Born in 1958, Paul Daigle is a native of Point Noir and, as a teenager, he won accordion contests in nearby Church Point. Novelist, playwright, songwriter and teacher Pierre V. Daigle (no relation to Paul) wrote that when he discovered Paul Daigle at age 14, "I knew that, in my own judgment, I had found the one accordion player who has the things I consider necessary to be great: fingering and timing. Fidelity -- no careless performance, and the gift for making whatever he plays sound exciting."

Paul Daigle later teamed with Robert Elkins of Church Point, a rhythm guitarist, to form Cajun Gold, one of the premier Cajun bands from the mid-eighties until 1990. In 1986 Cajun Gold was voted top Cajun band honors by readers of the Times of Acadiana, a Lafayette newspaper. At the height of their popularity, burnout set in and the co-bandleaders scaled back their Cajun Gold performances while continuing their day jobs. (Paul Daigle owns an automobile body shop in Branch, La.).

In the early 90's Paul Daigle joined another group called Savoir Faire led by Dennis Boudreaux of Pride, La. (near Baton Rouge). Dennis has a full time job working for Exxon Mobil. It's obvious when Paul Daigle and Savoir Faire get together to play that they really enjoy performing together. They deliberately don't take on a burdensome performing schedule -- they perform only when they want to. Paul had shoulder surgery last Fall and we have just been waiting for him to give the word that he was 100% back in form to come play for us.

Lately I have begun to see this band billed as "Savoir Faire avec Paul Daigle and Dennis Boudreaux." Dennis deserves equal billing for his irrepressible fiddle playing that provides much of the band's energy. In addition, he brings to the band his talent as a vocalist. There is a chemistry that exists between Paul and Dennis that when it gets bubbling just makes the mixture irrepressible. When they get cooking, I don't think it's possible for Dennis to keep still on stage. Walt Farr, is acoustic guitarist and another fine vocalist; he has taped to the back of his guitar "THANK YOU TOO MUCH" and he acknowledges the rousing applause with this homemade sign.  Mark Edmonson on drums rounds out the rhythm section for Savoir Faire.

Paul, Dennis, and Savoir Faire first played for ACME in the spring of 2003 and were so impressive. They performed in 2004 at the City Stages Dance Depot in one of the best high-energy, sweaty, give-it-your-all performances I've ever seen from a Cajun band. ACME brought them back in 2004, 2005 and 2006, so this will be their fifth ACME dance. 

The band seems to really enjoy this outing and the reception they get. The last time this band played here, Dennis Boudreaux wrote, "Thanks again and looking forward to returning to Birmingham. BIG TIME !!!!  See you there with bells on !!!!"  Dennis has a "4-exclamation mark" kind of enthusiasm about him all the time. The band will be traveling on to play in Atlanta on Saturday night for those who can't get enough of this outstanding group. Don't miss this opportunity to see them at the Concordia Club this Friday night at 8 p.m.

[Savoir Faire avec Paul Daigle will also be playing in Atlanta on Saturday, July 26 from 8-11 p.m. at the KoC hall, $15/person for non-members. Check www.aczadance.org for details.]

===== Vestavia Hills Dance Classes =====

TONIGHT!  Advanced Jig-Step Jitterbug: July 21 and 23 (Mon / Wed) Prerequisite: Beginning Cajun Dance class and jig-step jitterbug experience. $10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session class.

Intro to Zydeco: August 11 and 13 (Mon / Wed) No prerequisites.$10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session class.

Zydeco II: August 18 and 19 (Mon / TUES) Prerequisite: Intro to Zydeco. $10 / $7 to repeat the 2-session class.

Beginning Bop: August 25,  27, and September 3 (Mon / Wed / WED) Prerequisites: Some couple dancing experience.  $15 / $10 to repeat the 3-session class.

Other classes beyond August can be found on the ACME web site, www.acmedance.org .

Class location: Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Rd., Dogwood Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. each night. Instructors: Dolores Hydock and David Doggett. Register with or without a partner by simply arriving 10-15 minutes early before the initial class of each session. Check web site www.acmedance.org for full class descriptions. Call if you have questions (David Doggett, 951-3463).

===== ACME Dance Schedule =====
Friday, July 25 - Savoir Faire avec Paul Daigle (Cajun), $12, Concordia Club, 3400 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, from 8-11 p.m., www.acmedance.org.

===== Speaking of "On the Road" =====

Two road trip events coming up soon you will want to know about:

The 2nd annual Magical Mysteries of Zydeco Tour is Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Bus trip from Birmingham to Lafayette to take in festivals, dance halls, restaurants, Thomas Field's Fan Appreciation Day, and a private concert with Geno Delafose.  Get a flier at this Friday's ACME dance or contact Kay Wright at zydeco2008@live.com.  Cost is $245 which includes transportation, 3 nights accommodations, and concert with Geno Delafose. Deposits are due now.

The 13th annual Dance Vortex organized by Bart Ruark is Oct. 3-5 in Mentone, Ala. The dance weekend includes contra dancing, Cajun, zydeco, swing, and waltz.  Bands include Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames, Briggs Brown & the Bayou Cajuns, the Atlanta Swamp Opera, Notorious, and more. Check www.dancevortex.com for details, costs, and registration form or pick up a form at Friday's ACME dance.

David Doggett for ACME
Association of Cajun Music Enthusiasts
Birmingham, Ala.
www.acmedance.org

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Directions to the Concordia Club, 3400 1st Ave. North, downtown Birmingham, (205) 252-3570.

From the Red Mt. Expressway coming into downtown, take the 1st Ave. North exit, bear right, cross over Sloss Furnaces, and the club is at the first traffic light (34th Street) on the left.

From I-59/I-20 take the 31st Street exit (exit # 126-B) and at the traffic light turn south (toward downtown) onto 31st Street. (Note: Don't be confused by the Highway 31 exit, look for the 31st Street exit.). On 31st Street you will cross 10th, 8th, 7th, and 6th Avenue, then turn left onto the Messer Airport Highway. Go one block (you will drive under two railroad trestles) and take the next right onto 33rd Street. Drive to the light and turn left onto 2nd Avenue North. Go one block then turn right onto 34th Street. Go 1/2 block and turn left into the Concordia Club driveway.

Note: The Concordia Club does not maintain a bar. It's OK to bring a cooler with beer, wine, or other alcohol. Complimentary soft drinks and ice water are provided. Guards will be patrolling in Concordia's lot starting at 7 p.m.  Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Concordia Club.

Parking: Please park only in marked parking spaces on the Concordia Club property or along 34th Street or 2nd Avenue North.

One additional area for parking is a portion of the lot across 1st Avenue North, but NOT the lot directly across from the club. You may enter the warehouse lot from 1st Avenue North at the light and turn RIGHT and park only in the FIRST ROW of spaces nearest 1st Avenue North. This space is owned by the Birmingham News which has granted permission to the Concordia Club for us to park there. This permission is conditional on us not littering the lot or parking anywhere but this limited designated area.