Jennifer Float | Dayton937

Street Fair is Coming!

Plans for summer events are really brewing around Yellow Springs. The Chamber is full of signs ready to go out and huge maps of booth positions. Artists are dropping in with questions. You can feel the energy in the air. Street Fair is coming June 11th 9 a.m.-5 p.m.! Everywhere I turn, artists are working feverishly to get a booth full of pottery, sculpture, paintings, hand-crafted clothes, bags or unique jewelry ready for you.

One of my favorites is Jennifer Float’s booth with her colorful and whimsical paintings. Jenny is a happy painter. She has a very high “Awww” factor. Everyone smiles when they see her work. For the last 2 months, every time I see Jenny shop sitting at Village Artisans (an artist co-op in Yellow Springs) she has half-done canvases stacked on every surface and a brush in hand. Jenny doesn’t do much sitting when she shop-sits.

So, you probably know about Street Fair, but do you know about some of the other cool events being planned for this summer? On June 17^th, the Friday after Street Fair, is Yellow Springs’ Art Stroll from 6-9 p.m. One of my favorite shows is happening that night. Every 2 years is the Miniature Show at “would you could you In A Frame,” at 113 Corry Street. This year, fifty-two artists have created over 100 pieces of fabulous, tiny art. Included are 3-D works, paintings, embroideries, encaustics and more, all no larger than 3 inches x 2 inches.

Art by Lance Rudegeair

The new gallery in town is Springs Gallery in King’s Yard, 220 Xenia Avenue. It will have its Grand Opening celebration during Art Stroll. I’ve already had a peek inside and loved the art. Many of their artists will be present at the opening.

The Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery, 309 Xenia Ave. is having a great reception that will include art, live music and belly dancing.

Also on Art Stroll night, the Art’s Council in partnership with the Jafagirls is going to have a truly disgusting, Interactive Public Art Project at the Art Park at 100 Corry Street. The world’s first Traveling Gum Wall will be there. This summer and fall the Traveling Gum Wall is going to be popping up all over town, serving as a fundraiser for the Arts Council. Gum is sold for a buck a piece. You buy the gum, chew, chew some more, squish it onto the Gum Wall, and then sign the back.

Whoops, almost forgot, the Gum Wall will be at Street Fair too at the Arts Council’s Oasis, 309 Xenia Ave.

Much more is going on during Art Stroll, Art Sale at Village Artisans, live music, beer making demo, wine tasting, Free Art Friday,….

Maybe I better explain Free Art Friday. It’s a movement around the world to leave art on the streets for anyone to find and take home. It’s been a while since the Jafagirls of Yellow Springs have done a Free Art Friday. But the word is out, Friday the 17^th there will be art for the finding. (Check the trees!)

Quick run down of other offerings for the summer: Twice a month, 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, will be “Dance Piazza” with DJ Juju at the Art Park, 100 Corry Street.

From 7-8 p.m. there are dance instructors to show steps to anyone who wants to join in. From 8-10 p.m. It’s an international Dance Party with DJ Juju.

Here is a list of the styles of Dance taught for the first hour of each Dance Piazza. The last two hours dance any which way you please!

JUNE 18 – International Folk Dances with Miami Valley Folk Dancers
JULY 2 – Bhangra (Punjabi Folk Dance) with Karanvir Singh
JULY 16 – Swing Dance with Jill Christie of the Dayton Ballroom Dance Club
AUGUST 6 – Mexican Folk Dance with Nuestro Orgullo youth dance troupe
AUGUST 20 – Flamenco Dance & Guitar with Mariya Tarakanova & Brent Del Bianco of Flamencotalk
SEPTEMBER 3 – West African Drum & Dance with BabaaRitah Clark
SEPTEMBER 17 – Appalachian Clogging & Old Time Music with Rick Good (formerly of Rhythm in Shoes) & Friends

July brings : The Cotton Club” a YS Kids Playhouse jazz musical and the “Yellow Springs Experience.” July 15^{th –}17^th three days and nights filled with the “Cirque Carnival,” Live music and Dance, Wellness and Spa Sessions, Nature Hikes and Art Workshops. Woo hoo! Tell you more about that later.

See you in the Springs!

It’s a bit mind-boggling. There are almost too many art events going on in Yellow Springs this October 15th-17th weekend…… nah!

Friday night is Art Sroll, and I am really looking forward to that. But I’ve already told you about Art Stroll in my last blog. Though I do have 2 new offering to add to Friday night’s mix:
At 8 p.m. you can stop by the Gardens of 100 Corry Street for a free outdoor theater performance of- “Hey that’s a Nice Bike “ created by Vanessa Query. A second performance at 9 p.m. will be in the courtyard in front of Sam &Eddies on Xenia Ave.

From 5p.m.-9p.m, in King’s Yard, Mike Garrett will be carving Tikis. Mike is a great Tiki Carver, I can’t wait to see this!

Big breath, get ready, here’s the rest of the weekend-

On Saturday is a “Couples Adventure.” If you’d like something new to do to keep your relationship growing or just want to have fun with your love, here’s a list of 5 new experiences that you can have together on Saturday the 16th.
1. “Healing and relaxation comes when you drum. ”Make a drum filled with your spirit and then later learn to drum together. In this special workshop at Wild Gourd Studio you can each make your own gourd drum with gourd artist Cynthia McDonald. Cynthia plays a lovely, haunting Native American flute and the drum. She has drums in her studio for you to try.
2. A new way to care for each other. During a Thai-Yoga Massage workshop, you’ll learn how to help each other with a deeply relaxing form of bodywork that combines assisted stretching derived from yoga with acupressure style massage and energy balancing. The instructor, Jen Ater, traveled to Thailand to learn with masters this healing bodywork of Thai-Yoga Massage.
3. Bliss out with a great combo-a relaxing private yoga class followed by Swedish massage sessions for the both of you. Janet Baer offers this private session at her beautifully decorated old farmhouse with a labyrinth in the garden.
4. Declare your love forever. Work with Sarah Strong, at Strong heArt Studio and an old time printing press to hand print your own love poster.
5. Create a masterpiece together with New Orlean’s artist Jennifer Float. In Jenny’s Cork and Canvas Class you’ll drink wine, party and make art.
You can sign up and pay for any of these activities at www.getawaysforwomen.com

You need to sign up by Friday morning.

Both Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. is Yellow Springs Artist Studio Tour and Sale. It’s the one time each year that some of Yellow Springs fabulous artists open their studios to visitors. You get to see how they make their art, what tools they use, watch demos, talk with the artists and purchase art. It’s a fascinating peep into an artist’s life. This year there are also 1-2 guest artists at each of the 8 artist’s studios, so you get the opportunity to meet a couple of artists at each stop on the tour.
Download a map at www.ysarts.org This is a free event.

For a great end to a wonderful day, on Saturday from 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. you can stop over at the “Artoberfest” for a music festival and Beer Garden. “Artoberfest” will be held at The Barr Property on the corner of Limestone and Xenia Ave.
During “Artoberfest”, you can enter your favorite beer container in the “Finest Stein” contest to be judged by local artists and celebrities between 7 and 8 pm. Seasonal beers, wine and food will be available and live bands will perform. Brewing and other food and drink demonstrations are planned. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at www.yellow-springs-experience.org

On Saturday from 6:00-8:30 p.m. is another reception for an exhibit called “Emerging Visions: Antiochians Make Art” It’s at the Herndon Gallery, in South Hall at Antioch College. The show features paintings, prints, and works on paper and tile by 6 alumni artists.

As always, there is more going on, but I’ve run out of steam. Hope you get a chance to join the fun in Yellow Springs this weekend! If you meet up with me, (I’ll be the one in the black ball cap with Jafagirls written in hot pink across the front) say hi!

Yellow Springs Street Fair is Coming!

Art Weekend in Yellow Springs