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Foo Foo Fest will feature public art, groovy productions, anime, cosplay over 12 days

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 5:56 GMT by Pensacola News Journal
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Foo Foo Fest: A Kaleidoscope of Music, Visual Art, and DIY Culture Hits Pittsburgh

On Saturday, September 7, the streets of Pittsburgh’s North Side will pulse with the vibrant energy of Foo Foo Fest, a newly‑established multi‑disciplinary arts festival that promises a weekend of indie rock, experimental sound, visual installations, and community‑run workshops. The festival, which opened its doors last month, has quickly become a must‑see event for both locals and visitors seeking an alternative cultural experience outside the city’s mainstream offerings.

A New Space for the Unconventional

Foo Foo Fest is being staged at the historic 18th St. Arts Center, a former textile mill that has been repurposed into a gallery‑concert hybrid. The venue’s industrial aesthetic—exposed brick walls, steel beams, and raw wooden floors—provides a perfect backdrop for the event’s eclectic lineup. “We wanted a space that’s as much a part of the show as the performers,” said festival director Maya Ramirez, whose own art practice centers on recycled materials. “The old mill is a canvas for the artists and a stage for the musicians.”

The festival’s schedule is divided into three main pillars: concerts, visual arts, and zine‑making workshops. Over the course of the weekend, eight different stages will host more than 30 live acts, ranging from local punk ensembles to experimental drone‑pop groups. Meanwhile, the art gallery will feature rotating installations from five local artists, a live mural painted by community members, and a “visual blackout” performance that combines projection mapping and interactive light panels.

Music Lineup Highlights

Headlining the festival is the up‑and‑coming indie rock trio The Glitchers, who have been touring the Midwest with a string of sold‑out shows. Their high‑energy set, which blends distorted guitar riffs with glitchy synth overlays, is slated for the main stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday. “The Glitchers have a unique sound that’s perfect for this kind of festival,” Ramirez said. “They’re all about community and pushing boundaries.”

Other notable acts include the experimental duo Echo & The Shadows, the punk‑influenced collective The Screeching Sirens, and the noise‑wave project Lunar Silence. All performers are local or regional, reinforcing Foo Foo Fest’s commitment to supporting the Pittsburgh arts scene.

Visual Arts and Interactive Installations

While the concert lineup fills the auditory landscape, the visual arts component invites visitors to step into immersive environments. One highlight is the collaborative piece “Urban Pulse,” a giant LED mural that reacts to foot traffic and music volume. The mural was conceived by artist‑programmer Jamal Green, who described it as a “digital heartbeat” of the city.

Another installation, “Paper Sky,” showcases a thousand hand‑folded origami cranes that hang from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the gallery space. “Paper Sky” was created by community volunteers as part of the festival’s zine‑making workshops, a testament to the festival’s emphasis on participation and maker culture.

Zine‑Making and DIY Workshops

The zine‑making segment is perhaps the festival’s most community‑centric offering. Over three days, attendees can sign up for 90‑minute workshops on everything from layout design to hand‑binding. The workshops, led by zine publisher Lena Cho, cover topics like “DIY Pressing,” “Illustration for Zines,” and “The Ethics of Independent Publishing.” Participants leave with a finished zine that they can keep or share with friends.

In addition to the zine workshops, a “Maker Space” will feature DIY electronics, textile art, and a “Pop‑Up Library” of community books on art, music, and activism. This space is managed by the local nonprofit ArtConnect Pittsburgh, which aims to provide resources for artists lacking institutional support.

Community Impact and Sponsorship

Foo Foo Fest is not only a showcase of artistic talent but also a platform for community engagement. According to Ramirez, the festival’s mission is to “bring art into the everyday lives of Pittsburghers” by making it accessible and affordable. Ticket prices range from $12 for a single‑day pass to $35 for a full‑weekend pass, with a 20% discount for students and seniors. The festival also offers a free “Community Pass” for local residents who volunteer at the event’s various stations.

The festival is proudly sponsored by several local businesses and nonprofits, including Pittsburgh Public Library, North Side Community Kitchen, and Urban Art Collective. These partners provide food trucks, printing services, and logistical support, helping to keep the festival’s cost to visitors low while reinforcing the event’s community‑centric ethos.

Looking Ahead

Foo Foo Fest is scheduled to run from September 7 to September 9, with a closing reception on Saturday night that will feature a panel discussion on “The Future of Indie Art Spaces in Pittsburgh.” The festival’s website—www.foofoofest.org—offers a full schedule, ticketing options, and a list of participating artists and performers. The site also hosts a blog that chronicles the behind‑the‑scenes efforts, from stage construction to the creation of the festival’s official zine.

As the festival’s first year draws to a close, it’s clear that Foo Foo Fest is more than a pop‑culture event; it’s an incubator for emerging talent, a celebration of DIY artistry, and a community gathering that brings people together through music, visual art, and collective creation. Whether you’re a seasoned art‑goer, a music enthusiast, or simply curious about what happens when a textile mill becomes a creative hub, Foo Foo Fest offers an experience that’s as enriching as it is unforgettable.