The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s annual Hoka Days series of events concludes Friday, August 30, with a jazz street parade and art gallery honoring arts patron Ron Shapiro.
Held each August, Hoka Days is a series of arts-related events for the Oxford-Lafayette community. Hoka Days began in 2019 following the death of Shapiro – a beloved member of the Oxford community and the YAC.
“Ron was a champion of culture and a builder of community,” said Wayne Andrews, director of the YAC and a friend of Shapiro. “(He) encouraged everyone to explore the artistic, cultural, literary and musical opportunities within the community on campus, in Oxford and the surrounding communities.”
The Second Line and Art Showcase will conclude Hoka Days on Friday, August 30. Traditionally, the Second Lines are jazz street parades performed at funerals in New Orleans to honor the lives of the deceased.
“Musicians honored Ron with a second line after his death in 2019. The Arts Council has sponsored musicians each year to perform the second line in Ron’s honor, concluding our month-long celebration of the arts,” Andrews said.
Starting at 6pm, community members can watch or participate in the second series of the YAC from the Square to the Powerhouse. Once the second series ends, spectators can enjoy the local art gallery set up in the Powerhouse while enjoying live music from local artists.
“We are working to reinstate receptions for the art exhibitions and are testing the idea of combining them with experiences like Second Line to bring new audiences to visual artists in the community,” Andrews said. “We selected the artists featured in the exhibitions through our Gallery Series programs, which invite artists of all skill levels to submit work for exhibitions at the Powerhouse, City Grocery, OPC and special events like the Sanctuary Arts Festival. Interested artists can apply for free online at oxfordarts.com.”
Jordan Jones Higginbotham of Taylor, Mississippi, joined in on the Hoka Days fun by participating in the Iron Bartender event held at the Powerhouse on August 9. At the event, adults tested the best drinks from various restaurants and chose Higginbotham, representing GRIT in Taylor, Mississippi, as the winner.
Higginbotham described her experience as “chaotic, fun, stressful and a damn good time.” Participating in this Hoka Days event allowed her to prove her talent not only to others but also to herself, she said.
“I don’t have a lot of confidence and the positive feedback from other bartenders with more experience than me gave me the confidence boost I needed,” said Jones Higginbotham.
Community members didn’t have to be award-winning bartenders to join in on the fun of Hoka Days. On August 11, home restaurateurs took part in a hot sauce-making workshop led by local sauce maker Aaron Harris. On August 17, families gathered at the Old Armory Pavilion to watch “Trolls Band Together,” presented by Oxford’s local Boy Scout group. Hoka Days also included a number of performing arts, including an improv show by Anubis Improv and a demonstration of Butoh, a traditional Japanese dance style.
Higginbotham spoke about the impact traditions like Hoka Days have on the community.
“Events like this provide an opportunity for members of our community to come together that might not otherwise be possible,” Jones Higginbotham said. “People can learn more about their local community and perhaps discover new places and things to do.”
