PREVIEW: Wizard Fest Brings Three Days of Food, Music and Vending to Troy
03/14 - 03/16 @ No Fun, Troy
“At the end of the day, we just want people to see that No Fun does a lot of cool stuff and we bring in a lot of different community members to do events.”
March 14, 15 and 16, No Fun will host its space to a new, one of a kind event: the first ever Wizard Fest. The weekend-long, mystical event is a collaboration between various local entities showcasing over 10 bands and 15 vendors.
The idea sparked after co-owner of Wizard Burger and No Fun partner, Chris Carpentier, and Shane Sanchez, another No Fun partner, spoke about upcoming shows at the venue. There ended up being performances booked the day before and the day after Carpentier was looking to book some bands to play. They both had a moment of “are you thinking what I’m thinking?” and sprung on the idea of turning the three days into a collaborative festival, and from there the concept grew organically into a plan.
Wizard Burger and Pretty Pig Provisions, both of Albany, will provide food, and Byrdhouse Records along with Super Dark Collective are to thank for the stacked bill of live music performances in store for each day.
Vegan and non-vegan options will be available to munch on as attendees peruse vendors selling jewelry, vinyl, VHS, clothes, art from local graphic design talent like Castle Jackal, vintage goods from Carpentier’s own Cranberry Creek Antique and even a slew of oddities from shops like Troy’s The Dentist Office.
“[The event] is a nice medley of what the Capital Region has to offer, plus some touring acts,” Carpentier said.
Friday, March 14, Human Zoo, Anthill Annihilator and Haunted Cat will take the stage. Doors are at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 15, will feature the Merciless Metal Market, which will put “an emphasis on the gnarly, brutal, grotesque and macabre side of nature, with a little fun and flair for the whole family,” as per the market’s announcement on their Instagram page. DJ 3DG will provide tunes throughout the day to keep the metal vibes heavy. The Market is free to attend from 12-5 p.m.
Following the market, doors will open at 6 p.m. for the evening’s 7 p.m. show, featuring bands Carnwennan, Horse Grave, Schenectavoidz, Life Abuse and Altar.
Sunday, March 16, Multiple Pieces, Casket, Noir and JudgexJudy will perform. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show kicking off at 6 p.m.
If you just can’t wait for the magic to commence on Friday, head to the pre-Wizard Fest celebration at No Fun on March 13, for Byrdhouse Records’ free Wizard Rave. The night of wizard core dance music welcomes sorcerers and long beards aplenty starting at 8 p.m.
“At the end of the day, we just want people to see that No Fun does a lot of cool stuff and we bring in a lot of different community members to do events,” Carpentier said.
Carpentier hopes to make Wizard Fest an annual event that brings the Capital Region together under one roof.
For more information and to purchase tickets for each day of the festival, visit nofuntroy.eventbrite.com.
Flyer by Castle Jackal
