- HONK!
HONK! is a festival of
radical andactivist marching band s held inSomerville, Massachusetts 'Davis Square neighborhood in October. The first HONK! Festival happened in 2006 and included the participation of adozen street bands from all over theUnited States andCanada . The second festival, Return of HONK!, took place in 2007 and drew 17 bands from around the U.S.,Canada andItaly , and included a parade titled, "Reclaim the Streets for Horns, Bikes and Feet!" The parade featured all the bands along with other non-musician participants, including puppeteers and visual artists such as theBread & Puppet Theater and organizations that promote transportation alternatives and environmental and social justice, such asBikes Not Bombs .The HONK! Festival was first begun by a committee of members from a local activist band, The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band, who saw the need for a gathering of like-minded souls interested in applying the joy of music to the work of promoting peace, social justice, and civic engagement. The Committee for Return of HONK! in 2007 kept all the previous members and expanded to include other musicians and Somerville community activists. Both years, the committee depended heavily on the active role played by Rob Gregory, the owner of the popular Redbones BBQ Restaurant in Davis Square, who helped build support among the business community.
Participating Bands
2007
* Black Bear Combo
* Brass Liberation Orchestra
*Bread and Puppet Circus Band
* Caka!ak Thunder
* [http://chaoticinsurrectionensemble.org Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble]
* Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
* Environmental Encroachment
* Himalayas with Lesser Panda
*Hungry March Band
* [http://www.leftistmarchingband.org Leftist Marching Band]
* March Fourth Marching Band
* Near & Now One-Man Band & Healing Orchestra
* Original Big Seven Social Aid and Pleasure Club
* Pink Puffers Drum & Brass Phunk Band
* Rude Mechanical Orchestra
* Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band
* What Cheer? Brigade2006
*
The Carnival Band
* Black Bear Combo
* Brand New Orleans Brass Band
* Brass Liberation Orchestra
* Environmental Encroachment
*Hungry March Band
* [http://www.leftistmarchingband.org Leftist Marching Band]
*Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
* Rude Mechanical Orchestra
* Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band
* Stick and Rag Village Orchestra
* What Cheer? BrigadeExternal links
* [http://honkfest.org/ HONK! homepage]
* [http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/10/03/march_madness/ "March madness HONK! fest in Davis Square celebrates the power and joy of music made for revolution" by Andrew Gilbert, Boston Globe, October 3, 2007]
* [http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/calendar/articles/2007/10/04/return_of_honk/ "Return of honk" by Milva Didomizio, Boston Globe, October 4, 2007]
* [http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/10/07/honk_festival_makes_some_noise_in_davis_square/ "HONK! festival makes some noise in Davis Square" by Michael Naughton, Boston Globe, October 7, 2007]
* [http://slsaps.org/ The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band homepage]
* [http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/view.bg?articleid=1124540 HONK! If you love street bands] Boston Herald
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