I was introduced last night to a little adventure called Zydeco. One Sunday a month, this bar on the east side hires a Zydeco band to play for the entire evening so that fans can put their Zydeco dancing shoes to good use. Well, seeing as I like to dance, my friend convinced me that this was one dance I shouldn't go through life without experiencing. She was right, my life is forever changed because of Zydeco.
It is somewhat similar to the two-step, except there are three steps,
slow-quick-quick slow-quick-quick
and the movement is horizontal-not bouncy, but the steps give it that illusion.
The music makes the dance. It's impossible to listen to it without smiling and tapping your toes. the combination of the accordion and washboard along with a saxophone, electric guitar and jazzy vocals makes this venture nothing short of exhilarating. The demographics of the crowd was pretty humorous. My friend and I were by far the youngest in the room by at least 20 years. Before long, however, we were fighting over who would get to dance next with the tiny 70 year old man with the long grey pony tail. He was obviously the best dancer on the floor as well as the most popular. It kind of felt like a high school prom, standing on the side wondering who would ask us to dance next, except that most the guys we danced with were wearing toupees.
I am constantly awed by the opportunities available here to affiliate with other cultures and how generously they open their doors to share who they are. I got a little taste of the Cajun flavor in New York City, and I can't wait to have more.
1 comment:
Sounds so fun! I am by NO MEANS a dancer! But it's been three years in the making for me to go two-stepping with a few of my Albertan cousins... and we finally did it this past holiday! It was so much fun. Mostly that we finally went together... not so much that i was any good at it... b/c I wasn't :P
I bet they would love Zydeco. I will have to tell them about it when they next visit!
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