On Sunday, January 28th, The Crooks Annual Second Line will celebrate its third annual party and procession to celebrate the lives of musicians, community leaders, and friends loved and lost. The three-tiered event begins with a Hog’s Breath Saloon parking lot party at noon, parades down Duval at 2:00pm, and culminates with a Jazz Jam tribute at The Green Parrot from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

The Hog’s Breath Saloon party at noon will be emceed by Bahama Village Music Program Board President Larry Baeder, featuring music, a Bloody Mary bar sponsored by Bombora Vodka and Hog’s Breath, a raffle, and parade paraphernalia merchandise for sale. Photo placards for donor participants will be available for pick up and a group photo is set for 1:15pm.

Grand Marshall Jim Robinson, Funeral Band leader Skipper Krippitz, and some of the island’s best musicians will rally the Second Line for a 2:00pm parade down Duval Street, arriving at the Green Parrot at approximately 3:00pm. Musician Mick Kilgos will read the names of this year’s honorees during a performance by the Bahama Village Music Program Joyful Voices Choir.  This moving tribute is not to be missed, and the Jazz Jam led by the incomparable Bill Blue follows until 6pm.

The Crooks Annual Second Line started in 2015 after Key West lost world-class drummer Richard Crooks, and a traditional New Orleans second line attended by hundreds of loved ones sent him off in style. Past participants are welcome to bring their placards of loved ones and join in the parade.  To date, the Crooks Annual Second line have had approximately 100 Honorees. Marching in the parade is free and open to all.  With your $100 donation to The Bahama Village Music Program, you will receive an 18″x24″ photo placard of your loved one to carry in the parade, and a photo and a bio of your loved one posted to the Crooks Annual Second Line website.

All proceeds raised at the Crooks Annual Second Line will go directly to the Richard Crooks’ Scholarship Fund and the Nancy R Robinson Scholarship fund to send two Bahama Village Music Program students to the Berklee College of Music’s 5-week Summer Performance program. For over 18 years, Bahama Village Music Program has served the community through music, offering free classes and lessons taught by more than a dozen student teachers, professional instructors, and dedicated volunteers, helping to create a sense of community spirit and pride while fostering important mentor relationships between local teenage musicians and their students, encouraging parent participation, and enhancing student self-esteem.

The parade and fundraiser for musical education is Richard Crooks’ legacy to the Key West community.

For more information or to make a donation, call 305.504.7664 or email [email protected].