Community street bands from across the US—plus one from Russia—gathered in Austin last weekend for the sixth annual HONK!TX. Over 25 bands participated in the three-day festival. I watched the Saturday afternoon performances centered in and around Hemphill Park, including stages at the nearby Spider House Cafe and Ballroom and Wheatsville Co-op.

I suspect most of the musicians are former high school band nerds. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but the groups seem to be getting better each year. While I remain a big fan of Austin’s own Minor Mishap Marching Band, I also loved this year’s shows by Moon Tower Brass Band and Detroit Party Marching Band.

Here’s my photo diary, including two video clips (look for the ever-present meditating yogi)…

Environmental Encroachment (Chicago, IL)

Bucharest Drinking Team (Seattle, WA)

Maracatu Texas (Austin)

Austiner Klezmer Bund Orchestra (Austin)

Moon Tower Brass Band (Austin)

The m9 (Seattle, WA)

Gora Gora Orkestar (Boulder, CO)

Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band (Somerville, MA)

Biohazard Brass Band (Fort Sam Houston, TX)

Dead Music Capital Band (Austin)

Detroit Party Marching Band (Detroit, MI)

PaKaVa It’ (Moscow, Russia)

Bayou City Blues (Houston, TX)

Partizani Brass Band (Santa Fe, NM)

Interrobang (Austin)

Wino Vino (Austin)

Big Wy’s Brass Band (Austin)

Minor Mishap Marching Band (Austin)

© Austin Downtown Diary, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Austin Downtown Diary with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.