A Good Time With: Byron Washington

As co-founder and an organizer for Sky-Walker Productions’ events, Byron Washington really knows how to plan a creative soiree. The Artistic Expressions series his team puts together at the Pelican House, for example, features local artists, live painting, live music and poetry readings.

That’s a lot for one night, but it all seems to work in harmony. More important for Washington, these events help break the mold of a typical night out in Baton Rouge, and they encourage participants to discover something new.

“It’s great seeing those who look at art for the first time in these settings, because normally they would never listen to poets, look at paintings, see local fashion [or] hear new music,” he says. “These things help bridge gaps and open doors for people to enjoy themselves and see we are not that different.”

Now that Baton Rouge is welcoming cooler days and nights, Washington’s ideal party would take place in a rooftop setting under clear fall skies. You can expect that setting to be a showcase of local talent working in all kinds of artistic media, too.

“My invite list is pretty simple—if you are about fun and being diverse from all angles, you are able to come,” Washington says.

Just keep it classy and abide by the cocktail hour dress code.

THE SOUNDS
“0 to 100” by Drake, “Latch” by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith, “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora, and “Get Up on My Level” by Kevin Gates. But that’s just between live sets by a local band: “Music is so much fun live.”

THE GRUB
Finger foods by Odom’s Fine Catering would be his choice—drummets, meatballs and cups of hot seafood gumbo.

THE DRINKS
Old Fashioneds and bourbon sweet tea. “I like to have mixed cocktails on the menu, with specially made drinks [that] coincide with the theme of the event. [Personally], I love whiskey, but to each his own!”