Somers Cajun Street Dance set for July 21

For all who’ve been craving a good time, dancing and Zydeco music, the Somers Cajun Street Dance is just a few days away.

The dance takes place July 21 in the Sliters Ace parking lot in Somers. This is new, larger venue than in years past, event organizer Steve Kelley said.

“I think it will be nice,” he said.

Lil’ Brian & the Travelers, who played the event several year ago, are back this summer and ready to rock the dance with funky Zydeco tunes.

According to Lil’ Brian’s website, the group has for the last decade “developed a reputation as the most innovative and musically accomplished Zydeco band on the scene.

“Brilliantly drawing upon contemporary urban black sounds while remaining respectful and true to their Zydeco roots, Lil’ Brian and the Travelers have created an incredibly exciting modern form of Zydeco music that is both rhythmically and lyrically sophisticated and just plain unbelievably funky.”

Flathead native Kevin Van Dort and his backup band, 3 Eared Dog, will open the show. The Montana Standard called Van Dort’s “raw and pure and has the tonal quality of Ray Charles.” According to Kelley, Van Dort “has done great things.”

“He will be the next big deal,” Kelley said. “He’s an amazing guy with a great voice and good stuff. He’s excited to be back.”

Besides the music, the dance offers locals a chance to support a Somers nonprofit.

“Our goal for the street dance is to benefit the community somehow,” Kelley said.

The beneficiary of this year’s dance is the Somers Company Town Project, a group dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the town and the role Somers played in the development of the Flathead Valley.

“We donated to the (Somers) Fire Hall for all these years, but we thought it would be nice to spread it out,” Kelley said of the decision to support the nonprofit. “It’s a really worthy cause.”

The event begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $20; children 11 and younger get in for free.

For more information, call Kelley at 857-3119.