Zydeco-A-Go-Go Good to Go Tonight

Zydeco-a-Go-Go’s bandleader Pete Eshelman says the Accu-Weather report for Thursday is no rain and 79 beautiful “real feel” degrees. Good news for the group’s free public concert at Upper Saucon Community Park at 7pm Aug. 4.

The concert was scheduled in June but was canceled because of impending storms. Fortunately the township and band were able to find a mutually agreeable alternate date for the Concert in the Park.

“We really enjoy playing the community parks,” Eshelman said. “Kids love us. Grandmas like the music, and all ages in between. It’s an upbeat, catchy sound that’s great for families. They get up and dance.”

Zydeco-a-Go-Go is a five-person band, Philadelphia based, that plays all sorts of community festivals, venues and private parties throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Members have played together for almost 20 years. Their music is a mix of Zydeco, rhythm and blues and Cajun. Eshelman explained that Zydeco itself is a gumbo of Creole, southwest Louisiana, classic New Orleans rhythm and blues and Cajun music. Zydeco is syncopated dance music characterized by the sound of accordion and scraping of a rubboard.

Eshelman was first captivated by Zydeco music when he traveled to Louisiana in 1978 to attend the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “Historically, the mouth of the Mississippi was the port of entry not just from the Caribbean,” Eshelman said, “but for people from all around the world.” All those flavors find their way into Zydeco music.

 “It had a huge influence on me,” he said. He came home and contacted other like-minded musicians to form the band. Even far away from Louisiana, Zydeco has that instantaneous effect on people, Eshelman said. “It’s contagious. It makes you smile. Everybody’s in a good mood.

“In this day and age,” Eshelman theorized, “when people get cloistered in their homes with air conditioning, Internet, TV and texting, it’s good to have community concerts. They get families out and about in the summer, enjoying themselves.” Attendees are encouraged to bring lawns chairs or blankets.

Zydeco-a-Go-Go, Thursday, Aug. 4, 7-8:30pm, Upper Saucon Twp. Community Park, Preston Lane, Center Valley, PA. Free.