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Acoustic and mobile, HONK bands borrow repertoire and inspiration from a diverse set of folk music traditions: including New Orleans second line brass bands, European klezmer, Balkan and Romani music, Brazilian Afro Bloc and Frevo traditions, as well as the passion and spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnaval. In their hometowns, they perform to celebrate, to protest, to proclaim, and always to have fun. Ranging in size from four to fourty members, the bands are inspired to travel far distances at great personal expense to joyously reclaim public space the world over for all people.

 

The first HONK! festival took place in 2006 in Somerville, Massachusetts, when local community street band Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society set about envisioning and creating a festival to celebrate the growing nationwide community of activist marching bands and the community-rooted union of art, activism, and music. In their first year, HONK! brought in bands from as far away as Chicago and Vancouver. And, that festival continues to feature street bands from around North America and countries as far away as Italy, and it continues to draw the support of area residents, businesses, arts groups, volunteers, politicians and citizens.

HONK! also inspired several festivals throughout North America, including HONK! Fest West, started in 2008, and held each year in Seattle, Washington. Like its East Coast counterpart, “HONK! West” is a grassroots non-profit celebration drawing in street bands from geographically diverse regions, and featuring hometown favorites as well.

Inspired after several years of attending these HONK! festivals in Somerville and Seattle, members of Austin’s own Minor Mishap Marching Band began organizing HONK!TX along with local arts and culture group, iLoveMikeLitt. This organizing committee has been working continuously since mid-2010 to make sure the first HONK!TX is a resounding success.