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Make sure you schedule your vacation plans around
this year's summer festival. The Penn Avenue Festival Rocks
Against Racism will literally take over Penn Avenue (Between
Atlantic and Millvale) on Saturday, August 23, 2003, from
Noon-6PM. We'll have two stages, one including a variety of
diverse local artists such as, Barrett Black (Neoclassical Funk),
Soma Mestizo (Deep Dark Trance Grooves), and Fyah Wyah (Raggae),
beautiful Flamenco dancing by Flamenco Center of Pittsburgh, plus
the Steel Dragon Lion Dance Team and the hilarious improvisational
Comedy troupe I-Factor. The Second stage will play host to a full
day of spoken word, poetry, an open-mic, and public speakers
representing nearly 30 different political, social, and community
organizations working to promote greater tolerance among our
various cultures living and working together in Pittsburgh Between
the stages we'll have a variety of ethnic food flavors to sample
plus Whole Foods Market grilling up some sumptuous some-things.
We'll have artists selling their art and other vendors vending.
We'll have lots of fun things for kids to create and back by
popular demand - the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. And for the
4th year, the Parade Down Penn will be lead by the
Friendship/Garfield Dogs (and Babies) for Art!
And just announced, be a part of "Freakshow." "Freakshow" is a
realm in which the perceived weird, or freaky, is normalized and
accepted. Entertaining forms of guerrilla theater, interactive
games and satirical propaganda will be used to engage the public
on issues of racism, sexism, and classism. All circus performers,
activists, actors, drag queens, queers, those who like to dress
up, those who prefer to dress down and various other weirdos are
invited to collaborate and create this forum. This segment is
organized by O.P.T.I.C.S. (Organizing Pittsburgh To Increase
Community Solidarity). Other collaborators include: The circus
Against Western Imperialism, members of POG, 1877 and the Thomas
Merton Center.
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HISTORY
Each year, Rock Against Racism (of the Thomas Merton Center) brings
hundreds of people together to raise consciousness about anti-racism
efforts in Pittsburgh. The Penn Avenue Festival (of the Penn Avenue
Arts Initiative) brings hundreds
of people to Penn Avenue to celebrate community and the revitalization efforts
taking place along the Penn Avenue Corridor. Both Festivals employ
the arts to celebrate change. Both Festivals were created and run by
grass roots organizations that empower residents to become aware of
our efforts and to get involved. Both Festivals have been recognized
by the city as unique and valuable to making Pittsburgh a better
City. And, last year, both festivals occurred on the same day. (We
even shared many of the same artists.)
Noting that our
festival efforts are compatible; bridging together diverse
neighborhoods to create communities that celebrate diversity, the
PAAI and the TMC have decided to join forces and host one, giant festival smack dab in the middle of the Penn Avenue
Corridor where both organizations, the majority of our staff,
volunteers, and constituents live, work, and play.
Penn
Avenue Festival Rocks Against Racism will feature six hours of
diverse local performers, including Modern and African dance groups,
Reggae, Hip-Hop, folk music, singers, comedy troupes, and poets.
Local artists will be invited to sell their wares along side over 50
local organizations working against racism and for social justice.
There will be all kinds of youth art activities and local ethnic
restaurants with their delicious food samples. We will feature a 3
Versus 3 Basketball Tournament and Farmers Market (sponsored by
Whole Foods Market). And of course, the day will conclude with the
Parade Down Penn showing off the unique creations made as part of
the festival, led by the hysterical and adorable, Dogs for Art
(residents and their pets).
THE GOALS
Rock Against Racism continues to strive for the usual goals:
First, RAR aims to provide a
space for groups in the city already doing great work around the
many racial issues to come together, organize and collaborate. There
are so many groups working with race issues in Pittsburgh in a
variety of ways. Rock Against Racism is unique and important in that
it provides a space for them to amalgamate and work together. The
past two years, many groups networked and made vital connections
necessary to grow and succeed. This year, we want to make it bigger.
Secondly, the event provides an informational and
educational experience for not-yet-active individuals in Pittsburgh
to come and see what’s going on and how they can help. The more
organizations that attend and become visible, the more chance there
is for people to get involved.
Thirdly, it
seeks to bridge racial divides in art through art. The diverse
line-up of musicians and poets has always been eclectic and
inspiring. This year, we want to continue with the diversity in
these two genres but expand our definition of art. This will not
only make for an exciting show but will give local artists working
in non-traditional mediums a chance to shine.
Finally, the
event seeks to inject Pittsburgh with an awareness of a steadfast
presence of a community working for racial reconciliation. By
continuing the tradition this year, we make that presence more
permanent, the anti-racism movement larger and the vision more
attainable.
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