by Nathan Feuerberg

Before I moved to Mexico I lived in Europe for ten years. During that period of my life I was always on the hunt for what I called, 'The Bohemian Movement.' In my mind there was a group of artists living on the cheap in some European city and creating a movement akin to 1930s Paris. If I just stumbled on the right city, I would find the new Gertrude Stein and be invited to an amazing salon party where I would meet the great artists of my century. I bounced from Budapest to Madrid to Prague in search of my 'Bohemian Movement.' I was always told I had just missed it. All the artists had already moved on and the ones who had stayed were now waiters.

It wasn't until I moved to San Miguel that I finally found my 'Bohemian Movement.' I met painters, sculptures, and other writers. We would create, drink mezcal, and talk about the general din of the world. Some of those artists have moved on to new cities, but many of them still live and create here in our little town.

Below please see a few offerings from San Miguel's Art of the Story Festival.

Nathan Feuerberg

Last summer, I started writing a horror movie. About half-way through the film the audience meets the scary monster for the first time. It's an alien parasite that lives deep in a trench off the coast of Mexico. When I wrote the scene I thought it was horrifying. The monster burrows into the character's ear and takes control of his brain. But later when I was thinking about the scene I started wondering, 'What if it wasn't frightening? What if the creature taking over the man's brain was funny? 'Or better yet, 'What if it was several creatures and they were all hilarious.'

A year later I took that idea and wrote Invasion Earthship, an hour-long radio drama. I was asked by the Art of the Story to put together a cast so the script could be performed during this year's festival. At the end of the month, on Halloween, we will present a live version of it on stage with a whole cast of actors. In radio drama fashion we will add the sound effects and music in real time, much like they did back in the 1930s. So, if you are interested in watching a completely original radio drama performed by some great actors (Jon Jeffers, Martin Grapengeter, Christian Baumgartner, Ansley Braverman, Brian Kessler, Ashley Fell), then you won't want to miss Invasion Earthship at this year's Art of the Story festival.

Date: Thursday, October 31, 12:30 to 2pm

Price: $15us

Sebas Vallin

It was months ago when I was invited to form part of "Art of The Story." I sat in a cafe with Nathan, a dear friend of mine and frequent collaborator. "We don't have a filmmaker in the roster yet" he said. "You'd be perfect."

"What would you have me do?" I asked, a little perplexed. "Show your process." Uh ohh... I don't really know what that means. I have such a weird way of doing things, how could I even begin to teach something as abstract and complex as "my process" to anyone? I thought about it for a minute.

"How about we do a Zombie Run?" I said. "I could show the group how film make-up works, and teach them the basics of genre filmmaking. We could make a scene together."

That was it, after that it was settled. The next hour or so we discussed everything but the event. So, why a Zombie Run? Well... here's the deal... I love movies. All kinds of movies. Thank God for that, too, because movies are my life. I started working in production when I was thirteen years old. Not to brag, but I was logging takes and setting up early HD pipelines for production companies before I could drive... but I digress.

Movies, man... I love 'em. Big movies, little movies, good movies, bad movies, and everything in between. Interestingly, the more I watch, and the more I make, the more tolerant I become when it comes to quality. I've gained appreciation for "So bad it's good" filmmaking. Of course, it's always a pleasure to experience a technical masterpiece executed by talented people at the peak of their powers, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret: bad movies are just has hard to make as good ones. And there is no way to know what kind you're making.

Somewhere between good and bad lies the B Movie. Cheap effects, washed up stars, and varying levels of gravitas and hilarity mix in to what becomes a genre on its own, where spectacle is the priority, budget be damned. And reigning among all these is the famed (and infamous) Zombie Movie. For every Romero, there's an Ed Wood. From "Night Of The Living Dead" to "Plan 9 From Outer Space" there's nothing like the unmatched thrills of a brain-hungry horde of reanimated corpses chasing after a heroic lead. Good stuff.

So, the real question is... what are you waiting for? Be a zombie. Be a hero. Come make a movie with me... It's unimaginably fun!

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 10am–2:30pm + 3:30–5:30pm

Kent Evans

The Jam Sessions at Smokey Joe's Café will be hosted by author, musician, and poet, Kent Evans. Featuring the musical talents of Tomas Burkey, Rodrigo RV, Caye Garcia, and Gabo Nieto. With the lyrical stylings of Liah Alonso, Fer Chavez, Athena Fenix, Denisse Martinez, Eric Parker, Jeffrey Sipe, and Garrett Smith. A rich landscape of improvisational rock, electronic, jazz and bilingual poetry - the evenings program for the opening night of the Art of the Story Festival promises to be a stimulating and exciting one.

At La Casona, doors open: Tuesday, Wednesday 7:30pm; Thursday 6pm.

For tickets, schedule and so much more information please visit:
www.artofthestorysanmiguel.org

Just click on the banner below.

This year the Art of the Story festival is offering 27 different artistic courses in painting, drawing, writing, film, and more. They are all taught by people I've known for a long time who have lived in San Miguel de Allende for most of their lives. A 2-hour course is only $40 USD. The panels and presentations are only $15 USD.

So, why don't you register for a panel and an artistic course? Or go all out and buy a 3-day Festival Pass for only $350 USD. Support your local artists by registering for the Art of the Story Festival today!

Date: October 29, 30, & 31

Venue: Art of the Story festival at La Casona Convention Center, Josefina Orozco 2.

Price: $15 to $350 USD

Buy on the Art of the Story Website

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Nathan Feuerberg is the writer and soundscape designer of Live Audio Drama: Invasion Earthship.

Currently, he resides in San Miguel.

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