MoctoberFest April Fool's Carnival
Noon to 2 a.m. Saturday, March 29
Mercado San Agustín100 S. Avenida del Convento
906-8267;moctoberfest.com
One of Tucson's most essential annual events is the All Souls Procession, which has gained nationwide fame for its dedication to honoring the dead in a creative yet considerate manner.
MoctoberFest might someday gain similar attention, but it won't be because it shares All Souls' serious tone.
"We're looking at this as the antithesis to All Souls," said Ruben Palma, one of the organizers of the MoctoberFest April Fool's Carnival. "This kind of gives us a chance to let loose and have fun, to be silly."
Run by local arts collective Many Mouths One Stomach, the same outfit that puts on All Souls, MoctoberFest will serve as a fundraiser for MMOS and its projects. This is the third edition of the event, and Palma said it should be the best yet.
"It seems to have picked up some steam; people have been asking about it," he said.
MoctoberFest runs all day and until 2 the next morning, and in a way it is two different events. During daytime hours, much of the activity will be inside the courtyard at Mercardo San Agustín, while some entertainment acts will be set up outside the complex.
"We want to welcome and open the grounds for children and families. But just like any party it tends to get a little racier at night," Palma said. "It will be kind of mellow until about 6 p.m., when the full program gets going."
That's when MoctoberFest will be transformed into more of a twisted carnival, with a variety of performances featuring the likes of Vox Urbana, DJ Carl Hanni, Flight School Acrobatics and Astral Folk.
There will also be special performances from levitation artist Danny "Specialhead" Wolverton, Flam Chen and Sticks-N-Fingers.
An all-day pass costs $5, with re-entry allowed. Children 16 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult. Attendees can also purchase a $5 commemorative glass that comes with one adult beverage.
