Abra Beu attended her first Totally Awesome Fest in 2023. Next thing she knew, she had graduated clown school, inspired by the performances she’d seen at the event.
Founded in 2004, TAF has carved out its own identity within the art and do-it-yourself scene of Ypsilanti. Welcoming all genres of music, all varieties of species and all walks of life, the festival was created with the goal of celebrating art in all of its unique forms.
For its 20th anniversary, TAF remains a welcoming opportunity for local creators to express themselves.
“It’s really cool to work across the community; it really is a community effort," Beu said. "There are so many people that are involved and have to work to make it happen."
New to TAF this year is Bread and Puppet, a national puppet show originally founded in 1963 to protest the Vietnam War. Nowadays, the show continues to tour with performances inspired by modern politics.
Their most recent show, which began in September 2025 and will continue through October, highlights the ongoing war in Palestine.
An excerpt from the tour’s bio reads, “…urgently needed domestic resurrection services for the victims of this latest genocide. We are joined by Palestinian cranes on their way to Washington to replace the excrement in the White House with organic bird droppings.”
TAF’s theme this year is “Post-Post Collapse,” a look into what the world may look like after it has fallen and what will come as it recovers.
“It’s a more positive thing," Beu said. "We get to decide what that looks like and what that means."
The festival will start with a zombie walk at the Riverside Park, where attendees will slowly make their way to the festival’s first location, the Regal Beagle. The walk signifies the first day of the collapse, prior to the art and performances the rest of the festival will bring.
Another new addition to the festival is a day dedicated to family-friendliness with their Sunday itinerary, including Bread and Puppet.
“Little kids could definitely come during the daytime, but this year, we’re really trying to make it more fun for the younger crowd,” Beu said.
According to Beu, art has faced criticism for taking time away from more important priorities. TAF argues against this, painting art as critical to the collective imagination and human connections with one another.
“Art is the opportunity to be creative," Beu said. "We’re facing so many obstacles, challenges and pressures from higher things. When do we get the chance to step back and ask what we want?”
Totally Awesome Fest will run from Sept. 25-28, 2025, with each day providing different entertainment at various locations.
Thursday, Sept. 25 — The Regal Beagle
Friday, Sept. 26 — Dreamland Theater
Saturday, Sept. 27 — Sinhaus + Dreamland Theater
Sunday, Sept. 28 — Riverside Park
For more information on Totally Awesome Fest and its events, check out the group’s Facebook page of the same name. While admission to all events is free, donations are recommended.
