Your guide to the 2012 Mt. Airy Artz and Groove Festival

Is Mt. Airy ready to embrace its newest festival?  Recently renamed the Mt. Airy Artz and Groove, the art and music fair will span the upcoming weekend, June 15, 16 and 17.  The event will be held both in the large parking lot behind the Sedgwick Theatre and inside the 7165 Lounge on Germantown Avenue. Vendors will set up for the outdoor portion of the festival Saturday morning between 6-10 a.m.

October Gallery founder, Mercer Redcross stated that Mt. Airy Artz and Groove is “a work in progress”, a starting place to see how well a festival can be pulled off in the new location.

In contrast to the gallery’s annual Art Expo held each autumn, Redcross said that the focus will be more on music and entertainment for this event.  Redcross noted that art will still play an important role.  About 40 vendors will be participating, making this a smaller event than what October Gallery has put on in the past.

The Mt. Airy Artz and Groove festival will share the weekend with another nearby event – the Juneteenth National Freedom Day Festival.  Redcross said his event organizers will be encouraging folks to check out the happenings along the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue.  He is hoping that there will be two-way traffic between both festivals on Saturday.  “What they’re doing is very important,” Redcross remarked.

 

Art offerings

Paintings by Leila Ullmann and Edwin Lester will be featured this weekend. Universal Creations will showcase African masks, sculptures and jewelry.  Otis Williams, owner of Universal Creations has been with October Gallery for the past 22 years.

Live performances

The Mt. Airy Artz and Groove kicks off on the evening of June 15 with a “happy hour”  inside the 7165 Lounge on Germantown Avenue.  The evening’s entertainment will continue at the venue as a ticketed event dubbed “World Music Party” with Brazillian vocalist Jota Velloso and American Idol semi-finalist, Jermaine Jones.  The show is also slated as the CD release party for gospel singer Clifton Davis.

Saturday and Sunday concerts will be a mix of jazz, gospel, blues and classic R&B sounds.  There will be free entertainment outdoors in the parking lot behind 7137 Germantown Avenue as well as indoor ticketed shows at the 7165 Lounge.  The lounge will also serve up a special Father’s Day brunch together with a show featuring gospel singer Tamika Patton and WDAS radio host Patty Jackson.

Here is the lineup for the weekend’s music performances:

 

Friday June 15

Indoor Stage at the 7165 Lounge

Happy Hour with DJ Sparkles 4-6 p.m., no cover charge

Ticketed Performances on the Indoor Stage at the 7165 Lounge

7-11 p.m.  Jota Velloso, Jermaine Jones and Clifton Davis

 

Saturday June 16

Free Performances on the Outdoor Stage

1 p.m.   A Lady and Her Sax

2 p.m.   Elijah Davis and the Children of the Arts Choir

3 p.m.   Three Stories Jazz Trio

4 p.m.   Kaligata

5 p.m.   Damon Williams

5:30p.m.    John “Sax” Williams

 

Ticketed Performances on the Indoor Stage at the 7165 Lounge

1 p.m.    Barbara Jackson and Lady Dale McClenton

3 p.m.    Abstract Truth, The Blue Notes and Tasha Underwood

7 p.m.    Abstract Truth, The Blue Notes and Tasha Underwood (second show)

 

Sunday June 17

Free Performances on the Outdoor Stage

2 p.m.   John “Sax” Williams

4 p.m.   Clay Jackson and Interlude Jazz Group

6 p.m.   Gypsy Heart

 

Ticketed Performances on the Indoor Stage at the 7165 Lounge

1 p.m.   Damon Williams

3 p.m.   Tamika Patton – Father’s Day Salute includes brunch, hosted by WDAS Patty Jackson.