MAINx24 lights up the Southside on Saturday (and on through Sunday)
For 24 hours straight this Saturday, the South Side Historic District celebrates its creative culture with over 100 interlocking events. It’s not every day you can go to one place and have coffee, do yoga, paint an ornament, watch sumo wrestling, make a puppet, eat a cheese steak, drink a tasty craft beer, have your face painted, meet Santa’s elves, see a ton of amazing art and music, race big wheels, attend a chili competition, and witness the most awesomest parade ever. You can do all of these things and many more at MAINx24.
The festival begins bright and early at 7 a.m. Saturday morning with Mean Mug Coffee House and AIGA’s Annual MAINx24 Poster Design Show. Mean Mug hosts this exhibition of brand-new posters from members of the prestigious design association. Patrons can purchase a set of designs in the form of greeting cards.
Throughout the morning, a variety of rare and delightful culinary options will be available on Main Street, including fresh doughnuts, crepes, churros and hot cocoa, a country breakfast, a pancake breakfast…and a bit of Hogwarts fare.
Main Line Ink is having a pop-up show called “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Artworks” from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The show will feature art by Kitty Konniption, Matthew Dutton, J.W. Butts, Brandy Anderson, Misty Ogle, Chrissie Brown, Amy Kenyon, and others. The Bald Headed Bistro’s Chef Eric Fulkerson will be providing some Harry Potter-inspired foods, and Trevor Ledford will teach a Defense Against the Dark Arts class for kids from 1:30- 2 p.m.
Like every year, MAINx24 is family-friendly during the day: The EPB Southside Parade, Habitat for Humanity Kids’ Zone at Feed Co., Nick Lutsko’s concert at Gran Falloon, the Hart Gallery’s puppet-making workshop and Pictures with Santa at the Choo Choo will all suit little ones.
Romanova Art presents a collection of art by Timur Akhriev, Daud Akhriev, and Melissa Hefferlin at green|spaces. This one is a must-see for fine-art fans. Timur’s immaculate paintings rival those of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. His father, Daud, is known for the monumental bronze sculptures “The Four Seasons.” Melissa Hefferlin’s masterful still-life paintings are playful and beautiful.
Townsend Atelier will be having their 2nd Annual Portfolio Art Show, and Southside Studio’s Cynthia Stroud-Watson is opening her studio to the public.
Area 61 is proudly hosting their 8th Annual Holiday Open House & Artist Mixer. Have a toast as you meet and greet the artists, enjoy live art demonstrations, and browse their incredible collection. Featured at this reception are the sensational paintings of Lorri Kelly.
Main Street has no shortage of options for lunch and dinner. Whether you go to Danimal’s lunch concert at Flying Squirrel, the Hillbilly Philly Food Truck, or any of the many great food choices, you’re guaranteed to be eating good.
It’s been 70 years since Miss Griffin first started selling her famous hot dogs on the corner of Central and Main. The folks at Griffin’s are celebrating with a bang, serving $2 foot-longs all day and hosting Snappy’s Disc Golf Clinic in the afternoon. They have teamed up with Universal Joint and Budweiser to put on a free concert featuring The 9th Street Stompers, The Tammys, and The Power Players. Train with Griffin’s for the World Heavyweight Chili Championship, Silver Diner Pizza Special, and the 2nd Tacolympics.
When the sun goes down, MAINx24 heats up. Strung Like A Horse will be ringing bells at The Revelry Room as dance parties abound: a Silent Disco at Mean Mug, an ’80s Dance Party at The Crash Pad, a Latin Dance Party at Gran Falloon, a Mardi Gras Party at Blue Orleans, and a drag show at Chuck’s.
If at any time during all of this merriment you get the munchies, the friendly folks at The Terminal will gladly serve you some snacks. And beers. After that, night owls will be flocking to the Southside Maker Arts Center for Art in the Dark, and true survivors will end up at Mean Mug’s Grand Finale Breakfast on Sunday morning.
This year’s complete Mx24 schedule is now available at mainx24.com.