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A Festival Grows in Harlem - The 3rd Annual Harlem Arts Fest Kicks Off June 27th! Peformances & Activities June 27th - 29th
Posted June 29, 2014
A Festival Grows in Harlem
Looking to build on the success of the last two years and increase opportunities for local artists and businesses, the multi-disciplinary festival has added an opening night event at MIST Harlem; providing yet another stage for artists to showcase their talents. The opening night party, presented with Revive Music, will be held at MIST, 46 West 116th Street at 7:30 pm with performances by Andrew Kaminski, Emily Braden, Charisa the ViolinDiva, and Mad Satta, followed by a dance party with DJ Raydar. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased through www.harlemartsfestival.com, or at the door.
The heart of the festival will remain in Marcus Garvey Park on Saturday and Sunday from 3-8 pm with a record 41 music, dance, theater and visual artists showcasing their work during the festival on the main stage in the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater, at the second stage near the northwest entrance of the park, and on the HAF Gallery Walk. There will also be arts activities in the Kids Corner, as well as discussions, and workshops for all ages on both days.
“The Harlem Arts Festival is becoming an annual destination for not only local residents, but for people from all over the city,” said Neal Ludevig, executive director of the Harlem Arts Festival. “It’s been amazing to watch the festival and the HAF family grow exponentially year after year.”
What’s New at the Harlem Arts Festival?
• Food! We will have Snapple, a farmers market, waffles and chicken, burgers and hotdogs, crepes, ice cream, and more! • In a new collaboration, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Harlem Arts Festival will present a culminating celebration of their Jazz for Young People on Tour: Let Freedom Swing program on the main stage of the festival this year;
• Festival sponsors this year include: Snapple, Whole Foods, JetBlue, Healthfirst, Harlem Community Development Corporation, the HERBan Farmer’s Market, and KIND Healthy Snacks;
• KIND will work with a Harlem-based florist to erect a “KIND Wall” of flowers to encourage people to commit random acts of kindness at the festival;
• The festival received a grant from Goldman Sachs Community Teamworks, a global volunteer initiative that allows 50 GS employees to take a day off to volunteer with HAF.
• And lastly, the festival will introduce a HAF Card that gives every visitor a chance to win prizes that include everything from downloadable digital songs by festival artists, to free flights from JetBlue. Festival attendees get their HAF card stamped at each performance and area for a chance to win.
Visit HarlemArtsFestival.com for the full festival schedule and list of performers and follow @HarlemArtsFest on Twitter and Instagram or you can follow the #HAF2014 hashtag for live updates leading up to-‐ and during the festival weekend.
The Harlem Arts Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that presents a free annual multidisciplinary event that showcases local performers and visual artists that inspire and nourish the artistic community in Harlem. The festival aims to promote arts education and literacy by implementing arts related discussion forums, educational workshops, performance opportunities and activities for youth and family. This project is part of Harlem’s addition to the larger, citywide commitment to provide free art in the public parks during the Spring and Summer months. This year’s festival will take place from June 27th through June 29th at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park at 124th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues.
To learn more about the festival visit harlemartsfestival.com.