Who: Everyone in the whole world is invited. This event typically attracts music geeks and those who love a fabulous street party.
What: The name gives the basics: a world music & arts festival. You may think the artsy name Lotus refers to the flower. It’s true that the logo uses the flower image, but here’s the scoop: The festival is named after Lotus Dickey. The following information is from the official Lotus Festival website.
A gifted folk singer, songwriter, and musician from rural Orange County, Indiana, Lotus Dickey (1911-1989) wrote tunes and songs that drew from his family and community, as well as from country singers and fiddlers he heard on the radio.
Each year, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival honors Lotus Dickey’s memory with a set of music, an interactive workshop, or a designated “Lotus Dickey Artist” that introduces new audiences to his music and the old-time traditions of the United States.
Interesting, isn’t it? That a bluegrass musician would be the inspiration to bring artists from all over the world to a small mid-western town.
To see a complete schedule of this year’s festival, download a free Lotus Festival schedule from iTunes. (All the images on this post are from the elegantly designed app by WhimMill LLC.)
Please understand, however, that this is an event that requires experiential contact. No list, no photo, no audio recording replaces the sense of being on the street among the artists and musicians and dancers. (The only event that I’ve ever been to that is comparable is the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, B.C.)
When: September 22-25, various times of day and night, plus special events on other dates, like the Lotus Blossoms school concerts and workshops.
Where: Bloomington, Indiana, various downtown venues
Price: free to $33 for a full-price one-day adult ticket–a bargain at any price
My promise: There’s something for everyone at the festival. I know you’ll have a grand time. And if you come, I promise to dance with you! I’ll be wearing my GeekMom t-shirt.
Disclaimer: I am not personally or professionally affiliated with the Lotus Festival. (Though I’ve often volunteered, and over the next couple of days I will help one of the lead community artists load banners and flags and anything else she needs to take from her studio to the festival site.) Nor am I in any way compensated for festival publicity. I’m simply a lifetime fan. I love to dance and surround myself with all the love and joy that infuse the Lotus Festival each and every year.
I lived there for a year, but I never did get to the Lotus, I still have friends who go every year though!
Rosalind,
Come back and visit.