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Thousands of people turned out to see the quintessential zydeco band — Buckwheat Zydeco — as part of the 2009 Long's Park Summer Music Series on the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year. The sun remained in the sky throughout the entire 90-minute show Sunday night.
It was the third time the Louisiana band known for its frenzied live shows played at Long's Park.
"We've come to party wit'cha," Dural said as the crowd cheered.
The band played several of its classic tunes including "Hot Tamale Baby" and the Fats Domino song "Walking to New Orleans."
Excited concertgoers were up and dancing at the front of the stage by the second song, "The Thrill Is Gone," as guitarist Michael Melchione played the strings with his teeth.
Dural pulled several children onto the stage to perform during the show. The group consisted of five girls and one young boy who proceeded to grab the microphone and sing "baby, baby," eliciting loud cheers from the crowd and a smile from Dural. The children helped sing a chorus of "peace, love and happiness" during one song while jumping up and down.
"All the generations out there know that if we had a little bit of peace, a little bit of love and a little bit of happiness, (the children) are going to be all right," Dural said.
While not considered mainstream, zydeco, originated in southern Louisiana and usually played with an accordion, a guitar and a washboard, has a devoted fan base.
Barb Lucia of Wrightsville, who was wearing a shirt that said "I survived Mardis Gras in New Orleans," said she attended the annual pre-Lenten celebration in 2005 and 2008.
Lucia said she never saw Buckwheat Zydeco in person but owns a few of the band's live DVDs and CDs. And although she said she enjoys all kinds of music, she said there is something special about the music of New Orleans and zydeco music that exites her.
"It gets me dancing," she said. "And it will get you moving."
Lititz residents Lenny and Debbie Korzon were sitting in lawn chairs, moving to the beat of the washboard and the accordion.
Lenny Korzon said he started listening to Buckwheat Zydeco in 1989 when he saw the band perform at a music festival in Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. Sundays concert was the third time he saw them live.
"It's just party music, and you can dance to it," he said.
Steve and Nancy Warren of Exton drove more than an hour to see the concert and were the first ones waiting in line for Dural's autograph after the show.
Warren she said she discovered the band after watching the movie "The Big Easy," which prominently featured zydeco music. She said she went to a music store to find zydeco music, and the shop owner recommended Buckwheat.
Today the couple listens to Buckwheat on their iPod.
Warren said she was impressed that they were able to see the show for free and were surprised by the size of the crowd.
"You cannot sit still," Warren said. "You've got to dance."
E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com
