Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation. Bloom has republished it here with edits for style and clarity.
The Lotus Education & Arts Foundation has announced the details of the 28th annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival that will bring diverse voices from around the globe to Bloomington from Thursday, September 23–Sunday, September 26, 2021. This year’s festival is designed to be accessible to all during a time of continued uncertainty and concern for the health and safety of the global community. Lotus invites attendees to safely enjoy multicultural music, art, food, dance, workshops, and more.
At the moment, Lotus is preparing for a festival that will include two large tents on 4th and 6th streets, the full use of the Buskirk Chumley Theater, a church or other intimate venue, Lotus in the Park at Switchyard Park, an Arts Village, and Sunday morning yoga at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts. Masks will be required at all times inside venues. Guidelines for outdoor venues will follow the latest CDC and Monroe County Health Department policies.
For those who cannot attend in person, Lotus will host one Lotus Livestreamevent on Friday of the festival. The event will include two live performances by visiting Lotus artists and one pre-recorded set from a new-to-Lotus band. Purchasing a pin for the in-person Sunday Closing Concert will also allow access to the livestream concert, which will remain available for a full week to any purchaser who wishes to see the live stream but doesn’t want to miss anything live.
On Friday and Saturday evening, Lotus will host the Food Truck Village in downtown Bloomington. Lotus encourages its fans to support the local food vendors they’ve come to know and love at the festival, as well as other local restaurants within the festival footprint.
The organization recently released the 2021 Lotus Festival Lineup featuring a plethora of multicultural artists. The artists include Blato Zlato (Balkan/U.S.), Bohola (Ireland), Doctor Nativo (Guatemala), Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers (Zydeco/U.S.), Hargreaves • de Groot • Gareiss (Old Time/U.S.), Jenn Cristy (U.S.), Maria de Barros (Cape Verde), Martha Redbone Roots Project (Native American/U.S.), Matixando (Costa Rica/U.S.), Nation Beat (Brazil/U.S.), Nohe & Sus Santos (Honduras/U.S.), Pajunen & Skrede (Norway/Finland/U.S.), Pamyua (Inuit), Rayna Gellert and Kieran Kane (U.S.), San Salvador (France), Saraswathi (India), Thornetta Davis (Gospel/U.S.), Tuvergen (Mongolia), and Yacouba Sissoko and SIYA (Mali).
Ticket prices for the festival have been reduced for 2021, as Lotus recognizes that many have been economically challenged by the pandemic. There will be two ticket options sold for the weekend showcase nights. An indoor/outdoor ticket will allow the purchaser into all venues. An outside-only ticket will provide access to the tents.
Find more information about ticket prices at lotusfest.org/tickets/.
