The last Saturday in April for many is a time to get out and get things ready for summer. For those in Hastings, it’s time to HOOT it up at the Hootenany. To what? The who? The Hootenany. Normally it is spelled Hootenanny, which is defined as “an informal gathering with folk music and sometimes dancing.”
The Hastings version of Hootenany and its spelling is very similar except the organizers wanted to make sure people understood that ANY musician is welcome to join the party. Officially, the Hootenany is a group of musicians who come together annually to facilitate a full evening of live music in as many downtown Hastings venues as are willing to participate.
According to one of the members of the Hootenany, Drew Cavalier, the first year of the HOOT was 2010 and that was a loosely organized night of about a dozen musician friends led by Joe Pettit at the Busted Nut downtown. Pettit provided the sound equipment and paid for the night towards drinks for musicians. It’s basically like an open jam/mic type of night, with musicians playing in planned, unique lineups every 30 minutes. They have preserved that original Hootenany format since.
The concept caught on with musicians and musician friends of musicians, and by HOOT #3 (2012) they had expanded to two venues, with upwards of 40 musicians involved. For HOOT #5 (2014), they added the fundraising element for HMS music programs.
“I believe we raised about $1,000 that first attempt,” said Cavalier.
By HOOT #10 (2019) they had established it as the last Saturday in April, annually, and were hitting fundraising totals of over $10,000+ each Hootenany.
“We had also established a 501c(3) non-profit called RIVER CITY MUSIC & ARTS EDUCATION FOUNDATION to help facilitate that level of fundraising; which expanded to include sponsoring multiple HHS scholarships called ‘The Hootenany Living Music Scholarship’. The HOOT itself was regularly seven or more venues at this point, with 100+ acts and 150+ musicians,” explained Cavalier.
HOOT 11 and 12 were a hybrid of streaming and then outdoor HOOTS on a smaller scale during later spring and late summer – a result of the challenges of 2020-2021 – especially with in-person events, music, dining, etc. Though through online fundraising and the pursuit of a grant by the non-profit, they were still able to raise $10,000 for Hastings Middle School Music Programs and sponsor multiple scholarships.
In 2022, the full-on downtown, last Saturday of April HOOTENANY returned as strong as ever, and now each of the past two HOOTS #14 (2023) and #15 (2024) have raised $20,000+ for HMS music, HHS scholarships, and expanded further to include donations to Hastings elementary school music programs as well. Just as it has been from the beginning, it’s the brisk pace of new music every 30 minutes, has grown to include 9 venues and 125+ acts this year.
Today, it’s basically become a huge, highly organized & scheduled open mic night at multiple venues. The HOOT has always been word-of-mouth, organic connections between musicians/bands and other musicians/bands, most with a connection to Hastings and its music scene/culture.
“Anyone who has an act they want to get on the list for a HOOT just needs to contact the HOOT on Facebook or e-mail and let us know how many people are in the act and if they are a full band that needs drums or an acoustic group that doesn’t. Those things all factor into scheduling and venue placement, as some are set up for full bands, others are not. Then they’re on the list to HOOT and we add to that list through March 20th typically, or when spots fill up, after which we construct a schedule and release that in early April,” said Cavalier.
Facilitating bands of the HOOT volunteer and provide all the needed PA and equipment, amps, drums, etcetera, at each venue. Participants simply need to bring their own guitar/bass/sticks and be able to plug in and play quickly, keeping up that brisk HOOT pace. A majority of musicians are a part of multiple acts at the HOOT, often with quirky, original act names just for that particular HOOT.
“We have a unique HOOT logo each year and make unique HOOT shirts for each big Hootenany downtown. Those are in limited supply and have become a bit of a collector’s item. It’s always fun to see the shirts around downtown on HOOT night, sporting the logo. The back of the shirts has the full list of HOOT acts and venues. It’s a great boost for the venues as well, it is busy everywhere downtown and is a sort of kickoff to music season returning as patios open back up and the weather warms. We think it’s a special type of music community with a lot of moving parts, seemingly unique to Hastings,” added Cavalier.
Mayor Mary Fasbender shared her thoughts on the HOOT via social media, “Hootenanny15! What an amazing night in Hastings. I think I can say it’s the largest attendance ever. I love this event because it not only supports school music programs, but kids perform, and we get to see their talents as they grow. Thanks to all organizers of The Hootenany. Please keep up the good work and Thanks to all performers.
Great job Hastings!”
The Hootenany certainly brings music lovers together in a fun environment that also benefits the businesses of downtown Hastings and more importantly, raises funds for the continuation of music education in the schools of Hastings. To learn more about the Hootenany, visit www.thehootenany.com.
