Cannonball Festival fires up with an Opening Night party that’s as wild, loose, and experimental as we are.

Start the night by learning the art of Chinese dance props—spin, twirl, get transported, then tumble into the Carnival of Feelings, a playful installation where games, emotions, and surprises collide in a riot of color and curiosity. Catch our first show of the month in the Black Box Theater that sets the mood just right.

Next up: DJ Shaheed (Remixyist Brings House) drops the first beat to pulse the room alive—wake up your body, feel the energy. Right after? The brand-new On Deck! cabaret preview kicks off—our artists tease what’s to come, backed by special drinks, snazzy snacks, and, yes, all the grits, guts, and glitter you know and love.

Then pause for a meet-and-greet with our producer crew and board—yep, the fearless humans making Cannonball possible. Finally, Shaheed returns to spin another set that ushers us into late-night mode—come as you are, stay past bedtime.

All night long, hydrate and snack up at the bar + snack station, and unleash your DIY spirit at our screen-printing corner: bring a tee, drop a donation, and walk away with fresh Cannonball merch stamped with flair.

This isn’t just a party—it’s a collision of performance, play, and possibility. Ya never know what you’re gonna see… or who you’ll meet.