Month: January 2018

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Off the Record

LBR earn Grammy

If Herman says it, it’s so.

Herman Fuselier reports that the Lost Bayou Ramblers are bringing home the Grammy for “Kalenda” in the Best Regional Roots Album category.

 

 

 

PUBLISHED Jan. 11

Sincere condolences to zydeco musician, C.J. Chenier, who announced the death of his mother, Mildred Bell, Tuesday, January 9. Services are Tuesday, January 16, at Hannah Funeral Home, 3727 Lewis Dr. Port Arthur, Texas. Services start at 11 a.m.

C.J. Chenier
“Thanks to all of you for the love that you have shown myself and my family. God Bless,” C.J. wrote on Facebook.

She came, she saw, she embraced. And now, Andrea Rubinstein, has left Lafayette for Princeton, N.J.

Andrea, a retired museum curator, artist and musician (not retired) spent 15 years in South Louisiana taking in, appreciating and living the Cajun and Creole cultures many take for granted.

Andrea Rubinstein

That said, there’ll be an estate sale Thursday, January 19 & 20; but go to website below for address Jan. 18 (Clarification). Included are: 19th century maps, LP records, 1960’s 45 records, a 1960 Rolling Stone Scrap book, 19th century Victorian wicker sofa, LG washer and gas dryer, small kitchen appliances, including an Air Fryer, hand knotted rugs, lawn equipment, 3 store display racks, custom made furniture lamps, Hand made moulas… you get the idea.
More info: https://www.EstateSales.NET/LA/Lafayette/70503/1761918

As it’s done in these parts, a benefit for Josh Baca, accordionist for Los Texmaniacs, is set for Thursday, January 18, 7 p.m., Atmosphere Bistro, 902 Johnston St.

Baca lost his home to a fire on New Year’s Day. His family made it out of the house in time, but that was about it. On tap will will be the Savoy Family Band & Friends, some Revelers, T’Monde, Sabra & the Get Rights.

Sabra & (some of) the Get Rights

Los Texmaniacs connected with local band, Revelers – among others – a few years back.

“We’re (Revelers) sort of a mash-up of American, Cajun, zydeco, and southwest Louisiana,” said Reveler Chas Justus, a couple of years ago. “And they’re sort of a mash-up of Texas music; San Antonio, Doug Sahm sort of rock and roll meets Chicano and Freddie Fender and stuff like that.

Chas Justus
“So I’ve always thought of that as sort of cousins,” Justus said.

All door money goes to the Baca family. There’ll be a silent auction to raise additional funds. If you’d like to contribute from afar, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/kphbf-fire

The South Louisiana Kings of Classic Country showcase, “O Country, Where Art Thou?” is coming to Cowboys, Saturday, January 27.

Courtney Granger
Ken Holloway, Jeff Dugan, Sabra Guzman, Courtney Granger and Dustin Sonnier, all backed by The Wanted, are scheduled to perform.
Advanced tickets are available 337.789.1538.
$15 Général Admission
$25 Vip Seats
$35 Front Row (limited)
$100 VIP Tables (seats 4)

Cowboys, 207 N Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Scott, is now NON-SMOKING. Clean air for all. Doors open 7 p.m. Show starts 9 p.m.

The Cowsills are recording at Dockside Studio in Maurice.

Cafe Des Amis is gone. Long live Cafe Des Amis. In its place at 140 E. Bridge St., in Breaux Bridge will be Cafe Sydnie Mae, expected to open in a few weeks. With award-winning chef, Bonnie Breaux, at the helm good things are expected in the new restaurant. Read about it here:
http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/entertainment_life/article_0f8603e4-dfaf-11e7-803e-1f1d119ed04c.html

A Grammy nom – and more – for Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Check it out: http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/entertainment_life/article_520a556c-e36a-11e7-9eee-673db55df586.html

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LBR earn Grammy

If Herman says it, it’s so.

Herman Fuselier reports that the Lost Bayou Ramblers are bringing home the Grammy for “Kalenda” in the Best Regional Roots Album category.

Posted on

Screen gems: Cinema on the Bayou looks at life

LAFAYETTE (BHP) – Every January, at least since 2006, Cinema on the Bayou has held center stage in Lafayette.

This year will be no different and it begins Wednesday, January 24, with “Rifles & Rosary Beads,” 6:30 p.m., at Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Cinema on the Bayou has selected nearly 180 films, including world, U.S. and Louisiana premieres to be screened at venues in and around Lafayette during the annual eight-day festival set for January 24-31.

“Rifles & Rosary Beads,” a short documentary about the power of turning trauma into art, chronicles the making of an album by folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier and combat veterans and their spouses at SongwritingWith:Soldiers retreats.

Following the film, Gauthier, a Louisiana native based in Nashville, will perform songs from the album, which includes 11 deeply personal songs that reveal the untold stories and powerful struggles veterans and their spouses deal with abroad and after returning home.  The album debuts January 26.

The Los Angeles Times said about Gauthier:  “. . . her razor-sharp eye for detail and her commitment to unsentimental self-reflection puts her in a class with greats such as Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and yes, Bob Dylan.”  A gala reception will follow the premiere Wednesday at the AcA.

Cinema on the Bayou, Louisiana’s second oldest film festival, is an annual eight-day film festival founded in 2005 by filmmaker Pat Mire, who serves as the artistic director of the festival.

Since 2006, Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival has presented, on an annual basis, a wide variety of documentary and narrative fiction films and filmmakers from around the United States and beyond.

Categories include narrative feature, narative short, documentary feature, documentary short and animation.

The venues are the AcA, 101 W. Vermillion St., Cite Des Arts, 109 Vine St., Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette Public Library, South Regional Branch, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette Public Library, 301 W. Congress St., and Hilliard University Art Museum, 710 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Opening night tickets and Festival passes can be purchased through Eventbrite.

And here’s a link to a synopsis of films set for Cinema on the Bayou; and here is a film schedule.

 

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Dano’s Dissertations: “Dedans le Sud de la Louisiane”

Dedans le Sud de la Louisiane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various Artists
Dedans le Sud de la Louisiane
Frémeaux & Associés

If you missed this landmark 1972 Cajun-Creole cultural documentary by French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bruneau, you’re in luck. Its recent DVD reissue now includes the equally indispensable out-of-print CD Les Haricots sont pas Salés 27 live recordings from the same expedition.

Considering that cultural icons Dewey Balfa, Nathan Abshire, Clifton Chenier, Canray Fontenot, “Bois Sec” Ardoin and Dennis McGee were still in their prime performing their signature songs, 45 years (2017) seems like a galaxy from the world Bruneau initially rolled onto film.

The uninitiated and the seasoned alike will find it informative. There’s a French-spoken/English subtitled historical narration of the Grand Derangement as well as an explanation of how Mardi Gras has roots in the fifth-century English Shrove Tuesday tradition.

Academia aside, the scenes are priceless. In an austere Mamou studio where a confederate flag hangs on a wall between a pitchfork and a scythe, Nathan Abshire swings his accordion madly side to side for the coup de gras finale of “Pine Grove Blues.” On “Les barres de la prison,” Creole fiddler Canray Fontenot gives an intense performance accompanied by accordionist ‘Bois Sec’ Ardoin and ace rhythm guitarist Rodney Balfa.

Not only does Rodney’s brother/fiddler Dewey Balfa appear in several scenes, he also conducts an insightful interview with Creole accordionist Bee Fontenot, highlighting the difference between Cajun and Creole/zydeco music.

The accompanying CD is not a track-by-track verbatim representation of the film but features an additional 20 songs not included on the DVD. Together the DVD-CD package consummates the picture Bruneau initially began and is essential for the Cajun-Creole curious.

– Dan Willging

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Humanity at work: Fundraiser for Texmaniac Thursday

By Dominick Cross

LAFAYETTE – Some folks turn their baseball caps inside out and/or backwards to help rally around their favorite team.

When South Louisiana folks rally to help a friend, some folks tune their instruments and donate their time, talent and money; at the same time, others dance the night away – after they drop some scratch, that is – for the good cause.

And so it will be (again) Thursday evening, 7 p.m., at Atmosphere Bistro, 902 Johnston St., when musicians and music lovers come together for Josh Baca, accordion player with Grammy winner Los Texmaniacs, a conjunto band from Texas.

Baca lost his home and everything in it in a New Year’s Day fire in Converse, Texas. Thankfully, there was no loss of life.

The lineup Thursday features an enhanced Savoy Family Band (more on that, keep reading), T’Monde, Sabra & the Get Rights, and members of the Revelers.

Photo: Dominick Cross  Michael Doucet joins Savoy Family Band (Steve Riley does, too)

 

So, you may ask, ‘What does all of this have to do with holding a fundraiser in Lafayette?’

Well, Los Texmaniacs have been hooked-up with local musicians for some time.

The Revelers got to know the band from the road, and Los Texmaniacs have delighted Blackpot Festival fans over the years; the two bands have cooked and jammed together; and, in 2015, Los Texmaniacs joined the Revelers at the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Louisiana Crossroads series.

As a result, “a lot of us have become good friends with the Texmaniacs over the last five, eight years, or even more,” said Sabra Guzman, who is behind the funder. “Culturally and musically, there was a connection.”

It’s a friendship that goes beyond making music and dinner together, as family comes to mind.

“We just figured they’re just such good friends of ours and we feel like a little music family that we just thought: How can we help?” said Guzman.

Guzman said Johnny Nicholas, a Texas bluesman who has toured with Los Texmaniacs and who also became friendly with the band, contacted the local music tribe about Baca’s predicament.

“Johnny reached out to us about the house fire,” said Guzman. Nicholas was already helping organize a couple of fundraisers in Austin and San Antonio.

“So when he reached out to all of us, I did a group text, ‘Who wants to help out?’” Guzman said. “So, the Revelers, just being so close to them, definitely wanted to be a part,” she said, adding that Chris Miller won’t be able to make it.

“So that’s why were mentioning it as ‘members of the Revelers.’”

Guzman’s band, Sabra and the Get Rights, T’Monde were on board, as was Marc Savoy.

“Marc Savoy has developed a relationship with those guys, and so he was down to help contribute,” said Guzman. “And it’s really cool with the Savoy Family Band. They’ve got Michael Doucet coming and Steve Riley to be a part of that.”

“So that’s really sweet. I think it’s going to be really nice night,” she said.

Guzman checked with Eric Adcock and Roddie Romero, too, but the band (Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars) will be in rehearsal Thursday evening for a gig at the ACA with The Mavericks this weekend.

But there’ll be more than music involved as Scotter Yarrow, Susie Mills and Robin Miller are working on a silent auction to help bring in more money.

Saint Street Inn, Pack and Paddle, massage therapists, and others have contributed to the cause.

“They’ve all given gift certificates for the silent auction,” Guzman said. “So, it’s like a sweet community effort.”

In addition, the host establishment got behind the efforts.
“Artmosphere was very accommodating and willing to give us the whole door as a benefit,” said Guzman. “Yeah, very sweet.”

Weather will be a non-issue; just bundle up. Temp come showtime looks to be in the upper 20s. (Woo-hoo!)

“It seems like everyday from here on out is getting a little bit warmer,” Guzman said Wednesday afternoon.

The minimum donation is $10, although more will be accepted.

“We realize you do what you can,” said Guzman. “It’s just to give a shout-out to our brother and help him in any way we can.”

There’s another common denominator in the mix: Color it humanity.

“There’s a good group of folks here who definitely care about the cause and are down to just be there for others who have a need,” Guzman said.

All door money goes to the Baca family. The silent auction hopes to raise additional funds. If you’d like to contribute from afar, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/kphbf-fire

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King of Hearts: Major Handy to undergo triple bypass

By Dominick Cross

LAFAYETTE – If you know Major Handy, you know he’s a warm individual with a big heart.

The zydeco and soul musician is known for patiently taking the time to show you a few things about making music that you only thought you knew. He also would cut you some slack if your auto needed some body work back when he ran his body shop.

Photo: Robin May
                          Major Handy

Now, for the man with the big heart, it’s his heart that takes front and center as the 70-year old musician is about to undergo a triple bypass.

“I had a heart stress test and they didn’t like way it was acting,” said Handy, about a week before open heart surgery set for January 18. “It’s not that it’s worrying me or nothing, I mean, I ain’t got no problem with it, but they found there was too much blockage in there.”

Make that 80 percent blockage.

“That’s a lot, man. Fuck,” Handy chuckled. “But I don’t even feel that, my heart is real strong. My heart muscle is real strong. But, you know what? Before it gets weaker, or I catch something, we’ll take care of it right now.”

Handy said as doctors were keeping an eye on an aortic aneurysm further down the line for about two years, they noticed some issues with his heart. So now, they’ll knock out both procedures at once.

“So they’re going to fix all that, man. I’m going to be brand new, bro.” said Handy. “A tune-up.”

The musician is not worried. After all, it could be worse, according to Handy.

“Well, that’s alright,” he said, matter-of-factly. “That means you can have quadruple, too. They’re saying the triple-bypass is going to fix all of that.”

And there’s no time like the present, especially with 7 decades under your belt.

“It’s best they can fix it now, not five years from now when I’m fucking sick or something,” he said.

Handy employs his own easy-going approach to the upcoming surgery.

“It’ll be alright, man, they know how to do that shit good,” he laughed. “If they screw that up and kill me, if they kill me, I’ll never know what the fuck happened.” And Handy laughed again. “You know that, right?”

Handy did take the time to find out exactly what open heart surgery entails.

“I went and watched that, you know, they got all that on YouTube,” said Handy. “They cut your chest open and they open it and they stretch it open and they take your heart and they cut your leg and pull out some veins in there and they fix your heart.

“I said, ‘Oh, really? That’s what they do? I don’t care. Just fix this shit,’” he said.

Outside of the obvious, there are multiple reasons why Handy can’t wait to put the surgery behind him: his wife Frances Ayres Handy, their family and friends, making music and, of course, his own good health.

And there’s also Armani Sanders to consider.

She’s the daughter of Handy’s late daughter, Charlotte Marie Handy, who died in 2016. The teen lives with Handy and his wife these days.

“I got a 16-year-old granddaughter – man, she’s awesome. And you know? I can’t be spending my last day’s sick,” said Handy.

Not only that, the two have a gig this coming spring.

“She’s going to sing with me at Jazz Fest,” he said.

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UPDATE: Mardi Gras throw down with Lil’ Buck and band; Handy will not be playing

Lil’ Buck Sinegal.
Robin May photo

GRAND COTEAU (DC) – Lil’ Buck Sinegal, and his band alone, sans Major Handy, will play the Mardi Gras move, Saturday, Jan. 27, Knights of Peter Claver Hall, with a Mardi Gras Dance.

Bayou Hack Press published Jan. 9 that Major Handy was part of the program. BHP has since learned differently and updated the story accordingly.

Although Handy is undergoing heart surgery Jan. 18 (story coming soon), it was news to him he was playing when contacted by BHP for comment on the dance. Overall, no harm, no foul.

Showtime is 9 p.m., and of course you can expect blues, funk, zydeco and everything else you know that Buck knows and plays.

Knights of Peter Claver Hall is located at 252 Church Street – same campus with the Thensted Center. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door.

Lil’ Buck Sinegal is a phenomenal guitarist with a career that spans more than five decades. With more than 300 recordings under his belt, Buck has played and recorded with Clifton Chenier, Henry Gray, Rockin’ Dopsie, Buckwheat Zydeco, and other blues artists, including Grammy-winning efforts with Paul Simon’s 1987 album “Graceland.”

Buck also worked as a session guitarist for Excello on swamp blues by Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Buck was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame in 1999.

 

There will be a pageant with the king and queen, a Second Line, and a raffle with great prizes.

And you know there will be food and beverages for sale.

Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door. All proceeds will help with renovation of the historic Knights of Peter Claver Hall.

Tickets available now by calling Renella Henry at 337-349-5814 or at P & D Cake Cottage, 106 St. Joseph St., Grand Coteau.

All donations are tax-exempt and highly appreciated.

INFO: 337-349-5814.