Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras. Carnival. Fat Tuesday.

We in Louisiana bring a distinctive flavor to this festival. Food, music dancing. The little towns celebrate Mardi Gras in a different manner than the big towns, like New Orleans. I'm sure that the Oyster is going to parades and partying in the Big Easy.

We're partying in the little towns too. One of the signature songs that you'll hear all over south Louisiana tomorrow, is la danse de Mardi Gras, a cajun tune about the festival. Here, it's performed by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys.



That's Cajun folk music. Lots of folks perform music like that all over this state. Some make it big, some don't. Some musicians are only known in their region.

Here's another one. Wayne Toups has been making music since he was a young'un. One of his better know songs was written by a 12-year-old songwriter Louisiana, from south Louisiana, Gary Thibodaux. It's called Take My Hand.

In the video below, pay no attention to the screenboard. It has nothing to do with the song. Listen to the music.



Last, but certainly not least, a waltz that's become the unofficial anthem of Cajun Louisiana. Dewey Balfa perfoming La Jolie Blonde.



One More! One of my favorite Cajun Blues bands. Tab Benoit, with Louisiana LeRoux, playing New Orleans Ladies.



I hope everyone reading this is able topass a good time tomorrow. In the midst of economic downturns, political strife and global uncertainty, it pays to take a day and enjoy the simple fact that we're alive and have our loved ones close by. Laissez bon temps roullez!