September 23, 2013

More than 18 million Americans attend over 2,600 different music festivals in North America each year, creating spontaneous, intimate family-style communities that filmmaker James Wallace set out to capture in his new documentary, At Fest. The film follows a small-town band named HogMaw as they gear up for what they hope will be a breakthrough performance at Fest – one of the oldest and largest music festivals in North America. Our Music Industry program invites you to a free screening of At Fest at the URBN Annex Screening room (3401 Filbert street) on Oct. 3, 6 p.m.  

At Fest not only highlights folk festival performers, but also event volunteers like Ellen, who shares a special bond with her 2,000 co-workers at the non-profit Philadelphia Folk Festival, which has hosted 40,000 attendees and 8,000 campers each year since 1962. At Fest’s features an array of performances from massive stages to small campfires. “In At Fest, you’ll meet the ‘babies of Fest’ and people who have attended Fest and other events like it for 50 consecutive years,” says Wallace.  

Wallace, who directed At Fest, explains that the film is not a retrospective, an educational film, an investigative report, a concert film, or a commercial. “At Fest is something different and fun,” he says. “The movie sometimes recalls the original Woodstock documentary, but feels more personal and real. It’s a moving journey to a special place.” At Fest strives to be an intimate musical portrait unlike any other. The At Fest URBN Annex screening is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Music Industry Program Director Cyrille Taillandier at clt43[at]drexel.edu.