Tickets available Friday for Westobou tentpole events.
By now, most everyone knows that Janelle Monae is headlining the music portion of the Westobou Festival in a concert that also features Maceo Park, Fred Wesley & the New JBs and Funk You. The social media buzz alone has been astounding.
Friday, however, marks the day that tickets finally become available to this concert, as well as the other tentpole events that make up the five-day festival.
“We have pillar acts that are equal, it just depends on what your taste is,” said Molly McDowell, executive director of the Westobou Festival. “So there’s essentially five headliners, one for each of the five genres.”
Monae and company, for instance, headline the music genre of the festival and have, understandably, gotten the most attention. But other genres have some pretty exciting events scheduled as well, including the dance portion of the festival, which will spotlight Benjamin Millepied’s L.A. Dance Project on Saturday, October 6, at the Imperial Theatre.
“Benjamin Millepied actually has come here before, but he was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and, of course, shot to stardom with ‘Black Swan,’ which he choreographed,” McDowell said. “We’re pleased to say that we are the second week of the L.A. Dance Project and, after that, it goes to Paris.”
Millepied is the husband of “Black Swan” star Natalie Portman, who won an Oscar for her work in the film. He founded the project and this show includes two popular dancers, as well as one of Millepied’s new works.
In the words genre of the festival, Westoubou has two events worth their price. Phillipe Petite appears to talk about his tightrope walk between the twin towers, a feat that was turned into a documentary called “Man on a Wire.” As part of the film portion of festival programming, the movie will show earlier in the day on Friday, October 5, while Petite will speak that evening.
Also appearing will be the Kovac Brothers, authorities on wine, who on Sunday, October 7, will talk about and share some of their favorites in a tasting. The authors will also sign copies of their books. And in the film portion of programming, the documentary “I’m Fine Thanks” will premiere.
As is always the case during Westobou, there will be a number of free events. Included is the Julia Easterlin and Bean Summer kickoff concert on Wednesday, October 3, at 7 p.m. at the festival headquarters, the Old Richmond Academy on Telfair Street.
Before and during the concert, which is on the academy’s parade grounds, participants will have a chance to sample the visual portion of the programming inside the academy. The exhibitions, which this year take up the entire first floor, are also free and include “The House That Herman Built,” by artist Jackie Sumell with Herman Wallace, “World Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurricane Floyd” by Steven Vitiello and more.
McDowell and the rest of the festival staff have worked hard so that, this year, ticket buyers will find it easier to spend their money.
“In the past it’s been difficult because each individual group was selling their own tickets,” she said. “We did all the programming this year, so it should flow quite nicely.”
General admission and reserved seating will be available for purchase by calling, going to the office at 965 Broad Street Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or visiting the website. VIP badges — $625 a couple, $312.50 per person or $75 for the music portion — are also available by visiting the office.
For a complete list of Westobou Festival 2012 programming and ticket prices, call 706-755-2878 or visit westoboufestival.com.You Might Also Like:
On Sale Now!
Tagged with: Amy Christian, Janelle Monae, Julia Easterlin, Molly McDowell, Westobou Festival
Posted in Art45
Posted in Art45