ZYDECO DANCE WORKSHOP ~ Aligned with the Joe Hall Creole Zydeco “Life Celebration”
~~ JOIN US WITH OR WITHOUT A PARTNER ~~
WHAT: The Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network (RCZN) is hosting a “Zydeco Dance Workshop” offered by Mike DuPré and Alla Levi, highlighting the traditional Zydeco dance form often done with the old school “La La” style music Joe Hall fully embraced throughout his life.
WHEN: Sunday January 18, 3:00-4:30 PM // afternoon of the “Joe Hall Life Celebration”
WHERE: The Harmony House, 58 East Main St, Webster NY 14580
COST: $25 … must register and pay for the workshop in ADVANCE (details below)
~~ DANCE WORKSHOP SUMMARY ~~
Learn the spicy Creole dance that emerged side-by-side with the earliest forms of Creole music and culture in the bayous and prairies of Southwest Louisiana … originally known as “La La” music, which evolved into what we now know as Zydeco music and dance. Taught from scratch: If you can feel the beat, you can dance to it!
Mike & Alla will teach you how to Zydeco in both Closed and Open Positions. With Closed you’ll learn the basic frame with hand and arm options and the core 4-Count (step-step-step-tap). You’ll also learn fun variations in closed position: Stomp, 2-Step, Sway, Swing moves. They’ll walk you through on how to shift into “Open Position”, then explore one hand variations including hand pumps and shoulder & hip bumps.
This workshop will get you ready to have a FABULOUS time …
… at any of RCZN’s monthly Harmony House dancehall events later in 2026.
… at the Zydeco Dance Party @ Harmony House (7-9 PM) later that evening which is part of the “Joe Hall Life Celebration” … which is FREE FOR WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS (described below)
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DANCE INSTRUCTORS – ALLA LEVI & MIKE DUPRE’
ALLA LEVI – 20+ years of dance experience and currently teaches Swing Dancing at Thursday Nite Swing-In and Zydeco at the Harmony House. She teaches and demos dancing at libraries, senior living facilities and private institutions. Attends dance workshops and various dances throughout the community. Enjoys dancing a variety of dance styles including Latin, Ballroom, Swing, Lindy, Balboa, Zydeco, etc.
MICHAEL DUPRE’ – 25+ year veteran of the Rochester Swing Dance and Rochester Cajun-Zydeco Networks. He has assisted in teaching East Coast Swing, Cajun, and Zydeco lessons and has taken private and group lessons in Louisiana. Michael attends numerous music and dance festivals in New England and throughout Southwest Louisiana. In this series of workshops, he looks forward to sharing his love of the music, culture, and feeling of community that’s a hallmark of Cajun and zydeco dancing
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REGISTRATION – COST: $25 … must register and pay for the workshop in ADVANCE.
PURCHASE OPTIONS:
ONLINE thru this link (thru 1/17 w/ only $2.50 in fees): https://www.valleyticketing.com/
CLICK HERE FOR THE REGISTRATION FORM – COMPLETE THE FORM & send it w/ check for $25.00 payable to “RCZN” to 760 Penfield Rd, Rochester 14625
PAY $25 VIA VENMO by contacting Bruce Handelman via 1) call/text – (585) 727-4119 2) email zydjunky@gmail.com
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BONUS!!! Your $25 workshop registration covers all elements of Joe Hall‘s Life Celebration, including:
6 to 7 – Screening of “Who’s That Playing My Box?” – Documentary of Joe Hall’s musical life mission … including a Q&A with the director Clara Riedlinger (normally $10 at door)
7 to 9 – DJed/VJed Zydeco Dance Party – featuring music and videos of Joe Hall in action (normally $10 at door)
“Joe Hall Life Celebration”
EVENT DETAILS: www.facebook.com/share/1Gc5ST8Wo8
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CHECK OUT THESE JOE HALL VIDEOS TO GET A FEEL OF ZYDECO DANCE POSSIBILITIES:
- At a “boucherie” in Elton, LA (2023) –
- Blackpot Festival (2023) –
- French Quarter Festival (2022)
- Bosco Stomp (2024)–
- Joe Hall @ the Zydeco Breakfast (2010) –
Joe Hall – Zydeco Dance Workshop 
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR CAJUN/ZYDECO DANCE COMMUNITY
- All are welcome. To dance. To watch. To chat. To laugh.
- In the “Social Dance” tradition, feel free to come solo, with friends, with your partner.
- All are encouraged to bring a dish/snack to pass for our Community Culinary Corner.