Throughout the country and across the globe, a new type of street band movement is emerging — outrageous and inclusive, brass and brash, percussive and persuasive — reclaiming public space with a sound that is in your face and out of this world. Called everything from “avant-oompah!” to a “brassroots revolution,” these bands draw inspiration from sources as diverse as Klezmer, Balkan and Romani music, Brazilian Samba, Afrobeat and Highlife, Punk, Funk, and Hip Hop, as well as the New Orleans second line tradition, and deliver it with all the passion and spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnival.

Acoustic and mobile, these bands play at street level, usually for free, with no stages to elevate them above the crowd and no sound systems or speaker columns to separate performers from participants. These bands don’t just play for the people; they play among the people and invite them to join the fun. They are active, activist, and deeply engaged in their communities, at times alongside unions and grassroots groups in outright political protest, or in some form of community-building activity, routinely performing and conducting workshops for educational and social service organizations of all kinds.

At full power, these bands create an irresistible spectacle of creative movement and sonic self-expression directed at making the world a better place. This is the movement we call HONK!

Schedule

October 5, 2023

Pre-HONK! Brass Band Blowout in Union Square, Somerville
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm : outdoors in Union Square Plaza
8:00 pm -12:00 am : at The Jungle
The semi-official Pre-HONK performances return to Union Square!

October 6, 2023

3:00 pm -5:00 pm : Hoot Pick-Up Band rehearsal - Dilboy VFW

Please fill out this form if you are interested in participating.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm : Lantern-making workshops

Hodgkins-Curtin Park, Holland Street between Paulina St. and Simpson Ave in Somerville

Free and open to the public. People of all ages will join Puppeteers Coop, Spontaneous Celebrations, and Extinction Rebellion to make their own lanterns, and then meet us in the park before parades step off at 6:30 pm. More info can be found here.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm : Lantern parades

stepping off from and returning to Hodgkins-Curtin Park, Somerville

These nighttime parades are small-scale processions, leaving from and returning to Hodgkins-Curtin Park and traversing the surrounding neighborhoods. We are inviting local artists and families to bring their own illuminations, and we also invite musicians to build lanterns, wear bike lights, glow sticks, any kind of blinking-glittering-glowing ornaments you like. More info can be found here.

Friday Night in Union Square

See HONK! bands play at multiple locations in Union Square, both within walking distance!

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Aeronaut Brewery at 14 Tyler Street, Somerville

This venue is indoors and outdoors, and has free admission.

7:00 pm – 7:45 pm: Yes Ma’am Brass Band
7:50 pm – 8:35 pm: Clamor & Lace Noise Brigade
8:40 pm – 9:25 pm: Undertow Brass Band

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Bow Market at 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville

This venue is outdoors, open to the public and has free admission.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm : Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
8:00 pm – 9:00pm : Young Fellaz Brass Band

October 7, 2023

HONK! in Davis Square

Opening ceremonies at noon in Seven Hills Park.
Bands play all afternoon from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm in locations around Davis Square.

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm : Elm Street Interactive Area

We’re closing Elm Street to cars and turning it into a dynamic arena for interactive art making and activism. Please join in — work with our amazing HONK! artists to create something for yourself or for the Sunday Parade. Learn about some urgent issues with the grass roots volunteers and organizers working on community issues. Help amplify messages for positive change and activist causes with art!

October 8, 2023

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm : The HONK! Parade and Sunday in Harvard Square

Down Mass. Ave. from Davis Square to Harvard Square

Full info (including parade route and street closings).

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm : Performances on the Main Stage and other performance venues at Oktoberfest.

Date : October 5 - 8, 2023

Location : Various Venues in Somerville, MA 02143.

Click Here for More Information.