FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Niesha Kennedy 215-278-3450 (mobile) info@westparkcultural.org

5th Annual Free Arts Fest returns Saturday, June 9, 2012 To West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA A kick-off to another summer of fun begins at the 5th Annual West Park Arts Fest on Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 11am -5:00pm in Fairmount Park at 40th and Parkside Avenue. The festival, featuring performances & activities by a wide range of artists, community organizations, and featured guests is free and will occur rain or shine. Our theme for the 2012 festival, Friends Across Cultures is about celebrating the unique multicultural richness of art, nature and community in the Centennial District and bringing together arts and cultural organizations from throughout the city of Philadelphia with more than 100 artists and 200 children and youth performing. We are inviting everyone to a day of exciting performances and interactive activities on the grounds and inside the School of the Future with performances, workshops, arts and craft vendors, food and more. Scheduled activities will include (partial list):

An outdoor Independent Artist Stage hosted by LDB10.Com Independent Film Screening hosted by Urban Suburban Film Festival Live music from student and professional artists with drumming, vocal, string and jazz ensembles Dancin on Air taping for their new show on PHL17 Childrens Pavilion with drawing and theatre workshops, crafts, storytelling, face painting, etc. Full-day youth Chess Tournament hosted by ASAP (After School Activities Partnership) Poetry slam hosted by Greg Corbin of Philly Youth Poetry Movement with cash prizes

Additionally, this year the festival is expanding even further into the park with activities planned at Concourse Lake, on the plaza in front of the Please Touch Museum, at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden Sakura Pavilion, Belmont Mansion and Cedar Grove. A Victorian trolley will transport festival goers between six festival locations starting at the School of the Future.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Niesha Kennedy 215-278-3450 (mobile) info@westparkcultural.org

Participating in the festival this year are The Franklin Institute Science Museum, The Mann, Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Kyo Daiko, Urban Suburban Film Festival, International Opera Theater, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks Alliance, Settlement Music School/West, Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM), Chosen Dance Company, Dollarboyz, CAMERATA Philadelphia, Tree House Books, Arts Rising, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia, Belmont Mansion and Cedar Grove (partial list).

Planning & coordination for the Annual West Park Arts Fest is led by the West Park Cultural Center which promotes a thriving West Park environment by using arts and culture as a central tool that helps youth tap their creative and academic potential, and where residents can access the arts, education, and other support programs that contribute to their personal development, helping them come together as a strong community. Up to date information about the festival & ongoing programming can be found at www.westparkcultural.org

We are proud to have the Franklin Institute and Parkside resident Michael Burch as a key planning partner for the event. Sponsors for this years festival are Browns ShopRite, Dunbar Community Counseling Services, Universal Sports and Corporate Apparel, Zerflin, Lowes, Rockland Capital, LDB10.com, The Guitar Center, Zakian, Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation, and Edizioni Edilingua.