Dfest (bigger/better)

[OurTulsa]

First off, I think Dfest is a wonderful event and great for Tulsa.

I was just thinking...wondering how Dfest could go to the next level and become a bigger draw for downtown.  

Are there any compatible festivals or events that could run concurrent with Dfest such that the sum of their parts is greater.  While Dfest has its conferences during the day for musicians and like industry folks is there something that could be scheduled on those same days that might bring a somewhat different crowd to Tulsa and downtown that might also highly appreciate Dfest at night?  

I thought of the annual Oklahoma Sustainability Conference...brings people from around the state and a few from the immediate surrounding states.  Surely some of those attending the conference might highly enjoy Dfest at night (an event they might not have otherwise known of).  Operating on the same days a Dfest may actually draw some to the conference that might not have otherwise attended so that they could hit both at the same time.  
At the same time, Dfest may plug a simultaneous event held during daytime hours as another reason to make the trip to Tulsa for the music at night exposing some to the Sustainability Conference that might not have otherwise heard of it.
The sustainability conference could also use the outdoor event as an opportunity to do outreach.

The same could be said for TulsaTough, another up and coming and highly enjoyable event.

Any ideas?

[sgrizzle]

I think that may be a bit much for the general populace. If you go to all the music performances that's like, 15-20 hours?

I think DFEST can expand by possibly having a larger main stage (driller's stadium?) and running more days. Maybe even having some daytime performances.

[Gold]

It sounds like, after reading the press last summer, they intend to eventually expand the festival and want it to be all over the city, like SXSW.  I'm not sure how much cash they made last summer, but it was a hell of a festival.

[TheArtist]

How about adding some type of artists booths and such with young artists, t-shirts, pottery, bead jewelry, music, organic homemade food, etc.  Stuff that would cater more to the young/rocker type crowd. Set up an area where new artists can just lay out some of their stuff on the sidewalk and not have to pay. And also have some spaces where there could be booths that people would have to sign up for in advance. Would add an extra dimension to D-Fest. And it doesnt hurt to give artists another chance to sell their stuff and get exposure.

Perhaps have a street art area where artists actually paint ON the streets. It can be permanent graffitti type art, or chalk art. I saw in one city where an area of town had each neighborhood and community do an intersection with some sort of design and artwork. One did a giant flower in the middle of the intersection. The other a cool design that went all the way around where the crosswalk areas would be. They said it did 2 things. Helped to create a sense of community and unique identity for each area. And also helped to act as a traffic calming device. I think it would be neat to do something similar in that area of downtown. Perhaps have 4 teams of artists, each one doing one side of an intersection. They could each do their own thing or coordinate and do the whole intersection with one huge design. Or have someone come up with the design and mark it out, then let whoever wants to volunteer to help paint it in. Each year do a different intersection in one of the Blue Dome or Brady Arts areas. Make the intersections permanent, then do chalk stuff, perhaps as a contest, between the intersections.

Could do stuff much better than what is done here... but you get the idea.

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/photos-from-village-building-convergence-intersection-repair/

http://alameda.wordpress.com/2006/12/14/speed-reducing-art/


Street painting.

http://www.gatetrails.com/exhibits/05stpainting.html

This would make a kewl intersection.

http://www.european-street-painting.com/displayimage-album,28,pid,1111111318,fullsize,1,.html

[RecycleMichael]

I have been having meetings with the Dfest guy since the last festival. He asked me to serve on his steering committee last year. I am also a sponsor and have property in the festival footprint.

He has some good ideas on how to make it better next year, but I don't want to say too much without talking to him.

I think it will continue to get better and is already one of the premiere Tulsa events.

[cannon_fodder]

D-fest + Blue Dome arts festival?

[jne]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

D-fest + Blue Dome arts festival?

-Too hot.
-I'd never go to Mayfest again.

I like the idea of combining other arts though.  Maybe a film festival in the daytime??
Would love to have a street painting or sidewalk chalk fest, but I can feel the heat from that asphalt just thinking about it.

[TURobY]

quote:Originally posted by jne


I like the idea of combining other arts though.  Maybe a film festival in the daytime??

That's a great idea, especially since it is so hot during the day. I love the idea of spending the day in cool cinemas. Might be nice to maybe make it more of a performing arts festival and include some live theatre.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by jne

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

D-fest + Blue Dome arts festival?

-Too hot.
-I'd never go to Mayfest again.

I like the idea of combining other arts though.  Maybe a film festival in the daytime??
Would love to have a street painting or sidewalk chalk fest, but I can feel the heat from that asphalt just thinking about it.

Well there ya go, worlds first night time, street painting/sidewalk chalk fest. [8D]

[jne]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by jne

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

D-fest + Blue Dome arts festival?

-Too hot.
-I'd never go to Mayfest again.

I like the idea of combining other arts though.  Maybe a film festival in the daytime??
Would love to have a street painting or sidewalk chalk fest, but I can feel the heat from that asphalt just thinking about it.

Well there ya go, worlds first night time, street painting/sidewalk chalk fest. [8D]

Isn't sidewalk chalk or street painting a no brainer for Mayfest?

[RecycleMichael]

I was the Chairman of Mayfest a few times in the early 90's and hired chalk artists each year. Every time we did it it rained.

I swear that Mayfest should be sponsored by the farming industry because we ensure rain each year.