Free weekend event offers arts and entertainment for all ages
Camarillo, Calif. — Fine art, live music, fun activities, food and craft beers will come together Memorial Weekend for one of Ventura County’s most popular art festivals, Arts Alive, presented by Studio Channel Islands, May 26 and 27, on the SCI campus at 2222 Ventura Blvd. in Old Town Camarillo. Now in its fifth year, the Arts Alive festival celebrates Ventura County’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene with two days of art demonstrations and inspiring showcases by more than 100 professional artists, performing groups, activities for kids, hands-on art workshops and live musical performances. Arts Alive takes place 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 26 and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, May 27.
Headlining on the stage this year will be a mix of world music from Dhara, the Flamenco Sessions, and San Miguel. As the sun sets The Hot Club Experience will take us back to Paris in the 1930s re-creating the Gypsy Jazz scene while Sara Niemietz and Snuffy Walden bring a blend of American blues and pop with a uniquely soulful style to the late afternoon.
Dhara mixes traditions of Indian music with West African rhythms, Persian strings, and Latin percussion. San Miguel brings a high energy fusion of pop and traditional music from Cuba. He is known to be one of most acclaimed Tres (three stringed Cuban guitar) players in the world. Singer Sara Niemietz and Emmy winning guitarist/composer W.G. Snuffy Walden bring us a blending of American jazz, blues, and pop in her uniquely soulful style.
Arts Alive provides plenty of hands-on activities for families with children, including make and take activities, sidewalk chalk contests as well as music and dance with Sing Your Best Self. Camarillo Ranch will invite the family to create a giant barn and fill it with farm animals while learning about the working Ranch. On Sunday the New West Symphony’s musical petty zoo will give kids a chance to play classical instruments and at 4:30 p.m. the Harmony project will perform Son Jarocho, Mexican folk music with special guitar and voice. Super high energy and lots of fun by a very talented group of children.
In addition, there are opportunities to view and purchase unique works of art while exploring SCI’s “artist’s walk” featuring the fine art of both SCI’s resident artists and guest artists with installation pieces and live art demonstrations.
Visitors are invited to experience two exhibits on display in SCI’s Blackboard Gallery: Fluidity of Gender featuring the work of artist Linda Stein and KEEP-SAKE ,a series of paintings, drawings and small works focused on memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease by artist Gale Fulton Ross.
“Ventura County has an amazing number of talented visual artists, performers and craft makers. Each summer these artists travel across the country to show their work at major cultural festivals. Arts Alive is a way to save on gas mileage and see these wonderful artists within their own community, here in Camarillo,” said Peter Tyas, SCI executive director. “We are delighted to be supported by Camarillo City Council and TOLD Corporation for the fifth year. New sponsor Institution Ale will feature its craft beers in the beer garden along with fine beers donated by TopaTopa Brewing, MadeWest Brewing, Ventura Coast Brewing and Five Threads Brewing.”
Admission to the festival is free both days. Proceeds from the event go to support SCI’s mission to provide creative venues where artists and community can come together to share the many benefits of a thriving arts collaboration.
For more information, visit www.studiochannelislands.org or call 805-383-1368.
Studio Channel Islands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the arts and creative life within the communities of Ventura County, fostering connections between artists and visitors, and celebrating the cultural identity of our community. Ongoing programs include art classes for adults and children, providing studio space for professional artists, presenting diverse art shows in its Blackboard Gallery and providing community art and cultural events for individuals and families. Gallery hours are Tues.–Fri., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Located at 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010.
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