On Saturday April 9 Rye Community Centre will host the finest authentic old time Cajun music to be found this side of “the Pond”. The incomparable Hotfoot Specials are playing a benefit gig for the Rye Community Centre and a night of foot stomping, good time music is guaranteed!
The Hotfoot Specials are making a welcome return to Rye, having provided a fabulous opening gig last September for the 2015 Rye Arts Festival. And once again they are going to serve up a mix of Cajun two-steps and Cajun waltzes which are sure to get many of the audience up on their feet dancing and a frenzy of serious foot tapping by those who prefer to enjoy their music in a sedentary fashion!
The Hotfoot Specials reside physically in Brighton but musically and spiritually their home is Louisiana. Chris Murphy plays the accordion and sings and is joined by Dan Stewart on guitar. Kirsten Hammond plays the violin (or fiddle for old fashioned folkies) while Grant Allardyce is on the drums. Last but far from least, and holding the whole band together rhythmically, is Mary Murphy who is quite easily probably the best triangle player this side of the North Atlantic!
For one night the Rye Community Centre is going to be transformed into the hottest music venue this side of New Orleans and to the east of the swamp (land known as the Romney, Walland and Denge Bayous!). And tickets are just £10 with proceeds going towards the upkeep of the venerable venue.
Tickets can be bought in advance from Grammar School Records in Rye High St (tel 01797 222752) or on the door on the night. Doors open at 7:30pm on Saturday April, 9 with the band going on stage 8pm, when the good times will roulez! A bar will be open to provide vital liquid refreshment both before and during a musical gumbo, a rhythmic jambalaya and crawfish pie of entertainment.
The Rye Community Centre Association are very grateful for the generous sponsorship of the George in Rye which has enabled the gig to happen and music fans the chance to enjoy the best traditional Cajun music to be heard in the UK!