This is the review of the yearly tradition, Boneyard Arts Festival. The Boneyard has been going on for six years so far, and it is a celebration of all things art. Various stores, restaurants, and galleries open their doors to the public and serve as venues for budding or established artists. You need only see the emblematic sign (a bone) on the door to know it is a venue for the festival.
I staffed a gallery called Healing Works this year, which featured artwork by and about survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Healing Works is a staple of the festival, and it is held in the African American Cultural Center. Included is a clothesline project (shirts with stories of survivors written on them--as a way of "airing the dirty laundry"), masks (to depict the problem of "masking" sexual violence), and art by survivors. All were very powerful and very sobering to see, but also very hopeful in the message of having the strength to heal.
The highlight of the Boneyard is Late Night spACE, the series of concerts. My boyfriend Adam and I saw the first three artists, vonFrickle, Jane Boxall, and Vernon Reid. Last year we saw the jazz fusion trio led by UI alum Greg Spero. All of these acts are totally recommendable if you'd like something new and different (in a good way). vonFrickle sounds and looks like they came from another planet! The four guys wear masks and white suits on stage, and occasionally, their eyes will light up bright red. They churn out shredding prog-rock grooves that recall the late great prog rockers but keep things original. Adding to the hypnotic quality of their music was some funky videography in the back. I had never really thought much of video as an art form, but it certainly is spectacular to watch. It turned the whole show into a trip, and an addictive one at that! Jane Boxall is a marimbist. I saw her at the Pygmalion festival, and she was good. She provided a quiet break between the weirdness of vonFrickle and the funky psychedelic sounds of Vernon Reid. Vernon had just his distorted guitar and his videographer, and he sounded like a high-tech student of Jeff Beck! I'm not implying that he was as good as Mr. Beck, but from the bluesy influence and the vocal-esque sounds of his guitar, it definitely sounded like he learned a thing or two from the master! He even had a quiet, unassuming stage presence, with little flash or flamboyance (again, another chip off the old Beck block). The video made his music even more hypnotic.
Probably the best Boneyard yet. Stay tuned as I go "in da club" next time!
The artists: Varied from year to year, but highlights have included Angie Heaton, Greg Spero Trio, vonFrickle, Vernon Reid, and Jane Boxall
The venue: Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy clubs and restaurants
The dates: Third week in April from year to year
The audience: All ages for the artwork, all ages for the bands, 21 to drink (it's the law!)
Revel Rating: 10 out of 10
