The various movement and dance forms indigenous to Louisiana are directly influenced by the many cultures that merged – and in some cases collided – to form the population of the region, as well as the tropical climate and the need for social connectedness in relatively isolated communities. There are two distinct movement forms from Louisiana being shared in Russia in the spring of 2014. They each integrate with distinctive musical forms and are featured by different segments of the Louisiana population.
ZYDECO
A popular folk dance form, participated in by people of all ages and levels of dance skill. Zydeco originated at the beginning of the 20th Century among the Francophone Creole peoples of Acadiana in southwest Louisiana. It is a partner dance, primarily social but occasionally seen in performance and competitions. The motions involve small sideways steps, previously known as “LaLa” with a relatively steady upper body. The basic step is the same as “LaLa” but through the evolution of the music, the dance is seen as a quick two-step. The dance is accompanied by very rhythmic and syncopated Zydeco music, dominated by a percussive washboard and a melodious accordion, and often involving singing in a “Creole-style” (broken French) of French. It is not uncommon to see three generations of a family dancing Zydeco together. Zydeco is very infectious and additive. Allons Dancer!!!!
About Mona Wilson
Cade, LA native Mona M. Wilson aka Mona “Zydeco Queen” Wilson® Specializes in TRULY AUTHENTIC & Quality Creole Zydeco Dance Lessons℠ through “ZYDECO-robis”® “MONA-robics”® Style. No dance instructor has done more to promote real Creole Zydeco dance than Mona..from the east to west coasts and states in between, three Carnival Line Cruises, panelist with professors at Ivy League Dartmouth College and much more. She learned how to dance to Zydeco music on top of her daddy’s feet (south of I-10) and started teaching Zydeco dance lessons in 1985. After winning the World Championship Dance Contest in 1990 at Richard’s Club in Lawtell, LA, she was then dubbed “Zydeco Queen” by Zydeco musician Willis Prudhomme of Knider, LA. This led to her hosting several radio shows and co-hosting a Zydeco TV show with another Zydeco musician, Lawrence Ardoin of Lake Charles, LA. Although she holds a B.S. in Business (Accounting), she always wanted to teach and being able to teach Zydeco dance lessons filled this void. Mona brings along a lifetime of dance and cultural experience that is unparalleled. Find out the Creole truth about Zydeco from the one and only “Zydeco Queen”®!!
About Joseph Bias
Joseph “Joely” Bias is no stranger to the world of Zydeco. Being born in world renowned city of Opelousas, La the “Zydeco Capitol” of the world, he learned the sounds of the accordion and music known then as “French La La” in the home of his grandfather the late Delton Broussard a Pioneer of Zydeco. Being the eldest grandchild of the Broussard family Joseph tagged along with his parents and grandparents to church hall dances, outdoor parties, family gatherings, and child-friendly night clubs in the 70’s such as Richard’s and Slim’s Y-Ki Ki. At the tender age of 3 he learned to dance to the music played by his grandfather on top of his grandmother’s feet (north of I-10). After mastering the authenticated rhythm taught by listening to the sound of the snare drum and the feel of human touch he was able to dance with the elderly single women who sat in wait for an opportunity to move on the dance floor. After returning from college, he began to find the sounds of Zydeco in the 1990’s played by “Zydeco Force” a band in which his Uncle Jeffery Broussard was the accordion player. Soon He became a part of the group by writing and singing songs later recorded on the group’s popular CD’s. Although he enjoyed being a part of the group he never let go of his first love: Dancing. After meeting dance partner Mona “Zydeco Queen” Wilson® in the early 1990’s, he was introduced to the world of teaching the dance he loved so much. His first flight and dance class in Long Beach, CA was the beginning of many workshops, cruises, filming, demonstrations, on stage dancer for Zydeco artists, and teaching to this present day.
SECOND LINE PARADE
An outdoor, parade-style of movement led by a brass band, second line for the most part is celebratory in nature and intended to be participated in by all. With origins in New Orleans as the informal followers (“second line”) of a more formal parade (the “first line”) the tradition has taken on its own identity over more than a century. Often experienced as the life-celebrating parade following the internment of the dead as the funeral participants leave the cemetery, or as a celebration of marriage following the wedding ceremony, second line parades take place practically every weekend of the year throughout New Orleans. The basic movement revolves around an elaborate freestyle strut as the parade moves along, with opportunities for display of elaborate movements and even acrobatics. As second lines often take place in the hot sun, the tradition has evolved of ladies carrying elaborately decorated parasols and holding handkerchiefs, moving both in the air in time with the music.
It is universally understood that regardless of the purpose of the parade, and whether you know the celebrants or not, you are welcome to join the parade as it passes by.