Starting Friday, July 8th, Tulsa streets were alive with music, people, and food. The Rush Fest Music Festival kicked off a two-day extravaganza, opening with drinks and shopping in the afternoon, and concluding with an all-white musical blowout on Saturday, July 9th.

Rush Fest is an island-themed music festival featuring Tulsa artists and the nation’s emerging talents. The festival brought to the stage an extensive lineup of artists, including Tea Rush, Freak Juice, Koolie High, Ray June, Susan Carol, and Branjae. More than a diversity of artists, the festival invited a diversity of sounds, styles, and musical genres. Country singers, punk rock, hip-hop, and R&B are just a sample of this year’s musical performances.

“We provide a platform for creatives to showcase their talent by attracting brilliant minds, sparking ideas, fostering relationships, and championing entrepreneurship with the love and support of Tulsa,” Rush Fest stated in promotions for the event. Currently five years into operation, the festival is a much-welcomed addition to the active and growing music scene in Tulsa—joining a place amongst other well-known music showcases such as Rocklahoma and during Juneteenth.

Multitalented singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Tea Rush, one of the headliners for this year’s event, is the curator for the musical performances.

“For the last five years Rush Fest Music Festival has provided a platform for local artists to showcase their talent in front of thousands of people,” Tea Rush stated in a piece for Oklahoma Times. She was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I am grateful to be able to feature the amazing artists of our city, and from across the nation by curating an atmosphere full of love, togetherness, and beautiful music right here in Tulsa’s backyard.”

“The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals."

However, the festival was more than just about music. Rush Fest included additional arts such as poetry, painting, dance, and hand-made, original merchandise for sale. It was exciting to see people coming together—from differing backgrounds, interests, and cultures—to share in creative energy and support each other over two sensational nights. Cordney “MAC Woods” McClain, another local Oklahoman and Rush Fest performer, told the Black Wall Street Times: “The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals and Rush Fest was an excellent example of the sentiment.”

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Artists and Art

Budget Collector attended Rush Fest Musical Festival eager to foster connections between the appreciators of musical talent and the appreciation for fine art. Using features available on our AI Art Advisor app, we invited guests to rate a charming oil painting on canvas, titled Study for “Guard of the Harem,” by artist Frank Duveneck.

Attendees of Rush Fest proved to have a critical eye for art, and a wide range of opinions. Some were completely awestruck by the painting, enamored by the subject’s expression and the details of the brushstrokes. A young woman photographer who approached the artwork said she found new inspiration from the piece. “It inspires me to take pictures and renews my sense of wonder,” she said. “I sense anger and sadness in his eyes.” She voiced the sentiments of many other guests attending the event, and likely even art-lovers who haven’t had the chance to view the piece. Several people believed the painting would be well-appreciated by friends and family. “I would love to show this to my daughter,“ said a party-going parent. “She loves art and would love something like this.” However, there were others who did not think the piece fit their personal aesthetic. “You can’t judge an artist, that’s what you see,” commented one Rush Fest attendee.

The average rating for the painting was four out of five stars. At our station, guests were also asked whether the artwork would be most suited for a museum, home, or office, or if they wouldn’t want to see this particular artwork in any context. Most wanted the piece for their home, but there were a few who would rather have it in a museum or office.

The Rush Fest Music Festival is a powerful and exciting initiative to support creatives. It was a privilege for Budget Collector to represent visual art in this breathtaking festival of distinct and artistic musical sounds.