David Dye, host of World Cafe describes his visit to El Sido’s in Lafayette, Louisians and his walk through the neighborhood with the “mayor” of Sidsville, Sid Williams. Read more here.
Category: learn
Michael Tisserand on the difference between Zydeco and Cajun music in roots and purpose
On a recent trip to Layfayette, Louisiana, we had a chance to talk with Michael Tisserand, the New Orleans based writer and author of an essential book about Zydeco, The Kingdom of Zydeco, during which he discussed the difference between zydeco and cajun music in both roots and purpose. Read more.
Herman Fuselier on the history and future of Zydeco
WXPN’s World Cafe with host David Dye recently took a trip to Lafayette, Louisiana for the show’s Sense of Place series, exploring many things Creole and Cajun. Dye talked with Herman Fusilier, host of Zydeco Stomp on KRVS Radio Acadie, and one of Zydeco Crossroads’ contributors, about the history and future of Zydeco. Dye called Herman “the hardest working man in Zydeco, who is not a musician.” Learn more about Fuselier and hear his thoughts on a music scene he is an expert on here.
Tune in to World Cafe for Sense of Place: Lafayette this week
All week on World Cafe David Dye will be sharing the sessions, stories and sounds of Sense of Place: Lafayette. When the World Cafe team went down to Louisiana last month they explored the city from front to back, meeting new music friends like yesterday’s featured artists Royal Teeth, stopping in at Olde Tyme Grocery for authentic po’ boys (thanks to a tip from old music friends Givers) and visiting Lake Martin (pictured above) to spot some local wildlife. Read more.
From La La to snap beans: Terrance Simien talks zydeco’s heritage with Daily World
Credit: Terrance Simien | photo by Aigars Lapsa
In a recent interview with Daily World, Creole musician Terrance Simien discussed the heritage of the term “zydeco,” which was known as “la la music” in the early twentieth century, and a few theories about the term’s origination. Read more.
Learning to zydeco dance with Harold Guillory
All the way from Lake Charles, Louisiana, zydeco dance instructor Harold Guillory will be joining the party on Saturday, December 6th when Allons Danser and Zydeco Crossroads present Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble live in concert at District N9NE (formerly the Starlight Ballroom) in Philadelphia for a live concert, dance party and broadcast. Read more here.
Recipe: Chubby’s Creole Chicken Cooked in Tomato Sauce
New Orleans radio station WWOZ 90.7 FM published That Sounds Good! A Cookbook Celebrating 30 Years of WWOZ in 2013, compiling some authentic and favorite southern dishes submitted by Louisiana musicians and WWOZ members and staff. Here we share a selection of recipes reprinted from the cookbook, which can be purchased here. Read more.
Zydeco is not Cajun music
Zydeco is not Cajun music, despite what you may have heard in the media. OK, repeat after me – black. Now, say this word – Creole. Let’s put the word the words together – black Creole. Good. That didn’t hurt, did it? If we can say the words “black Creole” and the world doesn’t explode, why are my brethren in the media afraid to do the same? Read more.
Rockin’ Dopsie’s recipe for Zydeco Gumbo
New Orleans radio station WWOZ 90.7 FM published That Sounds Good! A Cookbook Celebrating 30 Years of WWOZ in 2013, compiling some authentic and favorite southern dishes submitted by Louisiana musicians and WWOZ members and staff. Here’s a recipe for a classic gumbo dish from Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. Read more.
Artist Spotlight: Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas
Nathan Williams began his music career in the 80s as a kind of therapy following a serious illness. After mastering the accordion, the South Louisiana native and Creole-speaker gathered his family around him and formed the Zydeco Cha Chas – a band that has carried on the Zydeco traditional for three decades now. Read more.