HubFest will bring crowd to downtown Hattiesburg; Art and Music Revue explores art therapy

Tens of thousands of people will be flocking to downtown Hattiesburg on Saturday to enjoy HubFest activities, including art, music and plenty of food.

Headlining acts include Kameron Marlowe and Ella Langley, who will perform on the Main Street stage. Other musical performances will take place outside the downtown post office, Walnut Street and Town Square Park.

In addition to the official event hosted by the Area Development Partnership, other events in the downtown area will put a spotlight on the talent found in the Hub City.

One event, the Art and Music Revue — Expression is Our Passion, will be at the Switch Yard, a "dive bar, live music and sports venue" in the former WWII Machine Shop at 309 Mobile St.

Organizer Ryan Hughes, a Moselle native and Southern Miss alum, said he wanted to share his journey with using art and music as a way of healing from trauma and improving mental health.

"I make art and music to express my joy and confusion about the human experience," Hughes said in an email. "After a lifetime of various difficult circumstances and struggles with severe depression and anxiety I have discovered art therapy to be about the most positive thing I can do for my mental well-being."

Hughes invited other artists and musicians to join him in displaying their art and performing at the revue.

Money raised at the event will go to the Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention, which provides support and advocacy for people affected by acts of violence including sexual assault, rape and homicide as well as those affected by suicide or have thoughts of suicide.

"The more I thought about having so many artists and musicians in one place during HubFest … that would be a perfect opportunity to raise some money for a local organization," Hughes said. "I chose the Shafer Center For Crisis Intervention because the work they do is important to me."

In addition, the Shafer Center will have its Clothesline Project exhibit on display at the Switch Yard to raise awareness of violence against women.

Hughes will have some of his artwork at the event. Other participating artists include Kyle Baughman, Kalamity Kam, Halbert Creations, Bri Brewer, Erin Curly, Joel Case, Taryn Larremore Holzinger, Charlotte Blom, Janice Graham, Bridget Eason Smith, Halee Banks, Allen Cotton, Xena Proctor, Byron Pratt and Leo Green.

Several area poets will perform, including Susan Harvey, Oskie Mulkvisti, Ryan Rose, Cauline Brown and Dena Adams.

Musical acts include Monster Strut, Bradley Bones, Kyle Baughman, Mississippi Mystic, Can't Never Could, Sophia Turner, Ryan Hughes, John Mark Odom and Drake T Plankers & The 2x4s.

Both HubFest and the revue will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: HubFest, Art and Music Revue Saturday in downtown Hattiesburg