Hogs for the Cause, the New Orleans-based pork cook-off that raises money for pediatric brain cancer patients, just revealed yet another stellar lineup for its seventh annual finger-licking fundraiser.
Headlining 2015’s event, which will take place from March 27 through March 28 in City Park, will be acclaimed alternative country-rockers the Drive-By Truckers, out of Athens, Georgia. They also headlined Charleston’s Hogs For the Cause event this past October, which marked the 501(c)(3) organization’s first foray out of the Crescent City.
The organization is expanding its scope in other ways this year, bringing in many more acts from elsewhere.
Photo by Rob Fanguy.
March’s lineup will include Virginia folk duo Hiss Golden Messenger, roots/Americana trio The Wood Brothers, southern rockers J. Roddy Walston and The Business, Indiana-born Timothy Showalter’s folk-rock solo project Strand of Oaks, North Carolina-based Malian fusion group Toubab Krewe, and the brass and drums dance-rave trio Moon Hooch, who got their start busking in Brooklyn.
And of course, the locally-based bands will be as outstanding as ever.
The group this year is an eclectic smorgasbord of Louisiana talent, ranging from the infectious brass beats of Big Sam’s Funky Nation to the hard-driving blues of Tab Benoit to King James & The Special Men’s down-and-dirty stylings of old school R&B.
As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll hear country-blues masters Little Freddie King, jam-dynamos Earphunk, the famous funkateer George Porter Jr. and his Runnin Pardners, the compelling harmonies of Wooden Wings, and the blues-and-roots infected rock of Uncle Lucius, a band that got its start in Texas but found its groove in the Crescent City.
The bands will play on two stages over the course of Friday night and Saturday, with the exact schedule to be released next month.
Although it might be near impossible to tear yourself away from the stage, try not to miss out on the main event, as over 80 teams of barbeque masters compete for the Ben Sarrat, Jr. “High on the Hog” Grand Champion Title.
The competitors range from renowned chefs to backyard enthusiasts, and they’ll be cooking up a storm in such categories as “Whole Hog,” “Ribs; Pork Butt/Shoulder,” “Pork Pourri” (anything pork), and “Best Sauce.” The results are sure to be delicious.
In addition, there’ll be a gala dinner on at Popp’s Fountain in City Park on Thursday night to kick off the weekend, with a cocktail hour beginning at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the event are onsale now, beginning at $30 and with special passes and gala tickets at additional cost. Proceeds help ease the financial burdens on the families of children receiving treatment for brain cancer.
To buy tickets, donate, or volunteer for Hogs for the Cause, visit www.hogsforthecause.org.
