The 29th Annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival kicks off Thursday, September 22nd with a variety of concerts, performances and hands-on arts activities across Bloomington and continues through Sunday, September 25th.
Organized by the Lotus Educational Arts Foundation, the festival fulfills the nonprofit’s mission to “create opportunities to experience, celebrate and explore the diversity of the world’s cultures through music and the arts,” according to the festival program. I’m here.
Over 20 artists from a wide variety of genres and backgrounds perform throughout the weekend. This year’s festival is presented by IU Bloomington and the Office of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
The ticketed musical event kicks off on Thursday with the Lotus Opening Concert by singer Lucibella at the Buskirk Chumley Theater at 7pm. Lucibela is Brazilian Her specializes in pop, bossa nova, jazz, morna and coladeira music. Tickets for her performance, along with her other Lotus festival events, are available on her website in Buskirk-Chumley.
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On Fridays and Saturdays, 15 different musical groups from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America perform at various venues in Bloomington. For more information on show times and venues for each group, visit his website at Lotus.
Sunday afternoon performances by traditional Irish bands Feddersen, Gourley and Miller and Indian sarod duo Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash round out the weekend. The concert begins at 3:00 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Guests who purchase a $15 Lotus Festival pin will receive complimentary admission to this performance.
In addition to these ticketed performances, Lotus will be offering a variety of free activities starting Thursday at Lotus in the Meadow. The Matixando dance event kicks off at Dunn Meadow at 9:30pm.
Other free events include the Festival Arts Village on Sixth Street between Washington and Walnut streets. The Art Village will feature the Archeopteryx installation, a light sculpture that debuted at the 2019 Burning Man Festival.
Several Bloomington arts groups also welcome visitors to create a variety of arts and crafts. Creating inspirational crafts that tell stories, the Bloomington Piano Project leads the decoration of piano performances. Sidewalk chalk, bubble wands and hula hoops are available to play around the village. Free concerts are held in the village at 8:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
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The Lotus Local Stage, located on Kirkwood Avenue between Lincoln and Grant Streets, features free performances by four different local music groups on Fridays and Saturdays at 6pm. On Saturdays at noon, families can gather at Switchyard Park for Lotus in the Park, a celebration of music, arts activities, and food trucks.
On Saturday, Vivalda Ndula will give a free lecture on grief and loss at 11am at the FAR Center for Contemporary Art. On Sundays, the FAR Center welcomes guests to the Festival Unwind Yoga class starting at 11am.
Snacks from local food trucks and restaurants are available at Arts Village and Switchyard Park. Beer, wine and other beverages will be provided by Upland Brewing Company, Bloomington Brewing Company and Cardinal Spirits.
Visit the foundation’s website for ticket sales, event schedule, parking, artist profiles and Lotus social media details.
