CHREECE 3: Where Art, Culture, Music, and Inclusivity Meet
For it's third consecutive year, Chreece has once again brought together a very special conglomerate of artists and musicians from across the state of Indiana. A music festival for people of all ages and all passions, Chreece is held in one of Indianapolis' most popular historic districts, Fountain Square. The gathering featured numerous indoor and outdoor stages that hosted a plethora of DJ's, Rappers, Singers and Instrumentalists.
For this look I really just wanted to have fun, because I knew I'd most likely be dancing and walking around the majority of the time. Carrying a bag around a music festival can be annoying, but there a number of things you may need that can fill up your pockets quick. My fanny pack was the perfect way to keep track of my phone, camera, chapstick, wallet, and other miscellaneous things. I matched a pair of army combat boots with my favorite camo cargos, and threw on a mesh black tank to add a bit of flare. You all know I love a good bandana or headscarf, so that along with my old school slim glasses pulled the entire look together.
The music.
Square cat vinyl is one of several venues that opened up its doors to the festival goers.
The shop features an impressive collection of vinyl records that are for sale, accompanied by a bar that serves coffee and beer. Here I had the pleasure of hearing songwriter, activist and vocalist Mariah Ivey (@iammariahivey) while also being in the presence of a number of other very talented female emcees, or as Mariah calls them, "FEMCEES." Mariah and her band members performed a number of songs, one of my favorites being Floetry's "Say Yes."
Good Eats.
Courtesy of Smokehouse on Shelby.
Being in the midst of such talent and creativity increases your appetite for many things, and food definitely falls somewhere on that list. To satisfy my hunger I stopped for a bite to eat at a retro style diner by the name of Smokehouse on Shelby. Pictured above is their signature pulled pork sandwich accompanied by their savory white cheddar mac & cheese.
The Culture.
The people, the aesthetic, the vibes.
One of the best parts about Chreece 3 was the flood of people who filled the streets and venues in fountain square. Black girl magic, an array of beautiful hair textures/styles, and countless streetstyle looks all filled the sidewalks, so naturally I had to capture some of the beauty with my camera.
If there is anything to be taken away from the entire festival, it's the concept that art knows no boundaries and does not discriminate. The lack of respect for diversity and inclusion that a large percentage of Americans experience everyday can make it seem like our entire nation is divided, but it's nice to know that there is one thing that always brings people together, music. On Saturday, August 26th, Fountain square brimmed with people being themselves passionately and unapologetically, all thanks to Chreece.
The founders of the festival, Rapper Oreo Jones and local non-profit Musical Family Tree, have done an excellent job of bringing people from a variety of backgrounds and identities together for one sole purpose, to enjoy themselves in the presence of good music. I along with many others, can't wait to see what Chreece 4 has in store.
Check out more pictures from the event in the gallery below, and make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get immediate updates when new content is posted!
