and dance are resonating out of the large halls and small bars along the bayous of Southwest Louisiana. The dance floors are full of men, women and children grooving to the mix of blues, pop and French music performed by Zydeco musicians. All have one thing on their minds: passing a good time, cher!

As a sweet French waltz begins, dancers sway to the LaLa, or two-step. The pace picks up speed and vigor, and it’s show time. Zydeco music is like no other cultural treasure. Originating in the 1700s, the LaLa dance was performed to a blend of accordion, washboard, spoons and anything else that would make noise. Then, as today, the lyrics were sung in Creole French, and the accordion is still a staple of the Zydeco band.

It is the music of south Louisiana’s Creoles, descendants of African-American slaves and early French and Spanish colonists. The music was created just after World War II when rhythm and blues and jazz were so popular. The rural Creoles combined their Cajun music with the blues and jazz of urban blacks, creating the sounds we know as Zydeco. Zydeco actually means “snap bean” and was coined by Clifton Chenier, a famous musician.
Live, original music can be found at any local pub or festival in Southwest Louisiana. One prime example is The Louisiana Indie Radio, which promotes Louisiana musicians and showcases the southern talent of unique songwriting. Another popular music venue is Downtown at Sundown, a free outdoor concert every Friday night in Downtown Lake Charles with food, art, and a two-stepping good time.

Southwest Louisiana is the festival capital of Louisiana, so let the good times roll!
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