The Putney Inn Presents A Taste of New Orleans Benefit Dinner & Dance
Saturday, April 12
Benefit for New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village and Putney Family Services
Live Music by New Orleans Jazz Vocalist Samirah Evans & Friends
Eugene Uman, George Kaye, Tim Gilmore & Barry Ries
Five Entrée Buffet
$35 per person
Dinner begins at 6pm
Music begins at 7pm-10:30pm
PUTNEY, VT—No, it’s not Mardi Gras, but its all about New Orleans and deserving social services at The Putney Inn on Saturday, April 12. A delicious benefit for displaced New Orleans musicians, electrifying Jazz and a five entrée buffet will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed at 7:00 p.m. by New Orleans native jazz and blues vocalist Samirah Evans performing along with Brattleboro favorites Eugene Uman, George Kaye, Tim Gilmore and Barry Ries. The price is $35 for buffet and entertainment. Reservations are requested at 802-387-5517.
“The New Orleans in Vermont night will benefit two charities –Putney Family Services and the New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village,” said the Inn’s marketing manager Steven Jones who was executive director at Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia for several years. The Musicians Village was conceived by Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr and will consist of homes constructed by Habitat in partnership with displaced New Orleans musicians and other qualifying homeowner families.
“Putney Family Services does so much for local families in the area as a safety net for people who are deserving of social services that we wanted to give them our support as well,” explained Randi Ziter, owner of The Putney Inn. From basics like food, shelter and clothing to parenting programs, child care and health care, PFS assists students to succeed and families to thrive. Current programs offer a free health clinic, after school care, homework help and enrichment, parenting programs, and administering an emergency services fund.
Samirah Evans and her husband, a Vernon native, moved to Brattleboro in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Until recently, Evans has spent much of her time back in New Orleans, fulfilling contracted performances and recording a new CD. She made her local debut last May at the Vermont Jazz Center with the VJC Big Band, and since then has had steady gigs at Alici’s Bistro and Martini Bar in Brattleboro and the Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, where she has been appearing weekly during the ski season.
Ziter is enthused about the food of Louisiana and the Bayou. “It’s a tradition of exciting combinations of hot and spicy to simple and sweet.” It is in this tradition that The Putney Inn’s banquet chef Jim Martis perfected his craft. “Classic New Orleans dishes, combined with many recipes from chefs from New Orleans’ colorful food quarters, will highlight the buffet dinner,” she said.
A few of the evening’s featured items are Oyster, Shrimp & Okra Gumbo, Creole Stuffed Artichokes in lemon and garlic clove, Barbeque Crawfish, Donut Dough Fried Chicken, and age old favorites of Jambalaya and Seafood & Andouille Sausage Gumbo.
For out-of-towners or for those who want a special celebration, the Inn is also offering a Special Springtime Package for two that includes Dinner buffet, overnight stay and hearty farmer’s breakfast for $160.