The arts and nature festival “Forestival” creates an organic experience for all ages needing to get in touch with themselves and nature. It will feature live music, guided nature hikes and other activities this Saturday, November 12. This year’s musical acts include Shamarr Allen, Sabine McCalla, Wayne Singleton & Same Ol’ 2 Step, Congo Square Drum Circle and Zydeco dance instruction from Harold Guillory.
Forestival takes place in the forests surrounding “A Studio in the Woods,” an art studio that has hosted more than 200 artists, scholars and writers since 2001. This event is the only time of year when the eight acres surrounding “A Studio in the Woods” opens to the public.
In addition to music, Forestival will also feature art exhibitions, including an interactive installation from The Weavers Project, poetry readings from Sha’Condria “iCon” Sibley and a music workshop called “Singing to the River” presented by Shay Nichols. It’s a family-friendly event with hands-on activities for all ages, such as gulf fish drawing, plant printmaking and a kids-only “Build-a-Clay” forest.
Two separate guided nature walks will also be hosted. The first is the Creole Food and Medicine Walk with Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, musician, a former Jean Lafitte park ranger and a collector of Creole songs and stories; and another called “Walks in the Woods with Tulane Scientists” with Environmental Curator David Baker and Tulane Ecologist Elizabeth MacDougal.
Festival-goers will have the chance to chat with local environmental activists such as representatives from RISE St. James, a grassroots organization with aims to stop pollution in “Cancer Alley,” as well as Another Gulf is Possible, a gulf-coast-based mutual aid collaborative.
Lastly, the festival will host a silent auction and food provided by Big O’s Original Pops, Plant Bass Vegan Deli and Top Notch Creole Creations, as well as beer provided by Zony Mash Beer Project. There is no price of admission except a suggested donation of $15— free entry for kids. For more information, ticket purchases and volunteer registration, visit A Studio in the Woods’ website.
