SOMERVILLE, MA — Davis Square will once again become the center of Somerville's arts scene when the annual ArtBeat Festival returns on Saturday, July 18, bringing a full day of live music, dance, art, food and community activities.
Presented by the city's Arts & Culture division, the festival is scheduled to take place from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout Davis Square. This year's event will feature more than 70 craft vendors, two stages of live music, a dance showcase, literary readings, roaming performers, family activities, food vendors and a community parade.
This year's theme is "REVolution," which organizers describe as a creative take on transformation and challenging the status quo while recognizing the nation's 250th anniversary. The theme will be reflected throughout the day's performances, art installations, and interactive activities.
Music will take place throughout the day on two stages. The Seven Hills Stage in Seven Hills Park will feature performances by Ruby Grove, Mean Black Spider, Cheyenne Mize & the REVolving Sound, Kotoko Brass, Dr. Beaver, Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, La Diaspora Combo, and Intac. Meanwhile, the Elm Street Stage will host literary readings followed by performances from the Baker Thomas Band, Los Mambiseros, Kingfisher Contra Dance Party, and Mal Devisa.
At 5 p.m., the festival's annual Community Parade will leave the Elm Street Stage and wind through Davis Square to Seven Hills Park. Mayor Jake Wilson and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble are expected to lead the procession, which will also include historical characters, the Prospect Hill Memorial Tower of Power float, the Flower Power brigade and community members. Attendees are encouraged to join the parade.
Additional programming will be spread throughout the square during the day. The Somerville Theatre will host a dance showcase featuring six dance companies, while interactive activities include flower-making workshops, historical exhibits presented by the Somerville Museum, a community "Spark Wall," collage and poetry workshops, puppet performances, cooking demonstrations and activities for children.
Food vendors will be located throughout the festival, including several businesses participating in the Somerville Arts Council's Nibble program supporting immigrant-owned food businesses.
Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring refillable water bottles, which can be filled at the festival's Quench Buggy. $3 donations will be collected to help support the event, and donors will receive a commemorative dog tag.
ArtBeat is known as one of Somerville's largest annual cultural festivals, drawing thousands of visitors to Davis Square each summer for a celebration of local artists, performers, musicians and community organizations. Streets will reopen to traffic at 7 p.m., while performances on the Seven Hills Stage continue until 9 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, a rain date is set for Sunday, July 19.
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