An accidental occurrence and a wonderful coincidence at its inception years ago, The Accidental Music Festival is now nearing the end of its sixth season, closing with its second annual marathon this weekend. The AMF, a classical and experimental music marathon, takes place on Saturday, May 20. Starting at 1pm, it continues non-stop for nine hours and features 17 ensembles and solo artists performing 20-minute sets, showcasing the local talent of a diverse group of musicians and composers. AMF founder Chris Belt, who is also the Executive Director of the Timucua Arts Foundation, has created an immersive sonic scene unlike any other found within the Orlando arts and music sphere.
Lush Agave. Photo by Marcyanne Hannemann
Consider duet Null-state, composed of flautist-composer Melody Chua and composer Benjamin Whiting. Part of the AMF marathon, Null-state performs a truly international performance from Zurich, Switzerland to Orlando. Live-coding via proxy with a sensory-augmented electroacoustic flute, their synchronized, real-time electronic music performance is at 2pm Saturday.
Accidental Music Festival Poster
By presenting such a diverse and eclectic lineup including acts like Null-state, Belt hopes to “create critical mass where different music communities come together and cross-pollinate.” A musician-composer himself, Belt envisions a culture surrounding contemporary classical and experimental music where artists and enthusiasts are able to celebrate the local talent, with the primary aim being to produce more community around Orlando’s classical music scene.
Belt points out that Orlando is alive with many incredibly talented and accomplished musicians and composers, and the AMF strives to display the quality and diversity of their music. It is his hope that Orlando will continue to evolve into a city with increasingly engaging music played every single night, all within a fascinating and collaborative culture of musicians, composers, and supporters.
In the years to come, expect an expansion and continuing evolution of what is being displayed at the Accidental Music Festival. A wonderful, incidental, accidental occurrence six years ago, the AMF has now shaped itself into an elemental facet of the future of Orlando music.
Additional details and full lineup:
Valhalla Quartet, Opera Orlando, Null state, UCF Percussion Ensemble, Ensemble AMF, Alterity Woodwind Quintet, The Baker-Barganier Duo, Moloko Plus, Helena, db Duo, Luis Guerrero, Belt & Ramirez, blacksunblackmoon, Lush Agave, Hippocrene Saxophone Quartet, Unit Colossus
The AMF is from 1 pm-10pm Saturday, May 20 at 80 W. Grant St, Suite 11, in SODO. There is no cover. http://www.accidentalmusicfestival.com/
Bailey Johnson. Photo by Jason Fronczek
Presented by Art Gallery at Mills Park
theartgalleryatmillspark.com
