Lotus celebrates 20th anniversary

If Lotus Dickey’s spirit was in Bloomington this week, he was happy.

That’s what Nan McEntire said about Lotus World Music and Art Festival’s 20th anniversary.

A close friend until his death, McEntire said what the festival has grown into over the years would have astounded Dickey.

“Since 1994 our job has been to keep this remarkable man alive,” she said. “If only he could see it now.”

Saturday’s Lotus in the Park featured a workshop on Dickey’s music. McEntire said it was crucial people learn his story.

“Not enough people know about him,” she said. “People think the word ‘Lotus’ just refers to the flower when it’s really the name of an amazing man.”

There weren’t enough seats under the tent where McEntire and others gave a workshop on Dickey’s original songs. People flooded into the sun outside the tent, singing along. Some read from a handout. Others knew the words by heart.

Once upon a time, Dickey didn’t even know what a workshop was, McEntire said.

“‘Do I bring a toolbox?’” she said he asked concerning the first one he was ever invited to. “‘What are we making?’”

She threw her head back and laughed.

“He was so talented but so humble,” she said.

As always, nighttime brought louder music. It caught volunteer and IU graduate student Frances Winfrey off guard.

She’s from a town in Arkansas with fewer residents than IU has students. She’s lived here for only two months.

“I thought it would be a small street fest,” Winfrey said. “I had no idea it was this huge. I’m just amazed, watching the people. There’s so many from all these different places.”

She said the 20th anniversary was good timing for her first taste of Lotus Festival.
“It’s great to be part of something so special,” she said. “People get really into this.”

Powered by 500 volunteers, this year’s festival had more helpers than ever.

The first festival in 1994 had only 30 volunteers, Volunteer Coordinator Tamara
Loewenthal said.

Loewenthal said Lotus would be impossible without them, and they always exceed expectations.

“They produce astounding results that leave me and many of our patrons in awe,” she said.

At Kirkwood and Washington streets, where Winfrey was volunteering Saturday night, a crowd waved flags and giant, glittering tribal masks in the Lotus Parade.

Nearby, street performer and magician Jimbo Yaya entertained the crowd by shouting a narration of card tricks.

His connection to Lotus comes after a long and winding road.

Four years ago, he let his son throw a dart at a map, and it landed on Bloomington. He uprooted his family in Delaware and they ventured here.

It was his 38th move. The Bloomington school district is his son’s seventh. This being Yaya’s 40th year performing, he said he’s glad to be in Bloomington.

“It’s a groovy, groovy town, and everyone is so responsive,” he said. “We just have a great time.”

By the time Yaya’s son grows up, the spirit of Lotus will still be upheld here. Lotus Development Director Kristen Varella said there’s no quitting anytime in the foreseeable future.

“As we talk about the past 20 years, we are working to grow our endowment to ensure we will be around for 20 more,” she said.

Follow reporter Ashley Jenkins on Twitter @ashmorganj.