Cajun/Zydeco Dance

Great fun–and no partner needed!

Lesson at 7:00*          Dance from 7:30-10:30

$20 General Public (cash)                 $18 DFO members & students with ID

What is the difference between Cajun and Zydeco???

Zydeco and Cajun dancing follow similar rhythms, born in the Bayou of Louisiana, and notably feature an accordion and often a fiddle (or two), generally with a rhythm guitar and a bass guitar (or stand-up bass). Stationary dances like Zydeco (or swing dancing) are generally done in the center of the dance floor to allow traveling dances, such as a Cajun two-step, to be done around the outside oval of the floor.

Zydeco Revelators

Zydeco music generally includes the distinctive sound of a rub board, or “frattoire” as it is called in French, and usually there is also a drummer keeping a lively beat. Zydeco dancing tends to be more energetic, with dancers tending to stay in one location while they dance.

The gentle percussive beat of the triangle, or “p’tit fer” as it is known in French, or just the bass, often keeps the beat in Cajun music. Cajun music tends to tell a story, with gentler dancing that travels around the perimeter of the dance floor, such as waltzes and two-steps.

Here’s a video of the Red Aces playing for the February 22, 2025 dance!

2025-2026 Season Schedule:

October 25 – Zydegroove
November 22 – Red Aces Cajun Band
December – No dance
January 25 – Zydeco Revelators
February 22 –  Les Taiauts Cajun Band
March 28 – Catahoula Cajun Band
April 25 – Planet Zydeco

Download the flyer to share with new dancers!

COVID Procedures: Please do everyone a favor and don’t attend if you are not feeling well or have any cold, flu, or Covid symptoms. Masks are optional.  COVID requirements will be continually reevaluated & subject to change.

For more information, call 518-859-0092.

Dances are held at Albany Unitarian Universalist Church at 405 Washington Avenue in Albany, near the downtown SUNY campus.

* Lessons cover the traditional Cajun dances: the Cajun Waltz, One-Step, and Two-Step.  All of these are traveling “Carousel” dances. The dancers create the “Carousel” by all the couples working together traveling around the floor in a counter clockwise direction.  See these guidelines for Cajun dancing.