Subscribe to RSS
Back HomeWestobou NEWS
The Wright Stuff
It’s hard for an artist to identify exactly when their star is on the rise. Those first few months of turning tides are rarely marked by easily identifiable indicators such as sharp spikes in sales or the immediate need for super-sized venues. It’s something that happens gradually. Still, there are landmarks – the first appearance on network television, the appearance of a song in a television show or movie and, of course, magazine covers.
Augusta and Ms. Jones
Augusta is many things and one of the primary missions of the Westobou Festival is to reflect the faceted nature of community through its programming. That means offering exhibitions and performances that are both dignified and joyful, thoughtful and light-hearted, staid and funky.
A Very Sociable Social Canvas
“The vibe here is awesome.” That’s the first thing we heard from artist Jason Craig upon arriving at last night’s Social Canvas. The weather was great, the bands and artists were fired up and the crowd was enthusiastic. It’s the third Westobou event at the outdoor stage at the Old Academy of Richmond County and the venue is just getting better.
One Fine Day of Film
Anyone who did not make it to the Downtown Augusta Library yesterday missed out on one of the most interesting and inspiring collection of events during Westobou.
Measuring Success
Success is a slippery concept. There are, if we are being honest, just too many ways to measure it – some finite and others abstract. So when people ask if Westobou has, at the halfway point, been successful, you have to wonder by what measure they mean. Has it been artistically successful? Have people been attending? Have patrons left exhibitions and events inspired and feeling like they have attended something unique, something special?
And We're Off
After months of plotting, planning and anxious anticipation, the 2011 Westobou Festival is officially underway. We kicked off last night with Transfigured Time, a hypnotic performance featuring indie rock legend Mac McCaughan. If that performance is anything to go by (and we like to believe it is), this year’s festival should prove to be something very special and significant.
Under the Radar: Mac McCaughan
It’s hard to pin down Mac McCaughan. Over the course of his career he’s fronted the seminal indie rock acts Superchunk and Portastatic.
Festival Art Print
The Westobou Festival recently commissioned Augusta-bred artist Baker Overstreet to produce a piece in his distinctive style commemorating the 2011 festival.
North Augusta-bou
The Westobou Festival, to its credit, has proved difficult to contain. There’s no one venue that could contain all the performances, exhibitions and experiences the festival has to offer. It’s an event so diverse and so expansive that we’ve had to spread it over several facilities – and two states.
Free to See
There is, according to an old saying, no such thing as a free lunch. Don’t tell that to Westobou.
Under the Radar: Horton Foote
In his lifetime Horton Foote would win a Pulitzer Prize (for his play The Young Man From Atlanta) and a matched set of Academy Awards (for adapting To Kill a Mockingbird in 1962 and Tender Mercies in 1983). You would think that would be enough to make the prolific writer for both stage and screen a household name.
Under the Radar: Sarah Hobbs
It is perhaps unfair that contemporary visual artists don’t enjoy the same level of recognition as musicians and movie stars. There are, of course, some exceptions – Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and David Hockney, for instance – but for the most part, even the most successful artists remain rather anonymous.
Under the Radar: Joey Calderazzo
When you’re slated to share the stage with Branford Marsalis and Jessye Norman, it’s easy to feel like you might get lost in their long shadows. For acclaimed jazz pianist Joey Calderazzo, the would be a real shame.
Under the Radar: Blue Rodeo
With more than 50 events planned over 10 days, there are times when a deserving Westobou act or artist gets lost in the shuffle. That’s why between now and the festival we’ll be highlighting an act that might be under the audience radar.
IN THE POST(ER)
We want Westobou Festival events to be identifiable from 50 yards. That’s why we’ve put together a series of posters, featuring a few of the scheduled acts, to post around town.
Westobou Performance Project
Join us First Friday for a celebration of the 2011 Westobou Festival ticket launch and the creative spirit with a special presentation by the Westobou Performance Project.
Home Base
Part of the appeal of the Westobou Festival is that it can’t be contained by a single venue. The acts attracted to the event are too diverse, appeal to too many disparate audiences and, quite often, require specific stages.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
The Westobou Festival is proud to present a back-by-popular-demand performance by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. This high octane performance by the Augusta native and her razor sharp band of New York soulsters takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at the Parade Grounds at the Old Richmond Academy.
TRANSFIGURED TIME: Music for the Films of Maya Deren by Mac McCaughan
On the evening of Thursday September 29th, the 2011 edition of the Westobou Festival will open with a celebration of the work of Maya Deren, the most noted female experimental filmmaker of the 1940s, by presenting the world premiere of Transfigured Time at The Sacred Heart Cultural Center.
Art Rosenbaum
The Westobou Festival is proud to announce that Art Rosenbaum has been named the signature artist for the 2011 festival.
Momix
The Augusta Ballet is proud to present Botanica by the Momix Dance Theatre at 7 p.m. Oct. 6-7.
Rosanne Cash
The Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival will present a performance by country music legend Rosanne Cash as part of the 2011 Westobou Festival. Canadian alt-country act Blue Rodeo will open. The concert will take place Friday, Sept. 30 at the Parade Grounds at the Old Richmond Academy.
Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass
Augusta State University, in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting, will present Ira Glass: Stories and Other Stories as part of the 2011 Westobou Festival. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre on the campus of Augusta State University.
