American music and New Orleans Mardi Gras culture have been inextricably linked for 200 years, ever since the imported, enslaved African people, mixing with a similarly oppressed native American culture, found free expression on Congo Square in New Orleans, where they were permitted to congregate for one day a week, two centuries ago.

The spirit and rhythms expressed by this new American culture evolved into the Jazz and Rock’n’roll of the 20th century. This American history has inspired the Folksoul Band, which came together to create a Mardi Gras party, which we have done every year since, as our repertoire has expanded to include offshoots and branches. We try to bring this original source of American music to the New England audience in as pure a form as we can manage, allowing for our own inspirations and creativity. We always make room for that.

We have a long and varied history that includes street performing and second line parading for both princes and paupers around the country in addition to many clubs, fairs and festivals. It’s a tradition we hope to keep alive.

Vermont’s newest Cajun dance band is Point Noire Cajun Band, and finds its rhythm deeply seated in Southwest Louisiana, where many of its members have studied and learned Cajun music. Katie Trautz is a seasoned fiddle player, who drifted south to the Bayou after many years of playing Old-time music. Chris Hollis, the Montpelier-based old-time guitar player also found an interest in Cajun music, and together he and Katie traveled to Louisiana to learn the musical traditions there. Helen Doyle plays bass, and has familiarized himself with many genres of traditional music. Cannon Labrie is a long-time Cajun and Zydeco musician, playing with both well-known New England bands Yankee Chank and Planet Zydeco. Point Noire plays an uplifting combination of exciting dance music, and passionate Cajun songs from Lafayette and beyond.

Doors at 7pm, music at 730