La Poussiere Dancehall in Breaux Bridge is alive with the sounds of Cajun music and dancers every weekend in the town of Breaux Bridge. It’s one of very few remaining dance halls. Years ago, nearly every community across southern Louisiana had several dancehalls.
Lawrence Patin has managed the Breaux Bridge dancehall for the past 55 years, since he was 18 years old. His father opened the original La Poussiere in 1955. It was located across the street from the current red brick building. The highway department needed the old site for a highway right of way. You can count on dancing to live Cajun music every weekend. Patin says his father “was true to his heritage”, and adds, “he wanted to preserve the culture and music.”
The name tells a story
The name “La Poussiere” is French. Patin tells me, “It means the dust.” And as you watch the dancers two-step around the wooden dance floor, you can easily imagine how the place got that name. The dancing is nonstop from the moment the band starts playing.
changes come slowly at la poussiere
Jeffery Broussard leads the Creole Cowboys in a night of zydeco music. Patin says this is a first for La Poussiere, which only features Cajun music. “We never did zydeco before. But you got clientele that want a little bit of that now.” Broussard has been playing Creole zydeco music professionally since he was eight years old. His father was the late Delton Broussard, a famous Creole musician who lead the Lawtell Playboys. Broussard is also big on tradition. “I gotta stick to my roots,” he explains. Adding that he wants young people, “to learn more about the culture and see what this music is really about.”
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getting there
La Poussiere is located at 1215 Grand Point Highway, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Phone (337) 332-1721. Click on this link to view the schedule of bands.
1215 Grand Pointe Ave, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
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