One of the most important days for Burlington's hip-hop and skateboard community is upon us. Now in its fifth year, the annual A_Dog Day celebrates the life of DJ, artist and skateboarder Andy "A_Dog" Williams, who passed away nearly five years ago. The multifaceted memorial event kicks off on Saturday, August 25, with a multitude of artsy happenings at various locations in downtown Burlington.
With so much to see, hear and do, it's difficult to sum the event up in a neat little package — though Seven Days' Eva Sollberger expertly recapped 2017's event for an episode of "Stuck in Vermont." Watch below.
This year's celebration is a similarly action-packed day full of live music, dance, art and hitting the decks — both the skateboard and DJ varietals. Here's a (very) quick rundown of this year's festivities.
1 p.m.
Pro and amateur skateboarders carve up the Andy "A_Dog" Williams Memorial Skatepark on Burlington's Waterfront Park. DJs Es-K, C-Low, Crusty Cuts, Mashtodon and Rugger keep the beats going, and New York City-based hip-hop collective Loaf Muzik drop by for a live performance.
4 p.m.
It's only a quick jaunt from the skate park to Foam Brewers, where Burlington's Rhythm Riderz Crew host a breakdance battle. A2VT, DJ Infinite, King LA and Knights of the Round Table featuring DJ Transplante take the stage, as well as DJs Kanganade, Mashtodon, Big Dog, Crusty Cuts, Killa Jewel and Sharkat. Plus, street-art aficionados Anthill Collective will be on site working up a large-scale graffiti project.
7 p.m. Jeh Kulu Dance & Drum Theater lead a candlelight processional from the waterfront to Nectar's and Club Metronome, a nod to the vigil held in Williams' honor after his passing, which processed from the top of Church Street to the old Waterfront Park skate park..
8 p.m.
Both Nectar's and Club Metronome get poppin' with six continuous hours of back-to-back DJs and MCs, including a full-band set from Mister Burns and the Hounds, the Spielpalast Cabaret, 99 Neighbors, Jarv and a Sunday Night Mass "mega mix" featuring DJs Aqua, Chris Pattinson and Justin R.E.M.
Of course, the best way to experience the event's magnitude is to immerse yourself in all it has to offer. Check out the Facebook event page for more details and the full, extensive list of performers, DJs and artists.
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Bio:
Jordan Adams joined Seven Days as music editor in 2016. In 2021, he became an arts and culture staff writer. He's won awards from the Vermont Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association. In 2022, he became a freelance contributor.
As a young child, Jesse Clements frequently traveled from Boston to Vermont to spend time with her aunt, Joan. Their favorite shared activity was drawing. They would lose themselves in the process, surrounded by craft supplies and pencils strewn across the basement floor. As Jesse presented her creations, Joan lavished praise. "She was just the most encouraging [person]," Jesse, now a grade school teacher in Berkeley, Calif., recalled during a recent phone call with Seven Days.
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