Cajun Party Revives La. Locals' Spirits (Festivals Acadiens)

[buzzsaw_23]

Cajun Party Revives La. Locals' Spirits

Sunday September 18, 2005 3:46 AM

By GILLIAN FLACCUS

Associated Press Writer

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Their homes are bursting with guests. Their schools are overwhelmed. Traffic has been at a standstill for three weeks since thousands of New Orleans hurricane evacuees arrived in search of shelter. But Lafayette, the capital of Cajun country, still knows how to party.

Throngs turned out Saturday for the first full day of the Festivals Acadiens, billed as the largest Cajun festival in the world, in a show of just what ``joie de vivre'' means.

``This festival has always been, even in good times, a festival of cultural survival and we're surviving again,'' said Barry Ancelet, who co-founded the event 30 years ago. ``It's our social instinct when things go bad.''

The sun beat down fiercely as dozens of couples two-stepped around a field to music so upbeat and bouncy it was hard for anyone not to tap a foot.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5285850,00.html

[juajen]

1. Come dance with us!!

We will get past this.....we will get past this.......we will get past this . . . . . . . aw shit, maybe? You could call this "dancing through the hurt". Tomorrow my daughter and SO go back to NO to check status of their apartment. We think t'will be a sad day. Sad for so many people. We all love New Orleans so.

[buzzsaw_23]

2. From Thomas Dolby

Typhoon Pierre delayed my plane till morning
(Jusqu'au matin)
Let the bontemps rouler from your accordion
(L'accordien)
Under a cajun moon I lay me open
(Y a un esprit partout)
There is a spirit here that won't be broken

[bigluckyfeet]

3. Lafayette is so beautiful in the Spring

With all the different colored Azaleas.

[buzzsaw_23]

4. Keepin' the Spirit

ALIVE!!!!