NEWBURYPORT — Visitors will enjoy a roster of performances by Newburyport Arts Collective members, from dancers to plein air artists, when the city’s Spring Fest returns for a reimagined showcase for local artists on May 14 and 15th. The two days of free performances, hosted in Waterfront Park, and sponsored by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will include a Broadway cabaret featuring award-winning singers The Performing Project, top teen dancers from Joppa Dance Company, a set from the Zach Field Drums and Music high school rock ensemble, and theater from Acting Out, the Firehouse Center for the Arts, Anna Smulowitz Productions, and the Actor’s Studio of Newburyport.
“It’s going to be an exciting explosion of support for arts in the community,” says John Budzyna, co-owner of Acting Out and founding member of the Newburyport Arts Collective. “Coming out of the pandemic and being able to see people live and in person, it’s going to be a wonderful celebration.”
From 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m. both days, local performers will be in the spotlight, with the evenings given over to national acts. The event will close out Sunday evening with a performance by soulful vocalist Joan Osbourne, best known for her 1990s hit “One of Us.”
Spread out a blanket and spend the day. Local restaurants will be offering to-go picnics to enjoy during the performances.
In addition to performances on the main stage in Waterfront Park, plein air artists from the Newburyport Arts Association will set up easels along the waterfront and on Inn Street, creating paintings in real time. Local cultural organizations, including Tinkerhaus Maker Space and Newburyport Youth Services, will host tables with free crafts for kids, and dozens of master craftspeople will sell their wares.
“It is thrilling to gather so many talented artists –ranging in age from 5 years old to 80 for live performances again,” Budzyna says. “We are so grateful for the support of the City and the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce for creating this showcase for local artists.”
The Spring Fest is May 14th and 15th, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Waterfront Park. All events are free. Parking is available for $1 per hour at the Newburyport Intermodal Parking Garage, 2 Titcomb St. For more information, visit www.newburyportartscollective.org or find them on Facebook/Instagram @NACNewburyport
About Newburyport Arts Collective: The NAC brings local arts and cultural organizations together to combat the impact the pandemic has had on the local arts community. In addition to developing a website listing theater, music, dance, visual arts/crafts and other cultural events in Newburyport, NAC members have established regular meetings with city leaders to discuss enhanced support for the arts, and have begun to share resources, creating new collaborative events and productions and sharing rehearsal space. The Newburyport Arts Collective accepts tax deductible donations through their fiscal sponsor The Actor’s Studio of Newburyport: https://www.newburyportacting.org/support-us/
