Who Are We?

 

Page updated 24 January 2007

 

Cajun UK is a non-profit making organization formed in 1995 by a group of enthusiasts from the Midlands.  The mission of Cajun UK

is to help keep the UK Cajun and Zydeco music and dance scene alive.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

During 1995 it became apparent that the promotion of Cajun and Zydeco gigs was a costly business and this resulted in some promoters losing money and ceasing to put on gigs.  A small group of enthusiasts, who were prepared to share the financial burden of putting on dances, decided to form an organisation called the Cajun Dancers’ Association – now known as Cajun UK.

 

HOW ARE WE FINANCED?

 

We found that income from ticket sales was usually insufficient to cover the cost of hiring a venue and paying a band.  Cajun UK therefore introduced an annual fee for membership of this organisation and, in addition, sought other sources of income at dances, such as raffles, selling hot and spicy Cajun food, and running dance workshops for other organisations. 

 

WHERE DO WE RUN GIGS?

 

We run regular gigs at Darley Abbey Village Hall located in Abbey Yard (off New Road), Darley Abbey, Derby and also Bramcote Memorial Hall located in Church Street, Bramcote, Notts. 

 

Both have a stage, dance floor, kitchen and car parking.  Hot and spicy Cajun food is available for purchase at some of our gigs.  Tea and coffee are available free of charge on a 'make it yourself'  basis.  There is no bar at either venue but attendees may bring their own drinks.  We run dance workshops for beginners at our gigs.  Click here for details on how to get to the Darley Abbey venue and click here for details on how to get to the Bramcote venue.

 

WHY DO WE NEED YOU?

 

We would love to be able to organize more gigs but in order to do this we need two things:

 

(a)     more people to attend our gigs on a regular basis

(b)    continued finance.

 

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM BEING A MEMBER OF Cajun UK?

 

You will have the benefit of reduced ticket prices for all gigs promoted by Cajun UK.  You will receive an occasional newsletter, together with advance details of events involving or being promoted by Cajun UK.  You will have a say in the way that we are running things and the sorts of gigs that we are promoting.  More importantly you will be helping to ensure that we can continue to keep the Cajun & Zydeco music scene alive in the East Midlands.

 

IS MEMBERSHIP JUST FOR DANCERS?

 

No -- you don’t need to be a dancer or a musician to be a member of Cajun UK, you just need to have a love of Cajun and/or Zydeco music and culture.  We welcome non-dancers as well as dancers and if you do fancy learning to dance you will be among people who can teach you.

 

WHAT DOES IT COST TO JOIN Cajun UK?

 

Membership costs £12 per year.

 

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN?

 

Those who have been around the Cajun scene for the last few years will have seen promoter after promoter pulling out and venue after venue disappearing.  Do we want the Cajun scene in the UK to disappear altogether?  No we do not, and we are trying to do something about it, but without your support it might be difficult for us to survive. 

 

INTERESTED?

 

If you would like to support our cause and become a member of Cajun UK please contact the Secretary by phoning 0115 925 2460, or send an e-mail to cajun.uk@ntlworld.com