What is Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing?
The Cajuns were originally French settlers who were driven out of Nova Scotia in 1755 and ended up settling in the swamps and prairies of the American South. Cajun music, know for it’s lively, festive beat, was born out of the bayous and prairies of Southwest Louisiana. Cajun bands usually include accordions, fiddles, guitars and drums. Cajun couple dancing includes festive two-steps, lilting waltzes, and sizzling jitterbugs. Zydeco music, known for it’s hot tempos and driving rhythms, is the music of the Creoles, whose origins lie with the black French-speaking population of Louisiana. It includes influences from many cultures, including N. American, African and the Caribbean. Zydeco bands usually feature a frottoir (rubboard) in place of the fiddle that is used in the Cajun band. Zydeco dancing has a hot, exciting, unique 8-beat rhythm all its own. It is danced in both the closed (couple) and open positions, giving you the option of groovin’ together or doin’ your own thing.
