Artists Performing During Sidewalk Saturdays This Weekend
Decatur Metro | April 4, 2013
Over on Visit Decatur GA, Mary’s got a list of the artists who will be taking to the streets of Decatur this Saturday from 3p-6p to spread a little song, dance, art etc around Downtown Decatur and Oakhurst. Here’s her list of participating artists for April along with Mary’s descriptions.
- Elizabeth Dulemba: a noted children’s book illustrator, Elizabeth will turn her talents to sidewalk chalk art. She will mix serious illustration with interactive illustration where kids can pose in the art for fun pictures.
- Larkin Taylor-Parker: plays an incredible variety of songs on her tuba
- Lew Lefton and Joel Byars: will assemble an entourage of local comedic talent
- Luis Stefanell: a conga drummer and singer whose repertoire includes cha-cha mambo, samba and afro-cuban funk
- Troy Cono: singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist
- Maria Nicholas, on violin
- Valero Flamenco. Flamenco! I love flamenco!
Artists will be out and about each Saturday between 3p-6p in April, May and June as part of Sidewalk Saturdays.
Oh and I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass along Mary’s postscript, which includes a great link!
If you are interested by the idea of surprise public performances, you will love this story by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post. It has nothing to do with Sidewalk Saturdays but it’s a terrific piece about violinist Joshua Bell performing in the D.C. Metro. Thought provoking. And Weingarten won a Pulitzer for it.
Pic of Troy Cono courtesy of VisitDecaturGA
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Thanks for the plug. And special thanks to Mary for the original post on Decatur Tourism Blog. I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing event, and I can’t wait to see Decatur out and about this Saturday. Be sure to stop by Harmony Park to see me, and make a request.
You do know Free Bird, right?
Great idea!
I’m looking forward to this Saturday! I’ve always enjoyed sharing the creation process with the public and I think we’ll have a good time!
e
OK, expanding on the postscript.
Think you’d notice classical violinist Joshua Bell playing in the subway? Hundreds of DC metro riders didn’t back in 2007. Here’s the youtube, if you clicked thru Mary’s link and couldn’t get the video to work (like I did).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw
Brings up lots of interesting and great questions – not least is of which is, who and what defines great art?
That would be me. Here’s a complete list of all indisputably great art:
Thomas Kinkade paintings — all of ‘em
Celtic Thunder and Celtic Woman, all “performances.” Thank you PBS!
Danielle Steele novels
Don Johnson’s “Looking for a heartbeat”
Carl Lewis’ rendition of the national anthem
“Showgirls”
No, not enough nudity.
I like the way he talked about “framing” the arts experience.
For all questions related to art, ask the Art King.
The Art King can answer your question very easily. It’s the Art King who defines what great art is. He says Joshua Bell playing music in the subway is great art.
Joshua Bell riding the subway to work is also great art.
The fellow with eczema riding next to Joshua Bell on the subway to work is great art by association.
Hey, there’s my dance company! We will be performing on the 21st (location TBD). Just listen for the finger cymbals and live music!
Foo. No mimes.
( )
or jugglers.
I believe the application said something like no mimes or jugglers, can’t remember.
On another note, I believe the artists are getting paid a small stipend but are not allowed to busk. And that there is a no busking law in COD? A no busking law would explain our general lack of fun performance art. For instance Larkin, who lives in COD, has to trek to other ‘hoods to do her thing. Our loss.
And on a random but related note, here’s a brilliant TED talk by Amanda Palmer on the art of asking for help.
Also on Saturday, The Decatur Visitor Center (113 Clairemont) is holding a grand opening celebration. If you haven’t stopped by yet, or even if you have, you should check it out. The space has been wonderfully renovated and they are currently showing some of Ruth Franklin’s work on the inside. I’ve been volunteering there a little bit and you would be amazed at the people who stop by for information about our little burg.
Anyway the ribbon cutting is at 11:00 a.m. and the festivities are from ten to six o’clock. Refreshments all day from some of Decatur’s finest food and beverage purveyors. You can easily combine your visit with Sidewalk Saturday.