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. Think of the Hootenany as a band – only this band has enough members and equipment to play at 8 or more establishments on the same night, at the same time – all volunteer, all grass-roots, all free live music for the community.
The Hooteanny sets up a sound system at each venue and schedules a different act each half-hour from the start of the Hoot until a given venue closes. Since year 5, we have also facilitated a fundraiser for Hastings Middle School music programs and local youth musicians. So, while the event is free to attend (a major tenet of the Hoot), there is a $20 suggested donation at the door of participating venues or you can now also donate online via PayPal, available at thehootenany.com (last year we started a 501c(3) called “River City Music & Arts Education Foundation” to enable tax-deductible donations online, as well as sponsoring scholarships for HHS graduates, visit rcmaefoundation.org for more info.).
