Postcards: Rock the Republic

A Bryan event showcases varied performances

 By Natalie Posgate

On November 11-12, a music and arts festival called Rock The Republic takes place in historic downtown Bryan. However, this multifaceted annual event is anything but conventional. It features fresh talent from fields ranging from music to art to poetry. One requirement, though: Every-one listed in the Rock The Republic lineup must have Texas roots.

“Texas is a state with exceptional talent, and we want to highlight that,” says event cofounder Cody Marx Bailey. “We take pride in presenting undiscovered talent—the diamonds in the rough, so to speak.”

Enjoy music from a wide array of genres: rock, hip-hop, funk, indie, soul, jazz, reggae, dubstep, and electronic, to name a few. And make sure to check out the art exhibits, as well as the “slam poetry” sessions, a popular aspect of the festival that involves poets reciting their own work.

“These are not your typical poetry readings,” says Bailey. “This poetry is powerful; it has some bite to it. We bring in about 30 poets and thread their performances between the different musical acts. For a lot of people who come to the festival, it’s a real surprise to find out how much they enjoy the beauty of the spoken word.” For details, visit www.rocktherepublic.com.   

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