It’s the last Friday of the month and that not only means it’s Elysium Cabaret, that means it is Elysium Cabaret’s monthly theme show. This month, we took our beloved audience on a canoe ride through the meandering misty rivers of the bayou, permeated by legends of voodoo and Cajun gris-gris. All audience and staff were encouraged to keep hands and feet inside the boat ’cause, well… crocs! And don’t forget about Justin Wilson, my fave Cajun chef of all time. The only thing better than Cajun voodoo is Cajun cooking. Let’s take a look at some pictures of the show, with thanks to everyone who participated. It was an exciting night of performance, I gar-on-tee!
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Jilley
Nyxx – Voodoo (feat. Aesthetic Perfection)
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Britt
With Dear, Kyser, Pinky, and Cannon
Tina Turner / CSN Proud Mary Mashup
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Eva
With Cowgrl and Victory
Alessia Cara – Wild Things
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Elayn
With BabyPea, Web, EvAngelina and Dear
Sea Lion Woman (Elayn Remix)
1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I asked the man (Raven) what song I should use for a ‘bayou’ set. I had a song in mind but wasn’t settled. He remembered this song from the movie General’s Daughter and looked it up and I was sold! Here’s a little history on it:
This song is an old African folk song (known as ‘She Lyin’ Woman’) sung by slaves to pass the time. Nina Simone popularized it in her jazz shows in the 1960’s. This version is a remix that uses a Smithsonian recording from 1939 sung by Katherine and Christine Shipp.
2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
I was trying to practice and build my skills working with formations and using stage space effectively.
3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
I love almost anything bayou/cajun but it was mostly about the fun.
4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
Never stop learning! Reach outside your comfort zone and build your skills! Learning and growing is so satisfying. Better to fail at trying than to succeed at the same thing over and over and over.
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Taema
With Kyser
Liane Hardy “In the Bayou”
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Mikiko
Redbone – The Witch Queen Of New Orleans
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Babypea
With Gunner and Web
Kings of Leon – Closer
1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I love the song. It is ominous and haunting. Creepy, and I love creepy.
2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Not in the mood to build a bayou set, so I solved that by Web building the set. I did the choreo and mover work. Had to raise an alter with a goat and a corpse, was kinda hard to find just the right corpse.
3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
Just for fun, like most things I do. We use voodoo to turn the goat and corpse into the Goat Demon. And then we become his bitches.
4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
Gunner is so hawt as the Goat Demon! Gunna git me summa dat!
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Eva
With Everyone
Taleesa – Jambalaya (On The Bayou) (Rodeo Extended Mix)
CAJUN RAP SONG Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns
JAMBALAYA
Jambalaya
Elysium Cabaret 