XFest 2013 -- Building Creative Bonds Through Improv

XFest brings visiting artists of all sorts to Lowell, and 119 Gallery fosters those creative connections for artists in and around the city. 119 Gallery runs quite lean, so this $5,000 would go a long way toward covering essentials for XFest.

XFest is excellent and 119 is a wonderful organization. They are amazing people and it needs to thrive in Lowell.

Amazing Work!

XFest at 119 has been one of my favourite spots to play in the US. I`ve met some really special musicians there, with whom I`m now working. Worth the trip from Montreal every time!

119 Gallery is one of those special small arts orgs that manages to program challenging experimental art AND bring the community in. An absolute treasure and inspiration.

the 119 makes lowell worth living in. great space, great people.

119 Gallery has a long history of successful and important collaborative projects - this one definitely deserves funding!

The overview says 10 sets at 30 minutes. Actual total length of performanes is significantly longer than five hours.

Again, this year I shot 6 hours and there was plenty I didnt shoot.

I now live in San Francisco. Looking forward to flying across the USA next year for this event. This would be my 4th year performing. There are festivals of this genre out here, but nothing like XFest.

As a local participant of the X-Fest, I feel that the idea is great. It gets artists together doing what they love and feeding off each others creative energy. I do my best drawings during this exhilarating event, and I can't wait for this years event. LOVE YOU 119 Gallery!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience Alyshia!

About six hours of footage from this years festival: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFDD9E7A8E634159E

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Sorry, guess you'll have to highlight the addy in my first comment.

Steve Albert you are fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing and giving voice and vision to XFEST for those who haven't participated.

No problem.

wow xfest totally rules. i made this video a few years ago to promote it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-Vu0PoMNI

Also sending out kudos to Charlotte Crockford, Mitch Ahern, Jessica Wilson Dimitrios Booras, and Kristen Angellos for spreading the word and sharing their efforts to support XFEST.

Also sending out kudos to Charlotte Crockford, Mitch Ahern, Jessica Wilson Dimitrios Booras, and Kristen Angellos for spreading the word and sharing their efforts to support XFEST.

Mike Dailey and Elaine Wood you both rock. Thanks for being the amazing creators and enthusiasts that you are ; )

119 Gallery is ESSENTIAL....they made me who I am as an artist both visually and musically....i have participated in X fest almost every year and have had AMAZING EXPERIENCES.....Walter and Maryanne are my heroes and this gallery DESERVES ALL THE SUPPORT IT CAN GET..... MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT MFDJR

XFest is one of the most creative, exciting and community-building events I have ever been to! As an audience member, I am presently surprised at the quality of the music from the collaborations of people who never play music together. There is nothing like it that I have ever seen. I grew up in Boston, MA and have been to NYC several times.

And another artist from Jamaica Plain, MA wrote: “Walter, thank you times a billion for inviting me to be a part of XFest! I Had such a Time! It was a great Time. I feel like that single event propelled my musical ability forward by a thousand percent. I feel so lucky!! Please convey my greatest gratitude and joy to Mary Ann as well !!!! See you soon maybe at the Nenakata / G CLAM show this Friday!!!!!” ~ Kate Lee, musician [Jamaica Plain MA]

And another artist from Jamaica Plain, MA wrote: “Walter, thank you times a billion for inviting me to be a part of XFest! I Had such a Time! It was a great Time. I feel like that single event propelled my musical ability forward by a thousand percent. I feel so lucky!! Please convey my greatest gratitude and joy to Mary Ann as well !!!! See you soon maybe at the Nenakata / G CLAM show this Friday!!!!!” ~ Kate Lee, musician [Jamaica Plain MA]

Bonnie Kane from Brooklyn NY wrote this about last year's XFEST: “Thank you so much for inviting me to play at X-Fest this year. It is a great honor to be among those with such a high level of musicianship – I think that is something that was generally felt/appreciated all around, since so many people mentioned it to me. For me, it was a relatively unique experience to absolutely “know” before-hand that the audience was with you in body, heart and mind – urging, supporting, encouraging, enabling one to start at “fantastic” and move outward/inward to new territory. I wish that I could live in that molecular space. I am thankful for every taste. The festival was wonderful and inspiring – plus what a great and special chance it was to hang with folks that I’ve known for awhile, but have never had the opportunity for extensive socializing. I loved the playing combinations that you slotted me into, and the time slot was great. I’m very happy about the whole thing. This will keep me fueled for quite awhile. And, as always, your hospitality was wonderful – thanks for letting me stay upstairs – it’s my favorite kind of touring – I can get there and then just focus on all aspects of the event. Thank you so much.”

From one of the artists part of the 2012 XFest “Thank you so much for inviting me to play at X-Fest this year. It is a great honor to be among those with such a high level of musicianship – I think that is something that was generally felt/appreciated all around, since so many people mentioned it to me. For me, it was a relatively unique experience to absolutely “know” before-hand that the audience was with you in body, heart and mind – urging, supporting, encouraging, enabling one to start at “fantastic” and move outward/inward to new territory. I wish that I could live in that molecular space. I am thankful for every taste. The festival was wonderful and inspiring – plus what a great and special chance it was to hang with folks that I’ve known for awhile, but have never had the opportunity for extensive socializing. I loved the playing combinations that you slotted me into, and the time slot was great. I’m very happy about the whole thing. This will keep me fueled for quite awhile. And, as always, your hospitality was wonderful – thanks for letting me stay upstairs – it’s my favorite kind of touring – I can get there and then just focus on all aspects of the event. Thank you so much.” ~ Bonnie Kane, Brooklyn NY