02/22/2017
ANNUAL HUNTER S. THOMPSON FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON LITERARY ASPECTS
MUSICAL LINEUP INCLUDES ALL-LOCAL BANDS
LOUISVILLE, KY (February 22, 2017) – With the move to the Main Branch of Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL), GonzoFest Louisville has also shifted its focus to highlight the literary side of the annual Hunter S. Thompson festival by expanding its panel discussions, spoken word, and poetry aspects. Additionally GonzoFest Louisville will feature an all-local musical lineup.
The festival will host three different panels discussion: The Literary Impact of Hunter S. Thompson, Current Political State of Affairs, Freedom of Speech/Media Literacy. This year GonzoFest Louisville has invited The Moth StorySLAM and the Young Poets of Louisville to be part of the day-long festival. All panels and spoken word performances will take place at various locations inside the LFPL
Returning to an all-local lineup, GonzoFest Louisville will feature music by Americana-Roots-Rock band Nellie Pearl, soul singer Otis Junior, psychedelic soul group Brother Wolves, experimental rock band Satellite Twin, singer-songwriter Brooks Ritter, and jam band Sativa Gumbo. All bands will perform outside of the library on York St.
GonzoFest Louisville will also premiere The Rise and Fall of the Brown Buffalo, the national PBS documentary on Chicano civil rights activist/attorney/author Oscar Zeta Acosta. Acosta is best known for his relationship with Hunter S. Thompson based on his travels with Acosta in the late 60s. The film is directed by veteran, award-winning filmmaker Phillip Rodriguez (Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle). Louisville Native, Gaba Gavi plays the role of Rolling Stone writer, David Felton in the film. Both Rodriguez and Gavi will participate in a Question & Answer segment after the film.
The 2017 GonzoFest Louisville celebration is from noon until 8:00PM on Saturday, April 15. The festival will take place both on the exterior grounds of the downtown branch and inside the library. Admission is free, but attendees are encourages to make a donation at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit LFPL.
GonzoFest Louisville is currently accepting entries for the 2017 literary and art contests. Literary entries must be unpublished nonfiction, based on the author’s original reporting, observations or insights, between 1,500 and 2,000 words. The judges, encourage work that is reported with a keen eye for detail and written in a bold and elegant style, as Thompson’s best work was. No type of story is preferred over another — so long as it’s true. The emphasis should be on the quality of the writing, and the significance of the story it tells. All literary entries must be submitted as word files, double-spaced, and as an attachment to an email sent to [email protected]. There is no set theme for the 2017 art contest, but art should strive to capture the essence and spirit of Hunter S. Thompson. Any medium and size will be accepted. Entrant must pay shipping costs. All pieces will be judged on originality, technique, and composition. Art entries must be submitted via mail to 4016 Summer Place, New Albany, IN, 47150. Both 2017 literary and art entries are due by 11:59pm EDT on March 24, 2017.
For the latest news about GonzoFest Louisville fans can visit GonzoFest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additional information, including details sponsorship, volunteering, and vendor applications can be found by visiting www.GonzoFestLou.com.
ABOUT GONZOFEST LOUISVILLE
GonzoFest Louisville is a festival honoring the legacy of Hunter S. Thompson and the lasting mark he made on literature, journalism, art, and music. Through spoken word, poetry, music, and art GonzoFest Louisville celebrates the life and times of Hunter S. Thompson in his hometown of Louisville, KY. 2017 will mark the seventh year of GonzoFest Louisville.
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Join us for GonzoFest Louisville 2017!!!! and this is more than just a
***The Gonzofest Louisville celebration is from noon until 8:00PM on Saturday, April 15.***
The will take place both on the exterior grounds of the downtown Louisville Free Public Library and inside the .
Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a at the door. ($10 suggested)
*******A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Louisville Free Public Library********
**Thank you Steve Russell, Tim Moorhead and Kyle Keilman for your work in making this promotional video**
