ArtBeat comes to Davis Square this weekend

ArtBeat hits the streets this coming weekend. – Photo by Christina M. Acosta

By Elizabeth Sheeran

It’s already a hotspot for entertainment and cultural pursuits. But Davis Square will step up its game still further this weekend for ArtBeat, a two-day celebration of all things creative and artistic.

This isn’t just any old cookie-cutter summer arts festival, said Rachel Strutt of the Somerville Arts Council. It’s a genuine community event that showcases local artists.

“We’re lucky in Somerville that we can tap into such an incredibly diverse, creative pool of innovative artists,” said Strutt.

The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Friday with an eclectic line up of music onstage in Seven Hills Park, behind Somerville Theater. The evening opens with the jazz and big band-era sounds of the Jazzabelles, followed by the Klezwoods’ modern take on Klezmer, and the psychedelic experimental music of Ghost Box Orchestra. Award-winning electronic hip-hop act Big Digits will cap off the night.

Elsewhere in the park on Friday evening will be Luminarium Dance, a performance fusing light and movement, as well as a chance to get creative with a festival-themed art project.

“The whole thing is going to be family friendly, but it’s going to get a little more raucous as the night wears on,” said Strutt.

ArtBeat continues at midday on Saturday, when the streets of Davis Square will be teeming with food and craft vendors, art installations and hands-on activities.

Saturday’s performance roster spans five different stages throughout the Square: A dance showcase in Somerville Theatre, puppetry and storytelling in Davis Square Theater, a mix of homegrown and international musical styles in Seven Hills Park and at the corner of Elm and Chester Streets, and a program in Elm Street Plaza that ranges from poetry to the Sunsetters youth vocal group.

Strutt said organizers try to keep things fresh each year by challenging artists to creatively interpret a unique theme. Festival-goers will be part of bringing this year’s “migration” theme to life, by joining in the Migratory Movements Parade, creating sidewalk chalk images of migratory birds, giving rides to paper butterflies “migrating” around the festival, and mapping their own migration as human animals.

All the events are free and open to all, although participants are encouraged to sport $3 ArtBeat dog tags to show their support for the festival. Strutt said dog tag sales help fund the annual event, along with the generosity of local businesses. “It’s very much an event that’s by the community, for the community,” said Strutt.

ArtBeat will take place in and around Davis Square from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 20, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. In the event of rain on either Friday or Saturday, the schedule of events will shift by one day. More information is online at http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/.