Something dirty is going down at Chelsea’s Café once a month. The Nitty Gritty Songwriters’ Night, hosted by local country-rock musician Denton Hatcher, is a grassroots event helping to define the face of modern Baton Rouge music. Each month, Nitty Gritty showcases local and regional talent by gathering an eclectic array of musicians to perform original material one after another.
“There’s so much music out there. It’s about knowing where to find it,” Hatcher says. Rather than hearing an opening and main act, audiences experience a wealth of sound all night long, as up to 10 artists play three to four songs from their repertoire. The line-up constantly rotates, so the experience is never the same.
Hatcher runs a tight ship of sound, charming audiences with his good-natured humor in between sets. There is never a lull in the action. Adding to the atmosphere, Chelsea’s keeps its restaurant tables out in front of the stage, so the audience can sit back, relax and enjoy an intimate musical experience—for just $3.