Both the young and the old showed up to Parc San Souci in downtown Lafayette on Sunday morning for an opportunity to learn traditional Cajun and zydeco dancing. Participants ranged from high school friend groups, newlyweds and soon-to-be weds to families both with and without children and lifelong partners. There they learned the Cajun Jitterbug and the Zydeco Two-Step with directions from folklorist and cultural scholar Moriah Hargrave.
The event, titled Allons Danser, was hosted by LFT Fiber in conjunction with Lafayette Consolidated Government and Fleurish Forever, a local lifestyle brand offering dance classes. Allons Danser, named after a French phrase that translates to “let’s dance,” was branded as an unofficial kickoff to the 51st Annual Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, which will occur next weekend at Girard Park. Traditional Cajun and Zydeco dances are often performed at the festival by attendees, but for people unfamiliar with them, Allons Danser offered an opportunity to learn.
One of those people was Peter Sanders, who came with his fiance. Sanders has lived in Lafayette his whole life, but says the event helped him connect more deeply with the culture…