With St. Patrick’s Day weekend in full swing, people didn’t have to look too far to find somewhere to celebrate. Saturday’s first annual Bloom Music and Arts Festival— complete with art, food and free music on the levee— was no exception.
The festival was held downtown at the Levee Plaza from 2-10 p.m. The location was key to the festival’s atmosphere, with the calm river on one side and lively music on the other and downtown Baton Rouge in the background.
Young adults and families were among the festival-goers. Children, naturally, took to running down the levee, while adults were captivated by the music and various art booths.
The festival’s art selection featured a live graffiti artist, a showcase of local artwork and a jewelry vendor. Colorful portraits of rappers like Kanye West and Chance the Rapper were up for sale at one of the booths.
The youthful crowd the festival attracted was intentional, according to Jarvis Antwine, one of the festival’s organizers.
“The idea came about because as a team, we all enjoy live music and art and felt that in Baton Rouge, we don’t have any festivals that appeal to a younger demographic,” Antwine said.
Performers varied among hip-hop, rock, funk and EDM genres. Those taking the stage included rapper Bryce Williams, soul trio Boogie Long and the Blues Revolution, funk and jazz group Captain Green and funk group Joe Grady.
Grady’s music echoed a traditional New Orleans vibe made possible by the presence of the band’s trumpet player and the guitarist repeatedly asking the audience if they were ready to get funky.
For those looking for a more experimental sound, there was a second stage where passersby could listen to spoken word artists or even take the stage themselves. This was perfectly in tune with the objective of the festival— connecting local artists with the community in order to expand Baton Rouge’s music scene.
To many, sitting in the levee grass among patches of clovers while listening to music was an appropriate way to spend the holiday. The winter chill of the previous days had vanished, leaving behind only a slight breeze which helped make the newfound heat much more tolerable.
Cherokee tacos, nachos and snowballs were sold near the main stage to refresh attendees. Other vendors included Boil & Roux, Kharles Kitchen, Lali’s and Chowdown Kitchen.
Antwine said he hopes the crowd was big enough to move forward with the festival in the years to come.
“We want to keep [the festival] downtown if possible,” he said.
