The 10th anniversary of the West Park Arts Fest from 12-5PM on Saturday, June 3rd in front of the Please Touch Museum is going to be an amazing day in West Fairmount Park with live music, dance performances, food, vendors, Parks on Tap and the work of five local artists. Check out the program here and the Facebook invite here. We are thrilled to be partnering on this event with the West Park Cultural Center and Global Philadelphia. The handy guide below shares all you need to know about the day.
Music
12:00 West Philadelphia Orchestra
12:40 ISH
1:20 Gretchen Elise
2:00 Badd Kitti
2:55 Little Sister Band
3:30 City Love
4:10 Timi Tanzania & The Bredren
Dance
12:45 WPSCC Line Dancers
1:15 Naatya Seva Classical Indian Dance
1:40 Megan Flynn Dance Company
2:05 Universal Drum and Dance Ensemble (sponsored by The Mann)
2:40 Philly Surfers
3:05 Jasmin Yahne Dance Company
3:30 Clowns Without Borders
4:15 Pamela Hetherington / Sound Space
Activities
All Day—12pm-5pm
The Franklin Institute /PACTS Program science activities
Please Touch Museum / Imagination Playground
Tree House Books / Book Give-a-way and Poetry Wall
FREE Historical Trolley Tours of Fairmount Park departing 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30
Standing History/Heritage Timeline / Global Philadelphia Association
Heritage Storytelling Booth / Global Philadelphia Association
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden / Artifacts WEPAINT Collaborative Painting
Scheduled
12:00 – 2:00 Philadelphia Zoo
12:30 – 3:30 Face Painting with Olga
12:30 – 2:30 Patchwork Storytelling Guild
3:00 Bicycle Tour
3:00 – 5:00 Keepers of the Culture
Art
View a map of the art here. As West Fairmount Park was home to the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the art installations will offer an opportunity to reflect on this rich history as well as engage Parkside neighbors in considering the present and future narratives of their local community. Installations curated by Theresa Rose.
Eugene Lew, Ring My Bell
Eugene Lew uses playfulness with noisy bell bike tours to educate and engage community members. Lew presents a bell-ringing bicycle tour of West Park and a wheelie competition. Bells and lights will also be available to cyclists interested in audible signaling and low light visibility.
Claes Gabriel, The Totems
Claes Gabriel presents gorgeous, electric and highly detailed totem-like sculptures. Gabriel has created six totem-like painted stretched canvas forms. Their electric color and meditative-like patterning are a feast for the eyes.
Tiona Nekkia McClodden, Three Movements for Edmonia Lewis
Tiona Nekkia McClodden takes a critical look at the history of the Centennial Exposition and explores the complicated story of the sculpture The Death of Cleopatra in a multi-media installation focused on artist Edmonia Lewis. Lewis was the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to achieve international recognition for her work, and created the monumental marble sculpture for the 1876 Centennial Exposition. tionam.com
Timothy Belknap, The Great Massive
Timothy Belknap builds a cosmic sculpture that is both participatory and out of this world. Belknap presents a large comet-like sculpture with moving eyes. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the piece by creating their own welcome flags that can be mounted onto the sculpture. The flags are inspired by the Statue of Liberty, a welcome gift to the US from France; the torch was first exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. timothybelknap.com
Taji Ra’oof Nahl, Defenders of the Republic
Taji Ra’oof Nahl responds to the historic Smith Memorial Arch with a poignant, interpretative, and site-specific performance and installation. He will delve into the historical narratives of the site at the Avenue of the Republic, connecting to his long-standing concept, Defenders of the Republic.
Rain or Shine! Please note the schedule is subject to change.
