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Organizers have announced the featured performers for the Downtown Glendale Arts and Culture Fest coming in February.
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, Local First Arizona, and the city are collaborating to bring more than 70 art experiences which include cultural stage showcases, an artisan marketplace, live painting, interactive murals, food trucks and an evening performance featuring fire artists Flam Chen.
The Fest will go from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Murphy Park, 5850 W. Glendale Ave.
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES
The E. Lowell Rogers Amphitheater will be transformed with cultural music, drumming, dance and circus arts throughout the day. Schedule of events:
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Glendale Community College Student Music Showcase
1–2 p.m. | Traveler (World Music)
2:30–3 p.m. | 9 Dragons Lion Dance and Kung Fu Martial Arts
3:30–4 p.m. | Kawambe-Omowale (African Drum and Dance)
4:30–5 p.m. | Arizona Mariachi Music Academy (Mariachi Music)
5:15–6 p.m. | Ken Koshio (Taiko Drumming)
6–8 p.m. | Flam Chen (Circus and Fire Arts, DJ Dance Party)
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – FLAM CHEN
A showcase evening performance by Flam Chen will take place at 6:30 p.m., debuting a new original experience “Dance On Water – A Journey of Refuge, Restoration, and Renaissance.” The collaborative performance will feature elaborate costuming, tightly woven choreography, puppetry, fire arts, stilt-walking, music and other circus and fire arts.
Flam Chen merges daredevil acrobatics and a mastery of air and fire arts. Their performances explore narratives which range from the fantastic to the satirical, with skills honed over 20 years of innovation in circus arts.
ARTISAN MARKETPLACE
The event will feature an artist and vendor market with some of the finest local artisans in fashion, food, home goods, and visual arts. Stroll through Murphy Park and find your next great handmade gift or treasure from one of the 50+ vendors and local makers featured at the festival. A complete list of artisans and vendors available at downtownglendalefest.com.
INTERACTIVE ARTS
The festival will give attendees the opportunity to engage up close and personal with artists and interactive art installations. Activities and experiences will take place throughout Murphy Park and inside participating businesses located in Historic Downtown Glendale. Highlights include a community chalk art zone, a live paint-by-the-numbers mural with Snood City – a creative collective specializing in community events, immersive installations and experiences – through art installations, youth painting activities, VESSEL Spectrum Performing Arts, and a musical instrument petting zoo with Sankofa Island Magic.
Featured Live Painting Artists:
Eli Farias (Southwestern Pop Art)
Inseong Kim (Flora and Fauna)
Gina Ribaudo (Celebrity Portraits)
Laura Thurbon (Abstract)
Brie Bartz (Mixed Media)
Featured Music Performances:
Come Back Buddy (Retro Rock and Roll)
Igor Glenn (Jazz Cowboy)
Carolyn Camp (Old-Time Fiddle)
Rachelle Romeo (Saxophone)
FOOD VENDORS & BEER GARDEN
Event organizers are teaming up with Hensley to provide a variety of local beers, wine and canned cocktails for enjoyment throughout the duration of the event near the event stage A diverse round-up of food trucks will line the streets of Murphy Park, serving up everything from lobster rolls to Hawaiian honey desserts.
Food Trucks Scheduled:
East Coast Joe’s – Crab Rolls, crab fries, hushpuppies and clam chowder
Bros Seafood – Fish and chips, fish sandwiches
Pizza Re Di Roma – Wood-fired pizza
Hummus Xpress – Hummus and Mediterranean foods
Hawaiian Honey Cones – Hokkaido style vanilla ice cream in a handmade honey cone
Gus’s Gyros – Greek and festival food specialties, funnel cake
Taqueria El Sol – Tortas, burritos, quesadillas
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS PASSPORT
The city is partnering with Local First Arizona to produce a downtown business passport highlighting what makes the downtown experience unique. The guide will be made available at the festival and will feature locally-owned restaurants, retail shops, area attractions, and experiences. Applications are still available here for artisans, food vendors, and exhibitors interested in participating in the event.
