2008 Woodie Awards
Tate Street Festival brings a blend of culture and experience
Drew Calhoun, Brian Jones
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The unfavorable weather failed to dampen the spirit of the semiannual Tate Street Festival on Saturday. While the gray skies and cooler temperatures may have affected attendance, the variety of musical acts and vendors still drew a large crowd to the "Carnivale" themed event.
Where else could you see such a wonderful blend of eclectic arts and performances from various backgrounds and cultures for free?
The experience began at noon on Saturday, March 29 and lasted up until 6:00 p.m. that evening. Following the main attraction, those who still desired to enjoy their Saturday to the fullest were encouraged to come to Solaris later that evening.
Screen-printed shirts, original photography, and a plethora of arts and crafts were all displayed for sale under weatherproof tents for fear of rain. The several musical groups touched every genre, from country rock to R&B, while Tate Street's restaurants offered specials on the sidewalks to passers-by. Students and festival-goers had the opportunity to hear the musical expressions of groups like Hot Politics, The Mantras, The Bronzed Chorus and Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Events within the carnival were divided up into four sections along Tate Street, allowing those who attended a chance to browse and travel between performances. Giving the locations names like "Groove Alley West" added a hint of festive flavoring to the otherwise cold and wet afternoon on Tate Street.
While a majority of areas catered to the adult/college crowd, carnival planners took care in incorporating an area designed specifically for children. Given the moniker "A Play Area for Everyone," youth who attended were given an area to stretch his or her imaginations by decorating Tate Street with chalk. Other activities for youth included two dances, one lion dance with the Pai-Lum Kung Fu school and the other with the paperhand puppet intervention. The event also hosted a booth of Obama supporters as well as Tarot-card readings.
Perhaps the only disappointment in this season's Tate Street Festival was this year's lack of belly-dancers. Hopefully, they'll return for fall's Tate Street Festival and bring more temperate weather.
Where else could you see such a wonderful blend of eclectic arts and performances from various backgrounds and cultures for free?
The experience began at noon on Saturday, March 29 and lasted up until 6:00 p.m. that evening. Following the main attraction, those who still desired to enjoy their Saturday to the fullest were encouraged to come to Solaris later that evening.
Screen-printed shirts, original photography, and a plethora of arts and crafts were all displayed for sale under weatherproof tents for fear of rain. The several musical groups touched every genre, from country rock to R&B, while Tate Street's restaurants offered specials on the sidewalks to passers-by. Students and festival-goers had the opportunity to hear the musical expressions of groups like Hot Politics, The Mantras, The Bronzed Chorus and Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Events within the carnival were divided up into four sections along Tate Street, allowing those who attended a chance to browse and travel between performances. Giving the locations names like "Groove Alley West" added a hint of festive flavoring to the otherwise cold and wet afternoon on Tate Street.
While a majority of areas catered to the adult/college crowd, carnival planners took care in incorporating an area designed specifically for children. Given the moniker "A Play Area for Everyone," youth who attended were given an area to stretch his or her imaginations by decorating Tate Street with chalk. Other activities for youth included two dances, one lion dance with the Pai-Lum Kung Fu school and the other with the paperhand puppet intervention. The event also hosted a booth of Obama supporters as well as Tarot-card readings.
Perhaps the only disappointment in this season's Tate Street Festival was this year's lack of belly-dancers. Hopefully, they'll return for fall's Tate Street Festival and bring more temperate weather.
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