A Cajun dance is held the first Saturday of every month at the Crystal Ballroom, High Springs, Florida, about 20 miles from Gainesville (University of Florida).
The music is usually provided by Gumbo Limbo, Florida's only (as far as I know) Cajun band, headed by Bob Stone. Occasionally a Louisiana band performs. A workshop begins at 7 p.m., the dance at 8 p.m.
The Crystal has a very nice 1500-square-foot hardwood dance floor, marred only by a structural column in the middle. The ballroom is smoke-free. About 30 dancers showed up when I attended a dance here in April 1994. When I returned in April 1995, about 60 dancers were on the floor. Of this number, about 10 to 15 were experienced dancers. Most of the dancers are students, faculty, or staff at UF or other Gainesville educational or medical facilities. There is obviously growing enthusiasm for Cajun music among these folks.
A snack bar sells munchies and nonalcoholic beverages. There are six or eight tables near the snack bar, and additional seating is available in an adjacent parlor and in the hallway leading from the Crystal's front door to the dance floor. An added treat is the availability before most dances of delicious Cajun food prepared by Opelousas expatriate Joey Landreneau, who studied under John Folse.
The Crystal Ballroom is located at 135 North Main Street, High Springs, Florida. Admission is $5. Call (904) 454-3338 or (904) 335-3731 for information.