I went to dance

Several films have been made on the infectious Cajun and Zydeco music of South-west Louisiana (including Spend It All, Hot Pepper and Dry Wood by Les Blank), but, until now, none has tackled the task of putting the most important musicians of the past and present into a historical context Filmmakers Les Blank and Maureen Gosling and Arhoolie Records producer Chirs Strachwitz, whose love affairs with French Louisiana’s music date back more than 25 years, collaborate on this new film for the first time since their successful Chula Fronteras (1976) and Del Mero Corazón (1980) which celebrate Tex-Mex (Norteña) music of the Texas-Mexico border. In “J’ai Été Au Bal (I went to the dance)” the filmmakers present history with a heart, drawing from interviews, live performance, stills, historical footage and anecdotes to create a lyrical telling of Cajun and Zydeco music from its roots through the 20th century. The film includes exciting footage of the current hot stars of the French Louisiana scene. Wayne Toups, Cajun Gold, Queen Ida, Rockin’ Sidney anb Beausoleil, plus rare footage of the late, great King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, and classic favorites such as D.L.Menard, Canray Fontenot, “Bois Sec” Ardoin, The Balfa Brothers, Marc Savoy, and Dennis McGee. Chirs Strachwitz was inspired to make “I Went to the Dance” after reading Ann Savoy’s book, Cajun Music: “A reflection of a people”. The film was made with the essential contributions and guidance of Cajun folklorist Barry Jean Ancelet and popular musician Michael Doucet of “Beausoleil”.