Bay
CrossingsOn the Cover
Oakland Proves Again It’s the Town that Knows
How to Party
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the Art &
Soul 2003 Festival
No need to get down no need to get
low
In the flow
Rastaman that speaketh love is
what he preacheth
In the flow
Politicans fighting to stop I from
lighting
But in harmony we’ll smoke the
tree
In the flow, in the flow
What they really fighting is INITY
Love for one another EQUALITY
In the flow, in the flow
Ain’t no need to worry
Ain’t no need to hurry
In the flow
Written by Ziggy Marley
Oakland will be in the flow on Labor Day weekend, August 30, 31, and
September 1, for the City of Oakland’s 3rd Annual Art & Soul
festival. Presented by Albertson’s, this year the free festival
expands to a three- day celebration of Oakland’s rich cultural and
ethnic diversity.
Art & Soul 2003 kicks off on
Saturday with a special family day chock-full of children’s
activities and entertainment, and then expands full-scale on
Sunday/Monday with continuous live music on five big stages located
in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, adjacent City Center, and surrounding
streets in reenergized downtown Oakland.
And what better way to celebrate
than to party with Ziggy Marley. KFOG 104.5 FM presents the Reggae
superstar as the headliner of Sunday’s free concert that also
features KFOG World Class Artists Guster and new discovery Matt
Nathanson. Monday’s headliner is the fabulous jazz artist
Rachelle Ferrell with special guest Russ Barnes, hosted by KBLX
102.9 FM.
Art & Soul is the Bay Area’s hottest new festival, where
festival-goers can groove to live rock, blues, jazz, gospel, folk
and world music; stroll through an eclectic artisan marketplace;
frolic in a festive family fun zone; enjoy readings by acclaimed
authors; and celebrate local culture. Dozens of craftspeople and
fine artisans will display their works, with an array of exciting
pieces available for purchase.
Be prepared to feast on fabulous
foods in outdoor cafe-style seating at restaurants and cafes located
in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza and City Center – in addition to scores of
vendors serving up exotic ethnic foods. Get set as well for
mouth-watering catfish, red snapper, Thai, and the always popular
barbecue! Hot dogs, beverages, and snacks will also be available.
Saturday is the big day for
youth-oriented entertainment, however the Kids Fun Zone continues
all three days, offering loads of interactive activities such as
arts & crafts, storytelling, face painting, magic, games, sports
activities, and painting of huge murals that will help dress up
construction fences throughout Oakland.
Oakland has one of the largest
arts communities on the West Coast, with more than 5,000
professional artists making the city their home. The arts are
celebrated in Oakland on every level--from acclaimed symphony and
ballet companies to world-class museums, quaint galleries, small
performing and visual arts organizations and cultural festivals and
events.
To celebrate Oakland’s literary
tradition, Art & Soul will include the first-ever Oakland
Literature Expo, a program designed to spotlight Oakland’s
literary heritage, promote literacy, and showcase well-known and
emerging authors. The Oakland Literature Expo is sponsored by
PEN Oakland, the Before Columbus Foundation, Poetry Flash, the
Oakland Public Library, and the California Arts Council.
Saturday’s activities include: open mikes for children, youth, and
adults; and a publishing and poet laureate panel. On Sunday,
the American Book Awards will be the happening place to be.
Literary luminaries Daniel Ellsberg, Jack Newfield, and Max
Rodriguez are the featured authors. Finally, on Monday, the
always exciting Literature Without Borders, featuring well-known and
local poets, will keep the party going. Internationally
acclaimed composer Steven Halpern will provide the musical backup
for the poets.
Come celebrate cultural diversity at the City of Oakland’s 3rd
Annual Art & Soul Festival, presented by Albertson’s.
www.artandsouloakland.com
or 510-444-CITY.