True/False Film Festival
February 28 - March 2 in The District
Exploring fact, fiction, and what lies in between, the True/False Film Festival flickers to life in Columbia, Missouri, the city with the country's oldest journalism school. Championing films that breathe new life into the nonfiction format, the festival features the finest new movies redefining the now-exploding form.
Three days of thrilling nonfiction film call for active, participatory viewing of movies that blur the line between fact and fantasy, documentary and narrative, propaganda and journalism. Dispelling the notion that documentaries are stuffy and dry, the True/False fest will honor lively work that evades easy categorization.
For more information log onto www.truefalse.org.
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Artrageous Fridays
Last Friday of every quarter
The Gallery Crawl is now Artrageous! The addition of Orr Street studios, The Village Art Walk, The Missouri Contemporary Ballet and PS:Gallery to existing art venues such as the Columbia Art League, Bluestem, The Bingham Gallery, Poppy, and The Missouri Theatre in The District are a sure sign that art is playing a greater role in how Columbia defines itself as a city.
Artrageous Fridays will occur the fourth friday of each quarter from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The first Artrageous Friday is April 27th. Following dates for 2007 are July 27th and October 26th. This quarterly event is a collaboration between local galleries and District businesses, the aim of which is to create an art event that will encourage visitors and locals alike to spend time in the downtown area experiencing various art forms. This is an opportunity for the public to see the scope of what the arts in Columbia has to offer. Download the map here!
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Earth Day
April
Celebrate Mother Earth! Held each April in The District on the Sunday closest to National Earth Day, a unique community celebration and downtown festival features a street fair, children's activities, two large entertainment stages, environmental education exhibits and much more! For more information call (573) 874-7460.
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9th Street Summerfests
Wednesday Nights, May through October
Enjoy your Wednesday evenings this summer starting in May! All of north 9th street (between Broadway and Walnut) will be blocked off for the biggest block party you've ever been to - complete with food and beer! Best of all, it's FREE, thanks to The Blue Note and all the good folks on North 9th Street. Summerfests are held May, June, July, August, September... Why not come and check it out? You know you want to...
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Memorial Day Parade
May
Held each Memorial Day weekend, this exceptional air show is presented by the Salute to Veterans Corporation to honor all veterans. The air show, held at Columbia's Regional Airport features more than 50 military aircraft from WWI to present on the tarmac and in the air. Marvel at the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team. Honored heroes,
military aircraft demonstration teams, and patriotic musical performances are just a part of the excitement. The Memorial Day parade winds through the beautiful streets of The District featuring more than 100 floats, veterans reunion groups, bands, military vehicles,and patriotic organizations. For more information call (573) 443-2651.
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Twilight Festivals
Each Thursday Evening in June and September
Each Thursday in June and September, from 6 to 10 p.m., The District comes alive with street bands, carriage rides, an evening concert series on the William Woods Stage, and the Kids' Camp at Flat Branch Park with hands-on activities for the little ones. Listen to music ranging from jazz to bluegrass to string quartets. Enjoy the talents of local artists exhibiting their wares and giving demonstrations of their technique. Let your kids have fun with the clowns, the chalk art and the crawl-through adventures. Or, spend the evening watching the festival from the patio of a favorite local restaurant. Spend a summer evening in The District enjoying live music, sidewalk cafes, artist demonstrations, and dancing under the stars by calling 573-442-6816 or by going to twilightfestival.com.
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J.W. Boone Ragtime Celebration
First week of June
A celebration of the music and history of the musician John William Boone, one of The District best known residents. A contemporary of ragtime artist Scott Joplin, J.W. "Blind" Boone was renowned for his contribution to this unique musical genre. Held each year in The District in early June, the festival immediately follows the annual Scott Joplin Festival in Sedalia, Missouri. Activities may include tours of J.W. Boone related sites, seminars by historians and musicologists and concerts by modern ragtime artists.
For more information call (573) 474-9435.
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Art in the Park
The First Saturday and Sunday in June
Art in the Park is a 50-year old festival presented by the Columbia Art League. It takes place amidst the verdant tranquility of Stephens Lake Park, at the junction of Broadway and Old 63, just east of The District. Art in the Park is the largest and oldest fine arts festival in mid-Missouri. The festival features more than 120 artists both from Missouri and from across the United States, displaying and selling fine arts and crafts in a variety of media. For younger visitors, the hands-on children's creative tent has a variety of take-home art projects, plus the Youth Roots Stage has 7-hours of entertainment for children. The main stage features a daily 7-hours of musical entertainment by local and regional artists playing everything from Bluegrass to Reggae, Country to Jazz, and Blues to Big Band. You will also see strolling musician, watch art demonstrations, listen as storytellers weave their magic on children and adults alike. For more information call 573 443-8838 or go to www.cal.missouri.org
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Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ
Dates to be announced.
Boone County National Bank is throwing a party! It´s called The Roots ´N Blues ´N BBQ Festival, a free weekend celebration of their roots on the streets of The District.
It will feature food, area craftspeople, a sanctioned barbecue contest, and over 30 nationally known musicians performing bluegrass, blues, Appalachian folk, gospel and other genres of American-based music. It´s the perfect way to relax, unwind and rejuvenate your mind.
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Boone County Heritage Festival
The Third Weekend of September
Get ready for a hearty helping of good old-fashioned fun at the Boone County Heritage Festival, a celebration that reflects the spirit of mid-Missouri in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy dancing, demonstrations and the sale of traditional and contemporary crafts. With a myriad of entertainment
including: music, children's activities, tours of the Maplewood Home and the Walter's Boone County Historical Museum, hay rides, pony rides, old buggy and carriage displays and story telling, there is sure to be something that interests the entire family. And don't forget to sample the apple butter, kettle corn and funnel cakes! Sponsored by: Columbia Parks and Recreation. Co-Sponsored by: Boone County Historical Society, Missouri Arts Council, Daniel Boone Regional Library and the Mid-Missouri Organization of Storytellers. It's not in The District but we love this festival anyway! For more information call (573) 874-7460.
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Columbia Festival of the Arts
Last Full Saturday and Sunday in September
The Columbia Festival of the Arts is a celebration of visual, performing and literary arts. Held in beautiful downtown Columbia on the historic Boone County Courthouse Square and surrounding streets, the festival highlights Columbia's commitment to the arts and offers citizens and visitors a chance to come together in celebration of community. Children and adults alike are encouraged to take part in the creation of art at several participatory activities. This celebration is one of the hallmarks of the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs. Along with corporate sponsors, individual contributors,and support of the Missouri arts Council, local artists as well as those from other states are able to highlight their talents and contribute to the cultural landscape of Columbia. For more information call (573) 874-6386.
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Living Windows Festival
The First Friday in December
As the weather turns colder, shopkeepers throughout The District begin planning for the annual Living Windows Festival. On the first Friday in December,from 6 to 8 p.m., shopkeepers move all the merchandise, out of their front windows and stage live holiday performances for onlookers. As the rest of us begin our holiday shopping, they're concentrating on sewing costumes, building sets, writing scripts and baking cookies for customers. Merchants go to great lengths to outdo one another--making each year's displays even more impressive than before. The night itself is a celebration of the holidays. The District features open houses, strolling carolers, holiday treats,and visits with Santa--all against a backdrop of holiday lights. The District is your place for unique and stylish shopping. It's the place to go for exciting nightlife or to meet friends for dinner. It's a lively mix of historic architecture, sidewalk cafes and street musicians. Discover the holidays. Discover The District. For more information, call 573-442-6816.
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First Night Columbia
A Community Celebration on New Year's Eve
Make the most of this meaningful occasion by celebrating it with your family, friends, and the community. First Night Columbia provides a safe, alcohol-free, and innovative alternative to the typical New Year's Eve fare. First Night Columbia is presented to provide a wide array of entertainment and art for all, with a special venue just for teens! Throughout the night enjoy a variety of music, dance and theater along with a children's procession, a resolution sculpture, burden burning barrels, art displays, an art creation area to make festive wear, and more! A grand procession will lead revelers to the outdoor finale at midnight in the Courthouse Square. A First Night Button provides unlimited access to every indoor venue all evening long. So button up and have a happy, prosperous New Year. Admission buttons are available at the Columbia Parks and Recreation beginning in early December. For more information call (573) 874-7460.
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