NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND 2007
 
    And now, an urgent message from Cascade Zydeco's goodwill ambassador, par exellence: 

    It's time to begin thinking about the annual end-of-the-year trip to Louisiana for Cajun and zydeco music and dancing. Last year, we had over 90 rooms filled at LaQuinta Inn in Lafayette with folks from all over the country.
      This year the music and dance scene will run from Thursday night, December 27 at the Rock 'n' Bowl in New Orleans, through January 1 in Lafayette with New Year's Day potluck parties and L'Angelus Family Cajun Band annual dance. (Fly into MSY on 12/27 and home on 1/2, or whatever time you can spare!)
      For a hotel room in New Orleans Thursday, 12/27, check www.hotwire.com or www.travelocity.com for 3, 4, or 5 star hotels at special rates. Last year, I stayed at the Intercontinental 5-star hotel in downtown for $68 plus tax for two people in a room. It was POSH!
      Then we head to Lafayette on Friday, December 28 to check in to LaQuinta Inn at the great rate of $57 + tax per night for a king size or two queen size beds. The hotel is undergoing a renovation, so the rooms should be much nicer, To reserve, call 337-233-5610 and ask for the Zydeco New Year's rate (or say you want a room in the block of rooms registered to Dick Brainard). We will again have a hospitality room for sharing information on who is playing where, and who can take riders to venues.
      As usual, there will be dancing every night, and some days, at El Sido's (still open), Slim's YiKiKi, Roy Carrier's Off-Shore Lounge, Grant Street Dance Hall, Cowboys, Wranglers, Angelle's Whiskey River Landing, Pat's Atchalafalaya Club, Cafe des Amis, Fred's Lounge, Randol's, Mulate's, and the big New Year's Eve dance at Vermilionville.
      As usual, I will help coordinate room sharing and car sharing. Just let me know.
      SO, MARK YOUR CALENDAR, and jump on those cheap airfares if you find them.

      If you want any additional information, contact me at dickbrainard@qwest.net or at 503-243-2652, that’s in Portland, OR.