Dancehalls in Natchitoches Parish

Frenchy’s Beer Garden

OWI/FSA color photo by Marion Post Wolcott Dayna Bowker Lee: “Kirkland’s Hall, aka, the Friendly Escape…was not too far south from Frenchie’s which, according to Mr. Roque whose uncle owned the place, was a bar, grocery, and gathering place but he’s not sure it was a dance hall (but possibly).”   ...

Bridges Club

Mentioned in “Louisiana Fiddlers” by Ron Yule and Bill Burge: Country, swing, and old time fiddler Ray Beebe played there in the early 1950s ...

Catholic Hall

Mentioned in “Louisiana Fiddlers” by Ron Yule and Bill Burge: Country, swing, and old time fiddler Ray Beebe played there in the 1950s with Doug Lee and the Blues Chasers. ...

Bubbá’s

From http://winhttp.nsula.edu/regionalfolklife/crcc/MetoyerBros.html: “Metoyer Brothers juke joint, more commonly known as Bubbá’s, is owned and operated by Raymond and Alphonse “Bubbá” Metoyer. Established in 1942, Bubbá’s is the only surviving juke joint or “hall” on Cane River still owned and operated by Cane River Creoles. ‘It was fast women and slow horses got me in the shape I’m in today.’ Like other halls on Cane River, Bubbá’s was the site of Negro league baseball games and brush track horse races. These events, especially the horse races, were “wide open” – all ethnic groups participated together at a time when segregation was the norm. Horse races and ball games were held on Sunday afternoons, and there was a scramble for the door as soon as the priest said the last “Amen.” Bets ranged from a few cents to several thousand dollars, and card games and rolling dice were common, as well. ‘Many a time they’d leave their payroll right there on the ground.’ Raymond Metoyer…passed away in September, 2000.” From From http://www.crt.state.la.us: “(A) popular club in Natchitoches Parish that offered African Americans opportunities for recreation and entertainment they could not enjoy at other local venues (was)…Bubbá’s. Bubbá’s Juke Joint was also home to race track and baseball games and additionally hosted popular musicians like Fats Domino.” ...