Culture
Cajun Country Dancehalls
 For the next month we will be exploring the Dancehalls of Cajun Country with  filmmaker and folklorist John Sharp. This week  we're examining the history and cultural significance of dancehalls or les salles de  danse.

 

 The history of the organized dancing locations in South Louisiana begins with the bal de  maison, or house dance, which dates back to the 1700s, before the arrival of the  Acadians. These were intensely local affairs that were held at both grand plantation  homes and small farmhouses. Since these events were primarily invitation only, a  courier on foot or horse spread the word that a dance would be held that weekend. The  band was usually a local duo playing fiddles and later accordion. These events were  hugely popular, both with affluent landowners and farming families.

LeLeux Dancheall; Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Dancehalls, or
les salles de danse, became popular in South Louisiana around the time  of the Civil War. In many ways, they resembled house dances: paid admission, food  and drinks for sale, entire families welcome, largely insular community affairs. Unlike  house dances, dancehalls were separate structures open on a regular basis for  entertainment to anyone who could pay to enter.

Club 80 in Iowa; Image courtesy of Johnnie Allan and the Center for Louisiana Studies  
 
Some early dancehalls were similar to shopping centers in that they were multi-use  facilities. Dauphine's Dancehall in Parks featured a baseball diamond, a bar, a grocery  store, and an ice cream parlor. Richard's Casino (also known as Tee Maurice) in  Vatican  featured a dirt track behind the hall that was used for both horse and car  races. Lee  Brothers Dancehall in Cutoff featured a barbershop and small general  store. Also, many  halls began as grocery stores or saloons and over time became  exclusively dancing and  drinking establishments.
 

 Courtableau lnn; Image courtesy of Shane Bernard

 South Louisiana was once dotted with dancehalls like these-many communities were  outfitted with at least one. Equal parts bar, performance hall, and community center,  the traditional dancehall provided a space for much needed recreation. The majority of  these legendary institutions have closed their doors, but the few that remain open are  now a frequent stop for tourists from all over the world.

 

Silver Slipper; Image courtesy of Richard DesHotels
 
 
 Click here to read the full Cajun Country Dancehalls series. Be sure to subscribe to  our  blog for new posts each week.

 







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