The single-day Free Media Art & Film Festival takes over two Ybor City venues with its multi-media entertainment schedule and First Amendment message. The "Benefit for the Expression of Independence and Free Thought" kicks off at The Ritz Ybor Saturday afternoon with an exhibit of artworks by Nico, Isiah Perkins, Christine Galas, Greg Latch, Xzanthia, Treza Bettencourt, David Rothman and several others. The featured film is D.I.Y. OR DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist by Michael W. Dean, director, author, pop culture blogger, podcaster and musician. In his low-budget doc, Dean focuses on a diversity of independent American artists who work in different genres and media — like Fugazi's Ian MacKaye, cartoonist Keith Knight, Mike Watt of the Minutemen, filmmaker Richard Kern, and performance artist/writer Lydia Lunch — and sheds light on the ways they make a living at what they love doing most regardless of its monetary rewards. The festivities continues into the evening with an after party at Crowbar featuring live music by The Rukus, Mind Static, Super Secret Best Friends, and Guilty By Design as well as spins by DJs ElliotNess, Sumatra71, Nudieboy, Pascal Vetiac and Souixsie. Aug. 30, 3-7 p.m. Film and Art Fest, The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., and 8 p.m. Crowbar After Party, 1812 N. 17th St., Ybor City, $5 in advance per event, $7 day of show, $8 all-day pass (a portion to benefit local charities).
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2008.