Zydeco Royalty
at Lincoln Theatre,
Mt. Vernon, WA
Friday, April 16, 2004
Like many North American blues artists, her initial success would occur in Europe. Queen Ida's Grammy Award for 1983's On Tour album gave her the national attention to support a thriving American touring schedule.
Queen Ida's life story is the stuff epic saga's are woven from. From obscurity to fame, rags to riches, she has traveled from the back roads of Louisiana to Carnegie Hall.
Born to a family of rice farmers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Queen Ida grew up speaking French patois. French lullabies, zydeco dances and Mardi Gras songs were all part of her early years right along with the hard work of cooking and driving a tractor during planting season. Homemade music was a common evening pastime. Her formative years listening and participating in a mix of accordian, fiddle, rub board, and harmonica sessions helped shape this authentic American performer.
Her family moved from Louisiana to California in the mid 1940's to work in the San Francisco shipyards. They adopted the English language but cherished their Cajun-Creole culture. Family has remained an important element of Queen Ida's music. Her band has included her two brothers (Al Rapone and Willie Lewis) and her son, Ronald. Her husband and daughter are in on the act as road manager and in administration.
Queen Ida's energetic stage presence is as much of a draw to her loyal fans as her Zydeco music. With her Bon Ton Zydeco Band, Queen Ida transports her audience back to Saturday night at the Fai do dos. It's not just as good as the real thing,
it is the real thing.
-blueslamp c.2004
You can meet Queen Ida at the post-show reception at Marks on Pioneer Square. You must be 21 or over for the post-show reception which includes hors d'oeuvres and a wine bar. Tickets for the post-show reception are $25 and separate from the concert tickets.
The Queen Ida concert is reserved seating with tickets priced at $30, $25 and $20.
To purchase tickets call
360-336-8955
or toll free at 877-754-6284.
