New Haven Independent

A periodic light rain if anything lubricated the dancing joints of the 500-people crowd that turned out tot he Green for the two-week fest’s opening “Global Dance Party” Saturday night. There was dancing on the grass, in the walkways, in front of the stage — and, of course, on the stage itself — along with the upbeat music of Buckwheat Zydeco & Slavic Soul Party.

Click on the play arrow to watch some of the evening’s dance moves.

Those in attendance could not help but shake as the aptly named Slavic Soul Party! started the night with a unique all-brass musical blend. Based in New York, the inspired group marries gypsy, East European, Mexican and American Jazz influences to deliver an electric sound that was especially moving Saturday during the performance of its new single “Teknochek Collision.”

Next to the stage came the group The New York Times called “The greatest party band in America”, Buckwheat Zydeco. Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, Zydeco played selections like “I’m Gonna Love You Anyway” and gave New Haveners a sample of Southwest Louisiana funk, an electric-blues based dance music led by frontman Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural’s silver accordian. Zydeco evolved from the Creole musical tradition in Louisiana and continues to be sung by Creoles in Louisiana and Texas.

The band — backing Dural with two guitars, bass, washboard, trumpet — was having as much fun as the audience. Each member took a spotlight turn during “Walking to New Orleans” not to play his instrument, but to dmeonstrate two sets of dance moves: A “Connecticut” walk (exaggerated plod), then a frantic, no-holds-barred “New Orleans” walk. IT was all in good fun, and it was infectious.