EVENTS
Special 5th Friday Dance
Fri, September 29 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint: Zydeco Locals
Yesssss! It’s an extra special 5th Friday: Our beloved Zydeco Locals have returned from a 12-year hiatus with a vengeance, and we’re delighted to host them at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle), 6:30pm dance lesson (Zydeco), 7:30-10pm dance, $2o. Long past when we gave up fantasizing we’d ever see them altogether again, here they are, just like that, to prove how miracles happen. Whether you’re old school and remember amazing times with these guys back in the day, or are new to their extraordinary energy and joy, we are all in for a very, very special treat. See you there! RSVP the FB event and share it out to help spread the good word! All ages till 10pm. About the lesson: We’ll do a quick primer to get you rollin’ with the Zydeco 2-step, along with fun moves, partner connection tips — and some lagniappe for more experienced folks — to help keep you groovin’ all night long. Great dancers, super friendly people, cool A/C, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
Bootcamp Tuesdays • Dancing, fitness & fun!
Tue, October 3 | Zydeco Connection
with Sean “Gator Boy” Donovan & Erika Olsen
Our Bootcamp Tuesdays series continues with that Zydeco 2-step! Our finale is October 3 and you can join in if you’ve got good Zydeco fundamentals. We’ll dive into the amazing partner interplay built into this dance, along with smooth footwork and the zydeco hips, attitude, and styling that celebrate the Louisiana lust for life. Funky, syncopated and incredibly fun, Zydeco is a music and dance from Southwest Louisiana — with roots in French, African American, and Afro-Caribbean styles — that’s certain to get you up and moving. Come get introduced to the dance essentials and find that soulful, happy Zydeco groove.
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
1st Friday Dance
Fri, October 6 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). Dance lesson 6:30pm (Country 2-step), dance 7:30-10pm, $10. RSVP the fb event and help spread the good word. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, cool A/C, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
Party at the Garage
Sat, October 14 | Havest Jam with Bayou Envie
You’ve been askin’ when they were gonna do it again…join Bayou Envie for some toe-tappin’ booty-shakin’ fun in Mark’s Garage at the Myking Family Farm (1024 Pioneer Highway E, Arlington 98223) from 5:30-9pm. Get your $20 advance tickets and save, or $25 at the gate. Hoping for fair weather but we’ll be ready for just about anything, so it’ll happen rain or shine. Bring your own refreshments and marshmallows for the fire; come early and bring a picnic if you like. It’ll be a full-on Bayou Envie Zydeco throw-down, so you know they’ll have some high energy FUN! Allons Zydeco!
3rd Friday on the road • Live at Century Ballroom
Fri, October 20 | The Dusty 45s
Juke Joint goes on the road with the Dusty 45s for this year’s DESC Benefit happening at the Century Ballroom (915 E Pine St, Seattle), and guaranteed it’s gonna be a party! Tix are $45 in advance (get your ticket here) to support this wonderful organization, which includes a dance lesson and some tunes to groove to with the Gator Boy. 6:30pm doors, 7pm Country 2-step & Swing dance lesson, 8-10pm band. See you there!
Live Louisiana Zydeco
Fri, October 20 | Sunpie Barnes
The Black & Tan Hall in Hillman City is open for business! We’ve been waiting so long — and so many have been working so hard — for this splendid new venue, and they’ll be hosting Louisiana Zydeco artist Sunpie Barnes to help kick things off on the right foot. Stay tuned for details.
Memorial Dance
Sat, October 21 | Paul Bullard Celebration of Life
Gather, remember, and dance to the Dusty 45s as we celebrate our beautiful friend, Paul Bullard. Noon-3pm at the Century Ballroom (915 E Pine St, Seattle). Save the date, more details as available.
Party on the Peninsula
November 2-5 | Seabeck Dance Camp
The perfect opportunity to dance your face off, deepen dance friendships and make new connections, be in blessed community while having all your meals cooked for you, and take your dance to a new level. Register today for Seabeck Dance Camp and this could all be yours. The Gator Boy and Gator Babe will be there teaching deep connection, Whiskey River Jitterbug, the new Houston-style Zydeco and more. Don’t miss it!
1st Friday
November 3 | No Juke Joint
No Juke Joint this week as we’ll be off to Seabeck Dance Camp (see above). It’s always a wonderful time and we hope you can join the fun!
The Original Friday Night Live
Fri, November 10 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint: The Everlovers
Juke Joint goes live again, presenting The Everlovers w/special guest Robert Lee Mitchell! Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE) • 6:30pm lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $20. About the lesson: (TBA). Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
17th Annual • 8 Live Bands
Sun, November 12 | Louisianathon
Louisianathon is alive! And it’s coming to Mercer Island VFW Hall (1836 72nd Ave SE, Mercer Island 98040) for a full Super Sunday of music and dance including a Les Femmes d’Enfer revival and 8 bands from 12-8pm, plus Cajun & Zydeco dance lessons with the Gator Boy. Tix are just $20 and you can get yours here. Bands: 12pm Cajun Jamsters, 1pm Bluerunner, 2pm Folichon, 3pm Les Femmes d’Enfer, 4pm Karen England & Friends, 5pm Lady Gator & the Swamp Guise, 7pm Bayou Envie. BYOB. RSVP the FB event (which you can also share with your friends) to help spread the word, thank you!
3rd Friday Dance
Fri, November 17 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
1st Friday Dance
Fri, December 1 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
It’s another holiday hayride to hell!
Fri, December 15 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint Holiday Extravaganza: The Buckaroosters
The tradition continues and The Buckaroosters return this year to celebrate with a holiday blowout. Just when you thought you might go mad from all the office parties there’s this lovable band with the real deal. Stay tuned for details. Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE) • 6:30pm lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $20. About the lesson: (TBA). Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
1st Friday Dance
Fri, January 5 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
The Original Friday Night Live
Fri, January 12 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint: The Billy Joe Show
We’re fixin’ to start the New Year off right as rain with the inimitable The Billy Joe Show! Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE) • 6:30pm lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $20. About the lesson: (TBA). Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
3rd Friday Dance
Fri, January 19 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
1st Friday Dance
Fri, February 2 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
The Original Friday Night Live
Fri, February 9 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint: Casey MacGill & Birch Pereira
Our Fat Tuesday was so fun last year with the Monsters of Mardi Gras, so we decided let’s do it again! Featuring Casey MacGill, Birch Pereira, Thomas Erastus Harris and Kelly Van Camp at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE) • 6:30pm lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $20. About the lesson: (TBA). Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.
3rd Friday Dance
Fri, February 16 | Gator Boy’s Juke Joint
Revel and dance with lovely partners in joyful community to an extraordinary variety of soulful, groovy sounds with the Gator Boy at Eagles Mother Aerie (8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle). 6:30pm dance lesson (TBA), 7:30-10pm dance, $10 minimum recommended. About the lesson: TBA. Delight in music, community, and unbounded merriment every 1st and 3rd Friday with your DJ, the Gator Boy. Great dancers, super friendly people, a fully-stocked bar and Mike, your stellar bartender.