Blue Moon Dancehall
Status: Closed
Parish: Iberia
Location: New Iberia
Featured in Philip Gould’s book “Today’s Cajuns” are images of Aldus Roger & the Lafayette Playboys playing a benefit dance with door prize items in front of them, elderly couples dancing, people at bar, and women dancing together. It was located on Hopkins Street at a place that is now an empty lot.
From a plaque at Vermilionville: “Blue Moon Dancehall was located in the ‘tit Coteau section of New Iberia near Admiral Doyle Drive. The club closed in the fall of 1978. Photographer Philip Gould describes his first visit in 1974:
‘The accordionist spoke nothing but French from the bandstand. Acity policeman and sheriff’s deputy, both hired as security, also helped the waitresses serve drinks when things were calm. I remember seeing the dancers there the first time. Collectively they seemed to suggest waves as they waltzed around the dance floor locked together in tight embraces.'”
Mentioned in Project Louisiane tape #151, available at the Archive of Cajun and Creole Folklore, Center for Louisiana Studies, UL Lafayette.
Lorri Monacelli
My parents owned THE BLUE MOON DANCEHALL in the very early 60’s. They leased the building but owned the business. My father was stationed in New Iberia (Navy) where he met my Mother whom happened to be a native Iberian. They also lived in the attached apartment during this time. They sold the business and headed to California after that.
Bob M
That was a hangout in my teens. I remember that it also had a rink on the dance floor for cock fighting in the 1950’s. A close friend used to live directly across the street.