every Friday the AGN has a pull out section called, "Get Out!". entertainment editor chip chandler runs down local entertainment choices for the coming weekend. many of the offerings are country bands but one headline caught my eye. It reads "Deathfest promises brutal good times". nearly 30 death metal bands take the stage here in little a-town. if you have something against your ears, you might check it out. be it death metal or country, there is a genre out there to satisfy most any of your musical cravings.
entertaining taking in Deathfest (NOT) takes me back to last weekend in big a-town and HONKTX 2013, a festival of community street bands. for the millions of "marching band geeks" who've not found an outlet for their music since their last ephemeral note in high school or college faded into the wind, the growing movement of community street bands might be just the thing to scratch an itch.
HONK , started in Somerville, MA. the fun has since spread across the country with festivals now being staged in Providence (PRONK) and HONK WEST in Seattle. HONKTX 2013, in Austin this past weekend featured 23 bands, both local and from around the country, showcasing styles from the zombiesque Dead Music Capital Band to the elementary Holly Lolly Band and every bent in between. the likes of the Seed and Feed and the Minor Mishap Marching Bands favored the crowds with lively tunes, amusing hijinks and a splash of added color.
the weekend got rolling on Friday evening with the bands strutting their stuff at venues along S. Congress. a chilly Saturday was warmed up starting at noon, with bands playing some hot licks, alternating through venues around Pan-Am park. on Sunday, east Austin was treated to a parade starting at noon with the bands marching along with twirlers, dancers, the Austin bicycle zoo and others. hundreds of delighted fans lined the streets of the neighborhood. after minor mishap brought up the rear, a revue of the bands hit the stage in fine form, blowing the windy afternoon into happy conclusion.
the HONKTX organizers are to be commended for the hours upon hours spent planning toward making the spectacle that is HONKTX come to fruition and marvelous conclusion. the festival represents all that is good about Austin. this huge undertaking does its' bit toward "keeping Austin weird" and that's a good thing. Congratulations to all!
aio
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