Second annual art festival brings Europe to Elgin
Downtown Elgin will transform into a European walkabout of food, art and entertainment this weekend, as the Art and Soul on the Fox makes its triumphant return after a successful stint with the FoxFire Festival in 2009.
Festival officials, who said the newly added Passaggiata - a movable feast of music, food, performance and spectacle - was inspired by the cultures of Paris and Montreal, among others, are very excited for its return this year, noting several new additions.
In place of outdoor food and beverage vendors, festival coordinator Sigi Psimenos said she and officials have worked with several local restaurants to serve as the primary culinary vendors during the two-day event.
Vendors include Mad Maggie's, Red Bar Winery and the Martini Room. Psimenos said over half of the participating vendors have added outdoor seating to better accommodate festival goers.
"Across the board, I have never put on an event with this number of people genuinely excited for it," she said.
"They are really embracing the concept, and with the feedback I'm receiving, they are having a good time thinking of things to have at their venues," Psimenos added.
Local flavor has always been the theme, according to Psimenos and Sandy Kaptain, chair of the Art for All committee, responsible for organizing the varied artists exhibited.
With a base of about 2,000 available artists, 500 artists submitted applications to be featured at the weekend festival.
Psimenos said from the 500, over 80 artists were chosen based on their handiwork and expertise.
"Our number one goal is to make sure that we have a nice variety of artists, instead of just canvas or jewelry artists, and that the work created by these individuals is one of a kind, and not mass marketed," she said.
Kaptain said she hoped to focus on the fine craft as much as the fine art, as well as ensuring the pieces or artist were affordable for the Elgin area.
"There's something for everyone. Everything is local art, and not made in China, which is a nice feature," she said.
"With having so many artists, especially when you want to have more than one jewelry artists, there are concerns that you will get too many of the same type, but we were able to find a nice variety," Kaptain added.
Even though the art show shuts down in the evening, festivities continue well into the night, including varied live entertainment at the two stages or several of the participating restaurants.
Psimenos said acts include opera, bluegrass, rap and world-themed performances, which further strengthens her something for everyone claim.
"I know a lot of festivals say that, but how often can you go somewhere that will have bluegrass music, Middle Eastern belly dancers and African drummers? Not often," she said.
Outdoor theater afficionados will appreciate Walkabout Theater's theme, "Hidden Places, Found Spaces." It begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St. The tour will lead to five locations in downtown Elgin, stopping at each spot to view a different theatrical performance. Participating companies include Envision Theatre, Great American Artistic Consortium, Janus Theatre, Nothing Special Productions, and Vex Theatre.
These performances will take place July 31, Aug. 7 and 14. Tickets are $15. Call (847) 841-1713 or visit www.elginwalkabout.blogspot.com for details.
For general festival information, visit artforall-elgin.com.
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<li><a href="/story/?id=396595">'Walkabout' to showcase behind-the-scenes Elgin<span class="date">[07/28/10]</span></a></li>
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<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> The second annual Art and Soul on the Fox Festival featuring food, music, visual and performing arts</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> DuPage Court, South Grove Avenue and the corner of Fulton and Spring streets</p>
<p class="News"><b>Admission:</b> Free for art show and live music; $15 for Walkabout Theater</p>
<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://artforall-elgin.com" target="new">artforall-elgin.com</a>; <a href="http://www.elginwalkabout.blogspot.com" target="new">www.elginwalkabout.blogspot.com</a></p>