41 replies to this topic

[elpingüino]

Fort Worth gets dueling art festivals over a dispute about supporting local artists

Sundance Square will be hosting the new Fort Worth Art Fair, separate from the Main Street Arts Festival.

[roverone]

I don't like the idea that the direction of a long-standing tradition is being usurped by one private group.

 

It sounds like this cannot be Main Street Arts Festival + Fort Worth Art Fair, but rather that it carves away space from the traditional Main Street Arts Festival and replaces national / international artists with local artists that are being selected with different criteria.

 

I had hoped that in the privatization of that section of Main St. from 3rd to 4th all year round that there would have been a reciprocal clause for the use of the plaza area for the Main Street Arts Festival.

 

Also, I feel like the Arts Goggle on April 23 traditionally has a larger proportion of local artists (although I know it is a shorter and smaller event).

 

I don't want to sound as though I am not in support of local artists, but perhaps the right thing to do would have been to provide the promise of grants for local artists so exhibit fees were not a barrier to their submission, but they would go through the selection process the same as all of the artists for a uniform event.

[JBB]

Or between one private entity and everyone else.

[Jeriat]

Fort Worth gets dueling art festivals over a dispute about supporting local artists

Sundance Square will be hosting the new Fort Worth Art Fair, separate from the Main Street Arts Festival.

[Dylan]

I'm unable to access the Star-Telegram article, and can't find any more info online.

 

Are the two different art fairs scheduled for the same weekend?

 

If so, is the new Fort Worth Art Fair going to be entirely within the plaza, or will Sundance Square and DTFW Inc. battle for street space?

[johnfwd]

I'm unable to access the Star-Telegram article, and can't find any more info online.

 

Are the two different art fairs scheduled for the same weekend?

 

If so, is the new Fort Worth Art Fair going to be entirely within the plaza, or will Sundance Square and DTFW Inc. battle for street space?

Good question.  We all know the calendar--as well as geographical distance--separates Mayfest from the Main Street Arts Festival.  I can't image Sundance Square Plaza competing with Main Street on the same weekend.  Then again, if the same weekend, since it's all in downtown, would either Fort Worth residents or out-of-towners discern a difference between the two arts festivals?  Would anyone really care?

[txbornviking]

One of the items that I certainly find "odd" about the Main Street Arts festival is, with over 1,000 artists applying every year for 200 slots, how many of the same artists appear year-after-year.

[johnfwd]

One of the items that I certainly find "odd" about the Main Street Arts festival is, with over 1,000 artists applying every year for 200 slots, how many of the same artists appear year-after-year.

Good point, as I've observed some of the same artists in consecutive years.  But, if there's an implication that new artists are not invited, I kind of doubt that.  I do not know if the festival's planning committee screens entries, does anyone know? I can't imagine turning away a new artist who has the funds to buy space.

[roverone]

With regards to repeat artists, I expect there are two things involved:

 

I'm sure there are some artists who are well equipped to make this kind of arts festival circuit tour; they probably have the most experience in knowing what people are interested in; what sells; how to present it; and how to present themselves for selection.

 

And then I also think the festival is a little bit like a restaurant menu, and there is some comfort for attendees to see some of the familiar items on display.  Some of those pieces are of a prices that it might take a few year's exposure to trigger a sale.  I know I have "missed" when some stand-out exhibitors are not there, much as I would feel if something was missing from the menu of a restaurant in a city that I visit occasionally.

 

Of course, there needs to be a mix of familiar and new.  I'm not sure how much insight the selection committee has on economic factors in their decisions, and it might not even matter because the artists themselves are going to self-select if Fort Worth is not the place you can sell XYZ.

 

To me, in addition to the food and music, the art is kind of like an outdoor museum where the pieces are for sale, and it might disconcerting if all of the booths changed out every year.

 

Although I've been work-from-home here during these times, my office windows look out on the festival at close range, and definitely there are repeat exhibitors, and often even in the same location.

 

I remember as a much younger person being at the very first MSAF, and it made me proud of the energy of my city.  I am saddened to hear of any friction connected to this important event.

[UncaMikey]

What bothers me is that, with less than two months before MSAF, Sundance Square decides they don't want to play by the rules that have been used for 35 years. And since the city has given control of Main Street, in the center of downtown, to a private entity, they can block MSAF from using "their" space. It's sheer idiocy that the centerpiece of downtown is treated like private property.

 

This is completely unnecessary interference in one of downtown's signature events.

[JBB]

I agree.  I haven't read deep on this, but I've seen plenty of insinuation that this is going to be happening during the MSAF.  What's to stop Sundance Square from fencing off the plaza and charging admission to control access to their festival?

[Nitixope]

The last time I attended MSAF, I found plenty of interesting things to see, do and eat in front of the Convention Center on that end of Main St.  If show power is an issue, they could possibly run some additional feeds from the convention center or use mobile generators.  I haven't had time to read up on it yet, but  you would think that some of the bookings both for venue and performers is contractually bound at this point.  It would cost more to change it although maybe it's more about proving a point? 

[johnfwd]

I agree.  I haven't read deep on this, but I've seen plenty of insinuation that this is going to be happening during the MSAF.  What's to stop Sundance Square from fencing off the plaza and charging admission to control access to their festival?

That could happen, just as Mayfest is fenced off at Trinity Park and charges an access fee.  I hope not.  The Plaza may not be technically public, but residents and visitors perceive it as such.

 

Local politics about arts festival governance and decisions about location are intriguing--but still local.  One of the years I volunteered I talked with a couple from Australia visiting MSAF.  They came to enjoy art paintings, photographs, jewelry, to partake of the food and beverages, sit for the concert entertainment, and absorb Texas culture.  They knew nothing about who controls what.  But, if there's a separate arts fair at the Plaza, I hope all can walk in there for free.

[elpingüino]

Starting to see ads for the Fort Worth Art Fair. https://twitter.com/fwartfair

[Doohickie]

What's to stop Sundance Square from fencing off the plaza and charging admission to control access to their festival?

Well for starters, no one will pay for FWAF if MSAF is free.

[Nitixope]

 

What's to stop Sundance Square from fencing off the plaza and charging admission to control access to their festival?

Well for starters, no one will pay for FWAF if MSAF is free.

 

 

I just tried pulling up their website and am getting major warnings from my web browsers.

 

I even tried MS Edge which I never use and it completely blocked some malware trying to load from their site.  Anybody else run into this?

 

 

 

 

[JBB]

 

What's to stop Sundance Square from fencing off the plaza and charging admission to control access to their festival?

Well for starters, no one will pay for FWAF if MSAF is free.

 

 

Probably, but I guess my point was that Sundance has control of that space.  I don't know that there's anything to stop them from using it to divide the space available for the original arts festival.

[Doohickie]

Sounds like some sort of feud.

[elpingüino]

Website is up and running. No admission fee, according to the FAQ. https://www.fortworthartfair.com/

[roverone]

Maybe no admission, but the site is full of "Buy VIP Passes" buttons at $100 per day.

[Nitixope]

Anything I shouldn’t bring?

 

Please no coolers, no folding chairs, no wagons, and no picnic blankets on the plaza.

 

It looks like the have a really full line-up.  So if you don't buy a VIP Pass or Music Lover Bracelet, are you stuck standing up the whole time or sitting on the concrete?  It only excludes folding chairs, so I guess you could bring a traditional non-folding chair and see what the security says.

 

Here's another idea...an inflatable chair:

[John T Roberts]

To be honest with you, I generally interpret that if you don't buy a pass, you are left to stand up, or sit on the brick pavers.  I'm also interpreting that if you don't purchase a pass or Music Lovers Bracelet, you may be standing outside on the sidewalk, if the plaza gets crowded.

[Nitixope]

I do not recognize anyone in the line-up. Maybe I am just out of touch with who s who?

https://www.fortworthartfair.com/music

[John T Roberts]

I don't know any of them, either.  Maybe, I'm just getting too old.

[gdvanc]

Looks like they play both kinds of music.

[Doohickie]

I do not recognize anyone in the line-up. Maybe I am just out of touch with who s who?

https://www.fortworthartfair.com/music

I've seen Tatiana Mayfield.  She's quite good.  UNT product.  Plays Scat Jazz Lounge a lot.

 

I've heard of Squeezebox Bandits too; I think I've seen them at past MSAF.

 

Here we are two weeks out and they haven't revealed their headliners yet.

 

[Nitixope]

I was about those headliners too.  It actually starts a week from today: April 7 – 10, 2022

[txbornviking]

$100/day gives off big Lucille Bluth banana energy
 

[Doohickie]

$100/day gives off big Lucille Bluth banana energy

I have no idea what that means.

[txbornviking]

 

$100/day gives off big Lucille Bluth banana energy

I have no idea what that means.

 

(basically super rich person having no idea what the actual cost/value of things are)
 

[Jeriat]

So uh... this may be waaaaay more contentious than I thought. 

[elpingüino]

Headliners include Steve Miller and Clint Black: https://www.star-tel...e259990485.html

[Nitixope]

Ok, you have my attention. Those $100 tickets suddenly dont seem so expensive. However, it is going to be packed in and especially out of the plaza.

[roverone]

If you recall, there was a spectacular New Years Eve event just at the transition to the new management, it left the impression that no expense was spared.

 

It will be interesting to see if this is of a similar intensity.

[RD Milhollin]

I do not recognize anyone in the line-up. Maybe I am just out of touch with who s who?

https://www.fortworthartfair.com/music

Look at the band for Dallasite Steve Miller; Nathan East was just at Dickies holding down bass for Clapton, and Dean Parks has played guitar for everyone from Sonny and Cher to Dylan to Steely Dan to Clint Black to Crosby and Nash. Look at the pages of discography on his wiki. Fort Worth Native to boot, Paschal '64 I think. The 100 bucks would be about right for a mediocre seat at that show if it was a full concert. Steve Miller could play 2 hours and 3/4th of the songs might be certified gold - hits. Very interesting and talented people playing that set, ought to be great. Hope the outdoor venue is adequate, should have been inside at Bass Hall a few feet away.

[Nitixope]

 

I do not recognize anyone in the line-up. Maybe I am just out of touch with who s who?

https://www.fortworthartfair.com/music

Look at the band for Dallasite Steve Miller; Nathan East was just at Dickies holding down bass for Clapton, and Dean Parks has played guitar for everyone from Sonny and Cher to Dylan to Steely Dan to Clint Black to Crosby and Nash. Look at the pages of discography on his wiki. Fort Worth Native to boot, Paschal '69 I think. The 100 bucks would be about right for a mediocre seat at that show if it was a full concert. Steve Miller could play 2 hours and 3/4th of the songs might be certified gold - hits. Very interesting and talented people playing that set, ought to be great. Hope the outdoor venue is adequate, should have been inside at Bass Hall a few feet away.

 

 

Yes, I noticed Nathan East in that line-up!  He's probably in the top 10ish bassists for me, I think I first noticed him in the early to mid 90's but he goes back much further than that.  It is pretty unreal how many bands he's toured with.  There's been many youtube recordings I've pulled up and go "oh nice, Nathan East is on bass!"  Wasn't much of a Toto fan, but some of their more recent live shows with Nathan East and Simon Philips (on drums) are a real treat to watch.

 

I saw a permit was pulled last week for Sundance Square's on stage set-up so it will have a real sound stage as they've done previous years. 

 

Bass Hall....they could use Dickies for those headliners.  

[Dylan]

I visited Sundance Square last Sunday while I was downtown. It was closed.

 

Crews were erecting a giant stage or structure in front of the Westbrook Building. It's larger than the stage they used to have for live music. I think it might be the same structure used for New Years Eve two years ago.

 

Crews were also setting up vendor tents under the umbrellas.

[Papaw]

Attended the Art Festival Friday afternoon and evening and really enjoyed everything!  Certainly easier paying as you go rather than dealing with tickets!  The music was good and lots of very interesting arts and crafts to see.  Wasn't too crowded and parked at a parking garage to the East of the venue with no problem. It was neat hearing the different types of music as you made your way from third street to the convention center.  Didn't have any problems finding places to sit and rest along the way.

[RD Milhollin]

Any reviews of the Steve Miller/Dean Parks show on the Plaza? Did anyone remember to shout out for a guitar solo from the hometown boy? He also helped out a little with Bloodrock back in the day. Huh, hello, uh, any Fort Worthers remember Bloodrock?

[hipolyte]

I remember Bloodrock. It was D.O.A.  

[NThomas]

First mention I've seen for a second year of the dualing events:

 

Main Street Arts Festival, Fort Worth Art Fair to Share Downtown for Second Year

Fort Worth Star-Telegram (https://www.star-tel...273728370.html)

March 29, 2023

[Nitixope]

Moderate crowd, nice cool and breezy weather, very refreshing.  As far as I could tell, Sundance Square was in its basic set-up with an added wine bar along Main.

There is a jazz ensemble playing covers with a local swing dancer club enjoying themselves up front by the stage.  By the time I got there, most of the art displays were shutting down for the night and everything appeared to be wrapping up around sunset.