Dancehalls in St. Landry Parish

Offshore Lounge

103-127 Par Road 6-40-1: Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “Roy’s Offshore Lounge is a zydeco club located in the largely Creole community of Lawtell. The club was previously called the Gin Side Inn. It was opened in the 1950s as the Gin Side Inn, became the Offshore Lounge in the 1980s, and closed in 2010. It is currently vacant and awaiting rehabilitation. The building is of frame construction, has a side gabled and metal roof, no parapet, and has a concrete pier foundation. The dance floor is constructed of wood strips and the ceiling is composed of plywood panels. The building is in fair condition, with the bar located in the same room as the dance floor. Several alterations made when Roy Carrier when it reopened as Roy’s Offshore Lounge around 1981. All information is from the current owner (Carrier’s son); I don’t have historic photos. A separate bar room attached to the front of the building was removed, and a new bar was constructed inside the main dance hall space. A second stage was added, and a portion of the space was partitioned off for an added kitchen and restrooms. Originally called the Gin-Side Inn and associated with Swamp Pop. Closed after owner’s death. Family is raising money w/benefit concerts to repair septic system; hope to reopen by 2015.” Owned by Roy Carrier ...

B & B Ranch

Trail ride spot that sometimes featured bands: owner Martin Brown: (337) 942-5858 ...

Little Mushroom

Near intersection of LA Highway 93 and Mushroom Road Included in Emily Ardoin’s 2014 thesis “Fais do-do to ‘Hippy Ti-Yo’: Dance Halls of South Louisiana”: “The Little Mushroom is located in a rural area and featured both Cajun and Creole music. It opened in 1963 and closed in 1994. The building is currently vacant, comprised of a frame construction, has a side gabled and metal roof, no parapet, and has a concrete pier. The building is in poor condition. Owned by Sterling Spire who lives next door. Says originally was split race club – black & white. Little Kenny, BB King on black side. LaRoux, French bands white side. Became all white with law or pressure to keep businesses completely segregated – need to confirm. Original black side partially demolished. Plans to demolish whole building in 2014 or 2015. Some fire damage; roof collapsing inside.” ...

Merrymaker’s Hall

Newspaper mention in the St. Landry Clarion, Opelousas, January 11, 1908 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1908-01-11/ed-1/seq-5/ Mentioned in newspaper item about dance in the St. Landry Clarion, Opelousas, February 29, 1908 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1908-02-29/ed-1/seq-3/ Other historic newspaper mentions: 1909: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1909-08-28/ed-1/seq-4/ 1910: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1910-08-06/ed-1/seq-4/ 1916: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1916-06-03/ed-1/seq-1/ 1907: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1907-06-01/ed-1/seq-4/ ...

Unknown Dancehall

Newspaper item about dance- 1906: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064250/1906-12-01/ed-1/seq-4/ ...

Silver Slipper

Lakeview Park: Harry James and his Chesterfield Music Makers in 1946 and Ralph Willoughby & Orchestra featuring Carol Bridges on vocals ...

Unknown Nite Club

Unknown nite club located on the corner of E. Laurel Avenue and South Bulah- info from 1946 Sanborn Insurance Map ...