Barefoot Opens With 'Carnivale'

The Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Market will launch with a “Carnevale” Gala at 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, on . The gala will include entertainment, a silent auction, and food and wine.

A special performance by Atlanta’s “Dance Truck” on the Duluth Festival Stage accompanied by Duluth’s “Zephyr Instrumental” will open the festivities. Dance Truck will premiere a “Barefoot Dance” created for the occasion. Zephyr will introduce a new musical work later in the evening.

The gala also will feature Pulp Fashion II, a collection of fashions created from repurposed books, magazines and newspapers by Gwinnett Public Library branches. The fashion show will follow the Dance Truck performance on the festival stage.

Tickets for the Barefoot in the Park Gala are $60 for individuals or $110 for couples. A table for 8 can be reserved for $400. Ticket sales and silent auction proceeds benefit nonprofit art organizations and individual artists.

In its eighth year, the festival will present works by 60 juried visual artists and continual performances on two stages Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, along with children’s activities, adult learning classes, wine tastings, and more. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Click here for a list of participating artists and here for a performance schedule.

“The inclusion of ‘Dance Truck’ is an exciting element in the artistic mix that makes Barefoot such a special event,” said Barefoot’s Director Caryn McGarity. “This young performing group has been exciting audiences all over Atlanta and the Southeast, and we know our Gwinnett patrons will enjoy them too. Maybe we will all leave the party doing the ‘Barefoot Dance!’”

“Dance Truck” was created by Malina Rodriguez in 2009 as a vehicle to introduce new audiences to contemporary dance. The company uses a unique “pull up a truck and dance in it” approach.

Gala-goers also will enjoy an array of food from many of Gwinnett’s finest restaurants such as Mirko Pasta, Purple Rain, Pure Taqueria, Park Café, and caterer Proof of the Pudding among others. The silent auction will offer gifts, tickets, artwork, and many other items.

For more information about Barefoot in the Park contact info@barefootinthepark.org or call 678-677-0172.