Yee-haw, Oui-haw
The annual Hootenanny event brings the farm to the city.
Grow Dat Youth Farm will hold their annual fundraiser, the Hootenanny, on Friday, March 11. The barn dance benefit concert takes the theme of the farm and elevates it with New Orleans’ flair to a can’t-miss good time.
Sometimes the best party you can attend when visiting a new city is a fundraiser. You know the folks will be festive, the music will be special and your dollars will go to support a great local cause.
Grow Dat Youth Farm is a nonprofit organization working to grow leadership and sustainable food in New Orleans. According to their mission, their farm is a place where they “work collaboratively to produce healthy food for local residents and to inspire youth and adults to create personal, social and environmental change in their own communities.” Through their programs they work with the community to teach farming, entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship.
The Hootenanny has become an important charitable event for the organization and it’s absolutely fun. You won’t find any rubber chicken or boring speeches at this party. And if you want to learn more about Cajun culture on your visit to New Orleans, the Hootenanny is a perfect place to do so.
The headline musicians are Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, and there will be square dancing called by Dan Wally Baker. For those new to the dance style, there is also free zydeco dance instruction by Harold Bernard. Additional music acts include Lost in the Holler and My Wife’s Hat.
It’s not a party without food and drink, and those guarantee to be great as well. Renowned local restaurants will offer small plates and there will be specialty cocktails to boot. One party will bring you dishes from Galatoire’s, Emeril’s, Mondo, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Bacchanal and more.
It being a fundraiser, there will also be a silent auction where attendees can bid on exclusive dining experiences, fine art and other unique items. All of which will likely be more meaningful souvenirs than a t-shirt or a shot glass.
The Hootenanny is located at the Grow Dat Youth Farm at 150 Zachary Taylor Drive in City Park, a quick cab ride from the French Quarter. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased in advance for $45 or at the door for $55. To purchase them online, visit hootenanny2016.eventbrite.com.
Sponsors for this year’s Hootenanny include: presenting sponsors The Goldring Family Foundation and Donna and James Barksdale; event sponsors Aetna, Nancy and Mike Marsiglia, and Hunter and Cathy Pierson; and supporting sponsors the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, New Orleans Magazine, Biz Magazine, Pelican Events, Fleur de Lis Event Rentals, Where Y’at Magazine, Kel Kat, Duplantier Ice, H & H Printing and PJ's Coffee.
