This weekend downtown Bowling Green will be alive with music for the ears and art for the eyes. The Black Swamp Arts Festival has been a fixture in Bowling Green for nine years. The festival is a combination of music, arts, film and youth activities.
There will be seven different venues for music during the festival and a wide range of music being played. Dr. Lucy Long, a professor in the popular culture department, is just one of the many artists who will be performing over the weekend. She said that she has been performing at the festival for four years. The fact that the festival takes place in town is one reason why she enjoys performing.
“I live here in Bowling Green,” she said, “I see it as a community event. It’s the one time where Bowling Green feels like a big city.”
Howard’s Club H is just one of the venues where music will be performed. According to John “J.D.” DeSmith, the club’s manager, Howard’s had a somewhat unofficial role until just a few years ago. “The headliners would always come here and jam on Saturday night,” he said. DeSmith said that festival organizers approached Howard’s a few years ago asking for stage space for more bands.
DeSmith said that he looks forward to the influx of different people that come through the city. “Every year this festival gets better and better,” he said, “There is a lot to offer in this little town. Everybody gets a taste of what they like.”
According to DeSmith, Howard’s adds more than just a club atmosphere to the festival. Guests are able to talk and relax. “When you walk in the door, the perception (of bars) goes out of the window,” he said.
An electronica stage will be located on South Main Street near Sky Bank’s parking lot. The Huntington Bank Courtyard will be the host the “Old Time Music Acoustic Jam Session” from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join the session. The Community Commons courtyard will be home to jazz, folk, and acoustic musicians. The Youth Art Stage will offer entertainment that is geared towards the younger audience. Acts will include storytellers, comedians and folk musicians.
The main stage will be located in the parking lot on the corner of East Wooster and South Prospect streets. Some of the bands who will be appearing include Iguanas on Friday night and former “Saturday Night Live” band leader G.E. Smith on Saturday night. “I like listening to all the different groups,” Long said, “There’s a really nice variety of groups.” Long also said that the festival is free and within walking distance. “The purpose (of the festival) is more for people to have fun together,” she said.
Along with the music, the Cla-Zel Theatre will be showing several different films. The theater will still be showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight on Saturday. The theater will also be showing “Pollock,” which stars Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden and the Talking Head’s concert film, “Stop Making Sense,” among others.
There will also be activities for the younger festival goers. All of the youth activities are free, except for tie-dye which will require a $1 donation for materials. Children will be able to create different crafts such as quilt squares, masks, and tiki pendants.
