ITHACA, N.Y. — Howl Studios is a space for Ithaca musicians to make noise 24/7, and on Saturday they’ll invite the rest of the community to join the fun. Howlfest 2019 will feature performances by local bands along with art displays, food and drink vendors, and group activities from hand drumming to a “midnight howl.”
The party will start at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, and continue past midnight outside the studio, 1607A Trumansburg Rd., Ithaca.
“My personal goal is to have a loving audience and community,” said Way, who organized the event and will perform with his band Papa Muse. “My goal is to have a beautiful stage with great lights and great sounds and to have people dancing.”
Howlfest has grown from a small party for musicians and artists who rent space at Howl Studios into a community event that Way expects to turn out more than 300 people. He said the expansion has been a team effort, with friends and local businesses pitching in.
The Piggery will be on-site to serve up food, while Copper Horse Coffee and Hopshire Farms and Brewery will have libations on offer.
The performance lineup includes more than a dozen acts on two stages: Thousands of One, Road Man, Papa Muse, EVO Evolution, The Sunny Weather, McKenzie Lauren Jones, The Ilium Works, The Darts, Bob Roberts Calamity, Common Railers, and Vicious Fishes, plus late-night acoustic and DJ sets. Artists Elisabeth Pitney, Neeko Bonzini, Deirdre Prince and Eileen M. Sundquist will show their work.
Organizers have emphasized eco-friendly practices throughout the itinerary. Participants are invited to bring a dish to share at a potluck lunch from 2-5 p.m., which will be served with reusable or compostable plates and cutlery rather than relying on single-use plastics. Attendees are also encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and to use TCAT or carpool to get to the site.
Admission is on a sliding scale from $10-20; tickets will be available on site.
Way said he hopes Howlfest is a chance for people to get away from their TVs and come together to celebrate. “I promote hard, I work hard, and I want to have an amazing party that people will remember for years.”
Information about transportation, overnight accommodations, festival rules and vendors is available on the event’s Facebook page, and any last-minute lineup changes will be posted there as well. Howlfest will take place rain or shine.