zydeco Archives - The Swirl World

Have A Great Weekend!

May 24, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

I’ve got a busy weekend planned. I hope to make a serious dent on my dissertation edits (you know, for the dissertation that won’t go away).

My ‘lil cuzzo RJ (Russell, Jr.) is graduating, and a big bash is planned. Thankfully I won’t have to go in search of Memorial Day barbecue – his Mom and Dad are great cooks and they’ve already promised to throw down. (Expect photos).

They’re also super at zydeco dancing so maybe I can persuade them to show me a few steps. (Yes, that’s still on my “things I wanna learn” list).

I’ll be back next week. Till then, enjoy the holiday!

Join in the Fray: What are you doing for Memorial Day weekend?

Pink Party Over Here!

April 20, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

A couple of years ago my major home base shifted from Texas to Louisiana. I have to say, one of the great things about Southwest Louisiana (besides the food) is the fact that you can pretty much always find a Festival or a party on any given weekend.

Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending a “VIPink Party” given by the Lafayette chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise money and honor breast cancer survivors. The blinged out pink affair was held at the Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel in Charenton, LA (another thing about SW LA is that things aren’t pronounced the way they are spelled. “Charenton” is pronounced “Cher-ruh-ton” – and make sure you say it really fast!)

I’d heard quite a bit about the Casino but hadn’t had the opportunity to visit. We had to walk through the Casino to get to the banquet room ~~which meant I had to walk past the mindless Zombies seated at the slot machines and the fanatics at the crap table~~.

The sights and sounds were awesome! Here are some highlights:

We walked in on the “Pink Carpet”

The table decorations were gorgeous:

Pink, pink everywhere . . . .

Dinner was a fabulous buffet, complete with pink butter for our panini-grilled bread:

and dessert was . . . well . . . pink:

(Yes, not only is that a pink Rice Krispy Treat, that’s a pink praline over on the right. Yes. Exactly.)

After dinner comes dancing. We were treated to old school jams from the band Krossfyre:

Everybody loves old school jams . . . (even when they get off step):

And what’s a Southwest Louisiana party without some good rockin’ Zydeco?

See the rub-board he’s wearing? My Grandmother used to play one, only hers wasn’t nearly so fancy. It wasn’t a “body” one, either – just the good, old-fashioned scrubbing board (some people call it a wash board) framed in wood.

She held it up to her chin in the crook of her arm like it was a fiddle. The “pick” she used to play it? Visualize a wire clothes hanger. Fold the long sides in half. See the hook at the top? That’s the part she “scratched” with!

All in all, it was a wonderful night and I had a great time. I was happy to participate in such a worthy cause, and look forward to more of the same.

Next up: Festival International de Louisiane kicks off this week, April 24-28! ! Woot Woot!

Join in the Fray: What’s your thing: A Festival , Carnival, or Amusement Park?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Who Says White Men Can’t Dance???

January 4, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 17 Comments

One of the things I want to learn this year is Zydeco dancing.

This, my friends, is why:

I won’t tell y’all how many times I’ve watched this video. Yes, Home Girl has some great moves – no shade on her.

However.

I am not watching her moves.

(I’m just saying).

Coughs.

Sips some cold water.

Fans.

Clicks video again . . . .

(Hey! Don’t judge me!)

In Southwest Louisiana (also known as Cajun Country), MOST of the men – regardless of race or ethnicity) can dance like this.

This guy has some great moves ~~he just needs a stylist~~.

So, who says White men can’t dance???

I rest my case.

Join in the Fray: Can you . . . . dance?

I’m blogging every day in the month of January in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Fried Alligator and Boudin Balls, Anyone???

October 24, 2012 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 7 Comments

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 76^th International Rice Festival in Crowley, LA. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Louisiana culture, the state’s Department of Tourism reports that Louisiana holds over 400 festivals every year – and is “often called the Festival Capital of America.” The New Orleans Times Picayune puts it this way: “If you can eat it, drink it, play it, dance to it or ogle it, there’s a festival for it in south Louisiana. Probably this week.”

With that being said, the Rice Festival provided a delightful expression of diversity in two forms that really matter: People and food! These festivals seem to be the time that everyone pretty much put aside any race-centered or ethnic differences and instead become Louisianans who want to have a good time.

Yep, there was plenty of Swirling going on:

Where else in the world can large crowds of Blacks and Whites (with good sprinklings of Asians and Latinos mixed in) listen to and enjoy music like this:

And not only that, DANCE to it:

AND, in addition to the fried alligator and spicy boudin balls, enjoy a good serving of pig feet or tripe?

This gentleman proudly told me I couldn’t take a photo unless he was in it!

(I purchased some wonderful homemade pralines. My cousin bought a bowl of pig feet – they were seasoned to perfection and delish! Yes, I eat pig feet – don’t judge me).