Venues
Washington Area
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The Birchmere
Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom
State Theatre
Surf Club
Wolf Trap
Baltimore
>
American Visionary Arts Museum
The Barn Theater at CCBC/BC
Bay Cafe
Boordy Vineyards
The Cat's Eye Pub
Creative Alliance at The Patterson
The 8x10
Golden Sports Bar
Linganore Winery
Philadelphia Area
>
The Mermaid Inn
TK Club
Warmdaddy's
Richmond
Area >
Arthur's Restuarant & Night Club
Washington
Area
The
Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria VA
703 549-7500 : www.birchmere.com
Admission: generally $15-$25
Lessons: None
Insider comments:
Cajun, zydeco, and New Orleans music acts are offered sporatically.
There is now dancing allowed at this venue in the Bandstand,
but not in the main music hall.
Glen Echo
Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD
20812
301 309-0895 : www.glenechopark.org
Shows sponsored by: Crawfish
Productions
Admission: Usually $12 but sometimes more for benefits.
Cajun or Zydeco events scheduled several time each month;
check schedule for listings
Lessons: 1 hour lesson before each dance.
Directions: From the Beltway, take either the Clara Barton
Parkway (from VA) or the Cabin John Expressway (from MD) toward
Glen Echo. From the left lane, take the Glen Echo exit (which
involves a U-turn and a right at the fork). At the tee, turn
left onto MacArthur Blvd. Continue NW on MacArthur and just
past the mini shopping mall turn left. Go to the stop sign
and turn left after it into the parking lot. The path to the
Spanish Ballroom is at the far side of the bridge.
Insider Comments:
The Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo hosts by far the largest
Cajun/ Zydeco events in the greater metro DC area. The huge
wooden dance floor can accommodate hundreds of dancers (and
often does). The atmosphere is friendly and new dancers are
always welcome. The venue is smoke and alcohol free, and drinks
are on sale. The Ballroom was renovated and reopened during
the summer of 2003. The lay out is a little different with
one of the best improvements being that the bathrooms are
now in the same building!
The
State Theatre
220 N. Washington Street Falls Church,
VA 22046-4517
703 237-0300: www.thestatetheatre.com
Frequency: After a couple of shows, Cajun and Zydeco was dropped
for financial reasons
Directions
and map
Insider
Comments:
Inside the Beltway, right off Route 7. Easy to get to, The
State Theater is a former movie theatre that has been totally
renovated with a lot of attention to detail. There are two
hundred seats in the balcony for those who just want to watch
a show. The stage is fantastic, great lighting, the sound
system is perfect. There are four bars, an area for tables
where food is served and great views from everywhere. In front
of the stage is an excellent wood floor dance area.
The
Surf Club
4711
Kenilworth Ave., Bladensburg, MD 20781
301.927.6310 : http://www.chickhallssurfclub.com
Admission: varies
Lessons: None
Texas Fred usually hosts one or more Cajun/Zydeco dances here
each month; nights vary. The 2nd and 4th Thursday of each
month offers Texas Fred spinning zydeco CD's from 8-11 pm
– no cover.
Insider Comments:
Although it sounds like a beach bar, the Surf Club is actually
closer to a country honky-tonk. The venue has a big wooden
dance area, pool tables, and cheap beer prices.
Wolf
Trap
1635
Trap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182
703 938-2404 : www.wolf-trap.org
Admission: generally $15-$20
Lessons: None
Hosts 2 main venues for Cajun/Zydeco events: The Barns and
the Filene Center. Cajun/Zydeco bands play at the Barns a
few times each year. The annual Swamp Romp Festival is held
the first Sunday of June at the Filene Center.
Insider Comments:
Has cajun/zydeco a few times a year. Zydeco tends more towards
blues/rock zydeco than the traditional. Nice wooden floor.
Full cash bar.
Baltimore
Area
American
Visionary Arts Museum
800
Key Highway, Baltimore, MD, 21230 (Near Inner Harbor and Federal
Hill)
410-244-1900 : www.avam.org
Cover: Depends on event - sometimes free
Frequency: Sporadic, generally only on special events like Mardi Gras season
and Fourth of July.
Insider Comments:
Nice place with great artwork is worth a visit. Fourth of July event is outside
in a plaza with a concrete dance floor. The event is free, and fireworks in
the Inner Harbor follow the music. The Mardi Gras events are varied, ranging
from mask-making to dance instruction. The big Mardi Gras dance is great fun
with live zydeco, wild costumes, and ball-like festivities - definitely the
best party in Baltimore
The Barn
Theater at CCBC/CC
800 S. Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD
21228
410-366-0808 #6 (BFMS)
Somebody Scream Productions presents monthly dances, which
are usually held on Friday or Saturday with an 8 pm lesson
and music from 9-12 (on special occasions, Sunday 6 pm lesson
and 7-10 dance).
Sponsored by the Baltimore
Folk Music Society and the CCBC/CC Office of Student Activities
Admission:
$15; $12 BFMS members and CCBC staff; $7 CCBC students (sometimes
more, for special events).
Instructors: Ben Pagac and Debbie Shaw
Directions: From I-95, exit at Route 195 (Catonsville/BWI
Airport) towards Catonsville. Turn RIGHT onto Route 166 North
(Rolling Road) towards Catonsville. At the second traffic
light (Valley Road) turn LEFT into Community College of Baltimore
County - Catonsville Campus. The Barn Theater is the stone
building on the hill beyond
parking Lot A.
Insider Comments:
Great dance venue with wooden dance floor and lots of space
to dance. The Barn is a rustic building with a slightly raised
stage. The crowd is fairly mixed with dancer ranging from
students to seniors. Inexpensive drinks available, proceeds
go to the school’s scholarship fund.
Bay Cafe
2809 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 (Canton)
(410) 522-3377
Music is usually Friday 5-9pm, outside during warm weather
Cover: Free and usually free buffet
Insider Comments:
Waterside venue with small dance area. Has nice view of Baltimore harbor and
has outdoor decks. Schedules local zydeco bands for Friday Happy Hour and on
Sunday afternoons for their Jamaica Me Crazy" Parties. Generally attracts
a fair number of dancers and an otherwise mixed crowd. Has a small indoor dance
area, but large outdoor decks for good weather. Friday Happy Hour includes
a free buffet - a great deal.
Boordy
Vineyards
12820
Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082 (Baltimore County)
410 592-5015 : www.boordy.com
Cost: $12 - $15
Cajun/Zydeco bands are booked 2-3 times for their Summer Concert
Series, which is held each Saturday night all summer long.
1/2 hour lessons are offered before the band plays.
Insider Comments:
Great night out for a date or for the family. Dancing is on
the patio in front of the band. Should it rain, the event
is brought inside the barn.
The Cat's Eye Pub
1730
Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231 (Fells Point Area)
410-276-9866 : www.catseyepub.com
Cajun/Zydeco usually on a Sunday night once a month
Cover: $5
Insider
Comments:
Being a popular Fells Point nightspot, the small dance floor gets crowded with
both dancers and non-dancers, early and late are best dance times. Taking advantage
of whatever room to dance, a dedicated group of dancers tend to be at all Cajun
or zydeco events. Crowd tends to drink a lot, but is generally friendly and
enthusiastic. A good place to meet and recruit new dancers.
Creative
Alliance at The Patterson
3134
Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224 (Highlandtown)
410-276-1651 : www.creativealliance.org
Cover: Depends on event
Frequency: Occasionally
Insider Comments:
The Creative Alliance is a community-based nonprofit presenting
and promoting the arts and humanities in Baltimore, MD. As
a membership organization of artists, writers, scholars, individuals
and businesses, the Creative Alliance encourages collaboration
in supporting the cultural life of our community. The Creative
Alliance holds a number dances that often feature Cajun/Zydeco
or other Roots music.
The
8x10
10
E. Cross Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
410 625-2000 : The 8x10
Occasionally books Cajun/Zydeco bands.
Check specifics
Golden Sports
Bar
8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott
City,MD 21043
(Located at the junction of Routes 29 and 40 in Ellicott City)
410 480-2994
Occasionally books Cajun/Zydeco bands. Call for specifics
Linganore
Winery
13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mt. Airy,
MD 21771-8599
410 795-6432 from Baltimore or (301) 831-5889 from Washington/Frederick
www.linganore-wine.com
Has
Razz-Jazz Festival in August with Zydeco or New Orleans music.
Insider Comments:
Their annual festival featuring at least one zydeco band is
a great party. People spread out all over the hill listening
to the band on the stage below. Dancing is on a flat, grassy
area in front of the stage.
Philadelphia
Area
The
Mermaid Inn
7673
Winston Road, Chestnut Hill, PA 19118
FFIC: 215 247-9797 : www.themermaidinn.net
Insider
Comments:
This
is a realitively new zydeco venue. Please send comments if
you have any to share.
TK
Club
East
Hector & Apple Streets, Conshohocken, PA
610 828-9352 : Allons
Danser website
Sponsored by ALLONS DANSER
Most events charge $14 admission, which includes a lesson
at 7:30 PM and music from 8:30- 12 AM. Higher prices for special
events.
FFIC: (215) 576-0839
Insider Comments:
The club can be hard to find – but is well worth it.
Make sure you get good directions from their website. There
is a large parking lot. The entrance to the building is in
the back.
Warmdaddy’s
1400 Columbus Blvd @ Reed Street., Philadelphia, PA 19147
215 627-2500 :www.warmdaddys.com
Occasionally books Zydeco bands during the week.
Richmond
Area
Arthur's
Restuarant & Night Club
5215
W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23230
(across the street from The Boulevard Deli)
804 288-2800 : Inns
of Virginia
Monthly Cajun/Zydeco dances usually held on Thursday evenings.
Admission: $8 including lesson at 7 PM and music from 8-11
PM
More info: 804-264-7974
