Dancehalls in St. Martin Parish

Dew Drop Inn

Turned into a church after being closed. Unoccupied as of 2019. ...

Duchamp’s Hall

Mentioned in newspaper item about Mardi Gras Ball: The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, February 1, 1902 Mentioned in newspaper item about basketball: The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, February 12, 1916 Mentioned in newspaper item about Ball given by Widow C.H. Voorhies, 1897: The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, July 15, 1899 Mantioned in the newspaper item about a dance, 1897: The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, May 1, 1897 ...

Fournet Hall

Newspaper mention of dance, from The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, August 25, 1900 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064454/1900-08-25/ed-1/seq-3/ ...

Labbe’s Hall

Mention in newspaper of married ladies euchre club meeting there in The Weekly Messenger, St. Martinville, July 15, 1899 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88064454/1899-07-15/ed-1/seq-1/ ...

Pangay’s

on 182 south of Broussard: bingo then older folks danced. Steakhouse plus dancehall- also called the Rainbow and Podner’s: The owner had a strict dress code in the 50s and early 60s- no women in shorts or pants- dresses and skirts or they were not allowed to enter. Bobby & Marella Caffey & Eldine & Ernest (Ben) Benoit: “I saw Jerry Lee Lewis there once. He played 20 minutes then took an hour break. The owner approached him about starting back up. He ran on stage and kicked the piano. He grabbed the mic and said “I’ll play this motherfucker anytime I want to!” Then he played for the next three hours without stopping!” Carolyn Broussard: “I can remember as a teenager my Grandparents would go to Pangays every Sunday afternoon to play Bingo. At 4pm Bingo ended and Dancing began. I know there were other days that people danced there.” ...