GonzoFest Louisville: land of the weird, home of the rare
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Published by Sareth Ney on April 19, 2016 at 4:58 a.m.
Updated on April 19, 2016 at 9:06 p.m. |
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Photo credit: gonzofestlou.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – GonzoFest celebrated six years of existence over the weekend, from April 16 through April 17. It celebrated the works and inspirations of the late, Hunter S. Thompson. Music, poetry, spoken word, art, panels, keynote speakers, a sideshow, music and more took place at the Big Four Lawn in Waterfront Park, on April 17. An after-party occurred shortly after, at The New Vintage. A screening of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” screened at FIlmworks, on April 17.
Frederick The Younger, Quiet Hollers, Chrome Pony, Wax Fang, Dr. Dundiff, Touch AC &The Smokeshopkids were the openers on the main stage. Natural Child was the direct support and Fly Golden Eagle headlined. Between Wax Fang and Dr. Dundiff, Touch AC & The Smokeshopkids set, a keynote address transpired. It featured Mayor Greg Fischer, Ron Whitehead, The Thompson Family, Laila Nabulsi and more. Whitehead honored them with Gonzo fist statues and Ky. Colonel certificates.
Frederick The Younger, Quiet Hollers, Chrome Pony, Wax Fang, Dr. Dundiff, Touch AC &The Smokeshopkids were the openers on the main stage. Natural Child was the direct support and Fly Golden Eagle headlined. Between Wax Fang and Dr. Dundiff, Touch AC & The Smokeshopkids set, a keynote address transpired. It featured Mayor Greg Fischer, Ron Whitehead, The Thompson Family, Laila Nabulsi and more. Whitehead honored them with Gonzo fist statues and Ky. Colonel certificates.
Photo credit: Sareth Ney
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Poetry and literature readings by Gonzo Today’s Clayton Luce and Cody Decker kicked off the festivities inside the Gonzo Today tent stage, at GonzoFest. Afterwards, they invited guests to read their poems to the onlookers. Shakespeare’s Monkey Poetry Performance followed, prior to 4 p.m. Spoken word artists were invited to share their works too. Bottom Sop set up and performed a musical number.
Photo credit: Sareth Ney
Shortly after 7 p.m., Matt Weir presented the Hunter S. Thompson statue presentation. He spoke of the inspiration behind the statue, where it would be erected and how to donate to the cause of his GoFundMe campaign. Around 9:25 p.m., the panel on Hunter S. Thompson began. It featured the Thompson family and those closest to him including: Juan Thompson, Jennifer Thompson, Nabulsi, Doug Brinkley and Deborah Fuller.
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Tinderbox Circus Sideshow had a late start, due to the panel of Hunter S. Thompson. It featured flame swallowing; objects inserted through the nose and exited the mouth and stapling money to their bodies. Frogg Corpse & Mr. Stranger present The End of the World was the direct support, Your News Vehicles was the headlining act and they ended the events for the day. At the after-party for GonzoFest—The Sundresses and Discount Guns performed.
Photo credit: Sareth Ney
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While at Filmworks, Nabulsi held an autograph session before and after the screening of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. After the film, she took part in the question and answer (Q&A) portion. It was presented by GonzoFest and Gonzo Today.
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Photo credit: Sareth Ney
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the entertainment journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article written into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.
