Double Decker Gets Real

Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood performed solo at the Double Decker Arts Festival in 2012. This year, he returns with Southern stalwarts DBT to headline the 2013 fest. Photo by Mike Stanton, www.fairtrade-photos.com

Announcement of music lineup, unveiling of poster, and more news make DD 2013 more than a date on the calendar

By Tad Wilkes, Nightlife & Lifestyles Editor

tad.wilkes@hottytoddy.com

The flu. Sniffles. Dreary, cold, grey days. It’s been enough to make a person cuss the groundhog’s questionable prediction and cram one’s head into a microwave oven—until now. Back away from the Samsung. Spring is now officially on the horizon. Flowers. Shorts. Beverages. Loooooove. Greasy, Southern electric guitars. The will to boogie. Even the ghost of L. Q. C. Lamar will soon strap on Chacos, clutch a Newk’s cup full of Bulleit and water, and do the Lawn Mower on the pavement in front of High Point Coffee.

The Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau and C Spire Wireless recently announced the music lineup and other festival news and unveiled the official festival poster for the event, scheduled for April 26 and 27, 2013. Among the news: Friday night’s music will be free of charge, and all live music will be presented on one stage, on North Lamar. The Friday paid ticketing proved unworkable, as did disparate stages, said Mary-Kathryn Herrington, festival director.

The festival, which was recognized earlier this month by the Association of Destination Management Executives International as the best public event in 2012, will again feature a two-day format that includes a special edition of Thacker Mountain Radio on Friday evening and a free concert by hometown heroes Blue Mountain—in a public farewell by the group, which announced 11 days ago that it is breaking up. Saturday activities include art, food, and more music, including a jam-packed day of eclectic music on Caterpillar Stage. The festival will culminate Saturday evening with a performance by the Drive-By Truckers. Here’s the full lineup—a tightly focused assemblage of acts to be featured on just one stage, on North Lamar:

Friday, April 26 – 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Thacker Mountain Radio Show
Free Concert featuring the Eric Deaton Trio and Blue Mountain

Saturday, April 27 – 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

University of Mississippi Steel Drum Orchestra – 10:00 a.m.
Chimney Choir – 11:30 a.m.
Shannon McNally – 1:00 p.m.
The Stooges Brass Band – 2:30 p.m.
Kopecky Family Band – 4:00 p.m.
J Roddy Walston and the Business – 5:30 p.m.
Lee Fields and the Expressions – 7:00 p.m.
Drive By Truckers – 8:30 p.m.

Get to know the music artists by clicking here.

In addition to music, more than 150 art vendors from around the region will sell creative wares for the anticipated 55,000 festival attendees. Selected by Oxford’s Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the vendors include potters, glass craftsmen, woodworkers, painters, and self-taught artists working in a variety of mediums.

The 2013 Double Decker Arts Festival Presented by C Spire Wireless poster, by Thomas Grosskopf.

The festival organizers also unveiled this year’s poster by Abbeville painter Thomas Grosskopf.

The “Taste of Oxford” food court will feature a sampling of culinary treats from 25 local restaurateurs.

The Children’s Square Fair will be organized by the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management department and will offer activities for children of all ages—face painting, games, arts activities, and more. The highlight of the afternoon is the Best Dressed Pet Contest when participants, hoping to win the coveted first prize, parade their dogs, cats, rabbits, and even chickens dressed in elaborate costumes.

Saturday activities kick off at 8 a.m. with the Chamber of Commerce 5k walk and 10k run. Winding through the University of Mississippi campus and nearby Oxford neighborhoods, the two courses provide a morning afoot for beginner joggers as well as experienced athletes.

“We are very excited about this year’s event. We hope each year we can evolve to improve programming and make the festival more fun, but still maintain the event that everyone loves so much,” said Herrington.

C Spire’s presence at the festival will be focused on its suite of personalized services for wireless customers, including:

• SCOUT, an entertainment recommendations and personalization tool for apps, movies, books and music.

• PERCS, a consumer engagement-based program that rewards customers for personalizing their wireless experience.

• CIRCLE, a unique “destination” online community where C Spire customers and prospective customers go to share ideas, opinions and actively participate in shaping and developing their wireless experience.

• NEWSLINK, a fully integrated and personalized news delivery service that finds the news and information relevant to each individual and delivers it daily.

“We’re excited about supporting a dynamic and entertaining program like the Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival that combines the charm of Oxford with a first-class event that focuses on the region’s best in music, food, and the arts,” said Jim Richmond, vice president of Corporate Communications for C Spire Wireless.

The 18th annual Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival presented by C Spire Wireless will be held on Friday evening, April 26 and all day Saturday April 27, 2013. For an event schedule, click here.