Since 1994, the Lotus Festival has been an annual event in the city of Bloomington.
Festival-goers are almost at a loss with the multitude of musical performances — so many that it takes eight venues to host them all.
Although the event seems like a lot to take in, people may be surprised at the relaxed atmosphere it offers to the public.
The 2014 Lotus Festival will begin Thursday with the kickoff concert at Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and it will conclude Sunday.
Throughout the four days that the festival will take over Bloomington, citizens and visitors of the event will be venturing throughout Bloomington.
Altogether, there will be 11 venues that will help host the vast array of cultural experiences. Of these 11 venues, three of them are churches located in downtown Bloomington.
First Christian Church on East Kirkwood Avenue, First Presbyterian Church on East Sixth Street, and First United Methodist Church on East Fourth Street are all opening their doors for the festival this year.
“This is the second year in a row we’ve been a performance venue,” said First Christian Church executive administrator Evelyn Nelson. “We have a very beautiful sanctuary, and we love to invite people in to see our church and to get a glimpse of who we are and what we do for the community.”
“Last year we handed out water bottles to people passing by who were attending the festival,” Nelson said.
Even if the weather during the festival this year isn’t as hot as last year’s, Nelson said there is a good chance they will be handing out water again.
“The Lotus festival in general is a great way to connect to the people in Bloomington,” he said.
First Christian Church will host performances throughout the day Friday and Saturday, which include performers Catherine MacLellan, Derek Gripper, Singing for the Planets, Van-Anh Vanessa Vo and Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line.
First Presbyterian Church is another one of the three churches participating in the Lotus Festival.
“We are a music-loving congregation, and we enjoy hosting Lotus whenever we are asked,” said Sadie Carter, the church’s office administrator.
First Presbyterian was designed and built in 1900, before electric amplification, which means the sanctuary is a prime location for the acoustic arts.
“Keeping up with our 114-year-old building is a lot of work, and so it is gratifying for all of us to be able to share it with more of Bloomington,” Carter said.
She also mentioned the many compliments and thanks First Presbyterian Church receives for opening its doors to the Lotus Festival.
Along with First Christian Church and First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church is also a venue for the performing arts during the festival.
First United Methodist has been a host to the festival since Lotus’s beginning. The location will host live musical performances of many different backgrounds such as Mongolian folk and jazz, Acoustic Americana, Irish traditional and Southern Slavic folk traditions.
“The design of our sanctuary was built for music. The sound dances around the ceiling, and we can also house large numbers, and you can sit and enjoy artists from around the world,” said Erin Inlow, the church’s building manager.
Inlow said she believes that Lotus presents a special experience to Bloomington residents and visitors.
“It brings music from all over the world, so it is a very unique experience. Where else can you see French-Canadian spoon players and an ice xylophone?”
All three church venues will host musical performances throughout the day Friday, while only First Christian Church and First United Methodist will continue to hold performances Saturday.
Admission prices to performances vary and can be found at lotusfest.org .
