A festival for everyone: UnderGo Fest returns with an all-Savannah line-up of performers

The UnderGo Fest is making a welcome return after a two year pandemic hiatus.

Founded by Rachael Shaner and her Lulu the Giant bandmates, UnderGo Fest is a free, inclusive, family-friendly, all-local celebration of Savannah’s diverse community of musicians, and visual and performing artists.

“That’s what we want is making sure it’s not a stage full of boy bands,” said Shaner.

SAV musicians, promoters reflect on '21: Live music back, new songs and a burgeoning scene

Writing from Rachael: You've seen her playing around Savannah, but you need to pay attention to Susanna Kennedy

On latest Lulu album: Lulu the Giant taps into the Savannah music scene to create third album, 'Don't Tell My Friends'

Once again UnderGo fest is teaming up with Re:Purpose Savannah, a local female-run non-profit deconstruction company, with the event taking place at their lumberyard and proceeds benefiting their continued work in the community. Re:Purpose Savannah deconstruct historic houses that are set for demolition and salvage and reclaim the wood to make it affordable for people in the community that need specific materials.

“It’s not a flip and renovate thing,” explained Shaner. “It’s actually quite the opposite. And it’s all women!”

“They call it ‘femolition’.”

Fun-fact: the UNderGo stage was built with wood repurposed from the sets of Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” remake.

Jane Fishman: The women of Re:Purpose Savannah are reclaiming wood and history without a man's help

The two-day festival hosts a line-up of diverse artists from multiple genres including singer-songwriters, reggae, hip-hop, and rock. The first day of the festival will feature performances from rappers Cunabear and King Bogus, reggae fusion artist Raynbird, and singers Alia Torres and Susanna Kennedy.

Day two will feature singer Hollee Spring, ukulele toting self-professed music thieves Alvin & Co., rockers Shena Verrett and The Maxines, rappers Lady Valore, Basik Lee, and Clay Hodges; and psychedelic funknauts XuluProphet.

“I like when some of the artists are more seasoned and some of them are newer,” said Shaner. “It’s always nice to provide a stage for people that maybe haven’t performed at a festival before or had as much experience. There’s also people that play around town all the time and just don’t get enough credit.”

UnderGo Fest also offers a variety of performances outside of music. Marquis Williams, Valore, and Spitfire Poetry Group will be doing spoken word and slam poetry. Maggie Hayes and Fridam Ali will be doing live art installations. Christina Giaume will give a unique movement performance on the lawn, and highflying dancers Stardust Pixxies will be performing throughout the weekend.

“We’ve tried to, not only vary and create representation that should already be represented in Savannah because it is a super diverse community, but we’ve also made that reflected in the type of performances we’re offering,” said Shaner.

Make sure to bring a t-shirt for screen printing led by Becca Sipper, and maybe swimsuits for the slip n’ slide, which is reportedly even longer this year.

Of course food trucks will be on site, and Moon River Brewing Company is providing beer with proceeds going to benefit Re:Purpose Savannah.

“Everybody is welcome,” said Shaner of the event. “It’s definitely an inclusive space. Keep an open mind. Recognize the representation of Savannah and how diverse it is, and come with the hope that there will be an appreciation and a great reception. It feels like a big family.”

“For everybody coming, I hope they are ready to be accepting and inspired once they leave, and recognize what a diverse community Savannah's art scene has. It’s not just about tomorrow, it’s about taking what you’ve gleaned from coming to this space and applying it to your everyday.

“Maybe it’s therapeutic, I don’t know. There is a slip n’ slide, so maybe it’s just fun.”

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA things to do events: UnderGo Fest is family friendly music