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OTBADA

Old Town Business & Art Development Association (OTBADA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that catalyzes the revitalization of Lansing's Old Town historic commercial district through promoting community development, preserving historic buildings and producing quality art events and programs.

OTBADA's arts programming includes Banyan Gallery, a new Old Town art gallery (coming soon!), Lansing JazzFest, Old Town BluesFest, and Burning Desires.

Upcoming Events

May 30, 2008

"A World Without Art" contest entry deadline
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The "A World Without Art" campaign invites Michigan residents ages 18+ to share their visions of what an art-less world would like - via essay, poetry, video or podcast. For more details, see the official website.

June 6-28, 2008

Social Discourse show
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In conjunction with the "A World Without Art" campaign, Social Discourse: An Arts Experience comes to Banyan Gallery and Studio 1210 for its finale show. Admission is free. For more information on entering the show, see the Social Discourse website.

August 1-2, 2008

Lansing JazzFest
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The Lansing JazzFest is a two-day free music festival taking place August 1-2, 2008, that will bring national, regional, and local acts to an audience of 15,000+ people from across Michigan and nearby states. The festival will take place in the streets of Old Town with vendors lining the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques opening their doors during festival hours.

September 19-20, 2008

Old Town BluesFest
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The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day free music festival bringing local, regional, and national blues acts to an audience of 15,000+ people from across the region. September 19-20, the streets of Old Town will be filled with musicians, festival-goers, and vendors.

Releases

Old Town BluesFest Breaks All Records

OTBADA Congratulates Old Town IKEA Winners

Remembrance: Robert Busby's Quiet Life

Background

The Old Town Business & Art Development Association was incorporated in 1984 as the North Lansing Art Association. In 1992, the name was changed to Business and Art Development Association of Historic North Lansing. In 1994, the name became OTBADA.

OTBADA has been successfully producing arts programming (such as the snake rodeo, art golf, and Burning Desires poetry reading) and music festivals (such as the Lansing JazzFest and Old Town BluesFest) in Old Town since 1984. In 2003, OTBADA was chosen to receive the 18th annual ArtServe Michigan Governor's Award for Arts and Culture in the Business Honor Roll category; in 2004, OTBADA received the Statewide Arts Award from the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies.