AthFest 2010

Mark your calendars for the 14th annual AthFest, June 23–27 in downtown Athens. The festival showcases Athens-based music and art.

AthFest always has one main stage for performances and is adding a second this year. The main-stage headliners have just been announced and include Bubba Sparxxx, Perpetual Groove, Modern Skirts and others. Click here to see the full performer list.

GMOA will have a lot going on at AthFest, so make plans to come and see us! We will have a table at KidsFest on Saturday, June 26, where you can design your own 2-D guitars. We’re also organizing a performance by Amelia Winger-Bearskin, an assistant professor of studio art at Vanderbilt University in the areas of video and performance art. Visit her website and click here to read an essay about her written by GMOA’s own Lynn Boland, Pierre Daura Curator of European Art.

In addition to GMOA’s presence, there will also be a lot of other cool things happening, such as an art market that is free and open to the public and includes ceramics, drawings, folk art, furniture, glasswork, jewelry and more. KidsFest features everything from interactive projects to a petting zoo and bungee jumping, and best of all, it’s also free!

Another exciting event at AthFest is the Flagpole Music Awards. This is the 12th year of the event, which incorporates awards chosen by Flagpole’s readers and musical performances. Film is also recognized at AthFest. TeenScreen shows films created by teenagers in Athens area schools. The cover charges for both the Flagpole Music Awards and TeenScreen have not yet been announced, but all cover charges are discounted with an AthFest wristband.

The actual festival takes place once a year, but AthFest has a constant presence in the community. AthFest, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with the mission to “educate citizens and visitors about music and arts in general, and about Athens music and arts in particular.” For example, AthFest InSchool and AthFest AfterSchool are two series that began last year and take local performers to middle schools and after-school centers. All proceeds from AthFest and other events support educational efforts in the Athens community.

For more information about scheduling, locations and prices, visit the AthFest website.