From Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28, BLANKfest, a wide-ranging festival celebrating Knoxville, TN’s rich entertainment culture, will take place in Market Square. (photos by Bill Foster)
Presented by BLANK Newspaper and scruffycity.com, this year’s iteration will benefit Knoxville-based nonprofit agency Positively Living. In addition to the outdoor stage in the square, participating venues will include Scruffy City Hall, Preservation Pub and Cocoa Moon. Tickets are on sale now.
Beginning at 5:00 P.M. on August 26th, an entertainment roster comprised of over 60 acts will perform across four stages. Noted comic/emcee/Knoxville ambassador Zachary Fallon hosts a self-curated cavalcade of local comedians, improv artists and burlesque presenters at Cocoa Moon. Explaining the inclusiveness of the festival, BLANK Publisher Rusty Odom says, “The goal behind BLANKfest is to celebrate each vein of the entertainment scene in Knoxville.
“The attendance in the first two years of the festival proved a need to do it again, and we’re thrilled to offer a diverse lineup to those who want to find out more about the Knoxville arts experience or just experience our city’s growing downtown.”
A who’s who of local, regional and national talent will take to the stages at Market Square, Scruffy City Hall and Preservation Pub. Additional headlining and supporting acts will be announced in the coming days (see full lineup below).
“We hope that folks find a new favorite local act or two that they can support when they’re trying to decide what to do each weekend,” says Odom. “Most people in East Tennessee are aware of the depth of talent in the area, but knowing where to start can be a bit intimidating, so we try to bring as many acts as we can to the table on one day to make it easier for them. It’s also the perfect opportunity for visitors to experience what we have to offer, even if they just come to town for a day trip”
The current list of performers, presented in alphabetical order after the headliner, is as follows
(click on act for info and music):
RB Morris • Electric Darling • TRAE PIERCE & THE T STONES
Andrew Leahey & the Homestead (Nashville) • Baby Baby (Atlanta) • Bark • Barstool Romeos • Cody Brooks (Nashville) • Crumbsnatchers • Deadbeat Scoundrels • Floralorix (Nashville)• Gillian (Brookyln, NY) • Guy Marshall • Handsome & the Humbles • Heiskell • Hellaphant • Hudson K • Josiah & The Greater Good • Magmablood • Magnolia Motel • Marble City Shooters • Mendingwall • MEOB • The Monday Movement • Nox Yorc • Peak Physique •The Pinklets • Senryu • Skinned Knees • Southern Cities • Thrift Store Cowboys (Lubbock, TX) • Time Sawyer (Charlotte, NC) • Tree Tops • Yung Life • The Wild Jays (Nashville, TN)
There are also two very special late night jams that will only be seen at BLANKFest.
The Taco Pony Midnight Snack Songwriters Ball will feature musicians from Tennessee and North Carolina joining forces on stage, playing songs you know in a brand new way.
Mr. Ill’s Lyricist Lounge will feature the area’s best hip hop artists. The Jam will feature various local musicians both on and off the bill and promises to put an exclamation point on the festivities.
The Appalachian Hippie Poet will kick off the festivities on day two of the festival.
The BLANKFEST FRINGE LINEUP Curated by Zachary Fallon
Improv
Comedy
Jeff Blank • Tyler Sonnichsen • Jay Kendrick • Boston McCown • Liz Brooks • Aaron Chasteen • JC Ratliff & More
Dance Performances
Falsie Lashes • Gregory Sockgarter • Ebony Delight • Catalina Mystique • Diana Dirty Mind • Purr Happs • Brattie Von Beaverhausen • Jynx Valentine • Ivana Rocket & More
A $25 wristband will get you in to each of the venues throughout the weekend* and a $60 VIP package will be available for those who wish to have a more intimate and relaxing experience.
VIP ticket holders will receive a screen printed BLANKFest poster designed by Knoxville’s own Status Serigraph and will have access to a meet and greet and poster signing by Perpetual Groove.
The VIP package also two drink tickets (to those of legal drinking age with valid ID) and includes access to the VIP area in the 2nd floor Loggia balcony bar in Scruffy City Hall and the Uncorked Vinyl and Bourbon Bar with quick access to bars and air-conditioned bathrooms in each location. VIP will also grant you access to a private viewing area at the Market Square stage.
Get your tickets by clicking on the button below.
*BLANKFest will operate on a first come first served basis when venues are to capacity. Lineup subject to change.
For additional info reach out to fest@blanknews.com
