After several days of teasing a music lineup and secret location, organizers of Boycott Bowl have finally announced when and where the block party and mini festival will take place.
On Sunday, February 3 (while there’s some kind of football game on), the city of New Orleans will address the disappointing outcome of the Saints’ season the best way it knows how: with a party. A huge party.
Walter “Kango Slim” of Partners-N-Crime, a Boycott Bowl co-founder, says “The incredible amount of support we have received for Boycott Bowl is truly mind-blowing. This event is turning lemons into lemonade which we do here so well. When the city of New Orleans decides to do something together there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
Fulton Street from Girod to Lafayette will be blocked off for Boycott Bowl, which runs from noon until 10 p.m. and boasts a lineup of major talent. Thus far, the following performers have been confirmed:
CHOPPA (who will also host a “Choppa Style” dance contest)
Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs (of “Hit The Sean Payton” fame)
Partners-N-Crime and The Big EZ Band
Kermit Ruffins
Rockin’ Dopsie
Big Freedia
5th Ward Weebie
Khris Royal & Dark Matter
Flow Tribe
Fred! from Cowboy Mouth (solo set)
The Vettes
Ricky B
Dash Rip Rock
Boycott Bowl co-founder Travis Laurendine of NOISE and showsparker.com says, “This is an emergency response event created to celebrate our team our way. In doing so we will showcase New Orleans and Louisiana culture, raise money to coach and equip future champions, and bring back money to our service economy on this major weekend.”
But Boycott Bowl is more than an excuse for Saints fans to drink and dance away heartbreak. “It will be a music festival that celebrates our culture and benefits New Orleans musicians, chefs, bartenders, and the entire service industry rather than the NFL,” says the official website. ” It will provide us with an opportunity to do something to celebrate our team, our city, and our fans that we were wrongfully denied on January 20.”
Organizers are, of course, referencing the outcome of the New Orleans Saints versus Los Angeles Rams game on January 20. The conference championship game ended in a historic upset after a terrible performance from referee Bill Vinovich, whose no-call on a clear pass interference by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman cost the Saints the game and a chance at the Super Bowl. In addition to community outrage, the game’s result has spurred more than one lawsuit against the NFL and those fans who weren’t already boycotting the NFL for its treatment of Colin Kaepernick have vowed to protest the organization by tuning out on Superbowl Sunday.
Furthermore, the Super Bowl boycott party will donate all proceeds to support the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Foundation. The NORD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the activities of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The foundation was established by an ordinance in October 2010 following overwhelming voter support. The work of the NORD Foundation supports the overall mission of advancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of New Orleanians by providing safe and welcoming environments for recreational, athletic, and cultural experiences.
“Due to the short notice of the event, we’re going to be booking bands, vendors and sponsors right up until the event starts” says another event co-founder, former general manager of the New Orleans Voodoo, Brandon Rizzuto. “Count on a big venue that makes sense, and a production team worthy of such an endeavor.”
Folks can expect more updates to be announced on a daily basis and are encouraged to follow Boycott Bowl on Instagram and Facebook.
Tickets for Boycott Bowl are donation based, but those who pay $50 or more will receive VIP treatment. Click here for more information.
