Dancing to the Zydeco...to the What?

Thursday, was another “Reasons why we can’t leave the Puget Sound” day.  A perfect breeze, a perfect somewhere around 70 degrees, soft sunlight and the stunning clear blue sky we all deserve after months of wondering when it will end.

And it was a perfect afternoon for dancing to zydeco. If you don’t know, zydeco is a jambalaya of a musical style that stirs in the cultural spices of Creole, Cajun, Caribbean, blues, and French dance melodies, with an occasional hint of jazz and country. The smiling rhythm of it is contagious.

Noontime Concerts at DeYoung Park downtown presented Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Road Runners on Thursday the 4th of August. Leroy is a tall drink of water in a cowboy hat with a gracious and hospitable demeanor. When the music ended I watched as many went up to him. Even from where I was sitting I believe I could feel his warmth. He did not wait for anyone to be nervous but would step forward and approach them, sending waves of “I am not special, I am just like you, I love this music.”

The crowd loved it too. The Road Runners set the beat - the audience met it with happy feet. Two young grandmothers answered the call, dancing freestyle. Young shy granddaughter not as uninhibited as they, half heartedly and somewhat embarrassed preferred to shuffle her feet under protection of stalwart Douglas fir. A cyclist stopped by and before you know it, he and one of the grandmothers did a bit of a swing dance together. The accordion, played zydeco style, enchants.

Younger ones played games. A pair of grade school girls busily gathered sticks and leaves and stacked them in neat piles by category on a ledge. Oh, the simple joys of summer! Then they danced holding hands and giggling.

There is one noontime concert left to enjoy at DeYoung Park on 175th near Top Foods. Next Thursday August 11th Crème Tangerine, a Beatles cover band, comes to town. There is plenty of space for dancing, bring your dancing shoes and leave your inhibitions at home.