Dancehalls in Calcasieu Parish

Sammy’s

From http://library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/SWLAMusicians/encycloaj.htm: “Sammy’s was a supper club located on Broad Street and Second Avenue in Lake Charles, Louisiana in the 1950s.” ...

Shamrock Club

Mentioned in “Louisiana Fiddlers”: “Milton Vanicor recalls that, while he was playing with Iry Lejeune, many times Nathan Abshire and Dewey, after playing at Jones Bar north of Lake Charles, would come to the Shamrock Club in north Lake Charles and play until 1:00 a.m. The two groups would join in a jam session everyone enjoyed.” also “Around 1965 Jo-El Sonnier moved to Lake Charles from his Acadia Parish home and played with Robert Bertrand and the Louisiana Ramblers. They played the Shamrock Club, the hotspot at the time, as well as other local clubs.” Photo from the Johnnie Allan Collection at the Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Caption: Shamrock Club, Lake Charles, L-R, Larry Miller, “Cat” Deshotels, Nathan Abshire, Thomas Langley, Jr. Benoit, 1966, Courtesy Johnnie Allan. ...

Shell Beach Pier

From “Louisiana: A Guide to the State”: “(Shell Beach Pier) is used as a dance pavilion during the summer months.” had dancing in 1940s & 50’s – pre-dates Bamboo Club ...

Silver Star

Photo of the Silver Star is featured in the book “Accordions, Fiddles, Two Step & Swing: A Cajun Music Reader” edited by Ryan Brasseaux and Kevin Fontenot: The owner Herbert Fuselier- Hwy 90 west of Lake Charles near Sulphur, in the Maplewood Area- shut down mid-1950s. ...

St. Regis

Owner was Francesca Primeaux, wh o played piano and sang. She married Paul Parker, who tended bar. Located at 2801 E. Broad Street according to 1957 city directory. Not listed in 1950 or 1958. http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=620&p=localities.northam.usa.states.louisiana.parishes.calcasieu ...

The Palms

opened after the outbreak of WW2- restaraunt only? ...

Thibodeaux’s Hall

626 Enterprise Blvd. (at corner of Franklin and Belden)-Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Previously called Walker’s Hall, this establishment featured mainly zydeco. The building is currently vacant and appears condemned.” Previously served as a church-On access road next to I-10) Update: This historic hall was torn down late summer 2015 ...