By Philip Van Slooten

The NextNOW Fest featured performances and pop-up events with rising music artist Snail Mail headlining the first night of the festival. Snail Mail, also known as Lindsey Jordan, took to the stage with her indie rock set and surreal voice. 

The annual cultural event was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 , showcasing musicians, artists, dancers and crafts vendors who are students or locals.                          

Freshman landscape architecture major Mara Wolfe said she enjoyed the festival, especially the giant dual-sided cape she purchased at the costume sale. For Wolfe, the festival was about buying costumes, listening to local music and having fun. 

This year’s performers included the UMD Contemporary Jazz Combo, The Jazz Professors, Black Folks Don’t Swim, NextDance featuring Candace Scarborough, Off Book: The Improvised Musical, the Improv Comedy Workshop and more. There were also interactive art exhibits such as “Lucid Dreaming” and Korean comfort food by SeoulSpice. 

But Snail Mail remained a crowd pleaser among event goers. 

“Snail Mail is an up-and-coming indie artist who I personally really like,” Sabrina Boggs, a first-year violin performance graduate student said. Sophomore government and politics major Aaliyah Adkins added that the show was sold out. 

Boggs, Adkins and senior geography major Hunter Jones were a few of the student art ambassadors helping attendees navigate the packed festival. 

“The purpose of the event is to bring the community together to hear local artists, see their art and to give campus students the opportunity to see what UMD has to offer,” Jones said while pointing out information on a concert card to a curious older couple. “So tonight is Snail Mail, an indie band, and tomorrow is JPEGMAFIA, who is more on the hip hop and rap side. But they’re both from the DMV, which is pretty cool.” 

Adkins, who is also a student curator, helped bring fresh local talent for the event and mentioned that the vendor marketplace was a new addition.                                         

“It’s always good to support local businesses, especially with students involved,” Anna Orosz, a sophomore nursing major said.     

Event organizers also pointed out that the digital programs, available by convenient phone apps, were also new this year in an effort to reduce environmental waste.