HONK!
Encyclopedia
HONK! is a series of music festivals held in various cities across North America
. These festivals showcase ambulatory, acoustic bands playing music in public spaces.
; Seattle, Washington; and Austin, Texas
. Although each festival is locally organized and there is no central HONK! authority, they share many common features. Each HONK! invites twelve to twenty bands, who play multiple sets in outdoor public spaces over the course of two or three days. These shows are free to attend. The festival is volunteer-run and gets support from local sponsors.
The bands invited to play at HONK! share some common characteristics. They use instruments that can be simultaneously carried and played, and utilize little or no electronic amplification
. As a result, the bands can walk and play at the same time, and indeed, many HONK!s feature a parade
. There is no generally agreed-upon label for this type of band; "radical marching band," "community street band," and variations of these have been used.
Although many of the bands that play at HONK! have the word "marching band" in their names, they bear only superficial resemblance to a traditional marching band
. Traditional marching band characteristics derive from their military history: they tend to feature regimented, synchronized movement and matching uniforms, and play music that has been composed and arranged in advance, with the goal of presenting the band as a cohesive unit without any differentiation between individual members. Band members are typically drawn from and affiliated with some larger organization, such as a school.
A HONK!-style street band, on the other hand, more often tends to encourage the individuality of its members: it may have a theme to its garb rather than a uniform, with individual members free to implement that theme in a manner of their own choosing; similarly, its music may offer more chances for improvisation
. Many HONK! bands incorporate traditional marching band instrumentation, sometimes augmented with other instruments or vocalists; others use instrumentation drawn from non-Western
music traditions, such as those of a Brazilian
samba school
. A HONK! band may exist for a specific purpose—some perform primarily at activist
events, for instance—but they are typically autonomous entities not affiliated with another organization.
neighborhood every October
since 2006. It was begun by a committee of members from a Somerville 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. Since 2007 it has included a parade titled, "Reclaim the Streets for Horns, Bikes and Feet!" The parade features all the bands along with other non-musician participants, including puppeteers and visual artists such as the Bread & Puppet Theater and organizations that promote transportation alternatives and environmental and social justice, such as Bikes Not Bombs
.
Starting in 2008, HonkFest West (also written as Honk! Fest West) has been held every spring in Seattle. In its second year, HonkFest West 2009 took place in several locales around Seattle: Friday night in Ballard
, Saturday night in Georgetown, Sunday daytime at Gas Works Park
and Sunday evening at The Vera Project
. HonkFest West 2010 took place Friday night in Fremont
, Saturday afternoon in the Central District
, Saturday night in Georgetown, and Sunday afternoon at the Alaska Junction in West Seattle
.
HONK!TX was held in Austin in March 2011. It took place on East 6th Street on Friday, in the North University neighborhood on Saturday, and, following a march through the center of Austin, in Pan-Am Park on Sunday.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. These festivals showcase ambulatory, acoustic bands playing music in public spaces.
Description
HONK!s so far have been staged in three cities: Somerville, MassachusettsSomerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
; Seattle, Washington; and Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Although each festival is locally organized and there is no central HONK! authority, they share many common features. Each HONK! invites twelve to twenty bands, who play multiple sets in outdoor public spaces over the course of two or three days. These shows are free to attend. The festival is volunteer-run and gets support from local sponsors.
The bands invited to play at HONK! share some common characteristics. They use instruments that can be simultaneously carried and played, and utilize little or no electronic amplification
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
. As a result, the bands can walk and play at the same time, and indeed, many HONK!s feature a parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
. There is no generally agreed-upon label for this type of band; "radical marching band," "community street band," and variations of these have been used.
Although many of the bands that play at HONK! have the word "marching band" in their names, they bear only superficial resemblance to a traditional marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
. Traditional marching band characteristics derive from their military history: they tend to feature regimented, synchronized movement and matching uniforms, and play music that has been composed and arranged in advance, with the goal of presenting the band as a cohesive unit without any differentiation between individual members. Band members are typically drawn from and affiliated with some larger organization, such as a school.
A HONK!-style street band, on the other hand, more often tends to encourage the individuality of its members: it may have a theme to its garb rather than a uniform, with individual members free to implement that theme in a manner of their own choosing; similarly, its music may offer more chances for improvisation
Musical improvisation
Musical improvisation is the creative activity of immediate musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians...
. Many HONK! bands incorporate traditional marching band instrumentation, sometimes augmented with other instruments or vocalists; others use instrumentation drawn from non-Western
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
music traditions, such as those of a Brazilian
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
samba school
Samba school
A samba school is a club or dancing school. They practice and often perform in huge square-compounds devoted to practicing and exhibiting samba, an African-Brazilian dance. The schools are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood, often shanty towns...
. A HONK! band may exist for a specific purpose—some perform primarily at activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
events, for instance—but they are typically autonomous entities not affiliated with another organization.
History
The longest-running HONK! has taken place in Somerville, Massachusetts' Davis SquareDavis Square
Davis Square is a major intersection in the northwestern section of Somerville, Massachusetts where several streets meet: Holland Street, Dover Street, Day Street, Elm Street, Highland Avenue, and College Avenue.- Location :...
neighborhood every October
October
October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old Roman calendar, October retained its name after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the...
since 2006. It was begun by a committee of members from a Somerville 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. Since 2007 it has included a parade titled, "Reclaim the Streets for Horns, Bikes and Feet!" The parade features all the bands along with other non-musician participants, including puppeteers and visual artists such as the Bread & Puppet Theater and organizations that promote transportation alternatives and environmental and social justice, such as Bikes Not Bombs
Bikes Not Bombs
Bikes Not Bombs is a Boston, Massachusetts based bicycle project which recycles donated bicycles, trains young people to fix their own bikes and become employable mechanics and sends thousands of refurbished bikes to communities in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, and Guatemala...
.
Starting in 2008, HonkFest West (also written as Honk! Fest West) has been held every spring in Seattle. In its second year, HonkFest West 2009 took place in several locales around Seattle: Friday night in Ballard
Ballard, Seattle
Ballard is a neighborhood located in the northwestern part of Seattle, Washington. To the north it is bounded by Crown Hill, ; to the east by Greenwood, Phinney Ridge and Fremont ; to the south by the Lake Washington Ship Canal; and to the west by Puget Sound’s Shilshole Bay. The neighborhood’s...
, Saturday night in Georgetown, Sunday daytime at Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park in Seattle, Washington is a 19.1 acre public park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, located on the north shore of Lake Union at the south end of the Wallingford neighborhood. Gas Works park contains remnants of the sole remaining coal...
and Sunday evening at The Vera Project
The VERA Project
The Vera Project, or VERA, is an all-ages, non-profit youth arts organization in Seattle, Washington.-About:Based on the Vera club in Groningen, Netherlands, Seattle's VERA Project was founded in 2001 by James Keblas, Shannon Stewart , and Kate Becker , along with the help of many other...
. HonkFest West 2010 took place Friday night in Fremont
Fremont, Seattle, Washington
Fremont is a neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. Originally a separate city, it was annexed to Seattle in 1891. Named after Fremont, Nebraska, the hometown of two of its founders, L. H. Griffith and E...
, Saturday afternoon in the Central District
Central District, Seattle, Washington
The Central District is a mostly residential district in Seattle located east of Cherry Hill, west of Madrona and Leschi, south of Capitol Hill, and north of Rainier Valley...
, Saturday night in Georgetown, and Sunday afternoon at the Alaska Junction in West Seattle
West Seattle, Seattle, Washington
West Seattle comprises two of Seattle, Washington's thirteen districts, Delridge and Southwest and encompasses all of Seattle west of the Duwamish River. It was incorporated as an independent town in 1902 and was annexed by Seattle in 1907. Among the area's attractions are its saltwater beach parks...
.
HONK!TX was held in Austin in March 2011. It took place on East 6th Street on Friday, in the North University neighborhood on Saturday, and, following a march through the center of Austin, in Pan-Am Park on Sunday.
Honk! Fest West 2010
- Artesian Rumble Arkestra
- Bakra Batá
- Banda Gazona
- BeatCrunchers
- Bolting Brassicas Marching Band
- Brass Messengers
- The Carnival BandThe Carnival BandThe Carnival Band is a marching band and community orchestra based in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, Canada. As a frequent presence in public spaces and supporter of local social and environmental wellness organizations, The Carnival Band is a part of the Activist Street Band...
- Detroit Party Marching BandDetroit Party Marching BandThe Detroit Party Marching Band is a guerrilla band based in Detroit, Michigan. The band appears at events unexpectedly. The band has played at events such as the Hamtramck Labor Day Parade, 2010 Detroit Free Press Marathon, HONK!. in Somerville, MA, and many bars, parties and other events...
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
- Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
- Extraordinary Rendition Band
- Garfield High School Bulldog Drumline
- Hubbub Club
- Hungry March BandHungry March BandThe Hungry March Band is a brass band with approximately 15 active musicians and performers. In performance, the group's size can vary from five to fifty: from an intimate quintet to a giant entourage of musicians, dancers, baton twirlers, hula hoopers, and second-liners...
- Leland Stanford Junior University Marching BandStanford BandThe Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band is the student marching band of Stanford University. Billing itself as "The World's Largest Rock and Roll Band", the Stanford Band performs at sporting events, student activities, and other functions...
- MarchFourth Marching BandMarchFourth Marching BandMarchFourth Marching Band is an American musical and performance group based in Portland, Oregon. They perform mostly instrumental brass band music in a marching band style, combined with a visual performance by stiltwalkers and fire- and flag-dancers...
- Minor Mishap Marching Band
- Orkestar Slivovica
- Orkestar Zirkonium
- Rose Cano & the African ConeXion Project
- Samba Já
- Seattle Fandango Project
- Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Blue Thunder Drumline - Sound Wave
- Titanium Sporkestra
- UW Steel Drum Band
- VamoLá
- Yellow Hat Band
- Yesterday's Chonies
Honk! Fest West 2009
- BeatCrunchers
- The Carnival BandThe Carnival BandThe Carnival Band is a marching band and community orchestra based in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, Canada. As a frequent presence in public spaces and supporter of local social and environmental wellness organizations, The Carnival Band is a part of the Activist Street Band...
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
- Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
- Hubbub Club
- Leland Stanford Junior University Marching BandStanford BandThe Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band is the student marching band of Stanford University. Billing itself as "The World's Largest Rock and Roll Band", the Stanford Band performs at sporting events, student activities, and other functions...
- Loyd Family Players
- MarchFourth Marching Band
- Orkestar Zirkonium
- Samba Já
- Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Blue Thunder Drumline - Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band
- Sound Wave
- Titanium Sporkestra
- VamoLá
- Yellow Hat Band
Honk! Fest West 2008
- Anti-Fascist Marching Band (Seattle)
- The Carnival Band (Vancouver, BC)
- La Banda Gozona (seattle)
- Samba Olywa (olympia)
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
(Chicago) - Black Bear Combo (Chicago)
- Hungry March Band (Brooklyn)
- Samba Ja (Eugene)
- Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra (Santa Cruz)
- Weapons of Marching Destruction (Seattle) now Titanium Sporkestra
- Yellow Hat Band (Seattle)
- Vamola! (Seattle)
- Peace Bandits (Olympia) now Artesian Rumble Arkestra
- Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band (Seattle)
- Raging Grannies (Seattle)
HONK! 2010
- AfroBrazil
- The Barrage Band Orchestra
- Black Bear Combo
- Brass Liberation Orchestra
- The Bread & Puppet Circus Band
- Detroit Party Marching BandDetroit Party Marching BandThe Detroit Party Marching Band is a guerrilla band based in Detroit, Michigan. The band appears at events unexpectedly. The band has played at events such as the Hamtramck Labor Day Parade, 2010 Detroit Free Press Marathon, HONK!. in Somerville, MA, and many bars, parties and other events...
- Dirty Water Brass Band
- DJA-Rara
- EE – Environmental Encroachment
- Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
- The Expandable Brass Band
- Extraordinary Rendition Band
- Factory Seconds
- Himalayas
- Leftist Marching Band
- Young Fellaz Brass Band
- the Hubbub Club
- Rude Mechanical Orchestra
- Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band
- Seed & Feed Marching Abominable
- The Springville All Star Marching Band
- tint(A)nar
- Veveritse
- What Cheer? Brigade
HONK! 2009
- AfroBrazil
- The Bahamas Junkanoo Jumpers
- Banda Roncati
- The Barrage Band Orchestra
- Black Bear Combo
- Brass Messengers
- The Bread & Puppet Circus Band
- Caka!ak Thunder
- The Carnival Band
- Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble
- EE – Environmental Encroachment
- Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
- Extraordinary Rendition Band
- Himalayas
- Hungry March Band
- Leftist Marching Band
- Loyd Family Players
- Minor Mishap Marching Band
- Orkestar Zirkonium
- Pinettes Brass Band
- Pink Puffers
- Rude Mechanical Orchestra
- Samba Tremeterra
- The Scene Of The Crime Rovers
- Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band
- Seed & Feed Marching Abominable
- The Springville All Star Marching Band
- What Cheer? Brigade
- Yellow Hat Band
HONK! 2008
- Brass Liberation Orchestra
- Brass Messengers
- Bread and Puppet CircusCircusA circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
Band - Caka!ak Thunder
- Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble
- District Circus Marching Band
- Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club
- Himalayas
- Hungry March BandHungry March BandThe Hungry March Band is a brass band with approximately 15 active musicians and performers. In performance, the group's size can vary from five to fifty: from an intimate quintet to a giant entourage of musicians, dancers, baton twirlers, hula hoopers, and second-liners...
- Loyd Family Players
- March Fourth Marching Band
- Rude Mechanical Orchestra
- Seed & Feed Marching AbominableSeed & Feed Marching AbominableThe Seed & Feed Marching Abominable is a street band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band is composed of volunteers from all walks of life and can range in size from ten to over one hundred performers at any given performance. Most of their music comes from songs arranged for marching bands, including...
- The Scene of the Crime Rovers
- Titubanda
- The TriBattery Pops - Tom Goodkind Conductor
- Flaming Trolleys
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
- Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
- Leftist Marching Band
- What Cheer? Brigade
- Yellow Hat Band
- Honk! Volunteer Second Line Band
- Tufts / Somerville Honk! U Bands
- Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band
HONK! 2007
- Black Bear Combo
- Brass Liberation Orchestra
- Bread and Puppet CircusCircusA circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
Band - Caka!ak Thunder
- Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble
- Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
- Himalayas with Lesser Panda
- Hungry March BandHungry March BandThe Hungry March Band is a brass band with approximately 15 active musicians and performers. In performance, the group's size can vary from five to fifty: from an intimate quintet to a giant entourage of musicians, dancers, baton twirlers, hula hoopers, and second-liners...
- Leftist Marching Band
- March Fourth Marching Band
- Near & Now One-Man Band & Healing Orchestra
- Original Big 7 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? BrigadeWhat Cheer? BrigadeWhat Cheer? Brigade is a brass band with approximately 18 active members from Providence, Rhode Island. They perform using exclusively brass instruments and drums in a variety of world styles, such as Indian Bollywood music, Balkan brass, klezmer, as well as American styles such as hip hop, rock,...
HONK! 2006
- The Carnival BandThe Carnival BandThe Carnival Band is a marching band and community orchestra based in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, Canada. As a frequent presence in public spaces and supporter of local social and environmental wellness organizations, The Carnival Band is a part of the Activist Street Band...
- Black Bear Combo
- Brand New Orleans Brass Band
- Brass Liberation Orchestra
- Environmental EncroachmentEnvironmental EncroachmentEnvironmental Encroachment is a Chicago-based marching band and performance art troupe. Its origins date back to 1994 with the mission to create site-specific adult playground installations...
- Hungry March BandHungry March BandThe Hungry March Band is a brass band with approximately 15 active musicians and performers. In performance, the group's size can vary from five to fifty: from an intimate quintet to a giant entourage of musicians, dancers, baton twirlers, hula hoopers, and second-liners...
- Leftist Marching Band
- Revolutionary Snake EnsembleRevolutionary Snake EnsembleThe Revolutionary Snake Ensemble is an improvisational brass band based in the Boston area that specializes in playing New Orleans second line brass band music, as well as other modern improvised celebratory music. Led by saxophonist Ken Field, the group's colorful costumes and creative...
- Rude Mechanical Orchestra
- Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band
- Stick and Rag Village Orchestra
- What Cheer? Brigade
External links
- HONK! homepage
- HonkFest West homepage
- 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
- Return of honk by Milva Didomizio, Boston Globe, October 4, 2007
- HONK! festival makes some noise in Davis Square by Michael Naughton, Boston Globe, October 7, 2007
- The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band homepage