Business Spotlight: 'Cajun Cottage' Brings Louisiana Dancing to the Region

For those looking do add a little spice to their nightlife, the Cajun Cottage in Jenkintown is the place to go for Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music.

“A Louisiana dance party or Zydeco dancing is a great way to meet people and a unique blend of dance styles,” said Cajun Cottage founder How Carson. “The style of dancing is a cross between East Coast swing/jitterbug and salsa dancing.”

Carson said he fell in love with the style of dancing about 10 years ago, when he first began attending area Zydeco dances.

“I then began organizing them on my own, and we have people that come from as far as Princeton, New Jersey and Lancaster, Pennsylvania and all places in between. The best part about this style of dance is that you don’t need a partner, and it’s a great workout—much more fun than time at the gym,” he said.

Carson said the Cottage’s dances attract all ages ranging from 30 to 60 years old and that people come to “share their love of this style of music.”

The Cajun Cottage started in the fall of 2009 with a Benefit Halloween Dance Party at Sangha Ballroom in Media, PA.

“After that great start, we continued having monthly dances at Sangha Ballroom until March 2010,” Carson said. “The Cajun Cottage moved to Homestead Hall, located at Homestead and York Roads in Jenkintown, in the spring of 2010 and the area Cajun-Zydeco dancers love the wonderful hardwood dance floor, good acoustics and ambience of that beautiful facility.”

On Saturday, Sept. 17, the Cajun Cottage will launch its third season of Louisiana Dance Parties with a special event featuring live music by Paw Paw & the Levee Riders, and a Creole dinner prepared by Chef Linda Jacobs of Soup to Nuts Caterers of New Hope.

The evening will start at 7 p.m. and includes a Creole menu of salad, shrimp gumbo, chicken and sausage jambalaya, red beans and rice, and dessert. Soft drinks and water are included; guests may bring beer or wine. A Zydeco dance lesson will be offered at 7:30 p.m., and the band will take the stage for two sets of dancing starting at 8:30 p.m. Dress is casual.

“We have people that wear everything from cowboy boots to dance shoes—anything goes,” Carson said.  “We offer a lesson for the newcomers so they don’t feel left out. The lesson includes Zydeco dancing, as well as some basic waltz steps since Zydeco dancing includes some crossover of this classic dance style.”

Tickets are available for $22.50, and include dinner, the dance lesson, and dancing to live music until 11:30 p.m. Guests can also reserve tickets just to dance at $15 per person. Tickets can be ordered online using a credit or debit card by clicking on the “Get Your Tickets” button at www.cajuncottage.com or by calling 215-780-1993.