Culture

The Color Dance Music Festival will return to Poston Lake Music Park for the third year on May 15-17.

Color Dance is inspired by the Hindu Festival of Colors, Holi, a celebration announcing the passing of winter and arrival of spring. Holi also celebrates themes of peace, spirituality and newness of life, while participants smear powdered color on themselves and others to celebrate unity and diversity.

Color Dance’s “color play” is a staple element of the festival and a physical representation of unity in diversity.

The artists at the festival come from a plethora of different musical backgrounds and include many local and regional favorites. Headlining Friday night’s main stage will be Chicago live-electronic trio Future Rock, while Saturday’s headliner is New York based fusion rock act TAUK.

Also playing the main stage will be Buffalo, New York’s Aqueous, Columbus/Athens funk heroes Sassafraz and Yellow Springs bluegrass staple Blue Moon Soup.

Color Dance has also teamed up with Athens arts collective Athenian Vision to create a second stage, hosting many local musicians. Those performing include Aludel, Hellnaw, The Dysfunktional Family and Mrs. Helen Highwater. A full list of the more than 40 acts performing can be found on the Color Dance website.

Also present at the festival will be an assortment of vendors and yoga sessions. Two-day presale tickets are available for $60 and can be purchased at www.colordancefest.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $80. All ages are welcome and children 12 and under get in free.