New Riverside Ramblers CD Release Party

The New Riverside Ramblers will celebrate the release of their second recording, Les Grands Bois (Big Woods). Like their first award-winning recording, the new CD offers a generous helping of high-energy Cajun dance music - on fiddle, accordion, guitar, bass, percussion, and French vocals.<--break-->

With this recording, the band nods to their discovery of Cajun music. Five of the cuts come from the tradition of the late Dewey Balfa and his brothers. Ray Abshire, former accordionist with Mr. Balfa, says of the Ramblers' new CD, "Solid rhythm section and a lot of Dewey in that fiddle." "We can't help it - for a lot of us who have been captivated by this music, it was our first influence, and it keeps us charged up," says Ramblers' fiddler, Eric Mohring. "But there are lots of other influences tooŠ" he adds. As well as timeless dance-hall chestnuts, the CD also includes way-cool tunes from Nathan Abshire, Walter Mouton, Wade Frugé, Octa Clark, Varise Conner - Cajun gems of today and of times past. All are played with flair, drive and passion.

Recognized as one of the leading bands outside Louisiana, the Ramblers are not afraid to add their own twists and turns to the deep soul of Cajun music. Their compelling groove and contagious spirit have rocked the dance halls of the Upper Midwest for nearly two decades. Join their loyal following for another evening of roots, rhythms and rollicking.

For newcomers and veterans, the evening commences at 7:30 with Cajun dance instruction. At 8:00, the lights go down to immerse the crowd in the back-beat of the bayous.

7:30 pm lesson, 8 pm dance

$8 students