batonrougecajundance

President’s Message

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The 22nd Annual CFMA “Le Cajun” Cajun Music Festival takes place the weekend of August 20-21st. at the Community Center in Cade, La., a few miles south of Lafayette. I strongly urge all our members to attend, to support the CFMA and help preserve your culture while you enjoy some of the best Cajun music, dancing, and food. We also need volunteers to help as our chapter has been assigned to work in the food booth. An hour or two of your time will help make this festival a success.

Merci, John Pellerin

Get Well / Sympathy

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Sympathies to the family of Preston Falgoust, an early member, who passed in early July.

Please contact Vera Achee at (225-357-5647) with information concerning members who are ill, hospitalized or those that have passed away.

Happy Birthdays

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Jonathon Ortiz-7/18(correction)

Lou Ellen Fogarty-8/19

Dorothy Blackwell-Aug. 29

If you, or a loved one, are celebrating a birthday this month, we welcome you to come and celebrate with friends and family at any of our Friday Night dances. Birthday cakes welcomed !

To include your special date, contact Pearl Bellelo at 931-6551 or vicandpearl@startelco.net

Happy Anniversaries

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Vic & Pearl Bellelo-8/1
Joe & Margaret Mallet-8/4
Bill & Arlene Roy-8/9
Earl & June Berthelot-8/11
Ken & Bo Bueche-8/14
Harold & Elva Daigle-8/24

To include your special date, contact Pearl Bellelo at 225-931-6551 or vicandpearl@startelco.net

Dance Troupe News

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

In August we will dance at the Annual CFMA LeCajun Festival in Cade as well as teach at our two chapter dances.
We will also dance at the International Students Welcome Party on the 13th. Our schedule at this time includes The Heritage House Retirement Home on the17th and the Sunrise Assisted Living Home on the 24th.
Anyone interested in joining the Dance Troupe, call Lynda Stockinger at 225-803-9272

Merci Beaucoup,
Lynda Stockinger

Friday Night Dances

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

UCT Hall-11175 Florida Blvd, 2 miles east of Airline Hwy at Sherwood Forest Blvd.
Please check the Fun Section of The Advocate for our ads. Also check our website, www.batonrougecajundance.com & Clarence’s site (Cajunradio.org) for dance date and bands.

Aug.6 - Cajun Troubadours -Featuring 12 year old Cameron Dupuy on the accordion.

Aug.27- Jamie Berzas
& Cajun Tradition

Next Meeting

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

NEXT MEETING –Tuesday August 10 - 6:30 PM–Bluebonnet Library
Open/combined Board and General Meeting at 6:30 PM. Please come and invite a friend.
Nominations for 2011 Chapter Officers and Board members are open until the September meeting. You may also self nominate at the August or September meeting.

Cajun Heritage

// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Into the Earth (Enterrement – a funeral)
Funeral customs and wakes have changed as much as people and the houses we now live in. In the past, clocks were stopped at the time of death at the home of the deceased. Coffins for adults were shrouded in black, and white for children. The wake (veiller) was usually held in one room, and the body constantly attended throughout the night, because “you didn’t leave the dead alone”. Candles illuminated the body, which was placed with the feet towards the door, and the open part covered with mostiquaire (net) to keep flies away when windows had no screens. A dish of holy water and cluster of leaves (oak) was placed atop the casket, and it was not unusual for the deceased’s face and clothes to be soaking wet as visitors paid their respects by sprinkling the corpse. When the wake ended, someone always stayed to occupy the house until the body was buried. Along the route to the cemetery people would hurry to close doors, gates and shutters as the procession approached to bar entry of spirits. People in vehicles or carriages stopped then, as they do now, in respect. At the gravesite, and after the sermon, mourners would stoop to toss a clod of earth upon the lowered coffin, because “it was the last thing that you could do for them”. Mourners still share a meal and tell stories and jokes at the home of the deceased after a funeral – and good cooks have always been reminded to bring a dish. From personal experiences and Barry Ancelet’s Cajun Country.

Maurice Lasserre