Friday Photo Blog: Virginia Avenue Folk Festival

Jul 29, 2016

by Tim McLaughlin Hapless Guitar Photography

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ndianapolis is the Crossroads of America, and this is no more true than in music. With music venues from the larger Vogue Theater to the smaller Melody Inn, music plays from Zionsville to spots such as Broad Ripple, Downtown Indianapolis, Fountain Square and many places in-between.

For this selection of photographs I am once again focused on the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis’ near south side. This past May the Fountain Square area hosted its 2nd Annual Virginia Avenue Folk Festival, on a very cold, windy and rainy Saturday—the brainchild of Rocket 88 Doughnuts and Square Cat Records owner Patrick Burtch, and Bigfoot Yancy frontman Mike Angle.

This year saw bands from South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana, and I am sure places I don’t remember. With almost six city blocks, 13 stages and 100 musical acts, I think I may have broken my Fitbit. This festival, like the neighborhood, features music, art, and commerce. There were venders along the side of the street in tents, on foot, and storefronts were open to all who were looking for local wares and in some cases a respite from the elements.

I was simply blown away by the range of talent that Patrick and Mike were able to put together. Additionaly, as in festivals past, attendees and volunteers were kind and friendly to both festival goers and musicians. I love this city and have an affinity for this neighborhood, but these two guys running this have a special kind of love for this place.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, and I encourage you to support local acts and local venues.