Totally Awesome Fest celebrates its twentieth anniversary with 4 days of enjoyable

Abra Beu attended her first Totally Awesome Fest in 2023. Next factor she knew, she had graduated clown college, impressed by the performances she’d seen on the occasion. 

Founded in 2004, TAF has carved out its personal identification throughout the artwork and do-it-yourself scene of Ypsilanti. Welcoming all genres of music, all styles of species and all walks of life, the competition was created with the objective of celebrating artwork in all of its distinctive kinds. 

For its twentieth anniversary, TAF stays a welcoming alternative for native creators to precise themselves. 

“It’s actually cool to work throughout the group; it truly is a group effort,” Beu said. “There are so many individuals which can be concerned and should work to make it occur.”

New to TAF this yr is Bread and Puppet, a nationwide puppet present initially based in 1963 to protest the Vietnam War. Nowadays, the present continues to tour with performances impressed by fashionable politics.

Their most up-to-date present, which started in September 2025 and can proceed by way of October, highlights the continued battle in Palestine.

An excerpt from the tour’s bio reads, “…urgently needed domestic resurrection services for the victims of this latest genocide. We are joined by Palestinian cranes on their way to Washington to replace the excrement in the White House with organic bird droppings.”

TAF’s theme this yr is “Post-Post Collapse,” a glance into what the world might appear like after it has fallen and what is going to come because it recovers. 

“It’s a extra constructive factor,” Beu said. “We get to determine what that appears like and what meaning.”

The competition will begin with a zombie stroll on the Riverside Park, the place attendees will slowly make their technique to the competition’s first location, the Regal Beagle. The stroll signifies the primary day of the collapse, previous to the artwork and performances the remainder of the competition will convey. 

Another new addition to the competition is a day devoted to family-friendliness with their Sunday itinerary, together with Bread and Puppet.

“Little kids could definitely come during the daytime, but this year, we’re really trying to make it more fun for the younger crowd,” Beu stated. 

According to Beu, artwork has confronted criticism for taking time away from extra necessary priorities. TAF argues in opposition to this, portray artwork as vital to the collective creativeness and human connections with each other. 

“Art is the opportunity to be creative,” Beu said. “We’re facing so many obstacles, challenges and pressures from higher things. When do we get the chance to step back and ask what we want?”

Totally Awesome Fest will run from Sept. 25-28, 2025, with every day offering completely different leisure at varied places. 

Thursday, Sept. 25 — The Regal Beagle

Friday, Sept. 26 — Dreamland Theater

Saturday, Sept. 27 — Sinhaus + Dreamland Theater 

Sunday, Sept. 28 — Riverside Park 

For extra info on Totally Awesome Fest and its occasions, take a look at the group’s Facebook web page of the identical title. While admission to all occasions is free, donations are beneficial.