JACKSON, Wyo. — From Dornan’s to The Wort (and Snow King in between), the Jackson Hole Hootenanny has brought live acoustic music to the valley for three decades and counting.
Last night, The Hoot celebrated its 30th birthday with cake and a crowd at The Wort Hotel.
The Jackson Hole Hootenanny was founded by Bill Briggs, the first person to ever ski the Grand Teton, and Dick Barker on Feb. 16, 1993, at Dornan’s Spur Bar in Moose, Wyoming.
The beloved community event has typically met on Monday evenings except during the months of November and April. The Hoot marked its 1300th Hootenanny last month on Jan. 30.
“From the beginning, the Hoot has been all acoustic, traditional, modern and original folk music in a concert-like setting where the audience is strongly encouraged not to speak when someone is performing on stage,” reads the Jackson Hole Hootenanny website.
Anyone, visitors or residents, can sign up to sing one or two songs.
“The emphasis is on sharing our love of music rather than performing skills. Thus the Hoot brings together a wide range of talents in a non-judgmental setting where we all learn, grow and enjoy.”
Today, the Hoot meets during summers outside at Dornan’s Chuck Wagon Pavilion and during winters inside at the Wort Hotel Silver Dollar Showroom.
The public can view hundreds of past Hoots on YouTube.
