The Digable Arts Festival will return to Hoboken this weekend for its second year, which founder Roland Ramos says will be bigger and better.
This year, the festival, which takes place in the Monroe Center for the Arts, 720 Monroe St., will feature two music performance stages and include more than 50 local artists.
Ramos said his festival is different from other art events in the area for several reasons.
"First of all, it's two days, not one. Second, it's indoors. And the third thing - one of the most important - is that it's almost like an immersive experience. The second you go in the third floor of the Monroe Center, you're in an art piece," said Ramos.
"The walls will be transformed - we are transforming whole hallways into art installations. You have to use your mind's eye. When we look at the walls and the corners, we think, 'How can we dress this up and make people want to explore it?' We want to excite people's sense of adventure!" he said.
The independent festival will feature artists like Louise Gale, Erica Resnick, Sarah Smith, Kurtis Watkins, Uta Brauser Ceallaigh Pender, Jason Newcomb, Laura Gravenstine, Jonathan Fritz, Zofia Bogusz, Mani C. Price, Analiese Lee De Saw, Kate Hoos, Angela Pilgrim, Monica A. Chavarria and David John Calamoneri.
Some of the artists, Ramos said, have been particularly enthusiastic about the event.
"Cara Christopher, she does a lot of self-portraits that are really colorful and have a young, 'starving artist' sort of vibe, the vibe that Hoboken used to have," said Ramos, who praised her excitement and level of participation. "She really wants to make a name for herself in the scene."
He also expects painter Curtis Watkins - whose painting of recording artist Mary J. Blige impressed the star enough for her to buy it herself - and mixed-media Laura Gravenstine - who casts people's body parts and paints with fruit - to make big impressions on festival-goers.
He also looks forward to seeing how bands like local favorites Cecilia Celeste cope with a unique challenge that the festival's music acts will face.
"Last year we had so many people and everyone had such a great time that it was hard getting everyone to leave. In the end, we had so many bottles of alcohol and cigarette butts everywhere that the Monroe Center said we had to scale down and not provide a rock atmosphere," said Ramos.
"This year, all the performances have to be without drums. So we'll find out how they'll do that," said Ramos, who said he believes it will force bands to find sophisticated ways to perform their work. "I think there will be more world music, more dynamic music than just straight up with drums."
Overall, Ramos says he wants to put the Mile Square City on the artistic map.
"My goal is to make Hoboken a destination for the arts. It's a beautiful city."
The festival will take place on Oct. 15 and 16 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Monroe Center for the Arts, 720 Monroe St., Hoboken. For more information, visit DigableArts.com."
