Borough Green going to the arts

0
88

The Naugatuck Town Green will be the site of the borough’s first ever All Arts Festival Oct. 1. FILE PHOTO

NAUGATUCK — The arts are coming alive in downtown Naugatuck Oct. 1 when the Naugatuck Arts Commission hosts its first All Arts Festival on the Town Green.

“It’s just going to be a relaxing day with music and visual arts,” said Marianna Hanley, an arts commissioner and event organizer.

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Green will transform into an artistic oasis, with live local music, an outdoor gallery, and artistic demonstrations.

The Arts Commission has hosted smaller events in the past, but this year it decided to do one larger event to bring everyone down to the Green for one day.

“We just wanted to give it a run, see how it goes. … Hopefully we’ll get a few people down there,” Hanley said.

She said the arts festival will highlight local talent and give artists a venue to showcase their work and network with other artists.

“If somebody so chooses, this is a venue for them to be able to show it, maybe compare it with somebody else that’s out there,” she said.

The event will include a chalk-the-walk contest, children’s activities, food vendors, and an art show.

Naugatuck native and nationally recognized blues guitarist, Eran Troy Danner will host an open mic on the main stage. Interested musicians may reserve a time slot by calling (203) 723-2005. A drum kit will be provided. Walk-ons will also be welcomed to the stage throughout the day.

Photos from the “Outdoor Fun” photo contest will be displayed and judged. The top three winners will receive a $75, $50, and $25 gift certificate, respectively.

Demonstrations are booked every hour including pieces by the Phoenix Stage Company, Naugatuck Teen Theater, Edible Dreams cake decorating, a karate studio, the Woodland High School Dance Team swing dance, Terri’s Flower Shop, and belly dancing.

A pARTicipate tent will invite guests to try their hand a various artistic endeavors.

Visual artists may drop off their work ready to hang by 9 a.m. Oct. 1 to be included in the exhibition tent. Artwork will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

“There’s a lot to see, there’s a lot to be proud of,” Hanley said.