Bayou and Bourbon Street

Ok, something fun has just popped into my being (again).  Sharing.

It's no secret I love theme parties.  I love to throw them, not only because it's a blast doing the research to find the right food, music, and decorations but because it's kind of a hunt for history as well.  And I love history.

For example, in April 2012, what began as a simple cooking class at the college ("Last Night on the Titanic"); turned into a full-blown, costumed, twelve-course dinner party - including a Requiem lantern lighting to commemorate (on the 100th anniversary of the sinking) the lives lost at sea.  I mean I made napkins with the White Star Line logo on them...

What happened?  After the class, I bought the cookbook, then slowly became more interested in the history of the food, and of the way the various classes were treated in the era.  Which lead to photos of the ship and a interest in the ship builder and how people were able to travel between Europe and America.  Which lead to the whole story behind why it sank...  and finally the impact of the series of mistakes which lead to the deaths of so many, and wanting to find out more about every passenger aboard.

I actually ended up creating a mini-documentary with my findings!  Ask me anything about Titanic, I can tell you.  Thus, because I had become so obsessed with this (I mean James Cameron had nothing on me....) - my friends, family and co-workers were drawn in by my passion -  and hence, the need for the party.  Hey - they invited themselves, and came up with the idea to dress up.  I just prepared the food, and the documentary.

My husband and I have thrown theme parties before.  There was the Halloween party (sort of a Twlight meets the Vampire Lestat)  - wherein visitors came dressed in black, and were given vampire bite tattoos and teeth at the door.  Food has always been the ember that ignites the fire; this time it was Prime Rib, garlic soup and Red Velvet Cake for dessert.

We also threw a St. Patrick's Day party, wherein we gave everyone ridiculous Irish names prior to coming.  Instead of the gaudy-leprechaun theme, we did old world Ireland, with food and music that was a bit more Guinness and poet's corner in nature.  Of course food was what drove us to invite everyone to our kitchen.  We served Irish stew, bread, and a delicious dessert made with Jameson.

This time?  Well, we're ready for some summer fun.  So, to kick off the season this year, we're throwing a backyard BBQ, Cajun-style.  Originally we'd intended this to be just a cookout but... my creativity got the better of me.  While I was researching for new BBQ recipes (see Kevin's Closet Cooking - yumm!), I became attracted to the Arcadian flavorings I was seeing used.

So... as I was researching the food... I became interested in the restaurants, from which many of the recipes had been derived.  Once I saw the interiors of the restaurants, I thought of how I would decorate the tables for our BBQ...  and once I hit the search icon on Google for "Bayou themed parties"... there was no going back.  I was hooked on Cajun.

Obsessed again.  I am in deep, inspired by the tremendous photos and great ideas from people across the country throwing Cajun themed parties with "Bayou Bash" and "Stomp the Swamp" titles.  It was perfect.  So our "no theme" party has turned into a theme party - a bit of Bayou and Bourbon Street.  The party is in June.  Check out the pinnings from my notebook for the colors and decorating style.  I'll post the recipes (Swamp Water, Fried Corn, Cajun Burgers) and photos (from the party) later.... but can't you just hear the fiddle music for a Fais do-do echoing through your head?