EVENTS
Zydeco Reverie • Classes are a GO!
Thursdays, Sep.10–Oct.1 | Zydeco 2-step Classes
We surpassed the threshold and classes start tonight! Zydeco 2-step Classes (series of 4) from 6-7pm with Sean Donovan & Erika Olsen at the Reverie Ballroom (Oddfellows Hall, 2nd Floor, 915 E Pine St, Capitol Hill). Register directly here or just show up the first night of classes. Passionate and joyful, Zydeco is bursting with driving syncopation and captivating rhythms. With closed and open positions, the smooth, grounded dance flows from connected sensuality to inspired improvisation and features blues-style hip movement, beguiling footwork, and responsive playfulness. Rooted in Southwest Louisiana’s Creole culture, Zydeco combines robust rhythm and blues with the more traditional mix of Afro-Caribbean, French and Native American rhythms and, with modern influences from Soul to Hip Hop, continues to be an ever-evolving music and dance.
Juke Joint field trip to The Royal Room
Fri, September 11 | Tom Bennett & the Rolling Blackouts
Tom Bennett scheduled over our 2nd Friday Juke Joint…and since it’s Tom’s 60th birthday the Gator Boy is trying hard to forgive him. So we’ll move the party down to Columbia City. Come celebrate the beautifully gracious and exquisitely talented Tom Bennett along with the brilliant Rolling Blackouts at The Royal Room (5000 Rainier Ave S, Columbia City, all ages until 10pm), 6:30pm doors, 7:30pm showtime, $20 adv / $25 dos. This is sure to be a sold out show so get your tickets today.
Fri, September 18 | NO DANCE
Owing to a scheduling conflict there will be no Juke Joint tonight 😭 Please stay tuned, The Mighty Orville Johnson Trio will be rescheduled.
1st Friday Dance
Fri, October 2 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
New monthly dance premiere!
Sunday, October 4 | Louisiana Dance Party
There’s a new monthly dance in town, and it’s got bon temps attitude and Louisiana dancehall style! Celebrate the joie de vivre of Louisiana (and Texas) music and dance with Sean “Gator Boy” Donovan playing an extraordinary Zydeco mix — old school to contemporary — spiced with soulful waltzes, smokin’ Blues, and swingin’ Cajun 2-step. 12pm Dance Lesson, 1-3pm Dance w/the Gator Boy at the Reverie Ballroom (Oddfellows Hall, 2nd Floor, 915 E Pine St, Capitol Hill). $10 Lesson | $15 Dance ($5 for students for DJ’d events). Let the good times roll!
2nd Friday Dance
Fri, October 9 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
3rd Friday Dance
Fri, October 16 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
Portland, OR
Sat, October 17 | Memorial for Dick Brainard
Celebration of Life for our friend Dick Brainard at Norse Hall (111 NE 11th Ave, Portland OR), 2-6pm. Pete Krebs & the Catnip Bros will play some swing dance music, then a bit of a ceremony, then Too Loose Cajun-Zydeco Band.
1st Friday Dance
Fri, November 6 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
20th Annual
Sun, November 8 | Louisianathon 2026
Celebration of Cajun & Creole Dance, Food and Culture 12:30-7pm at Mercer Island VFW Hall (1836 72nd Ave SE, Mercer Island), see schedule plus tix & info here. 6 Bands including Les Femmes d’Enfer, Cote Gauche Zydeco, Louisana Eclectic Band, P.O. Sparkle Club, Les Trois des Coupe, and a Cajun Jam session to kick things off. Dance Lessons with Sean “Gator Boy” Donovan, Cajun food for purchase from FollowMe Catering, Large dance hall with nearby free parking, Raffle.
2nd Friday Dance
Fri, November 13 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
3rd Friday Dance
Fri, November 20 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
Special event
December 3-6 | Seabeck Dance Camp
This yearly pilgrimage to the Peninsula is always a highlight of the season! Brought to you by NW Dance and you can find details here.
2nd Friday Dance
Fri, December 11 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to the Gator Boy’s extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds — a fresh, rootsy mix of Swing, Blues, Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Cajun/Zydeco, NC2S, WCS & more — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm Dance Lesson, 7:30-10pm dance, $15. House-party charm with roadhouse revelry, lovely people, great venue at the Eagles Mother Aerie featuring Mike, your stellar bartender.
Our fabulous year-ender!
Fri, December 18 | Gator Boy’s Holiday Extravaganza!
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details — at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6pm doors, 7:30-10pm dance.