Dance Party Makes a Move

Promoter David J. Gaar of Westminster is changing the location of the Cajun-zydeco dance parties he has been throwing on the third Saturday of each month. Starting with a Bad Boys Zydeco Band gig March 21, the place will change from the Sunset Beach Club in Orange to the Meadowlark Cafe, 6197 Ball Road, Cypress. Coming attractions include the Joe Simien Cajun Band, April 18; John Delafose & the Eunice Playboys, May 17, and the Cheryl Cormier Cajun Band, June 20. Information: (714) 373-0102 or (714) 827-1777.

LOOK WHO’S BACK: It’s Gherkin Raucous, at least for one more night. The band will play March 20 at Bogart’s in Long Beach, with a new rhythm section--drummer Josh Freese and bassist Bob Thomson--joining original members Warren Fitzgerald and Darren McNamee. After that, says guitarist Fitzgerald, the pickle will attempt to surf the briny seas of rock under a new name: Extra Large.

Gherkin Raucous, with its demented, sometimes parodic blend of funk and heavy metal, was one of the top draws on the local scene a few years ago, but it failed to land a recording contract and broke up. Fitzgerald says the new lineup is working on an album at the La Habra studio of band manager Jon St. James, recording new material as well as songs from the old Gherkin Raucous days. “The attitude’s real similar” to the old Gherkin Raucous, Fitzgerald adds. “We all have our perverted senses of humor.”