Podtalk: Frank Carr on Virtual & Online YippieFest, Available to Stream Aug. 21-23, 2020

Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 20, 2020 - 9:07pm

CHICAGO – This weekend, the performance event called YippieFest – which normally has two stages making show for three days – is going online, with a video presentation of the various acts that give YippieFest its particular reputation. Frank Carr is the founder of YippieFest and the coordinator of the virtual and online version, which will be available at YippieFest.com through TWITCH. All the information is available by clicking here.

YippieFest is an offshoot and continuation of the old “Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins” festival, which reigned in Wrigleyville for 27 years. Frank Carr wanted to keep the spirit of “Abbie” alive, and moved the newly renamed “YippieFest” to the Northwest side at the Prop Theater (Elston and Addison) and began in 2017. The funky hangout and two stages at Prop was perfect for the blend of theater, music, film, comedy and performance. But like all the theaters and events in Chicago, the pandemic canceled the live stage this year.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Photo credit: YippieFest.com

The virtual and online YippieFest will be familiar to fans of the Fest, and newcomers can get an idea of the live stage presentations. Familiar acts like Famous in the Future (featuring Frank Carr), Citizen’s Relief, the Dark Room Men, Trained Monkey Productions and WhiteWolfSonicPrincess all sent in videos, and Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com contributed two film programs, including the Asian Pop-Up Cinema Funniest Stay-At-Home Short Film Competition winners and runners-up (15 One-Minute films) in Program One. For a complete schedule, click here.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Frank Carr – founder and coordinator of YippieFest – talks about the challenges of taking an event online, and the overall impact of the festival over the years.

YippieFest 2020 will be available at YippieFest.com through TWITCH or on TWITCH through download for both desktop and mobile OS. PLUS, TWITCH is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast, and Apple TV.