Mayor’s choice rocks Somerville

By Caitlin Jackson

It’s not every mayor who shows promise in booking musical talent. But here in Somerville, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone rocked the crowd with his own personal musical find, Italian band Rota Temporis, at last weekend’s ArtBeat.

Curtatone said he saw the band perform when he was visiting Somerville’s Italian sister city, Gaeta and was impressed enough to help set up their local appearance.

The exceptionally interesting longhaired fivesome featured three harmonizing bagpipers, two drummers and a gong. Rota Temporis sang a variety of medieval like chants, proving that the bagpipe truly does rock harder than the electric guitar, and that Celtic tradition and rock music somehow sound amazing together.

Curtatone’s musical discovery shook the crowd out of their post dinner coma and into a dancing frenzy. “I need a powerful scream to start playing my drum,” shouted the lead singer, and Somerville gave a powerful scream indeed.

Judging from the crowd’s wild response, Curtatone’s musical instincts were right on.

“We love you Somerville!” shouted Rota Temporis, after bringing the mayor onstage to personally thank him and give him gifts. The musical lineup continued at the Seven Hills Park Stage until past eleven, to everyone’s satisfaction.

Aside from a mayor as musical talent scout, this year’s ArtBeat featured another innovative combination: art and the environment. The theme was ‘Green,’ a truly fashionable and socially conscious event linking art with nature that proved to be a goldmine of activities and creations.

ArtBeat 2008 began with a blast Friday night at the Seven Hills Park Stage where, despite a light rain, bands rocked the square. Indian food from Diva was sold and went down with delight by many picnickers who sprawled out on the grass to watch the bands.

ArtBeat festivities continued all day Saturday and beat the weekends heat in a variety of ways.

Lemonade vendors lined the streets and with slushes around every corner it was hard to complain. With over ninety craft vendors selling everything from sock monkeys to mermaid mirrors, ArtBeat provided an eclectic delight.

The ‚ÄòGreen‚Äô theme was present throughout Davis Square and most every vendor and activity found a  way to incorporate this motif into his or her artistic statement. ‚ÄúDifferent Spokes‚Äù, an all day exhibit in the middle of the square, displayed the boundless possibilities of bike decorating. One bike towed a canoe that kids spent the day painting, while another bike was encased by a large, silver wrap-around fish. Local group The Bicycle Riding School had a booth and gave out information their classes. With over 2,000 successful bike riders taught, the Bicycle Riding School makes Davis Square all the greener with every novice they transform into an experienced bike rider. The Smart Car was on hand and with the streets lined with bikes, decorated and fabulous, ArtBeat attained its ‚ÄúGreen‚Äù flavor.

Web group ‘Izzit Green’ had a colorful booth, and explained it’s purpose of getting communities to evaluate their local businesses in terms of environmental adequacy. The Kickass Cupcake booth across the way from ‘Izzit Green’ was also a hot spot at ArtBeat. Each delicious cupcake, coming in a variety of flavors and frostings, looked like little masterpieces.

The vendors of ArtBeat lined the streets of Elm and Holland and multiple stages, including the Somerville Theater, were filled to showcase musical, dance, and performance art of every variety. From kid pleasers the Peanut Butter and Jelly Dance Company to the indie pop of Shrinking Islands, there was something for everyone.

The day’s festivities culminated with a bicycle parade featuring very well balanced kids on stilts and festooned bicycles galore. ArtBeat 2008 was certainly a treasure trove of local talent and Davis Square should be proud to have hosted such an artistically charming and globally mindful event.

Photos by Scott Liberatore