Gumbo. It’s way more than vegetable soup. Although I’m no historian, I believe it’s actually an inalienable right discussed in the Declaration of Independence. Regardless, it’s a way of life to some and this coming weekend, we all benefit from its existence. It’s time for the Ministry with Community Gumbo Cookoff.

OFB is usually asked to play at a couple of benefits every year. We love non-profit groups. (In fact, we haven’t turned a profit in 10 years as a band.) We generally respect the work that groups like MwC are doing in Kalamazoo so we’re happy to help if we can. Out of Favor Boys has proudly played at all 7 of the previous Gumbo Cookoffs and we’re thrilled to be a part of this one.

It’s going to be a little different this year. It all started at Louie’s, of course. But the event quickly outgrew that venue. They brought in tents to try to make it work, but the last couple of years have just been so very crowded that I think it started to turn people off a little. So…something had to change.

So this year, it’s at a new venue. It’s at The Wild Bull and Monaco Bay in the middle of Downtown Kalamazoo. This is good for the event because it’s a bigger space and so it should be able to accommodate even more people. Selfishly, I’m happy about it because we’ll be inside instead of in a heated tent (which is never as heated at the end of the night as it is during the afternoon) and we’ll be on a stage instead of on cold, wet pavement AND we won’t have to haul or set up our own PA system. (It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN situation as far as I’m concerned.)

Anyway. The event starts at noon and we play from 4 to 7 p.m. Come on down and support a group that does a lot of good for a lot of people who don’t have too many options. Your support on Sunday means a lot.

For more information. www.gotokra.com