The 12th annual Honk! Festival this weekend, bringing brass and sass to Somerville, along with a touch political activism and social awareness.

By Ariana Colozzo

The Honk! Festival is returning to the Somerville streets on October 6. For 12 years, Honk! has brought brass bands from around the world, giving them a voice to represent the causes that are important to them. This year, the 28 bands are coming from as far as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The three-day festival is jam packed with live music events. On Friday, a lantern parade in Davis Square kicks off Honk! And don’t worry, the volunteers will teach you how to make your own lanterns before the procession so you can join in too. On Saturday, the nearly 30 bands will play all afternoon and into the evening for free in Davis Square.

To end the festivities, Honk! heads to Harvard Square. The bands join with local community groups, artists and activists working for many different causes – from ending racism to protecting the environment – to walk to “Reclaim the Streets for horns, bikes and feet along Massachusetts Avenue to Harvard Square. At the end of the parade, the bands will play for Harvard Square’s Oktoberfest celebration.

Somerville’s Honk! Festival started in 2006 with the Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band, a New Orleans-style street band. Combining music with social action, they play year round for peace rallies, street festivals, parades and benefits, as well as help organize Honk!

They thought there might be similar bands that were also looking to represent a political cause, and asked them to come to Somerville to play together. In that first year, 12 bands came from across the U.S. and Canada, and it’s grown ever since, attracting bands from Italy, France, Russia, and the U.K. over the years. Honk! has also inspired similar festivals in Brooklyn, Providence, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, Australia, and Brazil.

Honk! wouldn’t be possible without the many volunteers and donors, nor without the bands who are donating their performances, with many paying for their own travel. During the festival, they are housed by neighbors and friends and fed by local restaurants.

Additionally, Honk! has inspired the School of HONK, based in Somerville, to teach the community about street music. The school offers the chance for anyone of any age to learn a new instrument or dance. Each week, they put on a parade in The Port to share their message of community inclusion and engagement.

Don’t miss this lively, exciting celebration of music, community, and activism! For more information on Honk! and the schedule or to find out what you can do to volunteer, visit honkfest.org.