934 Fest, the annual music and mural festival from 934 Gallery, is going online this year, and organizers are determined to make sure guests don’t miss a thing.
Saturday, Sept. 12, will bring 12 hours of free live streamed musical acts, comedy and spoken word from inside the gallery, artist interviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the murals that now decorate the outside of the gallery. In addition, for art lovers wanting to really scratch that festival itch at home, 934 Gallery has teamed up with Endeavor Brewing and Spirits to provide swag bags and drinks for online order.
“We really do strive to make a really welcoming and open environment for everyone. And we hope that we achieve that with this virtual festival as well,” said Lisa Steward, 934 public relations coordinator.
The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. for viewing on the 934 Fest website and the live streaming platform Twitch. Steward said 934 prides itself on picking a diverse lineup of musicians from every genre and experience level. Headlining this year is musician Joey Aich along with other local acts including Wasp Factory, Paper Airplane, and OG Vern.
On Twitch, viewers will be able to interact with the festival staff and donate to 934 Gallery. Steward said the festival serves as a major source of fundraising for the gallery each year.
“We just want to provide a platform for emerging artists and musicians and muralists to try something new, to try something different,” Steward said. “That’s kind of what 934 has been about.”
This year’s featured artist is Daniel Rona. Each year, 934 Fest’s featured artist decides the artistic direction of the festival and paints the main mural on the side of the gallery. Rona’s bold primary color palette and street art influence are evident in the look of the 2020 festival. In addition, Rona’s latest exhibition, “Body Forms,” will be on display inside the gallery each weekend through October 24 for pre-booked appointments.
The gallery’s partnership with Endeavor will offer a “934 Fest-in-a-Bag” for online order. The bags are available now for pickup at Endeavor, and will contain a 934 Fest shirt, a postcard of Rona’s mural, a drink koozie, a button, stickers, glow sticks, mystery band merch, and a voucher for 6-pack of Endeavor beer or one signature cocktail. Vendors who would normally sell their wares at the festival will also offer their art on the gallery’s website.