Bloomington's Lotus Fest is back in full force. Here's what's on the 2022 schedule.

Jenny Porter Tilley, The Herald-Times
·4 min read
Blato Zlato plays during Lotus in the Park at Switchyard Park Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Blato Zlato plays during Lotus in the Park at Switchyard Park Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)

The four-day festival in Bloomington kicked off Thursday with its traditional opening concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater featuring Cape Veerdan singer Lucibela. In Dunn Meadow later that night, Matixando set the scene with original world forest music by Costa-Rican singer-songwriter David Dávila González.

After two years with extra pandemic precautions, the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival this year will be more like the one you may remember from the Before Times.

Can't make it downtown? Hear WFHB for live performances and interviews with 2022 festival artists. Tune in at 98.1 or 93.1 FM, or catch the stream online.

Bringing back Lotus:World music festival to feature more international artists, new local artist stage

Through the weekend, artists from around the globe will take the stage in tents, churches and other venues around the city. Here's a look at what's coming.

Lotus in the Park

Festivalgoers dance during Lotus in the Park at Switchyard Park in 2021.
Festivalgoers dance during Lotus in the Park at Switchyard Park in 2021.

Head to Switchyard Park on Saturday afternoon for outdoor performances, demonstrations, activities, merchandise and more. Parking is limited, so walking, biking and carpooling is encouraged.

Kardemimmit, Nyansapo Highlife Band and the Flying Balkan Laikas will perform on the main stage, with a special opening performance by the Indiana Slavic Choir.

Lemon Bucket Orkestra is back for the Lotus Festival Parade

Lemon Bucket Orkestra will lead the Lotus Festival Parade at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Lemon Bucket Orkestra will lead the Lotus Festival Parade at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Friday and Saturday Lotus concerts

Catch musicians from all over the world throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. World-class artists are in town from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. There's also a new Lotus Local Stage to highlight local talent with deep cultural ties.

Here's a look at the partial lineup (find a full schedule at lotusfest.org)

Friday artists:

  • BAZURTO ALL STARS

  • BLATO ZLATO

  • CEDRIC WATSON & BIJOU CREOLE

  • É.T.É.

  • FLYING BALKAN LAIKAS

  • JOANNA HYDE & TADHG Ó MEACHAIR

  • KARDEMIMMIT

  • LEMON BUCKET ORKESTRA

  • NYANSAPO HIGHLIFE BAND

  • SALAAM

  • SEFFARINE

  • VAN-ANH VO

  • VOLO BOGTROTTERS

Saturday artists:

  • BLATO ZLATO

  • BRAD LEFTWICH & THE HUMDINGERS

  • CEDRIC WATSON & BIJOU CREOLE

  • É.T.É.

  • FEDDERSEN, GOURLEY, AND MILLER

  • FLYING BALKAN LAIKAS

  • FORGOTTEN TRIBE

  • KARDEMIMMIT

  • LADAMA

  • LEMON BUCKET ORKESTRA

  • NYANSAPO HIGHLIFE BAND

  • PUULUUP

  • SEFFARINE

  • VAN-ANH VO

Beer, wine and food trucks

Lotus' Food Truck Village is back, curated by The Chocolate Moose. It's open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and 5:30-11 p.m. Saturday on Kirkwood Avenue between Washington and Lincoln streets. Here's a list of the trucks you can find:

  • Arepa Burger

  • Bloom Burger

  • BloomingBowls (no Friday lunch)

  • Doner Kebab

  • Eatzo Concessions

  • Great White Smoke (Friday only)

  • La Poblana Taco Truck

  • Pili's Party Tacos

  • Pino Garden Café (Friday only)

  • Rasta Pops (weather dependent)

  • The Big Cheeze

  • The Chocolate Moose

  • Wacky Bunzzz

  • Wevers Smoke Eaters BBQ

  • Kona Ice of Bloomington (Saturday only)

A shorter list of vendors will have food available at Lotus in the Park from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, with Chocolate Moose, Doner Kebab, Pili's Party Taco and La Poblana.

Lotus partnered with Bloomington Brewing Co. and Upland Brewing Co. to provide beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages in big venues. For outdoor tents, Cardinal Spirits also will offer canned cocktails.

Local beverage companies also have festival-themed goods available. Visit Needmore Coffee Roasters to try the Lotus Backstage Coffee Blend. Upland Brewing Co. also has a Lotus Pale Ale made with local Mackinac hops.

Art installation returns from Burning Man

A kinetic sculpture created in Bloomington that traveled to Burning Man in 2019 is back in town. It's the first major installation to be a part of the Lotus Festival Arts Village. Visitors can interact with it to watch it come alive with light, sound and music.

More about 'Archaeopteryx':Interactive sculpture comes home from Burning Man to Bloomington for Lotus Fest

Unwind on Sunday and see a final show

Take a breather on Saturday with Festival Unwind Yoga, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Far Center for Contemporary Arts. Participants should bring their own water and equipment.

As usual, Sunday's concert (free if you wear your $15 Lotus 2022 pin) will close out the festival. It features Freddersen Gourley, and Miller on twin fiddles and guitar, and Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash on the classical Indiana sarod.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Lotus Fest Bloomington 2022: A look at this weekend's events