Louisiana Dance Halls | Lafayette Archives - Page 12 of 13 - Louisiana Dance Halls

Exterior photo posted in the FaceBook group Lafayette Memories by Kenny Gallagher 1102 North University Avenue, Lafayette – White night might have started there- it is listed in the 1977 Polk Directory Listed in “Readers recall clubs where they danced to Louisiana Music” from The Daily Advertiser, December 29, 1998: “Readers of The Daily Advertiser were asked to submit names of’ the clubs where they danced to Louisiana music in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with a brief recollection of what the club was like and who played there.” Don Gassie: “I remember the Bon Ton as a white club (owner a Trahan?). At mandatory closing time (2AM, I think) the bouncers would push the people toward the door by holding a slap jack against the back of their necks. I remember one night there when a large and tall cajun named Gene got into an argument with a short but muscular hispanic guy. The short guy approached aggressively and claimed to be a pachuco. Gene stuffed him into the trunk of a car and the driver supposedly took him to hiway 90 outside of town and dumped him there.” Ben Sandmel- “It was on Washington Street here in Lafayette. Now it is a pool hall.” “Owner was Leodias Trahan”   ...

Matchbook photo courtesy of Judith Meriwether Front bar photo courtesy of Margie Boulet LouisianaDancehalls.com reader comment Jane: “I remember how sad we were when Boo Boo’s burned down – we used to love to go dance to Beau Soleil there, among others, and every Sunday night there was a band. We used to dance to Marcia Ball and the Misery Brothers. By the way, we used to dance differently then. I never danced the way they do now with all the steps of the feet. I don’t know if we all danced a different version which wasn’t really Cajun, but since I grew up in Lafayette and learned to dance there, and everyone then danced like I did, then it wasn’t a real Cajun dance step we were all dancing. It sure was fun no matter which way you are dancing.” Coteau & Beasoliel played there- possibly old Midway Club? ...

From the book “Images de Lafayette: A Pictoral History”, edited by Paul F. Matthews: Elk’s Home located on Buchanan Street behind the Guaranty Bank & Trust on Jefferson- three floors, indoor pool on 1st, ballroom on 3rd- Mardi Gras dance Feb. 20, 1912- children & all ages ...

From the book “Images de Lafayette: A Pictoral History”, edited by Paul F. Matthews: near RR signal office near downtown- early 1930s flood ...