Conquering The World With A Dancehall
Businessmen Overcome Hurdles To Reopen Zydeco Landmark
August 8, 2008
by Herman Fuselier,
The Daily Advertiser
LAWTELL - When business partners Michael DeClouet and Dustin Cravins talk about reviving a 61-year-old zydeco dancehall, they talk about memories, family and musicians. But in the midst of that conversation, DeClouet and Cravins also talk about value, free enterprise and investment.
The pair sees their new business venture, the Zydeco Hall of Fame, formerly known as Richard's Club, as a vision that can be shared with the world.
"I see no reason why, a year from now, that this can't be the most famous dance club on the planet," said DeClouet, a Lawtell native who lives in San Diego.
"Everybody from (baseball's) Dusty Baker to (actor) Robert Duvall has been here.
They already know about it.
"I don't see why it can't be in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, Tokyo and London. This is a lot bigger than a dancehall."
DeClouet and Cravins take their first steps in conquering the world with a dancehall with a three-day grand opening of the Zydeco Hall of Fame. Zydeco star Chris Ardoin performs tonight, followed by Keith Frank Saturday and an old-time jam session with Lawrence "Black" Ardoin, Willis Prudhomme, Roy Carrier and others on Sunday.
DeClouet and Cravins have restored a zydeco roadhouse that opened in 1947. But the club has sat idle since 2006 after a family dispute closed the property.
Through the years, legends from B. B. King to Grammy winners Clifton Chenier and Rockin' Sidney performed on its stage. Time Magazine, CBS Sunday Morning, PBS and NPR are among the international media outlets who have done profiles and documentaries on the club.
"This is the mecca of zydeco music," said Cravins. "This is the core. No matter what, people will come here. We are drawn to this place."
The well-worn dancehall could not contain the overflow crowd that showed up for its final night in May, 2006. Dozens stayed outside, sitting on car trunks or in the back of pick-up trucks, staring in disbelief.
Soon after, DeClouet, a real estate investor, jumped at the chance to purchase the club where four generations of his family danced. DeClouet declined to state the purchase price, but says he's spent more than $200,000 to bring the run-down landmark up to modern building and safety codes.
The club was stripped to its frame and rebuilt with new walls, ceiling, roof, wiring, plumbing and handicap access ramps. Yet the club maintains its rustic roadhouse feel, right down to its limited air conditioning, which is only in the enlarged bathrooms.
The main club area is cooled the same way it has been for decades - with large industrial fans. DeClouet calls the lack of AC a cost-saving decision that can be changed in the future.
He was set to open last December and had even booked bands for a holiday grand opening. But an inspection revealed the club needed to be redone with fire retardant paint.
"That cost $114 a gallon," said DeClouet. "At that point, I said I might as well dream big and might it like a new, old Richard's Club."
Part of that dream was cut short when DeClouet lost a court battle with the family to use the club's original name. He's considering an appeal.
Cravins, who had been watching the reconstruction process from afar, met DeClouet earlier this year and the two became business partners. Cravins helped the club secure a liquor license and wrap up other last-minute necessities.
The Zydeco Hall of Fame emerges at a time of transition for zydeco. The music continues to reach new audiences, due in part to a buzz surrounding a new zydeco/Cajun Grammy category.
Yet most dancehalls, once staples in southwest Louisiana's Creole communities, are empty shells or distant memories. Cravins believes the Zydeco Hall of Fame has staying power that others didn't.
"This is the mecca of zydeco music," said Cravins. "This is the core. No matter what, people will come here. We are drawn to this place.
"The musicians are drawn here, so you will always have the best here. This is their most coveted battlefield. If you've got Richard's, you're the man."
Both Cravins and DeClouet envision the hall as a forum for workshops, lectures and demonstrations on zydeco and Creole culture. Most of all, they're excited about keeping a tradition alive.
"We don't need to make a million dollars on the Zydeco Hall of Fame," said Cravins.
"We're businessmen and we do want to make a profit, but I think about my grandparents who danced across this same floor.
"I want to see my grandkids dance across this floor. To me, that's what it's really all about. That's ultimately the driving force for me wanting to be a part of this."
Businessmen Overcome Hurdles To Reopen Zydeco Landmark
August 8, 2008
by Herman Fuselier,
The Daily Advertiser
 |
| Zydeco Hall of Fame business partners Dustin Cravins, left, and Michael DeClouet sit at the bar at Zydeco Hall of Fame. (Photo by Freddie Herpin) |
LAWTELL - When business partners Michael DeClouet and Dustin Cravins talk about reviving a 61-year-old zydeco dancehall, they talk about memories, family and musicians. But in the midst of that conversation, DeClouet and Cravins also talk about value, free enterprise and investment.
The pair sees their new business venture, the Zydeco Hall of Fame, formerly known as Richard's Club, as a vision that can be shared with the world.
"I see no reason why, a year from now, that this can't be the most famous dance club on the planet," said DeClouet, a Lawtell native who lives in San Diego.
"Everybody from (baseball's) Dusty Baker to (actor) Robert Duvall has been here.
They already know about it.
"I don't see why it can't be in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, Tokyo and London. This is a lot bigger than a dancehall."
 |
| The portable sign tells the story as what was once Richard's Club near Lawtell is now the Zydeco Hall of Fame. (Photo by Freddie Herpin) |
DeClouet and Cravins have restored a zydeco roadhouse that opened in 1947. But the club has sat idle since 2006 after a family dispute closed the property.
Through the years, legends from B. B. King to Grammy winners Clifton Chenier and Rockin' Sidney performed on its stage. Time Magazine, CBS Sunday Morning, PBS and NPR are among the international media outlets who have done profiles and documentaries on the club.
"This is the mecca of zydeco music," said Cravins. "This is the core. No matter what, people will come here. We are drawn to this place."
The well-worn dancehall could not contain the overflow crowd that showed up for its final night in May, 2006. Dozens stayed outside, sitting on car trunks or in the back of pick-up trucks, staring in disbelief.
Soon after, DeClouet, a real estate investor, jumped at the chance to purchase the club where four generations of his family danced. DeClouet declined to state the purchase price, but says he's spent more than $200,000 to bring the run-down landmark up to modern building and safety codes.
The club was stripped to its frame and rebuilt with new walls, ceiling, roof, wiring, plumbing and handicap access ramps. Yet the club maintains its rustic roadhouse feel, right down to its limited air conditioning, which is only in the enlarged bathrooms.
The main club area is cooled the same way it has been for decades - with large industrial fans. DeClouet calls the lack of AC a cost-saving decision that can be changed in the future.
He was set to open last December and had even booked bands for a holiday grand opening. But an inspection revealed the club needed to be redone with fire retardant paint.
"That cost $114 a gallon," said DeClouet. "At that point, I said I might as well dream big and might it like a new, old Richard's Club."
Part of that dream was cut short when DeClouet lost a court battle with the family to use the club's original name. He's considering an appeal.
Cravins, who had been watching the reconstruction process from afar, met DeClouet earlier this year and the two became business partners. Cravins helped the club secure a liquor license and wrap up other last-minute necessities.
The Zydeco Hall of Fame emerges at a time of transition for zydeco. The music continues to reach new audiences, due in part to a buzz surrounding a new zydeco/Cajun Grammy category.
Yet most dancehalls, once staples in southwest Louisiana's Creole communities, are empty shells or distant memories. Cravins believes the Zydeco Hall of Fame has staying power that others didn't.
"This is the mecca of zydeco music," said Cravins. "This is the core. No matter what, people will come here. We are drawn to this place.
"The musicians are drawn here, so you will always have the best here. This is their most coveted battlefield. If you've got Richard's, you're the man."
Both Cravins and DeClouet envision the hall as a forum for workshops, lectures and demonstrations on zydeco and Creole culture. Most of all, they're excited about keeping a tradition alive.
"We don't need to make a million dollars on the Zydeco Hall of Fame," said Cravins.
"We're businessmen and we do want to make a profit, but I think about my grandparents who danced across this same floor.
"I want to see my grandkids dance across this floor. To me, that's what it's really all about. That's ultimately the driving force for me wanting to be a part of this."
0 comments:
Post a Comment