Twelve area bands, specializing in styles ranging from reggae to hip-hop, will be playing Artscape 2012, The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts announced Monday.
The winnings bands are 7IghQ and Bumpin Uglies (reggae), Brooks Long (blues), Cloud 9 (rock/hip-hop), Condor (rock), Drumfish (modern rock), Reality Band/BJR (neo-soul), Team Flex (hip-hop), This Is the Rescue (rock) and Lion Turf, Stars and The Sea and Turtle Tongue (alternative).
The winning bands will perform on the Wells Fargo and Festival stages during the 31st Artscape, which runs July 20-22 on and around the intersection of Mount Royal and Charles streets.
The bands were chosen from among "hundreds" that applied for the honor, BOPA officials said, as part of this years "Sound-Off Live!" competition. To be considered, bands had to play before and impress a panel of judges set up at the Star-Spangled Sailabration earlier this month.
The judges included Andy Rubin of Clyborgs Gallery, Kevin Hock of 24-7 Booking, Marva Williams of the Office of the Mayor, Matthew Chullin of Harborplace & The Gallery, Mike Evitts of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Rob Brier of Starleigh Entertainment.
Artscape is America's largest free arts festival.
