“New Orleans LoveFest” supports music scholarships

“New Orleans LoveFest” supports scholarships for EOU music students

Nicole Thorburn photo / The Depot Street Syncopators will perform New Orleans style jazz for a scholarship fundraiser at EOU Feb. 13.

January 14, 2015

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – What celebration combines the sweetness of Valentine’s Day with the carnival atmosphere of Mardi Gras?

The “New Orleans LoveFest.”

Set for Friday, Feb. 13, the event is intended to be a heady fusion of these two holidays and is driven by a good cause.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit scholarships for music students awarded through the Eastern Oregon University Foundation.

It’s also a chance to hear the Depot Street Syncopators play some New Orleans style jazz. Lead by Luke McKern, members are Matt Cooper, John McKinnon, Roger Barnes, Teun Fetz, Holly Sorensen, Renee Wells, Greg Johnson, Jeff Sizer and Peter Wordelman.

The group’s full Mardi Gras repertoire begins with a procession of “When the Saints Go Marching In” and includes many other traditional songs.

Click thumbnail to view poster.

A no-host cocktail hour starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Cajun/Creole dinner at 6:30. Music and dancing continues until 10 p.m. in the Gilbert Center adjacent to Ackerman Hall at EOU.

The menu features blackened crab cakes, braised shrimp étouffée, red bean and rice, blackened tofu, fresh collard greens with smoked bacon, chicken jambalaya, grilled corn fritters, king cake and “The Hurricane” signature cocktail.

Just 180 tickets at $50 per person are available for this event. Purchase tickets at BELLA, the EOU Bookstore or by calling Wordelman at 541-962-3352.

Check out The Depot Street Syncopators on YouTube.