jique

"Every Saturday is Mardi Gras"

FRED'S LOUNGE

Fred's is open only on Saturdays, 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. The music starts about 9 a.m., with the radio broadcast over KVPI in Ville Platte starting at 9:15 and continuing until 11:15. The band finishes by about 1:30 p.m. Although the Tate family sold the establishment in December 1996, Tate's former wife, Sue Vasseur, known as Tante Sue de Mamou, continues as manager (during the week she is a legal secretary). Fred's Lounge may have become a shrine for Cajun culture, but that fact does not at all interfere with the joie de vivre experienced by the patrons. Or, as one visitor commented , "Can you think of another place in the United States or the world where it's 9 in the morning and you can have this much fun?"





Ive only heard of this place the day before we decide to make our visit. But from the sounds of
things this is a place to see if youre looking for authentic cajun lifestyle. We make it in about 10am which was hard work just waking up especially since the rain outside made me want to
stay in bed all day. Even with the rain the parking lot is full of motorcycles which already gives
me an idea of what kind of crowd I should expect. On the contrary the crowd inside looks very mixed from dancing older couples in their 70's to a younger college crowd nestled at one corner with a table full of empty cups. Looks like ive missed alot since everyone in here is already absolutely shit faced. The blasting cajun music from the live band drowns out the non stop thunder from the storm outside. Im sure most people in here have no idea its actually raining outside anymore.





It's time to catch up we tell ourselves, so to the bar we go. I order a double Canadian Club blooby mary. That should get me warmed up. On our way to the bar we almost have to walk through the band which is made up of 6 men 5 of which are barefoot. The walls are covered with pictures of locals and celebrities also many newspaper clippings full of amazing reviews and must stop recomendations. Dennis Quaid seems to be a regular visitor to this once a week party.





Everybody in here instantly feels like family. The atmostphere is completly welcoming. Brian's Dad of course sparks up conversations with everyone just trying to move on through the crowd. I make my way to one corner to take in the view and enjoy the loud music which takes control of my body and I start dancing in place. This could also be the generous bloody mary kicking in. After my second drink I decided I need to buy a shirt from this place. I made my way over to the bar again and Tante Sue smiles and calls me cuttie. She reaches out the guest book while looking for the shirt I wanted. I notice in this book that today there are people here from Germany and Japan. I instantly figure out that the European looking girls with the short hair and tattoos must be from Germany but I didnt notice any Japanese looking tourist. I also wasnt the only person from California, A newly married couple from Modesto Ca has made southern Luisiana their choice location for their honeymoon. I get my "HOT DAMN" (a cinimon liqour that warms you from the inside out) T-shirt which on the back has scribbled in what looks to be a drunk mans penmenship. "Please DO NOT stand on the tables, chairs,cigarette machine,booths, and Juke-Box! Than you. FRED. Laissez les bon temps rouler!" After Tante Sue hands me my shirt she pulls out her quart of Hot Damn from the strap on her thigh and makes me take a swig. WOW....I was warm and ready for anything now. She high fives me and passes it to Dad and the gents hes been talking to. Now I agree with my shirt....Let the good times roll!



About noon it now resembles any club on a friday night at midnight. Its full swing here and dad has already shared a few dances with Tante Sue. Its time for us to get going and head across the street for a po boy sandwhich. I have chicken, Brian has Tuna, and Dad to no surprise has the Aligator....again. With a great morning like that not even the rainy day prevents the sun from shining.




LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!!!