Festival International de Louisiane Dispatch 7: House Parties

Festival International de Louisiane
April, 2011 Around Boston, if there’s music at a house party, it’s coming from CDs. Around Lafayette, it’s often coming from a bunch of men and women who brought their fiddles, accordions, guitars and sit on a bunch of folding chairs, producing a Cajun jam session. They all know the songs, they take turns leading or all jump in at once, and play until they figure they’ve wrung enough fun out of one traditional song then collectively choose another one.

The first Festival International de Louisiane house party I was invited to had a Cajun jam session in full swing. There was plenty to eat and drink at the potluck tables. Guests danced, chatted, and occasionally sang along with the musicians. It feels like everyone down here is musically inclined. Mechanics, accountants, attorneys, carpenters, teachers and who-all seem to have instruments that are ready to be packed into the car at a moment’s notice.

I’ m thinking, “Wow, this is special!”

They're saying, “We do this all the time.”

Photos by Paul A.Tamburello, Jr. 

 

Comments

[May Louise White]

Think this was the fun party at Janine's. As usual, you caught the spirit of the evening.

[Paul aka pt at large]

Thanks. I mistakenly deleted my photos of dancers at Janine's party or would have had you in there!