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Sun & fun on tap at arts & music fest

The Arts and Music Festival promises to again turn Lighthouse Park into a cultural kaleidoscope.

On the first weekend in August the free festival will bring together musicians, dancers and artists from a huge variety of styles, cultures and mediums. “We’re really trying to cover the whole gamut – something for everybody,” said Arts Foundation vice-president Allen Weeden. “We have everything from ethnic to classic rock to accordion.”

Local musician and songwriter Craig Jacks, a longtime organizer of the event, will be a featured performer with his band the Jackalopes and music they describe as psychedelic country folk root blues. Weeden said they also had a band playing classic rock from bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, several world music artists and “we’re trying to get some jazz and fusion stuff in there too.” The schedule is rich with established members of the folk and roots pop scene, such as Janie Cribbs and The Luscious featuring Robyn Carrigan.

The crowd favorite Rahma Dancers will return this year and the festival is adding new dance performers offering East Indian classical dance and Irish dancing.

Weeden said the list of 40 plus artists selling their work continues to grow. “We’ve got anything from native art to hand carved trains,” he said. Start Christmas shopping early with jewelery, textiles, paintings or an event t-shirt designed by Eddie Buendia.

Food vendors will also be part of the festivities: kettle corn, snow cones, ice cream, barbecue and Polish sausages.

Every day will feature children’s activities, including painting and other crafts projects.

Weeden said they’d continue to add performers and vendors until the day of the event if they can. “We’ve still got a couple really exciting possibilities out there we’re trying to pull in,” he said.

The event runs August 4 and 5 from noon to dusk on the boardwalk at Lighthouse Marine Park, and is sponsored by the Arts Foundation with support from Westshore Terminals and other sponsors. A Friday pre-festival barbecue and beer garden organized by local chef Steve O’Neill is planned for Friday night as well as on Saturday and Sunday at Pier Point, the large yellow building adjacent to the park.