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The dance floor was a hoppin’ during the Red Stick Ramblers Saturday afternoon.  Photo by Jean Farley

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BLOG: Cajuns are welcome at FloydFest

I’m originally from Louisiana. Therefore I love all things Cajun, speak French and know my zydeco from my fais-do-do. I think the organizers at FloydFest must have some of this background, too.

Despite its “hippie” reputation, FloydFest is a world music venue. What I mean is that in addition to all the great jam bands and folk rock artists, you will also find tribal beats, some reggae and even some zydeco and swing music.

One of my highlights of FloydFest this year took place in the Blue Ridge to Bayou Dance Tent. A group called The Red Stick Ramblers, hailing from Lafayette, La., fired up the dance floor Saturday afternoon. And there I was, eating a steaming hot bowl of pinto beans and cornbread and stomping the floor. And ladies, they aren’t too bad to look at either.

“The Red Stick Ramblers play a mixture of Cajun fiddle tunes, Western Swing, traditional jazz of the 1920s and 1930s alongside a steadily growing number of tradition-inspired originals. Based in Southern Louisiana, they build upon the songs of seminal fiddlers like Dennis McGee and Dewey Balfa, along with jazz and country swing bandleaders such as Bob Wills and Django Reinhardt, finding a common thread of danceable rhythms and strong, elegant melodies.” (from redstickramblers.com)

Before too long, the floor was packed with swinging dancers and the sounds of Cajun swing and fiddle music. I was instantly transported back to the dance halls of Mulates in Breaux Bridge.

This is what I love about Appalachia. I may be hundreds of miles away from my bayous and swamps but I can still find my music and my people. The names and the songs may be a little different, but the joie de vivre is the same.

I hope y’all come back this way real soon!

--Kathy Knotts