People seeking weekend entertainment in this period between winter and spring break may find their answer during the upcoming “Night of Louisiana.”

The spirit of Louisiana will be on display beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday in Finch Fieldhouse in the form of two live bands, a dance and a genuine Cajun dinner. 

“Once everyone is back into school after winter break, spring is the next thing to look forward to,” said Robert Barclay, the dinner concert master of ceremonies and host of CMU Public Radio’s “Juke Joint.” “We want to put on an event that people can have fun at before spring break arrives.”

The focal point of the evening will be two award-winning Cajun/Zydeco bands from Louisiana.

Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers, who feature the Cajun French Music Association’s “Accordionist of the Year” for the year 2000, are set to take the stage at 7 p.m.

Playing during a Cajun-style dinner will be nothing new for Benoit’s band. The group performs traditional Cajun music four nights a week at restaurants all over Louisiana.

Following the Bayou Stompers will be Roy Carrier and his Zydeco band, the Night Rockers. Having been named the best Zydeco band in the United States in 1997 by Real Blues Magazine, the Night Rockers will use their trademark enthusiasm to help keep the crowd fired up.

“Everything I know about Roy suggests that his music creates a party atmosphere,” said Barclay, director of photography and videography for Public Relations and Marketing.

Cajun and Zydeco music is famous for setting a festive mood that tends to move people from their seats.

In describing this sort of music Barclay only uses one word: “Dancing.”

“There won’t be any dance police out there,” he said. “You don’t have to know how to dance to come out and have a good time. That’s what this kind of music is all about.”

Barclay is expecting between 800 and 1,000 people to fill Finch Field house based on the past and advanced ticket sales.

Many of those in attendance, he said, will be there because they have attended a previous years’ “Night of Louisiana.”

The event used to take place in the Indoor Athletic Complex.

“I think that it is great that we are going back to Finch. We never wanted to leave. We’re back in the best venue on campus. The sound will be much better and more understandable than when we were in the IAC,” Barclay said.

“Night of Louisiana” is organized by CMU Public Radio and University Events.

Concert tickets are available for $20 at the door and $18 if ordered in advance.

Dinner tickets must be bought in advance and cost $10. Advanced tickets can be found in the Central Box Office, located on the lower level of the Bovee University Center, or by calling 774-3000.

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