Arts District

Your Arts Festival Weekend

Future Islands at Hampdenfest + High Zero and Transmodern Highlights

Local arts lovers face some hard choices this weekend. Local heroes Future Islands (above) headline Saturday’s Hampdenfest, which also includes music from Small Apartments, Sick Thoughts, the School of Rock Allstars, and a Hampden’s Got Talent segment I don’t want to miss. While you’re there, check out books and records at Normals’ booth and shake hands with proprietor Rupert Wondolowski, who happens to be one of this city’s best writers.

The musically adventurous High Zero Festival continues tonight through Sunday at Theatre Project, with sets of improvised music by the likes of Matmos’ M.C. Schmidt, Wendel Patrick, and John Berndt. High Zero conjures sometimes thrilling/sometimes confounding moments from once-in-a-lifetime performances. I guarantee you’ve never seen or heard anything like it.

Transmodern opens Sunday afternoon with an exhibition and reception at Current Gallery on Howard Street, where you can also participate in parade-making activities. Starting at 3 pm, check out the mask-making, lantern-making, and movement workshops, along with music, yoga, and walking tours. The parade starts at 7 pm and proceeds to EMP Collective for a grand opening celebration at 8 pm with artwork by Susan Lowe (you know her from John Waters’s films!), projections curated by Kelley Bell, and live performances.